Owl Totem

                                                    Owl Totem

The owl is the bird of the mystery of magic, omens, silent wisdom and vision in the night. The owl is very symbolic and teaches powerful lessons. The owl's ears, eyes and feathers are extremely unique of its kind. The great horned, barn, barred, screech, short-eared and snowy owls all have their differences in physical abilities and personalities. They show what the totem could mean in deep ways.

The nocturnal bird, the owl, has an ancient aura of myth and mystery.  The owl was worshipped as an idol and hated as the reincarnation of the dead or the devil. The owl is a symbol of clairvoyance, the feminine, the moon, and the night; however, with its connection with the moon the owl has ties to fertility and seduction.

To ancient Greeks, the owl was associated with the goddess Athena; thus the symbol of higher wisdom. To the Pawnee, it was the symbol of protection. To the Ojibwa, it was the symbol of death and evil. To the Pueblo, the owl was associated with the Skeleton Man, the god of death but also a spirit of fertility.

The owl has great hearing. The ears are asymmetrical, and one ear is usually larger than the other. They are also located in different positions on the head. This enables the owl to sort out auditory signals it picks up, allowing it to locate its prey more easily. Even some owls can pinpoint the exact location of the prey, such as the barn owl. Those with owl totems will be able to hear what is not being said. They will also detect and pinpoint the subtleties.

The eyes are just as keen as the ears or more. They can adjust from a telescopic to a microscopic focus in an instant. The owl's eyes are specially adapted to detect subtle movements. They have extra light-sensitive cones and rods in the retina to help. The owl can see very well in daylight it is just more effective and acute at night. Often those with an owl as a power totem have a unique ability for seeing into the darkness of the life or souls of others. These perceptions are often discarded as wild imagination, but, these imaginings should be trusted, both negative and positive.

Mating habits of the owl are similar to other birds. The male will use aerial display that includes wing clapping, love songs, beak rubbing, bowing, fluffing feathers, strutting, and killing prey to impress, and bobbing and swiveling until noticed. The female would respond with love songs and low tremolos or ignore the male. The courting and breeding usually starts in January or February and ends March to June, sometimes September. Some owls mate for life, like the barn owl. Where others mate and stay together only until the owlets leave the nest. Owls have only one family a year, the number of eggs ranges from 1 to 14. Short-eared owls are reported to have a second brood but data is still needed to confirm this.
Most owls don't make nests. They will lay eggs in abandoned nests or in the forks of the trees. Some owls, the short-eared owl, lay their eggs near the base of the trees in tall grasses. Barred and snowy owls make their nests in trees and on the snowed-on ground of vegetation and owl feathers.

The most unique characteristic of the owl is its feathers. The feathers are the comb-like fringe leading edge of the primary wing feathers referred to as flutings. With a normal bird, like the eagle, in flight, air rushes over the surface of the wing, creating turbulence, which makes a gushing noise. With an owl's wing, the comb-like feather edge breaks down the turbulence into little groups called micro-turbulences. This effectively muffles the sound of the air rushing over the wing surface and allows the owl to fly silently. This silence will bring great success to those with an owl totem if practiced. Keep silent and go about your business.

An owl will usually swallow its prey whole, head first. The bones, fur, teeth, and claws are not indigestible and are regurgitated in forms of pellets. This is a very symbolic act. In swallowing the prey head first, the owl takes in itself the wisdom and energy of the prey. Regurgitating shows the owl's ability to eliminate the unbeneficial and unhealthy aspects of the prey.

The great horned owl is the most ferocious and most successful predator in the owl family in America. It is powerful and swift and can easily snap a woodchuck's neck. The great horned owl will not hesitate to take whatever prey presents itself, it will even take on all birds of prey, but only the golden eagle is not intimidated or afraid of it. Most people are in awe of the great horned owls formidable talons and strong beak. This ferocity has enabled the owl to survive and adapt to constantly changing environments.
The barn owl has a heart shaped facial disc which is unique. This reflects the ability to link heart and mind. The barn owl also has dark eyes, a golden buff feathering on top and white feathering beneath. It is this aspect that when seen at night from below that the barn owl earned the name ghost owl.  With the barn owl as a totem, the ability to hear inner voice and even spirit will develop.

The barred owls are master vocalists and have charming personalities. They are large and round with dark eyes. Its barred markings on their feathers show that it has much of its ferocity in check.  The barred owl has a benign nature; they appear to be threatening but are harmless. It is a great actor and can put on a show. Many believe its vocal performances put other animals and people off. This reflects the ability to use the voice for greater effects.

Screech owls, like the great horned, have small tufts of feathers on their head that look like ears. Screech owls are smaller than the barred, barn and great horned owls. They are only 6-10 inches tall and reddish or grey. Despite their small size, the courage and ferocity is often compared to that of the great horned owl.
Screech owls are excellent hunters. They occasionally use cooperative hunting. The screech owl can show how to be a fierce individual with an ability to cooperate with others-maintaining that individuality throughout.

The short-eared owl is one of the few who will hunt day or night. It is also unique in it will build its home, and migrate. The markings on it are flame-like. This fiery aspect is reflected in its personality. The short-eared owl has a sixth sense, of being in opportune places at opportune times.
The short-eared owl is courageous and playful. While crows can mob and chase off, the short-eared will turn the tables on its assailants. Though small, they are strong and fast with no fears. Few birds can compare to the short-eared with its aerial ability. The short-eared owl is also a versatile and curious bird. They have a stimulating effect upon all energies and stir passion for life and fire the inspiration. They awake imagination.

The snowy owl is larger than the great horned owl, but it's noted for its white coloring. It's found in the tundra of the arctic, but the snowy will migrate as far south as necessary for prey. Like the short-eared owl, the snowy owl is at home hunting both day and night. Snowy owls hunt by sitting and waiting, they seem to be resting. This is not true, their conserving energy and continually observant, only going into action when opportunity arises.

Like the short-eared owl, the snowy has a knack for moving to areas where prey is usually found. The snowy seems to instinctually detect possible famine periods and thus move at the opportune moment and return. The snowy owl has the power of prophecy and spirit.
When the snowy owl moves, it does not proclaim its presence. It enters silently and goes about its business. The snowy withdraws its talons when walking into its well-padded feet. This reflects ability to be non-threatening in despite its power and ability. The snowy completes its tasks with timing and skill. The snowy teaches true strength is gentle.

The snowy owl seems to contain the strength and power of the great horned, has the skill, courage and talents of the short-eared while having the temperament of the barred owl.
The owl is very powerful in every sense. It's symbolic as an idol and devil, even in ancient times. The owl has wonderful hearing and sight. Its mating habits are similar to other birds. They make use of abandoned nests mostly, sometimes making their own. The feathers are the most unique characteristic of the owl. Even the eating of prey is symbolic. The great horned owls ability is to survive and adapt to the changing environments. The barn owls ability is to hear inner voices and spirits. The barred owls ability is to use the voice for greater effect. The screech owls ability is to cooperate with others while maintaining individuality. The short-eared owls have stimulating effect on all energies and awaken imagination. The snowy owl teaches true strength is gentle.