Admired by some, but also feared by many, throughout the ages, the Owl has provoked contradictory feelings and beliefs in cultures and cults all around the world. The owl has had many associations with witchcraft, medicine, the weather, birth and even death. There are many superstitions that remain to this day as it is both despised, as well as, found fascinating.
But what is the actual truth?
Symbolically the Owl is associated with clairvoyance, astral projection, and magic, and is oftentimes the medicine of sorcerers and witches. The owl can see that which others cannot, which is the essence of true wisdom. Where others are deceived, Owl sees and knows what is there. However, many cultures have focused on the dark side of the Owl's symbolism. On one hand, it is because people have always been in fear of the dark, or night, and the things that might dwell there. Furthermore, the hooting of an Owl is considered as a message of death or bad luck.
In Greek Mythology
In ancient Greek mythology, the owl was associated with Athena, It is depicted perched on her shoulder and it was believed to reveal to her unseen truths and expanding her wisdom. Because of that, the bird gained the status of a protector of the Greek armies. it was taken as a good omen that victory is in store if an owl flew over before battle. In Greek society, it was depicted on the reverse side of their silver drachma coins.
The owl is also present in the Hades and Persephone myth. In it, Hades returned Persephone to Demeter after he kidnapped her, with the condition she does not eat the pomegranate he gave her, otherwise, he would take her in the Underworld. When Persephone couldn't control her curiosity and tasted the pomegranate she was seen by Ascalpus, who reported it back to Hades. In revenge for the time her daughter must spend in the underworld, Demeter sought out Ascalpus ‘the telltale’ and turned him into an Owl. But not just any owl, she turned him into a ‘Screech Owl’ the most despised of the owl species.
In Celtic Mythology
In Celtic mythology, there was the Goddess made of flowers - Blodeuwedd, who was created by Gwydion in order to marry his son Lleu. When Lleu saw her he immediately fell in love with her, but she fell in love with someone else - Goronw. Not wanting to marry Lleu, she and Goronw conspired to kill him. However, Lleu had been made invincible by the gods and could only be killed in a special way.
Early one evening Blodeuwedd seduced Lleu into revealing his secret - he could only be killed if it were twilight, he was wrapped in a fishnet, had one foot on a cauldron and the other on a goat, and if the weapon used had been forged during sacred hours when such work was forbidden.
Goronw forged the weapon, returning just before twilight while Blodeuwedd asked Lleu to demonstrate the position he should be in to be killed, and when he did Goronw struck him down.
Lleu didn’t die, but was transformed into an eagle and eventually restored to human form, after which he in turn killed Goronwy. But because of her treachery, Blodeuwed was transformed into an owl and forever haunts the night in loneliness and sorrow shunned by all other birds.
Other cults and belief systems
In modern Scottish and Welsh languages, the owl, by the etymology of the word alone carries negative connotations of death and darkness.
Then, in later Gallo-Roman times, the Owl lost its cult significance but has been linked to a Celtic goddess associated with fertility.
To the Welsh, the Owl symbolizes death and renewal, wisdom, moon magick, and initiations. Their Goddess Arianrhod shapeshifts into a large Owl, and through the Owl-eyes, sees into the darkness of the human subconscious and soul. She is said to move with strength through the night, as her wings comfort and heal those who seek her.
The Ainu in Japan believe the Owl gives them notice of evil approaching. They revere the Owl and believe it mediates between the Gods and men.
Zulus and other West African nations consider the bird a powerful influence in casting spells and think that using parts of the owl gives great strength with magical incantations.
In the Middle East, China, and Japan, the Owl is considered as both a bad omen and an evil spirit.
For Christians, the Owl traditionally signifies the Devil, powers of evil, bad news, and destruction.
In an Australian Aboriginal myth, the Owl is the messenger of bad news.
The ancient Romans considered the bird a bad omen; Caesar’s murder was announced by the screeching of owls.
Besides death, the hooting of an owl foretells illness, bad weather and the loss of virginity of a village girl.
Owls & Witches
The owl is considered a witch's companion because they share unique spiritual communication, as they are both associated with the unknown and exploring its' power. As a witches' spirit animal the owl gives the power of intuition, uncovering the hidden, universal truths, the power to transform oneself, and grants wisdom. Greeks and Romans believed witches could turn themselves into owls, and in this form would come to suck the blood of babies. In other cultures, owls were simply the messengers of witches or hooted to warn of the approach of a witch.
Overall, no matter how controversial its' image might be, the Owl is the bird of mystical wisdom and ancient knowledge of the powers of the moon. With its' all-seeing eyes, the Owl looks upon reality without distortion and acknowledges it as it is.
Stay Blessed Witches~
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