Owl

 

 

A friend asked me to do an Owl for her.  And, of course, I asked if I could do it on a dried palm frond.  And, luckily, she said yes, because I am most used to doing owls on the palm fronds.  Perhaps, and most likely, her totem is Owl.

There are those tribes, Bands, First Nation’s communities, that look at the owl in widely differing ideologies.  I come from an upbringing and have taken the cultural symbology of those who take all but the Great Horned Owl as positive symbolism.

There are many tribes who see the owl to do with death, with evil, with bad medicine.  Because they are creatures of the night, it took on many negative connotations.  Another frightening thing was their silent flight and their many different voices.  In some bands, I have seen warnings about owls used to keep children from going out at night, or, they were told, the owls might carry them away in the night.

There are many more tribes, bands, communities, that see the Owl as a Messenger for powerful healing.  Many see them as Protectors and even put owl feathers on their shields or wear them as part of their regalia.  Owl feathers were worn by warriors as it was believed that they would help them see in the dark, and to creep more quietly.  Many warrior groups carried Owl Medicine Bundles.  I was given some owl feathers as gifts for protection in my elder-hood.  I would think that my friend is one who gets premonitions of illnesses, deaths, and/or tragedies if she is of the Owl Clan.

The protective soul of the Owl often shows up as a dream about one.  The message dreams are those in color and fully sensory.  The image or dream will stay with the dreamer for many years and usually indicates that the dreamer has the Owl Guardian.  Having an Owl Guardian means one has access to deep and ancient wisdom.  Many Medicine People are of the Owl clan.  To them, the Owl is a spiritual consultant and can tell the Medicine Person if an illness is a punishment or a physical ailment.  These Medicine People must never harm and Owl of any kind or they will lose their spiritual connective. 

I send this Owl to her, at her request, knowing full well that there is a reason for it.

©Carol Desjarlais 5.11.20

Btw, this friend is a friend from when we were at University mid-80s.  We met through Mature Student’s Association when I was President.  We were both in the the English Department together.  Our kids were together at our family activities.  Some friendships can last a very long time even when we have not seen each other for years and years.  I met her a couple of months ago and it was as if it were yesterday.  She is a choice friend, indeed. 

***The owl is done with inspiration from Angela Anderson