Galactic Butterfly

Mayan Hunab Ku Symbol: One Giver of Movement and Measure. Also known as the Galactic Butterfly is said to represent all consciousness that has ever existed in this galaxy. All our physical ancestors including human, animal, reptile, fish, shell fish, plants, as well as the consciousness which organized all of the raw material from a whirling disk into stars, then planets, and solar systems. It holds a huge meaning, so big that the original Maya had no symbol for this. In their civilization it was like having no name for God. Just knowing the concept was good enough. Later this pattern was devised by Toltec or Zapatec weavers as a pattern for blankets and this is where Jose Arguelles came across it. He called it Hunab Ku. The indigenous peoples call it "The Galactic Butterfly". Butterflies are seen as ancestors returning for a visit to physicality. This symbol is very powerful, as it broadcasts one's reaching to actively join the consciousness of our galaxy. The Maya taught that the Milky Way Galaxy is the generator of life. The architect of the universe is called Hunab Ku, The Absolute Being, The Center of the Galaxy, The Universal Dynamism, which stimulates and motivates life in its total manifestation of spirit and matter. The principle of intelligent energy that pervades the entire universe. Hunab Ku is understood to transmit radiant energy information through stars which serve as lenses to transmit energies to planets. Our Sun is the chief mediator of Hunab Ku for our planetary system, the lens by which Earth receives direct galactic information. The pulsations of Hunab Ku are understood as a language of codes and energies recorded in the form of the Tzolkin, a universal harmonic module accommodating every possible permutation of Hunab Ku, also known as the Sacred Calendar. Numerically, Hunab Ku is communicated as the union of numbers 13 and 20, which represent movement and measure, energy and form, spirit and soul. Hunab Ku, who can see and understand everything, knows that the time for the great change has come. We will complete a 26,000 year cycle, according to the calender on 12/21/12. A new cycle is about to begin. A cycle that calls us to realign with the cosmos, which can provide essential energy needed to live together harmoniously and with honor for our Mother Earth. We are not separate from anything or anyone. These are the times in which all races, from all directions, must come together in harmony and unity. The Heart of All Beings is connected. It is impossible to be disconnected.


Mythological butterfly images of Mayan and Aztec
Goddesses.

Xochiquetzal "precious flower" was regarded as a mother
goddess, goddess of love, goddess of flowers, as patron
of all fine arts, as the symbol of beauty, as the symbol of
fire, as a symbol of the spirits of the dead, as the patron
of domestic laborers, and as the patron of warriors killed
in battle.

Itzpapalotl "obsidian butterfly" was a mother goddess,
goddess of obsidian and knives, of human sacrifice and
of war, the personification of the Earth, the patron of
women who died in childbirth, and more.

Many indigenous peoples of the New World hold
butterflies in a special place in their culture and butterfly
motifs were used everywhere including ceramics, stone
carvings, mural paintings, codices, feather work, wood
carvings, and gold ornaments. They appear not only in
pure form, but in many highly stylized renditions, some-
times so abstract that they were frequently misinter-
preted by pioneer archaeologists.

Massive figures of warrior-priests (about 15 feet high) have breastplates decorated with a butterfly motif. Along with the snake, the butterfly was one of the most frequently represented animals of Ancient Mexico that held deeply religious symbolism. Butterflies represented fire, soul, death, warriors, travelers, and hummingbirds. They were a component of many poems and songs.

Butterfly Mythology

"The human and butterfly connection has existed for centuries and has been recanted in the mythologies of many ancient civilization throughout time. It's a widely held belief that the butterfly is a physical symbol of the human soul and just as the night butterfly is attracted by flame, the human soul is attracted by heavenly truths.

