It’s a Bird… that hoots!
About two weeks ago while out with Naia on a dusk-time walk, I saw a large, silent bird flying overhead, just above the level of the house-tops in our neighborhood. I wondered if it might have been an owl, but soon let go of the thought and proceeded with the important task of throwing the frisbee to Naia.
Over the ensuing weeks, we would occasionally hear what I imagined to be the hooting of an owl, but without visual evidence I was reluctant to believe it.
The Night Eagle
Well… yesterday at dusk as a nearly full moon lazily climbed its way into the sky, we saw the hooting winged culprit! Sitting proudly on the rooftop of a 2-story house was a huge, gorgeous Great Horned Owl. I positioned myself so that the owl formed a perfect silhouette against the rising moon, and took a long moment to absorb the magic of the image.
We then slowly approached the fence of the house to get a better look, as the Owl deliberately swiveled her head in every conceivable direction. She dramatically leaned her body forward several times to hoot loudly. The deep sound reverberated throughout the common lawn area of our housing complex.
When the owl sounded, Naia tilted her head to stare at the creature, but the owl was completely nonplussed by Naia’s attention. As one of the largest & more aggressive owl species, the adult Great Horned Owl has few predators, and it feeds on small to medium sized animals– including cats and small dogs. (Yipes!)
Grace in the Air
We watched the majestic bird for several minutes as daylight slowly faded to be enveloped by the night sky. When she had completed her scan of our neighborhood from her rooftop perch, the Owl extended her wings and leaped from the roof. She glided gracefully over the expanse of the lawn, then drifted up & over the houses towards a tangle of cypress trees nearer to the ocean.
Owl Medicine
We felt blessed and grateful for the rare opportunity to visit with Owl Spirit! I took a few moments to contemplate what meaning Owl has for me, in my life at this time. The Moon and her powerful energies have been in focus these days, as has the intention to deepen & expand the spiritual nature of my work. I believe that that Owl gifted us with her presence for the purpose of validating the direction of my intentions.
Here is some information on Owl Medicine (from crystallinks.com/totemanimals):
Owl represents: perception, clairvoyance, insight (the night eagle)
Owls come in all sizes, from a tiny miniature that actually lives inside the cactus in the desert, to the great horned owl, which is the only bird that can out-fly the golden eagle. A fully grown great horned owl is an awe inspiring creature. Its talons are furry, and closely resemble the paws of a baby mountain lion with claws extended. It is a meat eater, which means it can be a fierce warrior if challenged, or if something dear to it is threatened. It is often referred to as Night Eagle. Owl is at home in the night. It has great awareness of all that is around it at all times. It has predator vision, which means it sees clearly what it looks at. It has great intuition: it is the totem of psychics and clairvoyants. It has the courage to follow its instincts.
Owl’s medicine includes seeing behind masks, silent and swift movement, keen sight, messenger of secrets and omens, shape-shifting, link between the dark, unseen world and the world of light, comfort with shadow self, moon power, freedom.
*Thank you Great Horned Owl!