Awakening Butterfly

Awakening Butterfly Mallory Elizabeth to follow their dreams and never give up.

04/16/2025

Hello, my Awakening Butterflies

It’s been a little quiet here lately, and I wanted to lovingly acknowledge my absence and thank each and every one of you who has continued to stick around. Whether you’ve liked a post, shared something, commented, sent a kind message, or simply held space—I see you, and I’m so grateful.

The truth is, I’ve been dealing with health issues behind the scenes. That’s also part of why I haven’t updated my website or reopened my Etsy shop just yet. But please know—this dream is still alive.

My goal is to slowly start working on the website again, with hopes that by the end of this year—or next—it’ll be more reflective of the vision I’ve been holding. And as for the Etsy shop: my brain is brimming with ideas. When the time is right and I take it off vacation mode, you’ll be the first to know. I’ll post here with a full announcement and all the updates.

To those of you who follow me on Instagram—thank you for your patience. It’s been a minute since I’ve posted there, too, but I’m working on being more mindful about sharing content again. (And yes—I still post to stories on both Facebook and Instagram pretty much daily if you ever want a little peek behind the scenes.)

For those of you subscribed to my YouTube channel: thank you so much, especially if you’ve liked, shared, or commented on any of my videos. And if you didn’t know I had a YouTube—now you do!
Just search for Awakening Butterfly and look for my logo—or my face, if you’re familiar with it—because there are a few other channels with similar names.

I’d love to hear from you—
If there’s a spiritual topic you’d like me to post about, something you’d love to see in my Etsy shop (crystals, metaphysical tools, etc.), or a service you’d be interested in, please feel free to leave a comment or message me directly. I’m always open to suggestions and feedback.

Also, if you’re not yet part of the Awakening Butterfly: A Sanctuary for Spiritual Growth Facebook group, you’re more than welcome to join us over there, too. It’s a soft, soulful little corner of the internet.

And finally—yes, I have a podcast coming soon!
It’s called Mallory’s Thought Bubble, and if you want to follow along, there’s an Instagram account for it already live. (There’s also a teaser video on the homepage of awakeningbutterfly.com, in case you haven’t visited in a while.)

I’m so looking forward to this next chapter, and I hope you’ll continue to be part of it. Thank you again for your love, your patience, and for being the beautiful souls you are.

With deep gratitude,
Mallory Elizabeth
Founder of Awakening Butterfly

02/28/2025

🌟 Setting Boundaries & Defying Gravity: The Journey from People-Pleasing to Self-Empowerment 🌟

“The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who were benefiting from you having none.”

Transitioning from being a people-pleaser to someone with firm boundaries can feel weird. It’s hard to tell at first if you’re being “mean” or if you’re finally just listening to your own needs—because you’ve been conditioned to prioritize everyone else.

In Wicked, Fiyero says to Elphaba: “Why does trouble always follow you?”
And she responds: “Because people refuse to see me for what I am, instead of what they want me to be.”

That hits deep.

Elphaba spent most of her life trying to shrink herself, to stay invisible, to not make waves. She tried to do the right thing, even when the world made her an outcast. But then, she meets the Wizard—the final straw that pushes her from people-pleaser to self-liberator. He and Madame Morrible targeted her precisely because they thought she wouldn’t fight back. But when she finally does—when she sets that boundary, when she refuses to be used—she becomes the villain in their story.

Even Glinda, her so-called best friend, begs her to just apologize, to fall in line, to “make it all go away.” But what if the thing that’s supposed to “make it better” is the thing that’s breaking you? Flying off the handle is usually seen as reckless—but in Elphaba’s case? It was liberation.

🔹 When you stop people-pleasing, people will get mad.
🔹 When you finally say “enough,” they’ll paint you as the villain.
🔹 When you fly instead of staying in the box they built for you, they’ll call you wicked.

And then, there’s betrayal.

Because sometimes, the ones we trust the most are the ones who let us down the hardest. That’s why one scene in Defying Gravity always grinds my gears.

After Elphaba flies away, Glinda is left standing there—upset, lost, maybe even regretting not going with her. But then… she turns to Madame Morrible for comfort. The very person who manipulated and destroyed Elphaba’s life.

Was that hug a moment of weakness? A desperate grasp for stability? Or was it a sign that Glinda was always more invested in the power that came with being “good” than she was in true friendship?

Because here’s the truth:
📌 If someone truly loved you, they wouldn’t seek comfort from the person who hurt you.