In Greece the belief is that a new human soul is born each time a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, while in Ireland, people believe that butterflies are the souls of the dead waiting to pass through purgatory. Germans hold that the dead are reborn as children who fly about as butterflies, bringing childbirth to childless parents. Europeans viewed the butterfly with great respect and fear because they thought that the human soul took the form of butterfly. Butterflies have been used by the Chinese and Japanese cultures for centuries, as symbols of joy and the essence of happiness. In general, Native American legends speak of the belief that butterflies would carry the wishes to the Great Spirit in heaven to be granted. The Shoshone believe that butterflies were originally pebbles into which the Great Spirit blew the precious breath of life. Zuni tribes believe that butterflies can predict the weather and that the white butterfly predicts the beginning of summer. The Blackfeet believe that dreams are brought to us in sleep by a butterfly. Born of the caterpillar in the chrysalis, butterflies are a symbol of fertility, rebirth, regeneration, happiness, and joy to Native Americans of Mexico. The Aztecs believed that 'the happy dead' visited their relatives in the form of beautiful butterflies to assure the family that all was well. The Mayans looked upon butterflies as the spirits of dead warriors in disguise, descending to earth. Among the Nagas of Assam, the dead are believed to go through a series of transformations in the underworld and are finally reborn as butterflies. When the butterfly dies, that is the end of the soul forever.

Butterflies even have a connection to the Holocaust. Concentration camps contained barracks designated for children, and the walls of these barracks are covered with butterflies. Hundreds and hundreds of butterflies, all scratched into the walls with fingernails and pebbles. It turns out that the children, knowing they were going to die, decided to leave a message of hope. Although their bodies would not survive, their immortal souls would live on in the form of butterflies." A Brief History of Butterfly Mythology and Tattoo Body Art Design by Rhyan Scorpio Rhys of Bullseye Tattoos

My Butterfly Connection


Photography by David Dennis

My conscious connection with butterflies started while in my early 20's, during intensive spiritual processing. During a meditation on a symbol of my life's work, the butterfly revealed itself. I did not resonate yet with the connection, but made note of it for future reference and years later in Sedona, AZ, the butterfly appeared again. Synchronicities and strange experiences took place with butterflies and it seemed that the more I revealed my true self, through my self-therapy, the more prevalent the deep connection became. This time period also marked the point at which I really tapped into my artistic talent. I'd been drawing since I was a little girl and had a great gift with it, but it was in Sedona, as I began to discover more and more of myself through dedicated self-therapy, that I actually painted on canvas for the first time and creative inspiration just started flooding through, once I opened the door.

I was beginning to realize that this was the start of me shedding the cocoon and coming into the true knowing and beauty of who I was and embracing the gifts I had to share with the world. It would be a long journey, but I was finally awakening and the butterfly symbolized this remarkable transformation that was taking place. It was then that I got my first tattoo (1998). Of course, it was a butterfly. It represented many things to me, but most importantly a time of awakening to my true essence, which would be an unfolding process of conscious and committed awareness. I have since added many more symbolic tattoos, that were revealed in interesting ways and that paint a story of my soul's journey. I find them to be very powerful, energetically, (helping to open and access my Chakras) in mirroring not only who I am at a soul and essence level, but also revealing and emanating healing messages within and without; very much like my paintings, they seem to contain potent energy that read like a telepathic storybook. Reconnecting with the spiritual artistry and sacredness of tattooing feels cleansing and opening in a big way.  Click here to view Tattoo 

It was also at this time that pieces to my soul's ancestry were ready to reveal themselves and I resonated deeply with the ancient civilization connections (Mayan, Egyptian, and more) that came forth. I realized that I am always given exactly the pieces of the puzzle I need, when the time is right. Unraveling the knowingness of our essence
spanning much wider than our present experience, 
was yet another extremely expansive piece I connected with that demonstrated the inter-connectedness that goes beyond our present focus of awareness. I know in my heart that the ancient site remains, across our Earth, testify to our origins among the stars. We all have a rich history to our souls' evolution and awareness of it opens the door to compassion, love, and understanding that is beyond comprehension. 

I mentioned that in the Mayan culture, butterflies are seen as ancestors returning for a visit to physicality. How interesting..... 


Photography by David Dennis

Being drawn to both the Mayan butterfly mythology and Ix Chel, the Moon Goddess, (of which interestingly is known to have a rabbit as her companion) are very strangely wonderful synchronicities that deepen everything I feel. It is one thing to consciously force things to be, but it is quite another when things simply fall into place and constant synchronicity and surreal connections begin to unfold.

