“And I dreamed I saw the bombers
Riding shotgun in the sky,
And they were turning into butterflies
Above our nation.”—Joni Mitchell

The dream of a more peaceful, compassionate, and loving world has been with us from time out of mind, but perhaps never more powerfully imprinted on global consciousness than during this year, 2012. Maya elders and other indigenous peoples, as well as visionaries from all cultures, have spoken of the beginning of a new cycle of light and possibility. As 2012 draws to a close, and human beings on Planet Earth begin to realize the extent of the monumental changes before us, the way we view everything will shift. To me, the key word for this time, and for the coming years, is transformation.

As I look back on the year, I see countless moments of transformation, both in my own life and in the lives of others, even in the face of great challenges. My/our consciousness is cracking wide open, and the light is pouring in. What is particularly amazing to me is that I also saw these moments reflected in the natural world around me, specifically in the appearance of butterflies. Butterflies are often viewed as one of the most powerful symbols of metamorphosis and transformation: metamorphosis—the caterpillar breaking through the chrysalis to become a radiant, colorful being of light; transformation—humans breaking through the density of form to emerge into the light of higher consciousness. In 2012, butterflies came flying into my life in unexpected numbers and varieties.

In May, I participated in an online live video and interactive chat session with Panache Desai and hundreds of people globally. Positive messages of love and hope popped up from all over the planet—human voices merging in the manifested dream of a world “living as one.” My heart filled with joy as I felt the transformative energy radiating outwards. The next day, when I walked out my front door, a cloud of Red Admiral butterflies filled the air, landing on flowering bushes and on my arms and legs as well. Everywhere I looked were butterflies, and this continued for several days, unlike anything I had ever witnessed here in Massachusetts. I could not help but make a connection between the human event I had just taken part in and the highly unusual butterfly explosion. Both were sheer magic, each reflecting the other.

The magic continued in July after I attended  Panache’s “Awakening Your Authentic Soul Signature” at Omega in Rhinebeck, New York. Our entire group experienced personal breakthroughs and collective shifts during the week, and I truly felt as if my soul self had emerged in new, more expansive ways.* Upon my return home, American Beauty butterflies began to show up in increasingly large numbers in my back yard. Each day, the energy of the dancing butterflies was infectious. As they fluttered and zoomed around the yard, my spirit was flying right along with them!

The third butterfly event occurred in September after I attended a gathering with Maya elders in western Massachusetts, which included a powerful traditional Maya fire ceremony. The elders’ teachings combined with the fire ceremony made for an inspiring and uplifting four days. Once again, after I returned home, a large group of butterflies appeared in my back yard. This time it was orange-and-black monarchs, floating majestically through the air and landing on the purple flowers of the butterfly bush. As they danced all around and above me, their magnificence was beyond awe-inspiring. Tears rolled down my cheeks at the beauty. Was this yet another reflection? No doubt in my heart or mind.

So is 2012 the beginning of something as miraculous and beautiful as butterflies dancing on the wind? Are we co-creating a new Planet Earth when we come together in love and the openhearted desire to live in oneness and light? The challenges of being human have kept us trapped in suffering and sorrow for millennia—can we break free? The butterflies show us the transformative possibilities; they reflect the beauty of our infinitely expanding souls back to us. If we allow our hearts to fly with them, anything we envision becomes possible. May we step into 2013 trusting in the power of our own transformation.

*See previous blog posts “Birth Day” and “Rainbow Child.”