The Caterpillar

In my spiritual practice, I read many inspirational phrases, quotes, and sayings, through divination cards, books, or the internet. Something that has been coming up for me lately is that my higher power and angels have been trying to connect with me and that I need to pay attention to symbols, signs, and things coming into my life. Here is a story that I believe is coming for my greater purpose.

Recently one morning, I returned to my apartment from running errands. I share it with a roommate and two of my favorite cats. I noticed “Squirrel” (a female cat) was playing with something by our balcony door. I walked over to see what she had; it was the largest caterpillar I have seen in a long time. I scooped him up and threw him off the balcony into the grass below. I totally was not expecting to see him, since we live on the third floor of the apartment complex. I checked the outside walls of the balcony and didn’t see anything inching its way up. After that, I went back to whatever I was doing.

Later that evening when I returned home from work, I went into the kitchen to cook myself some dinner. Low and behold, I found two caterpillars on the floor dead. I picked them up and threw them away. Ok, now I was starting to become more baffled than I was earlier in the morning. How in the heck did three caterpillars show up inside? Since I have lived in here, I have not seen critters or bugs inside, unless it’s the occasional lost fly, bee or mosquito. Again, I went back to what I was doing, dinner.

The next morning, I made myself some coffee and went out on the balcony and was surprised to see the male cat “Ash” playing with, yes, a CATERPILLAR. Close by, was another one. I chased off the cat and got rid of them. Wow, now I am grossed out that I keep seeing these things in and out of my house. I searched the walls, and the ground, the inside and outside part of the balcony and did not see anymore. Afterwards I went into the kitchen to get more coffee went back outside and the cat was playing with another one and he, the caterpillar was a large one. 

I took a moment to contemplate what the heck is going on. I found 8 caterpillars in the last 24 hours and realized, “There’s a deeper meaning to this.” I researched online the meaning of the caterpillar. I know, butterfly is about transformation and what  I found is the caterpillar is about change, before the transformation. Caterpillar lives for a certain point and then is transformed into a butterfly, shedding himself of his past life and creating a whole new life. “Wow”, this is exactly how my life has been right now. It’s about change. Change has come upon me and I have been waiting for signs of new.

Immediately, I thanked the universe, God, and my higher power for bringing me the caterpillar. For my life is a constant transformation. I recreate and redefine myself continually as I learn each day to become closer to myself and life. Without the transformation, there would be no change.  I asked for forgiveness about killing the creatures that came to give me a message.  I also realized the number 8, for me in numerology is about abundance, which is something that I continue to pray for in my life.

Many messages are delivered to us from our higher power, God, spirit, angels, animals, people and other things. Being able to pay attention to the message may be difficult, but you when do recognize the signs, they can be powerful and exciting. How wonderful it is, that I am able to take this message and look for the deeper meaning.

~Rev. Danielle Ohlund~