Aspen: Butterfly

Each of the Celtic trees correlates with an animal symbol. The Celtic day of Aspen, the day before the autumnal equinox, is associated with:

Animal: Butterfly

In the Ted Andrews' Animal Wise Tarot, the butterfly is depicted as the Ace of Shapeshifters (Cups in traditional tarot) which represents new love, joy, and health. Butterflies are the epitome of the wonderous metamorphosis among insects and are universally regarded as a sign of transformation and change. When butterfly appears, a new beginning is near. A new stage in our life is manifesting, one that will bring a renewal of health, joy, and love. It signals the presence of nectar in our life. We will be able to make new starts and any changes we follow through on will bring happiness. It is time to emerge and to move on from one stage of life to the next. Opportunities present themselves for us to take flight. It is a signal of new spiritual insight and heightened use of our "antennae" to tune into our intuition. We will soon feel more fertile, creative, and alive. Butterfly encourages us to take part in the new dance manifesting around us, reminding us that dance brings joy and sweetness of life.

According to The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit deck, butterfly represents undergoing great change and transformation. It is with us during periods of transition. Since air is the element of the heart, this change usually involves relationships (or if you love your job, perhaps career). Since transition is accompanied by some amount of discomfort, be extra patient and kind during this time, especially if the butterfly is you. Let solid friends and activities support you like a "cocoon." Committing to one daily routine (a meal, practice, or prayer) done at the same place and time will do wonders for lifting a butterfly's spirit. When butterfly energy is in balance, we feel cheerful and graceful. When it's out of balance, fragile and frustrated. To bring it into balance, establish a daily routine.

While many people might think of butterfly as a symbol of spring or summer, I love connecting it to autumn, at the time that nature explodes with color as it shifts toward winter. It is the time that monarch butterflies migrate from their summer breeding grounds in the U.S., to their overwintering areas in Mexico. It is a brave journey, part of which is over the Gulf of Mexico where there is no place to land for miles. Whatever change we're experiencing, we will make it through and find a new comfort zone.

Do what lights you up,
Sadie

Please note: Some people start the tree calendar with Birch in January, which follows the solar calendar. However, I learned them in an older tradition, which aligns with the 13-month lunar calendar. It's up to you to discern what feels right for you, of course.

For more about monarch migration:
https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-09/kaleidoscope-monarch-migration 

To help protect monarchs: 
https://www.fws.gov/story/small-efforts-can-make-big-difference-monarchs 
https://www.fws.gov/story/how-build-pollinator-garden

See also: 

Aspen: Day before Fall Equinox
Aspen: Eadha
Aspen: Ehwaz
Aspen: Azurite
Mabon 2024
Virgo 2024
Reed September 5 – October 2
Blackthorn September 5 – October 2
Celtic Tree Months
Animal Symbols List