Glinda wanted to be a sorceress. She wanted to be admired. And let’s be real—without Elphaba, Madame Morrible never would have even noticed her. So, was their friendship real? Or was it just a matter of convenience?

As the saying goes: People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

Maybe Elphaba and Glinda were meant to cross paths. Maybe they did change each other for the better. But when it came down to it—Glinda stayed behind. And Elphaba? She flew.

And that’s the thing about boundaries. Not everyone is meant to come with you. And that’s okay.

💚 What do you think? Do you see Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship differently after that scene? Have you ever had to walk away from a friendship when you realized you were the only one who truly cared? Let’s talk. ✨

02/26/2025

🎭 The Power of Authentic Representation in Wicked 🎭

Inclusion in media matters—especially when it comes to portraying characters with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Seeing real-life disabled actors take on these roles is not just important; it’s necessary for true, authentic storytelling.

One of the standout moments in the Wicked movie is the casting of Marissa Bode as Nessarose. In the original Broadway version, Nessarose uses a wheelchair, yet she has historically been played by able-bodied actors. Marissa, however, is a real-life wheelchair user after experiencing a spinal cord injury, making this one of the most significant examples of authentic representation in a major film.

And now, we see another powerful casting choice with Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond. As a little person, Dinklage brings lived experience to a role that speaks directly to themes of discrimination and oppression. Dr. Dillamond, a talking Goat and professor at S**z University, represents marginalized groups losing their rights and voices—something that resonates deeply with real-world experiences of disabled and underrepresented communities.

And it doesn’t stop there! Even the four-year-old actress, Taylor Paige Henderson, who plays young Nessarose, is a real-life wheelchair user. Seeing this level of commitment to authentic casting—especially for both young and adult Nessarose—is a huge step forward in representation.

This kind of representation isn’t just about visibility—it’s about breaking stereotypes, challenging biases, and ensuring that disabled actors are given the opportunities they deserve. It adds depth, honesty, and real-life perspective to these stories, making them even more impactful.

By casting actors who genuinely understand these experiences, Wicked is helping push Hollywood in the right direction. But there’s still more work to be done.

💬 What are your thoughts on authentic representation in film? Do you think Hollywood is making progress? Let’s discuss! 🎭💚

02/24/2025

Boq’s Mallet in Wicked: A Deeper Meaning?

When we first see Boq in Wicked (the movie), he’s holding what looks like a croquet mallet or a cane-like object. He briefly uses it to adjust his posture when meeting Glinda, but beyond that, we don’t see much of it again. So, what’s the significance? Is it just a background detail, or could there be a deeper meaning?

1. A Physical Condition or Disability?

Boq’s use of the mallet/cane to correct his posture could hint at a subtle physical condition. In The Wizard of Oz, he is a Munchkin, which could imply he has a shorter stature. The mallet could be a visual cue suggesting some physical limitation, possibly affecting his balance or movement.

But here’s where it gets even more interesting: Wicked is full of foreshadowing, and we later see Boq forcibly transformed into the Tin Man—a character who is literally held together by external supports. Could this be a clue that Boq has always needed some form of physical assistance, even before his transformation? It subtly plants the idea that he has always relied on something to steady himself.

2. A Symbol of Social Posturing?

Boq is constantly trying to impress Glinda. The way he adjusts his posture with the mallet could represent social posture rather than a physical condition. Much like a gentleman carrying a cane as a status symbol, Boq might be using it to appear more put-together, hoping to elevate himself in Glinda’s eyes.

His arc is one of unrequited love and power imbalance—he does everything to win over Glinda but ultimately ends up discarded, reinforcing his transformation into the Tin Man, someone frozen in place, waiting for something (or someone) to give him purpose.

3. A Connection to Croquet and Class Divide?

If the object is a croquet mallet, it could symbolize social class and exclusivity. Croquet has long been associated with the upper class, and Boq, being a Munchkin, is an outsider to the world of privilege that Glinda represents. By carrying the mallet, he may be trying to align himself with that world—even if he never truly belongs.

This adds irony to his story: despite all his efforts to fit in, he still ends up powerless, transformed against his will. Just as the Wizard strips animals of their voices, Boq’s agency is stripped away when he becomes the Tin Man.

Boq and the Tin Man: A Lesson in Mobility & Disability

Let’s take this idea even further. In The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy meets the Tin Man, he’s stiff and barely able to move. He asks her to pick up his oil can and lubricate his joints so he can function again. This moment is a powerful metaphor for mobility, stiffness, and physical limitations.

