Monarch Butterfly Woman as Goddess

Monarch Butterfly Woman as Goddess

She is a Butterfly Goddess and is part of the sisterhood of the divine butterfly. In ancient times the butterfly was a symbol of the Soul and resurrection. Her eyes are strong in compassion and clarity of vision.

This story in Ilenes own words described her journey into the butterfly becoming an important symbol for her.

“THE OPEN HEART RELEASE YOUR DREAMS TO THE WORLD

This painting was inspired by an actual event that happened to me. When my Mother

died, I had been very close to her. After she died I felt very closed off from the world around me. I felt that I just couldn’t risk feeling anymore. I spent over a year feeling cynical and empty. Still, during that entire time, I kept asking for my Soul to help me stop living that way. I needed to find a way back into life.

It was then that I had the vision of this painting come to me. I knew its title was very simply to be called “The Open Heart.” In my creative vision I did not just see the painting in my mind’s eye, but also felt “release” from my pain. Suddenly I felt my heart open.

At first I thought I was painting this painting just for myself. However, I began to understand I was painting it for everyone. Who has not risked to love, to be connected to someone or something, and then experienced loss? One has to discover how to “open” the heart again to life and to live, just as I did. So this painting is of a Butterfly Woman Spirit. She represents the Feminine principle, the principle of love, giving, compassion and creativity.

The Butterfly Woman Spirit is accessible as the Feminine Principle to every man, every woman and every child.

From her chest bursts forth butterflies. They fly upward and outward to be released into the world. And what are these butterflies, you may ask? They are gifts that this Butterfly Woman Spirit is giving to the world—giving to you and giving to me. For to use these butterflies, all we have to do is name them, to own them.

The butterfly has the power to resurrect what is lost, to restore what needs new life. These butterflies are the gifts we seek in order to be free to again live our life more wholly.

The Moon is full, a symbol of wholeness, of being full of light and signaling a time for a new cycle to emerge. The bottom of the painting is the glowing sunrise turning the sky the colors of yellow for life, pink for unconditional love, and orange for human love.

In ancient cultures, the butterfly was a symbol for the Soul being free and also for resurrection. So these butterflies are purple, the color of spiritual power. This spiritual power brings our fading Soul back to vibrant life, letting our Butterfly Spirit give her gifts to the world from her open heart to your open heart.”

This was ilene original description to the journey of the butterfly

“The Open Heart

I had started this painting and was just beginning to work on it when my mother became seriously ill. I had to stop working on it as I began to take care of her. I was very lucky to have a wonderful and loving mother. She was really my first art teacher, tirelessly teaching me to draw and supporting my every creation. We were very close, and it became clear that she was not going to survive her illness.

After she passed, I felt terrible and had no desire to paint. She had loved my work and had encouraged me whenever I needed her. Now my cheerleader was gone and I felt devastated and alone.

Months passed, and then I had a dream.

Although I did not see her in the dream, I knew she was behind it. Suddenly, I knew what the painting meant and how to finish it. I

literally ran to my studio that day. I cleaned my easel, which had been collecting dust from all the time I had spent away from it. I dusted off my bottles of paint and cleaned up my art space. I was ready for action.

The title of the painting was to be The Open Heart. Just knowing that much started to change the way I felt. It gave me a sense of hope and well being I had not felt in a long time.

Suddenly, I was filled with the strength to go on. I painted furiously.

Pink was for the color of love, and it filled the canvas. The dawn was breaking open and I could breath again as I painted the sun rising. I came to see the figure leaning forward as the Goddess of Love. Out of her chest flew deep purple butterflies, all bursting from her open heart. With each butterfly I painted, I felt a release of my pain. I cried tears of joy at having known my mother. All my blocks to reach my creative imagination dissolved. With the painting of the last butterfly, I was free of grief.

Ancient people saw the butterfly as the symbol of resurrection. Like a caterpillar that is of the ground and only sees the ground, I had developed limited perceptions. The caterpillar has the power to undergo metamorphosis and transform. The old is made new, the lost is then found. The butterfly is free to travel wherever it wishes.

At first I thought I had painted this painting just for myself. Then I realized that we have all suffered the loss of love. Whether a family member, a friend, or a beloved pet, it is something we all must go through. Sometimes it comes as divorce or betrayal, and this is just as powerful and painful. The question one is always left with is how to trust to love again. I realized I had painted this painting for everyone. I had created it as an act of encouragement to love again.

So each butterfly that is flying out into the world from the Goddess of Love’s chest is to be named. Compassion, renewal, hope, love. What gifts do you count inside of yourself and what gifts can you give to the world?  We need to name them to claim them for others and for ourselves.

I would just add that all my life my mother’s favorite symbol was the butterfly. Now it is mine. It continues to teach me its wisdom and now it can teach you.”