dear mariposa,
most ephemeral of all creatures,
gorgeous, winged and fragile.
your delicate presence
inspires from earliest childhood sightings,
throughout the gardens of our entire lives.
you
perfect embodiment of
resurrection, transformation,
the winged hope of willingness, acceptance, perseverance, fortitude.
monarch from the beach of elizabeth bunsen at
you are the quientisential sojourner
gliding on airstreams
in a 3,000 mile migration each spring and fall,
a life cycle taking several generations to complete.
dear mariposa,
living fully one fleeting day at a time,
i want to be your guardian.
i want to inspire anyone you have ever delighted with
your painted charmed wings;
to be a part of your epic journey.
your survival depends on these bright blossoms of hope,
and each nurturing leaf of
spread across the entire length of your migration corridor.
milkweed,
once immeasurable
gorgeous swaths blanketing whole continents,
perfect nurseries for your chrysalis miracles to emerge and feast.
photo generously shared from
your decline now linked directly
to the demise of this perfect hospitable plant.
in the cycle of Asclepias,
our milkweed stands like silent luminous candles preparing
to dry like so many rattles of autumn before bursting their seed wishes free.
it is almost time to collect the seeds of the Asclepias
that will best thrive in your native area.
time to dream and plan
a generous swath of hope in your spring garden
so you too can be a part of the monarchs
beautiful and hopeful life.
please join me by planting
one more way station of survival for the monarchs.
soon monarchs will arrive by the millions to winter in the
oyamel forests of
as they have for thousands of years.
the indigenous of mexico believe butterflies are the returning souls of their
ancestors,
their arrival perfectly coinciding with dia de los muertos.
a special thanks to eb and bonnie
for sharing so generously their beautiful images as credited above.
may the majesty of the monarch
inspire you to cultivate Asclepias in your garden
providing necessary sustenance for survival,
offering safe harbors of compassion for
her epic journey.
love monarchs?
please share this post/link and spread the inspiration to
guardian the monarch!
and where my friends has paradise taken you?
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and oh my dear how the monarch and all it's myth, lore and magic has me in it's grip.
x..x
Posted by: Stephanie | September 09, 2012 at 08:15 AM
Honoring this post I will share a Monarch postcard this week as well.
xx
Posted by: gemma | September 09, 2012 at 09:01 AM
Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, California has a monarch migratory way station. I stood underneath the trees and looked up at millions of wings fluttering. It was amazing.
Posted by: Cheryl's Excellent Adventure | September 09, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Our Monarchs all seem to have left us for the year......must be on their way to you. I can't even imagine their journey. Their arrival must be an amazing sight. One was left behind in our garden. I have gently scooped it up to cherish.
Posted by: gayle | September 09, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Viva la mariposa!
Posted by: Magical Mystical Teacher | September 09, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Wonderful, magical and loving post ~ Wow ~ Beautiful photography! ~ (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: Carol | September 09, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Rebecca this is phenomenally beautiful and such a tribute and a clarion call to take action to protect and continue this beloved species. The butterfly was the totem for our cohort when I was at Pacifica. It is the essential archetype for transformation, and in Greek mythology, as you well know, Psyche(soul) is always represented in the form of a butterfly. I don't have a garden but I wholeheartedly support your efforts and will pass this on. We have monarchs that visit Santa Barbara once a year in droves and hang from the trees like leaves during their migration. We go to the woods to see them. It is quite beautiful and they are very much a part of our lives here.
xoxoxo,
Noelle
Posted by: Noelle | September 09, 2012 at 12:20 PM
I have so much to say about this right now....but I can hardly see thru my tears of JOY...come see why!!
Posted by: deb taylor | September 09, 2012 at 03:06 PM
what a beautiful journey Rebecca.
Posted by: Ana | September 09, 2012 at 03:20 PM
My best friend and neighbor grows milk weed in her garden for just this very reason... it is time for me to plant some... and I will with the seeds of inspiration that you, sweet eb, and lovey somepinkflowers have gifted us with... I have been very close to this place in Michoacan... and in San Juan Capistrano... but have never seen this wonder... I hope it is there still one day, for me and others to be amazed by...
Posted by: Lea | September 09, 2012 at 03:47 PM
What an inspiring post with words and images of butterflies, flowers and mystical art. Thanks, as always, for hosting us.
Posted by: Fran aka Redondowriter | September 09, 2012 at 09:17 PM
Indeed, viva la mariposa!! This celebrations brings tears to my heart, gladness in my heart...thank you, Rebecca :o) ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | September 10, 2012 at 04:50 AM
this is beautiful, i especially love "be dream play" and the wispy photos by those words...
Posted by: Brianne | September 11, 2012 at 10:47 AM
I didn't see this when you posted it but that same day i was admiring these same butterflies... I got a lovely video of one to add to one of my next art videos! Beautiful post!
Posted by: Andrea thompson | September 15, 2012 at 09:33 AM