💡 A body in motion stays in motion. Human movement and exercise help keep joints lubricated, muscles strong, and mobility intact. But what happens when:
• You’re exercise-intolerant due to chronic illness?
• You have a visible or invisible disability that makes movement painful or exhausting?
• You experience muscle atrophy or stiffness due to a medical condition?

For many, mobility aids like canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or power chairs are essential—not optional. Some people use them full-time, while others use them intermittently to conserve energy and prevent further damage to their bodies.

Yet, there’s a harmful societal misconception: if someone using a wheelchair stands up, people assume they’ve been “healed.” But ambulatory wheelchair users exist. Their need for mobility aids is just as valid as full-time users.

Instead of judging someone based on a single moment, we should remember:
🔹 Disabilities don’t always look the same every day.
🔹 What you see externally doesn’t always reflect the internal struggle.
🔹 Psychological and physiological conditions are deeply connected.

Boq’s transformation into the Tin Man isn’t just a tragic subplot—it’s a reflection of real-life experiences with mobility, loss of autonomy, and the struggle to be seen and understood.

✨ What do you think? Could Boq’s mallet/cane be subtle foreshadowing? Or is it just another detail in Wicked’s world-building? Let’s discuss! 👇💬

02/23/2025

✨ The Bittersweet Meaning Behind “One Short Day” ✨

At first listen, One Short Day in Wicked feels like a fun, upbeat song—a celebration of adventure, excitement, and friendship. Elphaba and Glinda arrive in Emerald City, wide-eyed and thrilled to experience its wonders together. They get their nails done, explore the dazzling sights, and soak in every magical moment. It’s pure joy, a carefree escape.

But when you really think about it, One Short Day carries a deeper, more bittersweet meaning.

🔮 Foreshadowing the End of Their Friendship

The lyrics repeat the phrase “One short day in the Emerald City,” almost as if the universe is warning us—this moment is fleeting. This is the last time Elphaba and Glinda will be together without the weight of betrayal, politics, and heartbreak between them.

Once they meet the Wizard, their lives take completely different paths. Elphaba, realizing the truth, chooses rebellion. Glinda, torn between loyalty and comfort, decides to stay behind. And when Elphaba later invites Glinda to Defy Gravity and escape with her, Glinda refuses. She isn’t ready to leave the world she knows.

This makes One Short Day a farewell in disguise. It’s not just a fun day in the Emerald City—it’s their last true day as best friends. After this, everything changes.

💭 Will We See Them Reunite?

With Wicked: Part Two on the horizon, we have to wonder:
➡️ Will Elphaba and Glinda find their way back to each other?
➡️ Will Glinda finally take the leap she wasn’t ready for before?
➡️ Or was One Short Day truly the last time they existed in the same world?

It’s fascinating how a song so bright and energetic can hold such a somber undercurrent. What do you think? Did you ever notice the sadness hidden beneath the fun of One Short Day? Let’s discuss! 💚✨

02/21/2025

The Animals in Wicked vs. Lord of the Flies: A Lesson in Humanity, Power, and Foreshadowing

In Wicked, the treatment of animals—especially those with the ability to speak—mirrors the descent into savagery seen in Lord of the Flies. Both stories explore how fear, power, and societal control can strip away compassion, turning once-civilized individuals into cruel oppressors.

Foreshadowing & The Loss of Voice

One of the first signs that something is wrong in Wicked is the treatment of Dr. Dillamond, the beloved goat professor. His removal is a moment of foreshadowing—a warning that the rights of Animals (capital A) in Oz are being taken away. This directly parallels Lord of the Flies, where order and morality gradually disintegrate, giving way to chaos and cruelty. When Dr. Dillamond is forcibly removed, we see the beginnings of that societal collapse—one where the strong dominate the weak, and voices of reason are silenced.

Elphaba, witnessing this injustice, reacts emotionally—her powers flare up, and suddenly, the classroom is thrown into chaos. The poppies she brought in send everyone to sleep, except for her and Fiyero, which may hint at their deeper understanding of the world beyond what they’ve been told. This moment subtly foreshadows how Elphaba’s role in Oz will develop—she won’t just be a bystander; she’ll actively fight against injustice, even when the world turns against her.

The Caged Lion & The Dangers of Control

Later, the new history professor brings in a tiny lion cub—adorable and defenseless—only to lock it inside a cage. He tries to justify this by claiming that Animals are better off caged, that they’re safer this way. But Elphaba immediately questions it: “Why is it cowering?” She sees through the lie when the professor insists the cub is just “excited,” then cruelly jabs a stick into the cage, forcing the animal into submission.

