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imagery
rainbow butterfly journey
Psychospiritual Approaches

definition

Butterfly represents metamorphosis, going within to come out whole again. Ancient symbols for the soul, butterflies were thought to be inhabited by the souls of humans while they searched for new incarnations; in classical Greek, the words for butterfly and soul are the same. The butterfly also represents freedom. After entering into the dark void of the cocoon, Butterfly emerges bright and free, living the great mystery of its metamorphosis. All the stages of its development are displayed prominently on its fluttering message.
The stages of the butterfly's metamorphosis correspond to the stages of human spiritual growth. As the larvae, we are still unconscious of all but what is right in front of us. We go into the inner depths of ourselves in the cocoon to pupate, and when we break that shell and take flight, we are freed spiritually to share our joy with all the world.
Butterflies are also a symbol of fragility, more for their transparency to light than from intrinsic weakness. They are, however, an indicator species, not strong enough to escape the ravages upon their environment. Because of deforestation and pesticides, many varieties of butterflies are becoming extinct. One such species, the Queen Alexandra's Bird-Winged Butterfly, was discovered in Papua, New Guinea, by a Danish explorer as recently as the 1940s. We have barely discovered its existence and know very little about it, yet it is already endangered by encroaching civilization. This bird-winged butterfly has a wingspan of one-and-a-half to two feet and is nocturnal in its habits. The males are brilliantly colored with red, turquoise, and gold markings. The Gimi tribe, its only human neighbors, is also nearing extinction. Both live in a palm forest near the shore. The palm trees, the primary source of food and shelter for these butterflies, are being decimated for palm oil.
Butterflies stand for freedom and spirit, yet they have been long sought after as specimens for their beauty. The bird-winged butterflies are especially desirable because of their immense size. There are now breeding programs ostensibly to preserve the species while keeping them enslaved, feeding the materialism of those who would take their souls while piercing their hearts for their display cases.
The Rainbow Butterfly that brought this journey to the Cauldron helps build self-esteem. People who are afraid to see the real face within their own being spend tremendous energy creating and keeping up masks to hide behind. The transformative qualities of the Rainbow Butterfly makes for a great ally for building the kind of self-esteem that allows people to be themselves, and to appreciate their own beauty.
Take an idea or concept of what you want to be and how you want to see yourself, then take this journey to go within. When you break out of your cocoon, you will have become that which you have intended. The costume that the butterfly brings back from within the darkness and mystery of the cocoon is the beauty of the spirit of yourself in all your glory. The metamorphosis of butterfly is about the mystery of what happens when you go within to the darkness to manifest the beauty you were born to create.

Butterfly journey
Use the regular Cauldron alchemy, but this time when the steam condenses through the crown, it will be into a very fine beam of light. . . . As you come up this beam through your crown, you enter a cocoon, guided and protected by Thoth. . . . Within this cocoon you are gently and softly held in place as though wrapped in soft, crystalline gauze. An ever-present heartbeat marks time as you pupate in your silken womb. . . . Pause.
Approaching the final stage of metamorphosis, you can see reflections or flickering colored lights which are the radiance of your self against the crystalline fibers of the cocoon, providing an opportunity to glimpse your inner beauty. There is a passing of energy as this radiance hits the fibers of the cocoon. It bounces back and mirrors the divine creation that you are, literally recoding through self-esteem. Enjoy and bask in this radiance and brightness of colors that penetrates the darkness of your cocoon. . . . Long pause
The walls of the cocoon start to disintegrate. As the walls fall away, you begin to stretch your wings. This is a slow process, for you are wet and need time to dry. Open your arms wide and experience your colorful wings as they unfurl. They are exquisite. Feel the energy in them and delight in their colorful patterns. Enjoy the exhilaration as your bonds are lifted and you release yourself to flight. . . . You are a magnificent butterfly. This form stays with you always. Take some time now to experience your flight while you dance in the sunlight like a flying flower. . . . Long pause
When you are ready, wrap your butterfly wings around your body and slide back into your human form, taking the radiance of your beautiful butterfly with you.
Take a moment with Thoth, to share your experience. . . .
Thoth will assist you back into ordinary consciousness. . . .
(Scully)

Reprinted with permission from the author, Nicki Scully, and the publisher, Bear and Co., from The Golden Cauldron, Bear and Co., Boulder, CO., 1991.
Visit www.shamanicjourneys.com for more information.

uses:
self-esteem issues

see also:
reparenting imagery
see also other Scully visualizations:
Cauldron alchemy and initiation
bear journey (heart)
gold journey (heart)
Kuan Yin journey (compassion)
Mut and Crone journey (healing intuition and wisdom)
Taueret journey (birth)


footnotes