When Moths Are Spirit Messengers: A Lesson in Being Present

Lately, I’ve had an unusual houseguest… moths.

It started with wardrobe moths in my bedroom closet. In early June of this year, I began noticing these tiny intruders fluttering from corner to corner, week after week. Then, I began noticing tiny holes in some of my favorite clothes. I tried the usual deterrents: adding cedar between articles of clothing; it did not phase them one bit. As a last resort, I tore apart the entire closet with my husband, installed a new system, and spent an entire weekend washing every piece of clothing in hot water.

I thought I was in the clear, but nope. Within a week, there they were again. Persistent little things. At first, I just saw them as annoying, but then some bigger, more noticeable moths started showing up.

Not Just Closet Pests

By late July, the situation really started amplifying. Craig and I ventured out onto the deck one morning to eat breakfast. As I made my way to the table with my oatmeal in one hand and coffee in the other, I saw a large moth clinging to the back of my chair. It sat there the whole morning, unfazed by our presence or the dogs' curiosity.

A moth clinging to the back of my patio chair

Less than a week later, as I was preparing to leave for my last art fair of the season, I walked into my art studio to grab one last thing and spotted another large moth—this one pressed directly against the windowpane, as though it was waiting for me:

A moth clinging to the window of my art studio

By then, I couldn’t ignore it. It felt like these moths weren’t just “around”… they were showing up for me.

Looking Into Moth Meaning

I'd never studied Moth energy while working on my own oracle deck, so I immediately sat down at my computer. I started a quick Google search and typed out the words “symbolic meaning of moth.” I set an intention that I would be guided to the answer that was meant for me. What I found hit a little too close to home.

I don't know about you, but whenever I spot moths, it's in the evening, and they're always chasing one bright light after another. In doing so, they never appear to fully settle or rest. It said that moth energy is about feeling unsatisfied or overlooking the blessings we already have. By constantly longing for the “next thing” or believing the grass is greener elsewhere, we can never fully appreciate the beauty of where we currently are.

As soon as I read this, it was as though a veil had been lifted. Suddenly, everything made sense: peace is found by being content with what you’ve already achieved.

The Connection to My Life

Why does this resonate? For months, I've been wringing my hands over my art career, carrying tension and anxiety with me daily. I've always had a tendency to be overly hard on myself and often fall short of my own expectations. Not a good trait, I know.

Working for myself all these years seems to have put me into a constant state of fight or flight since any failure rests solely on my shoulders. If I don't earn enough, progress enough, or achieve enough, it really affects me. Though I am so grateful to live this creative life, I sometimes forget to actually enjoy it because the constant self-pressure overshadows that gratitude. So, reading those words felt like a real lightbulb moment.

The Luna Moth

The universe apparently wanted to make sure I received the message loud and clear. While at my art fair later that day, a mother and daughter walked into my booth and asked, 'Have you ever painted a moth?' In the 14 years I've been doing art shows, no one has ever asked me that before.

My own oracle deck, Power Animals of the Planet, was created through my observance of animals showing up time and time again. So, of course, I knew I had to start painting a moth right away—not just for the mother and daughter that stopped by my booth, but as a reminder for myself: be present and quit chasing the next “shiny thing.”

What I’ve Learned

It's been over a week since my lesson from Moth, and you're probably wondering—are they still around? Yes and no. Now, I mostly see them floating in my paintbrush water (which feels symbolic in its own right).

I choose to see it as one final lesson: my message was successfully delivered, and I understand what I need to do to better navigate this world I live in: Be present. Be grateful. Be at peace with where I am right now.