From minuscule eggs to flying beauties, butterflies are stunning natural examples of growth, adaptation, and rebirth. Butterfly metamorphosis is an amazing reminder that extraordinary transformation begins with the power of small changes.
The process of metamorphosis starts with the egg. No bigger than the head of a pin, these tiny eggs are the crucial first step in the butterfly’s journey. Each stage of metamorphosis depends on the one previous; there’s no skipping from egg to butterfly. We, like the butterfly, must start at the beginning on our personal journey.
After hatching, the caterpillar has just one job- eat! The caterpillar phase is the last time many butterfly species will need to eat. All the energy the adult butterfly will need for the rest of its life is provided by the caterpillar in the span of three to four weeks. Caterpillars can grow up to 100 times their larval size in this time. They also develop a hardened layer, called an exoskeleton, to protect themselves from predators. The exoskeleton does not grow with the caterpillar, so it is shed four to five times during this phase to accommodate growth.
Like caterpillars, we use what’s around us as fuel. Everything we experience, positive or negative, has an impact on the type of person we grow into. Lessons we learn now about mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing will help us prepare for the future. We can also get rid of what no longer suits us. Just like the caterpillar, we are constantly growing and shedding old versions of ourselves. Our own hard outer layers are often a protective response to external threats or discomforts. While our exoskeletons may protect us, they also limit our growth if we cannot shed them. In order to transform, we need to learn that it is safe and necessary to shed our outer layers.
Once the caterpillar is fully grown, it forms a chrysalis, or cocoon, and enters the pupal stage. Cocoons are often found under leaves, branches, or even underground. The pupal stage varies across species, but can last anywhere from a few weeks to two years. While this stage looks static from the outside, inside the cocoon huge changes are happening. The pupa liquifies and from the cellular level the butterfly forms. Despite essentially melting into goop, the adult butterfly retains memories of the pupa, like flight patterns and food locations.
It may take time to reach our goals. What may take weeks for one can take years for others- but there is no time limit on transformation. Stay secure in the knowledge that even if it feels like nothing is happening on the outside, we are constantly changing inside. Just as the cocoon is hidden and protected while the butterfly develops, it’s alright to seek solitude during your metamorphosis. Give yourself permission to slow down and allow your mind and body the space and time needed to change. This metamorphosis might mean letting go of the past, or an old version of ourselves. Allow yourself the freedom to really experience your thoughts and feelings as you go through this process.
Once the butterfly emerges from the cocoon, its wings must dry before taking off. While the cocoon offers safety and protection for the pupa, it will hold the butterfly back unless it can break free. Our comfort zones are safe, but we’ll never be able to complete our metamorphosis stuck in a cocoon. While we may struggle with learning something new, with a little practice we’ll be on our way in no time.
All change begins with an ending. The end of the caterpillar is just the beginning of the butterfly- and it’s impossible to be both a caterpillar and a butterfly at once. In order to complete our transformations, we need to be able to let go of the past and embrace change to adjust to the life we want.
When your path to transformation gets difficult, think about the butterfly. Like the butterfly emerging from its cocoon, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and renewal. Trust in the process, and you too will emerge successful and ready to embark on your own journey.