Silent Messenger: The Black Butterfly | LOH Contest #246

Hello, lovely Ladies of Hive! 💖

This week's challenge question truly touches on something universal and intriguing:

"Belief in omens exists all around the world. While some are common across cultures such as black cats or shooting stars, others feel more personal. Have you experienced something that felt just like a sign?"

We grew up in a culture that believes in a lot of omens and superstitions. When I was a child, I didn't understand why we needed to follow them. We just simply followed them. For me, they were just elders’ “hearsays", not until I personally experienced them.

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In many cultures, including our own here in the Philippines, a black butterfly is often considered more than just an insect. It's seen as a messenger, sometimes carrying news, and often, believed to be as omen of death or a sign of a deceased loved one's spirit visiting.

I experienced the "omen of death" interpretation during my elementary days. I had a schoolmate I'd grown close to because he taught me how to play basketball. One day, during class, a black butterfly suddenly appeared in our classroom. It was incredibly unusual because it lingered there for a surprisingly long time. Soon after, shocking news arrived: my schoolmate had passed away. We were completely devastated. We later learned he'd been admitted to the hospital the day before due to a severe case of dengue, which tragically spread to his brain, causing his sudden death. It added to our sorrow that he hadn't told anyone, even his parents, that he'd been experiencing a fever for a week. The timing of that butterfly felt too eerie to be a mere coincidence.

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On a slightly less ominous, yet deeply personal note, I experienced the "visit from a deceased loved one" interpretation years later. This belief suggests a black butterfly represents the spirit of someone who has passed, paying a visit, especially during times of grief or after a long absence.

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This happened after the woman who took care of me from ages three to seven passed away. I considered her my aunt, even though we weren't related. We'd lost contact for a long time, but a month before the butterfly appeared, she called me when I was 16. I cherished that call, remembering her voice, and I genuinely thought she was doing well, even promising to visit us. Sadly, she was battling diabetes, and I didn't know that phone call would be our last conversation. We never got to see each other again, a regret I still carry. Then, a black butterfly visited our home. This was particularly strange because we don't even have a garden. As soon as I saw it, my tears suddenly fell. In that moment, I truly believed it was her, fulfilling her promise to visit, even if it was in a different form.

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These experiences transformed what I once considered mere superstitions or elders' 'heresays' into tangible connections to something beyond our immediate understanding. They remind me that sometimes, the universe, or perhaps the spirits of those we've lost, communicate in mysterious and profound ways, leaving us with signs that are deeply personal and unforgettable.

Thank you very much for spending your time reading my post 💖 See you again on my next blog! ✨

Love lots,
Elle 😘