Another in the series of animals, Gods, and spirituality
This worldwide Order of Birds ranges from the tiny Elf Owl of North America to the huge Eagle Owl of Eurasia. As predators, Members of the Owl Family regard anything that moves as fair game. While the Elf Owl eats insects, the Eagle Owl feasts on deer. Because most Members of the Owl Family fly at night, they occupy the same niche in the eco-system as hawks and eagles. Native Americans called the Owl Family “Night Eagles”.
Members of the Owl Family are divided into two groups. The older, smaller group of Barn Owls and Bay Owls (Tytonidae) are distinctive with their heart-shaped faces. They have longer skulls, beaks, and legs than the newer group of owls (Strigidae) do. The round-headed owls, that most people see, are from the larger Strigidae Family.
Because so few birds are nocturnal and the majority of owls (Strigiformes) are, people respected but distrusted them. Japanese regarded Barn Owls and Horned Owls as demonic. In Borneo, Scops Owls were thought of as ill omens to be avoided at all costs. The Romans believed that any owl sucked the blood of babies. Meanwhile, parents of various Native American nations would tell their children when they misbehaved that “owls will get you.” In Mexico, people will say “when the owl cries, the Indian dies.”
A fearsome being, the Slavic Strzyga (Strigoi) is a “vampire” spirit who takes the form of an owl. With her two lines of teeth, the Strzyga will suck blood, take people’s life energy, and finally eat their insides. Remembering her human life, the Strzyga will hunt down the people who had hurt her. Because of her hunting at night, people will rarely venture out after dark.
Various owls are associated with different Gods. In Hawai’i, Pueo (Hawai’ian Owl) is a protector. As ‘Aumakau, Pueo is the ancestor guardian who watches over the family. Because a Barn Owl saved Genghis Khan from his enemies, Mongolians revered her. Meanwhile, Celts look upon the Tawny Owl as one of the five oldest animals on earth. One of the animals associated with the Norse Goddess Frigga is the Great Horned Owl.
Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wisdom, has a sister – Alakshmi who takes the form of an owl. Often, Alakshimi will give Her Sister bad advice. As an owl, She indicates the arrogance and stupidity that accompanies excessive luck. Depending on the region of India, owls can either be good fortune or messengers of death.
The Cailleach of Celtic mythology is often linked with the Barn Owl. As a Hag Goddess, the Cailleach has dominion over the night and the winter. Meanwhile, the Barn Owl has a ghostly presence at night. Moreover, the Gaelic word for owl is “cauileach-oildhche,” which means “night-cockerel” or “the white old woman of the night.”
Ancient Greeks welcomed the Little Owl as their Goddess of Wisdom’s Friend. Athena is shown with the Little Owl (Athene noctua). One of this Goddess’ epithets is “Glaukopis,” which means “Bright Eyed.” The owl represents her wisdom and sharp vision.
Hypnos, the Greek God of Sleep, takes a form of an owl from time to time. In some of the myths, He flaps his wings to bring sleep. Considered to be benevolent, Hypnos could put even the Gods to sleep. Like the owl, He governed the liminal place between wakefulness and sleep. (The Romans called Hypnos, Somnus.)
Members of the Owl Family represent the fears, anxieties, and wisdom of people. However, to see owls as they truly are, brings about a greater appreciation of their role in nature. Owls are master predators that keep their territories from being overrun by rodents. Various owls have exploited all kinds of environments ranging from frozen tundra to arid deserts. In fact, the Barn Owl makes her home on nearly every continent on earth. Members of the Owl Family live in dead trees, on buildings, and burrows in the ground. They hunt during the day as well as at night.
Owls seek their own counsel in what they do. They seize what opportunities there are and then exploit them to the maximum. The Owl Family teaches you to follow your own inner wisdom. Seek your own counsel and increase your opportunities.
For further reading:
Mike Clelland, “The Messengers: Owls, Synchronicity and the UFO Abductee.” 2020.
Mike Clelland, “Stories from the Messengers: Accounts of Owls, UFOs and a Deeper Reality.” 2020.
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