This moment is eerily reminiscent of Lord of the Flies, where the boys, who once had a structured society, descend into savagery, hunting animals (and eventually each other) for sport. They convince themselves that their actions are justified, much like how Oz’s leadership justifies stripping Animals of their rights. In both stories, we see how fear and propaganda are used to turn people against the most vulnerable.

Fiyero, despite his carefree and arrogant persona, is the one who helps Elphaba rescue the lion cub. This moment reveals a hidden kindness in both of them. While Elphaba is deeply empathetic and driven by justice, Fiyero, despite his aloof exterior, shows that he too is willing to take risks for what is right. This parallels how certain boys in Lord of the Flies, like Ralph and Simon, resist the pull of savagery—but ultimately, they are outnumbered.

The Lion’s Future: A Foreshadowing of the Cowardly Lion

It’s strongly implied that the cub they rescue will grow up to be the Cowardly Lion we know from The Wizard of Oz. The trauma of being caged, prodded, and stripped of his autonomy could explain why he is so fearful as an adult. This moment not only serves as foreshadowing but also emphasizes the film’s theme: Oppression breeds fear. Control breeds weakness. And when you take away someone’s freedom, you take away their strength.

Even visually, this moment is reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz—when Elphaba places the cub into a basket, it mirrors Dorothy putting Toto into her bike basket. This visual parallel is a clever way of tying Wicked to the source material while reinforcing the idea that the lion, much like Dorothy’s journey, was always meant to be part of this larger, interconnected story.

Final Thoughts

Both Wicked and Lord of the Flies serve as cautionary tales about what happens when fear and oppression dictate society. In Lord of the Flies, the loss of civilization leads to primal brutality, while in Wicked, the removal of Animals’ rights leads to widespread injustice.

Elphaba fights against this system, but like Ralph in Lord of the Flies, she is up against forces far greater than herself. And yet, she chooses to fight anyway—even when it means being labeled as wicked. Because, in the end, the true wickedness lies not in rebellion, but in the complacency of those who allow cruelty to continue.

What do you think? Could the treatment of Animals in Wicked be a reflection of how societies justify oppression? Let’s discuss. 💚🦁

02/21/2025

Elphaba’s Flight: A Story of Healing, Inner Child Work, and Breaking Free

One of the most powerful moments in Wicked is when Elphaba falls from the sky, seeing her younger self, and trying to reach her. It’s a scene that speaks volumes—about trauma, healing, and reclaiming personal power.

At first, it almost seems like a life review, as if she is reliving all the words said to her, the pain she endured, the way she was made to feel “less than” her entire life. But then, she sees her younger self. And in that moment, she doesn’t just want to remember—she wants to rescue.

✨ This is inner child healing in action. ✨

Elphaba, the adult version of herself, is reaching out to her younger self as if to say:
“You’re coming with me. You don’t have to be hurt anymore. You are safe now, because I am here to protect you.”

This scene hit me hard, because healing your inner child is one of the most difficult, yet most necessary, things we can do. It takes time, patience, and self-awareness. It requires us to undo years of being told we weren’t enough.

💚 I relate to this so much.
As someone who has medical PTSD, I know what it’s like to be an adult but still feel like a terrified child in certain situations. Something as “simple” as a routine blood draw can send me straight back to being 5 years old, scared and unable to express what I was feeling. Trauma doesn’t just disappear—it stays buried until we actively work through it.

But here’s the most important part: As adults, we have the power to do what we couldn’t as children.
• We can say no.
• We can walk away from situations that don’t feel right.
• We can advocate for ourselves in ways we never could before.
• And just like Elphaba, we can choose to fly instead of staying stuck.

Which brings me to her broom.

🖤 Elphaba’s broom is her freedom. It’s the first time we see her truly happy. And that made me think about something…

People with disabilities often rely on tools like canes, guide dogs, or wheelchairs to gain their independence. These tools are not a limitation—they are the key to freedom.

💨 For Elphaba, her broom is her mobility aid. It allows her to move, to explore, to live life on her terms. Before she had it, she was grounded—stuck in a world that told her who she could and couldn’t be. Once she had it, she was unstoppable.

🧹 Flying solo meant breaking free.

And then there’s Glinda.
Elphaba asked her to come with her. But Glinda stayed behind.

Why?

