The Nature of Owls
Owls are one of the most widely recognized spirit animals, likely because they are present in nearly every corner of the world. From snowy tundras to scorching deserts, high up in the trees and even underground, these silent raptors have adapted to an incredible range of environments. With around 250 species, owls come in all shapes and sizes. Starting with the tiny Elf Owl, just 5 inches tall with an adorable 10-inch wingspan, to the mighty Blakiston’s Fish Owl, standing 28 inches tall and boasting an incredible wingspan of over 6 feet. They are all around us yet we seldom even notice. Being nocturnal and having fantastic camouflage, they could be right in front of our eyes and still go unnoticed. Yet, if you are one of the fortunate ones who have witnessed this avian king, perhaps they have a message for you.
Owl Symbolism
Sorry, it’s not an invitation to Hogwart’s! However, Owl does hold otherworldly powers, whispering their secrets to those who choose to listen. They bring illumination to the unseen and offer guidance through lessons of:
- Wisdom
- Clairvoyance (and Clairaudience)
- Deception
- Magic
- Light and Dark
- Death (and Rebirth)
The most common symbolic trait that everyone associates with Owl is wisdom yet the term is often generalized. How did a creature with a brain no greater than a peanut, a quite literal ‘bird brain’, become the symbol of vast knowledge and insight? They’re not inherently dense but they certainly aren’t ranked at the top of the ‘intelligent birds’ list. To understand where their true wisdom lies, we have to break it down…like an owl pellet in junior high. 😐💩🦉
Many cultures recognize Owl’s natural abilities of clairvoyance and clairaudience, meaning they can sense that which others cannot, even on a spiritual or universal level. Owl has extraordinary senses. Their large, luminous eyes pierce through the darkness allowing them to see what is hidden in the night. Equally powerful is their hearing; so finely tuned they can detect the faintest rustle beneath layers of snow or leaves. Together, these gifts of sight and sound make Owl a master of perception, a guardian of secrets that others overlook. Perhaps Owl is encouraging you to be more perceptive in your own life. Sometimes it is best for us to sit back, unseen. Observe silently, listen closely. What details can you pick up on which you didn’t notice before? A moment spent absorbing and analyzing your environment ensures you’re ready to strike at the most opportune time.
Owl is the master of deception. The edge of their feathers are not stiff like most birds but instead very soft. This allows them to remain completely silent as they quickly swoop down to grab unsuspecting prey. Could someone be trying to deceive you? This could be another reason to practice higher perception. Pay attention and broaden your perspective to better judge a situation you’re in. The sharper your skill of observation becomes, the more others may find you a bit intimidating. This is only because you can see clearly through the darkness (and their bull💩). No one can deceive you when you have the vision of Owl.
Was there ever a creature filled with more magic than Owl? This sacred companion to the mystical people of the world often appears as familiars to witches, wizards, and goddesses alike. Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, is famously portrayed with an owl at her side. Its presence symbolizes the revelation of universal truths from past, present, and future. Owl also serves as a sacred guide to Hecate, goddess of magic, witchcraft, necromancy, the night, and the moon. Through the owl’s far seeing vision, she moves effortlessly between the realms of the living and the dead, embracing the mysteries of both to uncover true inner wisdom.
Owl’s entire existence is embodied in light and dark. Black and white. Night and day. You cannot truly know and appreciate one without the other. Owl could be urging you to find balance in your own life. Are you playing it cool on the surface but something sits in the darkness underneath? It could be time to do some shadow work. Acknowledge and accept the parts of yourself that you repress, deny or hide. Acceptance is the key to inner peace and perhaps the first step on the road to self-healing. Now is the time to face your problems head-on! You know what they say: The only way out is through. You can make it through and there is magic on the other side. ✨🔮🕊️
This balance between light and dark coincides with Owl as an omen of death. In extreme cases this could be quite literal but more often than not its the end of a chapter. The death of a way of thinking or a way of living. Perhaps a relationship is about to end. Or maybe it’s time to start thinking of a new career path or a new place to live. These changes might be a little jarring depending on where you are in life, but this gives you room to grow! Spread your wings. Where you are right now is no longer serving you, whether it’s physically, mentally, spiritually or all of the above. The next step is rebirth! The beginning of a new chapter! The start of something bigger, better! A stronger, wiser version of yourself with eyes wide open. Stay sharp and strike with the precision of Owl when necessary.
Many can find Owl’s message intimidating, aggressive or even down right frightening! It certainly can be at times! Owl forces you to sit quietly… watching… listening… waiting… for that perfect time to strike! It can be hard for many of us to remain still, to face the darkness. But it’s the only way to fly through it effortlessly. Sometimes we need that little bit of encouragement, that magic owl on our shoulder, that subtle whisper in our ear… “You can. You will.”
And then you do. ✨🦉✨
Owl is your direct hotline to the other side. Ask those hard questions that have left you stagnant for far too long and let Owl deliver the answer right to your door. Owl is your protector. Especially through your darkest times. What better guide to have than one who has been on both sides of the fence. Many cultures see Owl as a symbol of protection. Not by warding off evil or avoiding the darkness but rather transmuting it. Therefore, safely navigating through it.
Summary
If Owl has crossed your path, do not be afraid. Instead, pause and reflect. Ask yourself, Is someone around me being deceptive, or am I deceiving myself? Owl arrives as a guide to help you broaden your perspective and confront the truths you may have been avoiding. With patience and clarity, observe every angle of a situation before making your move. This careful awareness ensures that when you act, it will be at the most opportune moment and it will keep you from falling victim to another’s snare.
Owl also calls you to honor both the light and the dark. In recognizing the balance between them, you gain access to deep insight and hidden knowledge, wisdom that can empower you to achieve far more than you ever imagined. But remember, balance is everything. Owl embodies both white magic and black magic. Be careful not to end up on the wrong end.
This could be the end of something major in your life. A break up? A layoff? An eviction? Every ending is also the beginning of a new chapter. Though it may not seem like it, this chapter promises to be even brighter than the last. So even though this change could be unexpected or alarming at first, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a necessary step for your journey to growth, self-healing, rediscovery and inner peace.
Personal Note
My mother has had her own mysterious encounters with Owl and the shadowy messages they bring. For several years, whenever she heard Owl’s call in the night, it would soon be followed by the loss of someone dear. Within weeks, or sometimes days, a family member, a friend, or even a beloved pet would pass away. With such heavy and recurring omens, the sound of Owl’s call became unsettling rather than comforting. The last time she heard Owl’s dark warning was before my father passed in 2020.
What’s Your Story?
How has Owl appeared in your life? What does it mean to you? Share your story in the comments below. I’d love to hear about it!
And for the record, no matter what messages Owl seems to bring, it’s important to remember that you should never, ever harm or mistreat any animal out of fear of omens or negative symbolism. The meanings we attach to Owl are human interpretations, born from observing their behavior and how they navigate the world. In truth, Owl couldn’t care less about how we see them; they only wish to be left in peace to eat, sleep, and get twitterpated. 😉😍
Learn from observation, respect their space, and never interfere.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed learning about Owl as much as I did!
Stay magical, free spirits!✨
“Oh, pinfeathers!” -Archimedes, The Sword and the Stone
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