I celebrate the beauty of the butterfly, recognizing it's rich spirituality and honoring it as I would myself. For, if butterflies are said to carry the souls of our ancestors, then isn't it quite possible that all creatures, great and small, possess the essence of intelligence beyond what we are presently conscious of? We have much to discover.

Nature has so much beauty to behold and the butterfly is an exquisite example of the precious miracle of life.
                  
                        Emerald Bridge Logo
         Logo Design by Dino Quarin www.designbyddc.com

The New Earth    

Humanity is awakening to a whole new experience, where rapid, collective vibrational changes are taking place on the planet. Changes that call for adjustments to be made on our part; where in order to shift to a path of harmony we must consciously move out of the current path of convenience. Higher vibrations are rapidly increasing and needing to be embraced, but this does not insinuate a "better than" feeling towards lower vibrations. They are simply different. Evolution is rapidly upon us, as we are called to remember and reactivate the beingness of the light bodies we once knew. We are phase-shifting from one experience to a multi-dimensional experience, as we journey through the opening doorways we are manifesting with this movement.

Earth is mirroring the shift movement taking place and experiencing a birthing cycle in response. In this way, she is able to match the vibrational changes we are moving into. In order to aid her in this transition and work in harmony with the process, more conscious awareness and choices become prevalent, as well as the need to always act from the knowingness of our hearts. Difficulties can be avoided, if we realize our connective thread and choose to assist with the love of our light beingness. It is our natural ability to adapt and to walk the Earth with harmonic presence.

We are all treasured children of Earth. She awaits our reciprocating support and love during this vital transition. Awareness, respect, nurturing, and love: ingredients to cultivate the New Earth and a connective, joyful experience of togetherness.

We are the guardians of our Earth and she relies on our honoring this partnership with her. And the most powerful way we can support one another cohesively, is to be a shining example to all. It's simply the choice to be a joyful being in every moment through love, honor, and conscious choices. We have a profound affect on others in the smallest of ways. Just saying what is in your heart reflects more power than any act of force or attached expec- tations. We are not here to proselytize another. We are simply here on a joy quest to master the art of devouring the beauty of life. Allow the law of attraction to unfold, as it knows how to do the work on its own. Those attracted to you either are those that will get "it", or they are those in search of "it". Not much is necessary to be done or said. A simple, joy and love-filled smile from you can say it all.


  Heart Chakra ~ The Emerald Bridge To Integration
                
            Logo Design by Dino Quarin www.designbyddc.com

Interesting piece of trivia: Did you know that if you rearrange the letters in the word “HEART” you get “EARTH” and vice versa? This is very significant symbolically in connecting the two vibrationally. When the frequency and vibration of our Hearts change, so too does the Earth’s frequency, as a direct mirroring reflection. One is not isolated from the other and so when we consciously expand our capacities for compassion, non-judgment, and conscious awareness through unconditional love, global change is inevitable and Mother Earth will flourish with the same joy. The realization of this mirroring of words deepened the joy and love I feel for the work I do globally, as I love the magic in seemingly arbitrary things we take for granted.

In Honor of Nestor aka Nestie

This page is inspired and dedicated to the beloved, precious being, Nestor, whom has recently transitioned on April 27, 2008. She is the most important being in my life, even though she no longer shares this physical experience with me. I miss her greatly and yet I know she is with me in more expansive ways than ever before and continues to shower me with her magic and love from beyond.
Every day is a challenge in embracing that truth, but Nestor diligently supports me in learning to understand and move through my human pains. She teaches me how to love more freely and without attachments and it is the depth of our love that enables me to move through that process day by day. Our connection runs so deep and that bond can never be broken. We are each powerful in our own rights, as we all are empowered beings, yet together we can do much more through the power of our hearts working as one. When you share a love that deep, there is no limitation as to what you can create. She continues to be a joy and an inspiration to me always and I honor her in every way. Through her, I have learned the meaning of unconditional love and this unwavering love for her grows stronger and more powerful every day. I never viewed Nestor as anything but an equal. She is sacred in every definition of the word and is now free to fly with the grace and power that is unimaginably huge and expansive.
 