Because not everyone is ready to break free. Glinda was still tied to societal expectations. She still wanted to be liked, to fit in, to do what was expected of her. Maybe deep down, she wanted to go—but she wasn’t ready to take that leap.

And that’s okay.

Because Elphaba didn’t need permission to leave. She didn’t need approval. She had spent her whole life trying to prove her worth—but in this moment, she finally realized she never had to.

💫 This is what healing looks like.
💫 This is what breaking generational cycles looks like.
💫 This is what stepping into your power looks like.

So if you’ve ever felt misunderstood, trapped, or afraid to take up space—let this be your reminder:

🖤 You don’t have to stay where you don’t belong.
💚 You don’t need permission to be yourself.
🖤 You are allowed to heal.
💚 And when you’re ready—you can fly too.

✨ Because flying solo means flying free. ✨

02/20/2025

💭 What Stories Are You Carrying About Yourself?

In Wicked, after the Ozdust Ballroom dance, Elphaba and Glinda stay up all night talking and sharing secrets—a moment that cements their friendship.

💡 Glinda shares something superficial: She hopes to marry Fiyero one day.
💡 Elphaba, on the other hand, shares something deeply painful:
• She believes her father resented her for being born green and blamed her for her sister’s disability.
• She reveals that he forced her mother to consume milk flowers to prevent their second child from being born like Elphaba—but it ultimately led to her mother’s death.

And then Glinda says something incredibly wise:
“That may be your secret, but it’s not your fault. It was the milk flowers.”

That moment got me thinking: How many things do we believe about ourselves that aren’t really true?

💭 How many times have we carried blame for things that were never our fault?
💭 How many negative beliefs about ourselves came from someone else’s words, not our own truth?
💭 How much of the weight we carry isn’t even ours?

✨ A Simple Exercise for Self-Reflection: ✨
1️⃣ Grab a pen and paper.
2️⃣ Write down everything you believe about yourself.
3️⃣ Read it over and ask yourself:
• Is this actually my truth?
• If not, where did this belief come from?
4️⃣ If it’s not your truth—cross it off and return it to sender (with kindness).
5️⃣ If it is true but it’s something you don’t like, recognize that this is your shadow work.

No one is perfect. We all have layers to shed. But the more we release the stories that don’t belong to us, the lighter we begin to feel.

💡 What’s one belief you’ve let go of—or need to let go of? Let’s start unlearning together. 💚✨

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Welcome to Awakening Butterfly! I am honored you are here and I am delighted to share my story with you. Helping people has always been a natural desire for me my whole life. I believe that through my own personal journey of struggles and challenges I have fine tuned my intuitive abilities to help people find the direction to their own inner peace and joy. Life has never been easy for me, I was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome when I was 17 years old. For those of you who have never heard of this it is a neurological difference and today I am referred to as a person on the Autism Spectrum. I am also an empath which increases my already elevated sensitivity to all stimulation and vibrational energy. This results in total overload of my nervous system which makes it impossible for me to function in the neurotypical world 24/7 without experiencing major illnesses related to stress. This unfortunately has always prevented me from accomplishing my goals and fulfilling my dreams. I spend a great deal of time alone just trying to calm my jangled nerves and dealing with the depression that comes from the isolation. What I have discovered is that there is a benefit to everything even suffering, thought it never feels that way at the time! Since I was not hanging out with friends, going to college or having a social life my best friend became Google. In my quest to just feel better I would research on line hoping to find the proverbial “magic bullet” but instead discovered energy healing modalities. Through my experiences with reiki and JSJ I learned that everything is energy and learning the techniques and finding the right tools was very helpful in calming the mind and thus the body. It is as if my whole life lead me to this place. I feel like the caterpillar who enters her cocoon only to dissolve all that no longer serves her to emerge after a difficult struggle as a magnificent beautiful butterfly with wings to soar. My revelation was to start my own on line business and share my wisdom and gifts to help others. I have a passion for crystals which started out at a young age wanting them simply because they were shiny and beautiful. I now understand they are so much more than that. I use them in my own healing practice and I am eager to help you select the very ones that will help you. My vision for The Awakening Butterfly is to create a healing forum where I can share my experience, wisdom and intuition to help you. I hope to bring awareness about Autism and will share what I have found to be helpful. People on the autism spectrum have a 75% rate of unemployment despite the fact that we possess extraordinary gifts and talents. I believe it is about finding “ the unconventional thing” that works for you. I am extremely excited to have found my calling and to build a business. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you. Please visit all my social media platforms, there we can interact and I can answer your specific questions.