Monarch Migration
Monarch Migration
I spent the past week on vacation in southern New Jersey, in a small town my family has been visiting for decades. Our beach house, which dates from the 1930s, has provided a summer refuge for several generations of my extended family. I was visiting during the second week of October, just before the arrival of cooler fall weather. By late October, it becomes difficult to stay in the rustic cabin, which lacks heat or insulation. Soon it would be time to close up the house until next summer.
During my visit, another seasonal cycle was unfolding just yards away from the cabin. The coastal sand dunes of Cape May County, New Jersey, are in the Atlantic Flyway, the aerial corridor traveled each year by numerous species of migratory birds. The sand dunes also provide a refuge for a lesser-known yet no less spectacular migration: the annual migration of the monarch butterfly.
The monarch butterfly is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration like birds do. Unable to survive the colder winters of northern climates, the monarchs of the Eastern United States migrate each year to the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. Some fly as much as 3,000 miles, and it can take up to two months to complete the journey!
Blessed with clear skies and warm, sunny days, I spent much of my vacation hiking in Cape May National Wildlife Refuge, Corson’s Inlet State Park, and other natural areas. These public lands offer essential protection for the plants and wildlife indigenous to this region, which have long been threatened by human-driven development and habitat loss. Increasingly, climate change also threatens many of these remaining natural places and the species that call them home.
On my hikes, I was awed to discover that the sand dunes were filled with brightly colored monarch butterflies. Their shimmering orange and black wings, highlighted against the brilliant blue sky, made it clear why this species is known as the “monarch,” or ruler of the butterflies. The butterflies basked in the sun and drank nectar from the native seaside goldenrod growing in the dunes – a golden feast fit for a king or queen.
It seems incredible that such a small and seemingly delicate creature can withstand the perils of such a long and arduous journey. Observing the monarchs – and crawling through the sand on my knees to get a few good snapshots – it was clear that these coastal dunes, and other natural places of refuge, are critical to the success of the migrating monarchs, and the survival of the species itself.
Much of my work as a therapist involves supporting people who are going through a major life transition. Whether they are moving to a new home, making a career change, or navigating a loss, my clients are making a journey (literally or figuratively) from one place to another. Being a grateful witness to this year’s monarch migration got me thinking about how we sustain ourselves during times of change and transition, especially when the journey is long and the outcome uncertain.
Some things that sustain me include solitude, time in nature, and a quiet space to reflect, write, and meditate. I am also sustained by supportive friendships, kind neighbors, and the wise words of artists, poets, and spiritual teachers throughout history. Nourishing food, restorative sleep, physical movement and caring for my body are also essentials.
What sustains you on your journey? Inspired by narrative therapy, here is a list of questions for reflection. Contemplate the answers or write them down.
What inspires you to take this journey? If you didn’t choose to take this path, could there be an unexpected opportunity here?
Who are you as you embark on this journey? Who do you hope to become? List your personal strengths – those you already have, and those you hope to develop.
What will you take with you to ease this change/transition? What will you leave behind?
How will you find strength and sustenance along the way – especially when the going gets tough? Where is your place of refuge?
How will you know when it’s time to pause and rest? What will rest look like for you?
Who or what will support you on your journey? Who will be your companions? Your helpers?
How does taking this journey reflect your values? (for example: authenticity, freedom, service)
How might this journey be of benefit to others?
Wherever you’re going, I wish you safe travels with many moments of inspiration, beauty, and connection along the way.