Luna Moth

I was crossing the road to get the paper today and saw what looked like a leaf in the middle. But the green caught my eye more than an ordinary leaf would. This led me to look closer. I discovered what I noticed was a luna moth that had been hit somehow. Its underside oozed guts and it was stuck to the macadam. I gingerly lifted it up, sure it was dead, but its six legs began scissoring! I set it flat on the newspaper and carried it to a planter in the shade. I figured it would be happier there than in my hand or on the paper. If it could possibly heal, it would do it best away from me! Then I looked up on the Internet about luna moths. They like black walnut leaves, where they lay their approximately 200 eggs. They do not eat. The adults only live about 1 week. We have a black walnut tree. I broke off a
stem and set it next to the moth. It immediately nuzzled over and put a foot on the leaf!

For me, finding the moth was very special because moths and their symbolism were integrated into my novel The Moon in the Morning: A Fairytale with a New Twist. I have a moth character called Sikee (aka Pysche, a mythological figure). The word Psyche in Greek means "soul." Curious as to why, wondering if perhaps my own soul has suffered damage from the fast pace of the modern world, or if going to get news somehow means I put my soul at risk, I felt good to do what was humanly possible to help this poor creature. Afterwards I went to work in the garden tending to seedlings.
 I was digging in the dirt of a planter and pulled out a luna moth caterpillar. This made me feel rewarded and hopeful! I set the caterpillar in the dirt under a rose bush.

Note the foot on the leaf

"Apparently luna moths are a symbol of spiritual transformation. We all know the definition of spiritual transformation not only varies from culture to culture but from person to person. Luna moths also signify rebirth and new beginnings as they represent a continuing quest for truth and knowledge, gift of intuition, psychic perception and heightened awareness. I suppose these things are associated with “seeing the light” since the luna moth is nocturnal but will gravitate toward light in the night. Of course, these symbolisms are lore passed down through the years but is interesting to wonder what started these beliefs."

"Throughout history, butterflies and moths have frequently been shown as symbols of rebirth, regeneration, and renewal – even depicted as a spiritual guide through transformation to a new self.  They are the archetypal example of the soul itself, a creature with a unique gift endowed by nature to completely alter its physical form.  Their ability to undergo metamorphosis and emerge as an entirely new being, from the ground-restricted caterpillar to the free-flying winged beauty is certainly a wonderful metaphor for hope and transformation."