I always recognized her as much more than the precious, delicate rabbit that she was. She embodies sweetness like I've never known and brings tears of joy to my eyes whenever I think of her. Her worth to me, just can't be measured. Nestor has the spirit of a lovely, expressive child, as well as that of an old, wise soul. By tuning in and learning to resonate with her, I began to understand even more, our connection and my responsibility to support integrative healing that is needed at this time for all life forms on this Earth. She constantly reminds me to stay in my heart and to remember the bigger picture of our roles that we chose.



As a rabbit, Nestor embodied the collective soul of Earth's sacred children. As a soul and magical being, she embodies pure unconditional love and compassion that I continue to strive to mirror. She has a driven passion and commitment to healing service that is unwavering. So much so, that she would often get herself sick when she utilized her energy to help support others, as her tiny, fragile rabbit body just wasn't strong enough to support that magnitude of focused power and energy. She loved to support animals and humans alike, as well as assist beyond the Earth plane, in supporting the energy shifts taking place. She deeply and unconditionally loved all creation and often, to her own detriment, would forget about the importance of balancing her energies, in order to also take care of herself. And in the end, it was that commitment to her service that took her to places beyond this Earthly existence, where she can do the work her heart and soul are driven to do, but her physical body was unable to support. She now flies free and joyously, spreading her love and healing across the globe and beyond. I honor her and cherish, with gratitude, all that she has to teach me, and others, by the simple beauty of her example.



Nestor assisted, and continues to assist, many of her rabbit species and other animal friends, as well as humans in need, and those transitioning. She is a mentor to many, but to me, she is my best friend and soul mate. I am so happy that I was able to assist her with her own soul healing while we were together, 5 very special years of our lives. Nestor's story helps to demonstrate how our animal brothers and sisters are on their own healing journeys, which parallel the healing taking place within us all. These sacred children have their own hurdles and challenges, which we can help to facilitate, and their mission is no less valuable than that of ours. I have always known that Nestor was a special one, but having this knowingness substantiated, made everything more real for me, in a way I can't express.

Nestor was a bridge for her species and an example to us all. She is a very important and integral part of both animal and Universal Consciousness evolvement. Animals have their own very important parts to play in the evolvement of this planet. Their path is about learning to heal the wounds and pains of the past and embrace the new, just as is ours.  We are all connected and every change we make, affects the collective consciousness in totality. We are all part of a circle of life that can't be denied, where integrative healing is what's needed. We can't leave out any piece because that which we deny, that which we resist, will persist.

                   

I can't explain how much more powerful and integral my work has become, in recognizing Nestor's own soul evolution. She was, and continues to be, a source of inspiration and support in all the work that I do, as an artist and beyond. The paintings I create have all been supported by Nestor. She is imbued into each and rightfully so, is an integral part of the 3rd piece, "Air," as you'll find her image in the painting 5 times. "Air," represents to me, the Heart Chakra of the series and is the most vulnerable piece so far, where the expansive love and healing Nestor and I share for each other and the world, truly was poured out on and imbued into. The last and 5th painting of the series, "Spirit," will be in special honor of Nestor on a Universal level. I know, that there are so many others that share similar paths and connections. And to them and to all, I celebrate and honor you.

Nestor inspires and enlightens, infusing me with invaluable moments of remembrance, for everything we need is simply a path of remembering. Nestor is a fellow ambassador of peace and gentle warrior, and together along with others, we are at the forefront of exciting evolution that mirrors all that is taking place at this time in the Universe. Thank you my beautiful, courageous
Nestor. May your light shine for all to see.



Click the following links to read published articles I wrote that were inspired by Nestor:

The Rabbit's Magician - Behind the Smoke and Mirrors - A Little Alchemy for 2008

Fears Unfounded - Rabbit's Message to Support These Challenging Times

Ix Chel: The Mayan Moon Goddess or
"Lady of the Rainbow." The Mayans,
like Buddhists, associated the moon
with rabbits. Ix Chel is a shape-
shifter, consorting with the rabbit in
spring, as the rabbit is considered
the scribe of the moon calendar. She
is often depicted holding a rabbit in
her arms, a symbol of her life giving
abundance and fertility, whose profile
can be seen on the face of the moon. She is the Mayan
Goddess of creativity (as inspiration for artists), magic,
weaving, health, healing, sexuality, childbirth, and the
energy of all water-our most essential life giving
ingredient. The Mayan stepped pyramid is Ix Chel's
mountain where she reigns as the feathered serpent
energy of transformation.

