THE SNOWY OWL: Active Patience

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 One of the world’s largest Owls, the Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) hunts in the desolate and bitterly cold Arctic tundra that she calls home. Because of the long nights of numbing cold, the Snowy Owl has layers of fat to help her survive. Since food is often scarce, she can fast for forty days at a time. In addition, the Snowy Owl conserves her energy by remaining still as long as possible. While waiting for an opportunity presents itself, she remains continually observant.

 

In her pursuit of food, The Snowy Owl is a strategist. She may seem lazy however the Snowy Owl is actively looking for a lemming to appear. She can hunt day or night. If need be, she will play dead. When an intruder comes near her nest, the Snowy Owl will swoop down and strike them with her talons. Sometimes she will feign injury, dragging her wing on the ground to lure a fox away from her young owlets.

 

The Snowy Owl forms close ties with the lemming, which goes beyond the usual predator and prey relationship. To make up for their short lives as owl food, lemmings breed in great numbers. When lemmings are in short supply, the Snowy Owl travels in search of rabbits. Not attached to any particular place, the Snowy Owl will go as far as the Caribbean in search of food. Wherever the Snowy Owl goes, she attracts attention. Because of her large size and elegant white plumage, people notice her perched on a haystack or on an airport runway waiting for an unsuspecting rodent.

 

The Snowy Owl is associated with the Norse Goddess Skadi. This Goddess is depicted travelling the Arctic, clad in furs, carrying her bow and arrows. The Snowy Owl and Skadi are associated with winter and strength. They remind people of the lessons that winter teachers.

 

The Snowy Owl teaches active patience. During the long Arctic winter, she fasts and waits for summer. Hunting for lemmings, she patiently perches on a rock listening for them to move about underground. When there are no lemmings, the Snowy Owl searches patiently for other food. She is rewarded for her efforts. Learn active patience from the Snowy Owl.