The day was sunny and beautiful, and a crowd of about 25-30 people gathered for the 2025 Blessing of the Butterflies on Saturday, October 11th.  This year, the Esselen tribal leader Louise Ramirez could not be there, and she and the Esselen tribal members were missed, a palpable absence.  As Rinpoche tried to get his amplifier and microphone working (it never did work), Robert P. told the story of the origins of the PG Butterfly Sanctuary.  He and other PG community members fought hard for this space to exist, gathered petition signatures, applied for grants, and worked with the Big Sur Land Trust to push the deal over the finish line.  The Blessing of the Butterflies started 15ish years ago.  Louise allowed Rinpoche to join when Robert shared with her the English translation of Propitiating the Devas of the Four Elements, seeing that it called on the four directions, and was respectful to the earth and guardians of earth, the waters and guardians of waters, of sun, of wind.   Many thanks to Robert, to Rinpoche, to the Esselen community and all who made this Butterfly Sanctuary and the Blessing Ceremony happen.   Although only a few butterflies were present, we know that many have already arrived to Santa Cruz, and more are on their way to this sacred land.   May it always be protected and blessed.