Caterpillars Become Butterflies: Awakening After the Storm

A storm passed through last night. The kind that makes you brace for impact, scanning the skies, waiting. But as the winds settled and the rain eased, morning arrived softer than expected; cool, fresh, and humming with life.

This shift feels fitting. We’re now in the microseason known as "Caterpillars Become Butterflies" (蟄虫啓戸, Chitchū keito), a time of emergence. Insects that spent winter hidden away begin to stir, sensing that transformation is near. The world is waking up, piece by piece.

A Sign of the Season: The Zebra Swallowtail

I saw my first Zebra Swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus) of the year at the Native Plant Company, a local nursery dedicated to native flora. It felt almost symbolic that after a windy night, here was this delicate, resilient creature, taking flight.

Zebra Swallowtails rely on pawpaw trees (Asimina triloba) to survive. Their caterpillars feed exclusively on its leaves before undergoing their transformation. It’s a reminder that change doesn’t happen in isolation. Every metamorphosis (whether in nature or in our own lives) is connected to something larger.

The Storm Before the Shift

Sometimes, storms come before growth. They shake things loose, clear the way, and leave us with a sharper sense of what’s next. That feels especially true now, in this season of emergence.

This week, I find myself asking:

What has been waiting beneath the surface, ready to unfold?

What projects, ideas, or changes are stirring, preparing for flight?

What am I stepping into as the season shifts?

An Invitation to Observe

Now is the time to step outside and notice the first signs of the season:

Butterflies returning, fragile but fearless.

The first green shoots pushing through the soil.

Birds growing restless, their calls bright and urgent.

Even in places where winter lingers, the shift is happening. The air carries it. The earth knows it.

What signs of transformation are you seeing around you? What’s awakening in your world? Let’s step into the next season together!