East Texas Quarterly Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 21

Messenger from the Spirit World Colorful butterflies will once again fill the skies over Jasper next month shoulder brings you comfort. According to Native American legends and myths of the Pueblo tribes of southeastern Arizona and northwest Mexico, the butterfly played a part in their creation myth. The Creator took the most beautiful colors of all living things and placed them into a magical bag. He gave the magic bag to the children and when it was opened, colored butterflies flew “This butterfly release will be part of our monthly out singing. The children were enchanted by the Caring and Sharing luncheon which is hosted by butterflies, but the song birds were so jealous Lakes Area Hospice’s Bereavement Program,” says that the Creator took away the ability to sing from Paula Moore, Compliance Officer for the local agency. the butterfly. “This is another opportunity for Jasper area residents To tribes such as the Blackfoot, the butterfly symbol to honor a loved one.” is associated with sleep and dreams. They believe Individuals may purchase a butterfly to be released that dreams are brought to us in sleep by a butterfly. from Lakes Area Hospice employees, according to Women embroider the sign of a butterfly on a small Moore. Individuals are encouraged to take part in piece of buckskin and tie it to a baby’s hair or on the this memorial butterfly release. A butterfly is $15.00. baby’s clothes to encourage the child to go to sleep. Moore also points out there is a strong tie between There were so many tribes of Native American Indians, it is only possible to generalize the most the butterfly and Native American Indians. common meaning of the butterfly symbol or pattern. Native American Indians are a deeply spiritual people Native Indian symbols are still used as tattoos and and they communicate their history, thoughts, ideas were used for a variety of reasons and depicted on and dreams from generation to generation through numerous objects such as tepees, totem poles, symbols and signs such as the butterfly symbol. musical instruments, clothes and war paint. Indian Native American symbols are geometric tribes also used their own colors for symbols and portrayals of celestial bodies, natural phenomena designs depending on the natural resources available and animal designs. On April 15th, Lakes Area Hospice will host a memorial butterfly release on the Jasper County courthouse square. The event, part of the hospice’s bereavement program, will be held at 11 a.m. at the courthouse gazebo. The meaning of the butterfly symbol signifies transformation as the ugly caterpillar changes into the beautiful butterfly. The butterfly is also believed to be a messenger from the spirit world. The message the butterfly brings depends on their color. A black butterfly indicates bad news or illness, yellow brings hope and guidance, brown signifies important news, red signifies an important event, and white signifies good luck. A butterfly that lands on your 19