Many have experienced seeing a butterfly either in the house or wake of a close relative or friend who had just died.

People feel a range of emotions, from shock and fear to comfort and reassurance, when this happens.

Does the sudden appearance of a butterfly mean something, or should it be dismissed as mere coincidence?

Why do they appear so often after the death of a loved one, close relative or friend?

Consistent pattern

There is a consistent pattern to this phenomenon, which makes it unfair to dismiss it as simple chance.

Besides, it is already commonly accepted that the sudden appearance and disappearance of a butterfly in an unlikely or unexpected place is likely a visit from someone who recently died.

Let me cite a few examples which I either witnessed personally or were related to me by credible individuals.

On Feb. 26, 1989, two days after her birthday, Ruth Gallemit died in a freak motor accident while walking along Guadalupe Bridge along Edsa at 1 a.m. She was hit by a speeding car driven by the 23-year-old son of a prominent, wealthy businessman.

The impact hurled Ruth’s body into the air and smashed her head on the pavement upon landing. She died two hours later in the hospital.

Ruth was from Zamboanga City and worked as a cosmetologist of the well-known dermatologist Vicki Belo.

After the accident, Ruth’s body was brought back to Zamboanga.

Her brother Jun told me that on his way to Zamboanga for his sister’s burial, a big black butterfly suddenly appeared and perched on the right side of the bus where he was seated.

The other passengers who also saw the butterfly were alarmed.

Jun, a pastor and no stranger to paranormal events, told them not to worry because “that butterfly is for me.”

Interestingly, on Ruth’s 30th birthday, a photo was taken of her and a female friend. There was no other person in the frame except the two of them. But when the film was developed, a smiling man in barong Tagalog showed up beside Ruth.

Many recognized the man as Ruth’s other brother who died in Zamboanga three years before the photo was taken.

The full detailed story of this incredible incident can be found in my book “More Encounters with the Unknown.”

Unlikely

Here’s a story I witnessed personally. When our San Beda classmate Tito P. died of illness, his officemates and close friends from school held a get-together on the 40th day of his death at the clubhouse of the Greenhills subdivision where he lived.

Several round tables were occupied by various associates of Tito, while other classmates and I were seated at two other tables.

Suddenly I noticed a big light brown monarch butterfly flying near the ceiling. It circled only around the two tables where Tito’s schoolmates were.

As it flew away, I told my classmates, “There’s Tito saying goodbye to us.”

What made the butterfly’s appearance strange was that we were on the second floor of the clubhouse where all glass windows were closed. Although a door on the ground floor was open, it was quite unlikely that an ordinary butterfly would enter and fly upstairs.

I have heard of stories where a butterfly would suddenly appear in a closed room or house, and then disappear after a short while.

If spirits of the dead appear as butterflies, why do they do so?

One reason, I believe, is to say goodbye to loved ones and reassure them that they are not dead.

While some become afraid, the most common reaction of close relatives whenever the butterflies appear is a sense of comfort and reassurance.

There is a sense of relief in knowing that their departed relatives are somehow alive in another dimension or plane of existence.

Please note that when I was writing the story about the strange photo of Ruth Gallemit and her dead brother for Mr. & Ms Magazine, a big monarch butterfly perched on top of the sink of our outdoor dirty kitchen.

It stayed there despite the presence of dogs and did not leave until after I had finished writing Ruth’s incredible story.

Remember that a butterfly is also a symbol of transformation—from an ugly caterpillar to a beautiful and colorful flying creature.

The next Basic ESP and Intuition Development seminar is on Jan. 24 and 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Room 308, Prince Plaza I, Legaspi Street, Legaspi Village, Greenbelt, Makati. Tel. nos. 8107245 or 0908-3537885.