Moths carry just as much mystery and Magick to me as owls do. Nocturnal, beautiful, intuitive, and calming come to mind when I see or think of them.

The Death’s Head Hawk Moth is native to Europe and Africa. The skull-like markings have lead to a lot of superstition about this intriguing species. Even the Latin names of the different subspecies have some cool Greek references to death you might find interesting:

💀Lesser Death’s-head Hawkmoth (Acherontia styx)

💀African Death’s-head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos)

💀Greater Death’s-head Hawkmoth (Acherontia lachesis)

The word STYX refers to the river of the Underworld, while ATROPOS and LACHESIS are two of the three Fates who determine the course of one’s life and their eventual death.

Here’s some interesting facts about this species:

The adult lifespan is only 6 weeks, reminding us of the impermanence of life. We must live fully in the time we are given. We never know how much time we have, so don’t have regrets about what you didn’t do in the time you were given.

🍯🥔🍅🐝Along with being a pollinator of potatoes, jasmine, tomatoes, and woody nightshade, this large moth also feeds on honey from the hives of honey bees. They mimic the scent of the bees to remain undetected while they feed! 🤯

This calls to mind being resourceful and inventive in pursuit of the sweetness of life. Think outside of the box to bring happiness to your circumstances.

Here are some of additional correspondences for Moths:

∙ Transformation — like all moths, the Luna undergoes complete metamorphosis; deeply tied to death and rebirth symbolism

∙ Dreams & the unconscious — their nocturnal nature connects them to dream work and the shadow self

∙ Guidance — moths navigate by moonlight representing the soul finding it’s way