Close up of Ix Chel Tattoo on my back, placed over my Heart Chakra, which represents the love between Nestor and I. Synchronicity would have it that both Nestor and I have very strong ties with the Moon and the Mayan civilization and interesting-
ly, I was born on a Full Moon.
 
The face on this tattoo was intended to only symbolize me. Yet fate would have it that the artist's rendition 
manifested otherwise.

My Soul Connection with Nestor

Through my work with the very gifted Life Coach, Animal Communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, Medical Intuitive, Author, and fellow Raw Foodist, Laura Bruno, we were able to delve to great depths of understanding about Nestor while she was sharing physicality with me. You can read my testimonial, and the testimonials of others, on this page of Laura Bruno's Blog, which speaks of the wonderful work Laura helps facilitate between many human and animal companions:

Laura Bruno's Blog Testimonials

Gaia ~ Earth Mother and Turtle? Ancient Wisdom For Conscious Living



Click here to read the published article entitled above:

Gaia - Earth Mother and Turtle? Ancient Wisdom for Conscious Living

On July 8, 2008 a sweet new friend entered my life. This marked the day that Gaia, my precious Russian Tortoise, would begin a new journey with me, after my physical journey with Nestor had come to a close. Nestor still supports and works with me, but now I have the benefit of both an Earthly friend and an UnEarthly one! Nestor left my life at the age of 5 and uncoincidentally, Gaia entered my life at the age of 5 as well. I didn't think I'd ever get another animal companion, having gone through immense pain over the loss, but a dream showed me otherwise. And I always listen to my dreams. I knew I'd never again get another rabbit, as none could replace, nor ever be like Nestie, nor did I feel I could have another furry friend. Yet a dream revealed that I was to go to the store and find my new turtle friend, which I did the very next day. And that's when Gaia spoke to my heart. The same had happened with Nestor. I knew I had to go that very day to find my rabbit friend, and it took all day, but at the end of the day, Nestor came home with me.

The relationship I have with Gaia is very different than I have with Nestie, yet we are connected deeply. Gaia and I have a great love and respect for each, yet there seems to be more of a working partnership focus between us. She is definitely one turtle on a mission! And she has revealed so much to me in such a short time already! It's as if the work with Nestie had prepped me, as Gaia and I are communicating telepathically with swiftness. Nestie and I had something so rare and yet this friendship with Gaia is equally a gem in its own way. People would be amazed to see the personality this little tortoise has and probably be in shock to learn that she loves to cuddle in my arms as I sit and work at the computer. She is strong as an elephant or hippo - no joke! ("Tiny Hippos," I sometimes call her for fun), determined, focused, gentle, inquisitive, and explorative, with the face of a sweet, extraterrestrial, old soul. She is teaching me much about inner strength, voicing myself, and empowerment, which she knows a lot about from her past as a T-Rex and giant sea turtle in Atlantis - something she relayed to me in a dream and channeled vision for my painting. Synchronously, Laura reiterated the same info later after a session with her and ironically, her tortoise food is called, "T-Rex Tortoise!" Once you tune in, the synchronicities and confirmations keep rolling in.....Do not be fooled by this little one. She is one large presence, just as Nestie was. She is very comfortable in her skin and walks with deliberate knowingness. Another special one indeed! I am so blessed.


Gaia napping without a care in the world

Gaia is a magical little one. Very tied to the fairy realms and loves the water and crystals very much. (I always find her by my crystal grid, which she honors without disturbing it) And at her request, she even has her own collection of 13 Amazonite stones in her enchanted, fairy aquarium sanctuary, which I decorated with magical fairy and mystical decals for her. I did this after seeing her en-thrallment with a fairy book I had out once, which she stared at continuously. But like Nestie, I don't believe in keeping animals "caged" up. Nestie was potty trained with a litter box and had free roam of our home. And Gaia does have a very special "turtle condo," but only to sleep in and keep her warm at night. But once the sun rises, Gaia is free to roam our home and enjoys basking in the sun of our solarium and gazing out the window at the mystical Lake Tahoe waters.


