Yesterday, I witnessed what I can only describe as a small miracle. While watering my garden, I came across what I thought was a bizarre, dying insect. A freakishly large, fuzzy creature. I sat and watched it for a while, couldn’t figure out what it could possibly be, and went inside to retrieve my camera.
Upon returning five minutes later, I knew exactly what I was looking at- the wilted and “dying” bug has suddenly sprouted beautiful green wings, slowly unfolding along purplish spines. I had found a Luna Moth- something I’ve always wanted to see, but have never had the luck. Not only did I find a Luna Moth, but I was watching something rare and wonderful- a freshly-emerged male Luna Moth. (the male moths have the distinctive antennae, while the female’s are smaller and not “feathered”).
I watched him for several hours, and took about two hundred frames! His metamorphosis occurred in approximately twelve hours, although I am not sure at what time last night he ultimately took flight. Finding and observing this moth has been a transformative experience for me. I know that I may never see another Luna Moth, so I devoted several hours yesterday to just sitting and watching, photographing (and protecting) this moth from the many possible predators who might have disturbed his short life. Luna Moths are born with no mouth. They do not eat, and live only for about a week. How sad that something so exquisitely beautiful is so ephemeral. The details on his wings looked like the finest silk embroidery, and I frequently got lost in the delicate morphing of purples, greens and yellows which made up his fluffy body, legs, antennae and wings.
I’m so grateful for my ability to see the tiniest details in my life. Even without realizing it, my eyes constantly scan my environment in great detail. I’m the person who can find a needle in a haystack. I’m the person who doesn’t miss a beat. If I wasn’t who I am, neurologically, I might very well have never seen this moth, and completely missed this opportunity.
This morning I did some research on Luna moths and found some interesting perspectives.
“Throughout history, butterflies and moths have frequently been shown as symbols of rebirth, regeneration, and renewal – even depicted as a spiritual guide through transformation to a new self. They are the archetypal example of the soul itself, a creature with a unique gift endowed by nature to completely alter its physical form. Their ability to undergo metamorphosis and emerge as an entirely new being, from the ground-restricted caterpillar to the free-flying winged beauty is certainly a wonderful metaphor for hope and transformation.
A particularly serene and spectacular representative of Lepidoptera (the order of insects that includes moths and butterflies) is the Luna moth (Actias luna). As one of the largest moths in North America, with a wingspan that can reach 4.5 inches, Luna moths are truly distinctive, possessing a gorgeous translucent lime green color, long narrow hind wings and a set of eye spots to confuse predators. Luna moths are in the family Saturniidae, which are also known as the giant silkworm moths, for their size and the silk cocoons they make.” (Credit- Crystal Cockman)
Luna Moth lore abounds with fascinating symbology, and the Luna Moth as animal totem is a most positive recognition:
“Luna moths are associated with intuition, psychic perception and increased awareness. My own opinion is that sightings are so rare and so striking that whenever we see a Luna moth our thoughts seek out some event in our own life to create meaning. More generally, in many cultures butterflies and moths are thought to symbolize human souls, rebirth, transformation… From Bulfinch’s Mythology “The Greek name for a butterfly is Psyche, and the same word means the soul. There is no illustration of the immortality of the soul so striking and beautiful as the butterfly, bursting on brilliant wings from the tomb [pupa] in which it has lain, after a dull, grovelling, caterpillar existence, to flutter in the blaze of day and feed on the most fragrant and delicate productions of the spring. Psyche, then, is the human soul, which is purified by sufferings and misfortunes, and is thus prepared for the enjoyment of true and pure happiness.”
Psyche’s story is of a young woman who became the lover of Eros (Cupid in Roman era), who was with her only during the darkness of night. For the forbidden folly of viewing his sleeping body by lamplight, she was tasked by the Goddess Aphrodite (Eros’ mother, named Venus in Roman era ) with four near-impossible challenges. Upon completing these, she was given the drink of immortality by Zeus, and rejoined Eros. In art, Psyche is often portrayed with butterfly wings while Eros is shown with feathered wings.” (Source: Maynard Life Outdoors)
Filed under: an epiphany of sorts..., ephemera, la vita semplice, love of nature, my journey is this, Rural Living