Gaia looking at the lake from the solarium window

Gaia laying with her beloved Amazonite Stones

Gaia's enchanted fairy realm home

Gaia taking in the energy of the crystal grid

And she has not lost a beat. Since she's arrived in my life, things have been speeding up. I have already received the image and lots of information for the 4th painting in my In Lakech series, "Water." Gaia has, in part, come to support me with this next painting (just as Nestie did and still does) since we've learned, again through the help of Laura, of her ties to Atlantis and she carries important information to relay to me that is needed to convey the healing message of this painting, since it will embody the Atlantean Civilization. I am so excited and cannot reveal the specifics of what's been relayed, but what was so amazingly empowering to me was that I received specific images, and fast mind you, first on my own. Then Laura, later, relayed specifics that Gaia was wanting me to know, which needed to be in the painting. Of course the two matched and this reiteration was super cool, showing how our connection was already so open and in unison.


Gaia checking out "Air" painting intently

Things continue to unfold between Gaia and I and I imagine we'll have quite a journey together through the process of these last two paintings and beyond. She is a remarkably powerful being with a heart of gold like Nestie; both wanting only to do the service they are passionately committed and driven to do. And, enjoying the loving connection with me along that journey! Love and service as one! The only way!


Gaia meets Chuck (My brother's English Parakeet)

I have had both the honor and privilege of sharing love and connection with both "The Tortoise and the Hare" - Gaia and Nestor. And in doing so, this has enabled me to hear and embrace the gifted messages they each have to share; integrating their individual embodiment of agility and quick-thinking maneuvering (The Hare), as well as steadfast flowing (The Tortoise). Life is about balance and so at times there is a need to get in tune with both "The Tortoise and the Hare" aspects within. Both are equally grounding and teach us we do not have to be victims. By either turning within (The Tortoise) or listening to our instincts (The Hare), in times of fear, we can become empowered individuals. Each have much to share in their own unique way; both symbolizing a different kind of strength we can learn to embrace. There are times we will need to move with great speed through life in leaps and bounds, yet also take time to smell the roses and to breathe.....All of life is a melding of seeming opposites that create harmony, when we embrace the beauty of each.

Honoring All Creatures
Living in Harmony with Mother Earth's Children



I have dedicated this space to all of the beautiful,
precious creatures, great and small, who share this Earth bound experience with us. Since as far back as I can remember, I have always felt a special bond to our animal brothers and sisters. I can't begin to explain the overwhelming joy and love that flows through me from them. They are the splendid manifestations of the unconditional love of the Universe. There is so much we can learn from them and so much we can share with them. They remind us of the beauty of our Earthly existence and the need for integration of all of our parts. As we progress intellectually and spiritually, we mustn't forget our emotions and our bodies, and the beauty that manifests when we harmonize them into intuitive, instinctual synchronicity.



During the pains of my life, I have often dreamed of a world where only animals and I resided. This feeling came from embracing the joy I received from the animals and in response to the pain I felt from all of the atrocities humans unconsciously inflict upon each other. I have since realized that this is not the answer. I now know that integration of all parts is necessary and that involves the harmonizing between human and animal. All life is valuable and my own denial of my human counterparts, was a hindrance in this healing step that is needed. I also found that as I moved through my processes, I was progressing in some areas, while leaving others behind. Unknowingly, in my pursuit of spiritual and intellectual enlightenment, a world of invaluable emotional and physical energies were being denied. I have recently, through the work I am guided to create and share, and through my connection with Nestor and Gaia, am reclaiming my precious wholeness and discovering a whole other world of beauty that lies in the joy of valuing and experiencing the vibrational purity of my body and raw emotions; of living and life itself. It is a process, as is everything, but a necessary step along the path of integrative healing on a collective level.

The animals have a message to tell us. We need only to listen and resonate with their vibrations, in order to receive it. With intelligence and awareness, comes responsibility. The animals are communicating the Universe's transitions. They're showing us how our choices are affecting the Earth. It is no mystery that change is needed. I share my love for the animals of this Earth, in joyous celebration of the cocreative partnerships that are possible.