Owl: Wisdom

The owl is sometimes called a cat with wings, and more than any other animals, these two creatures are associated with magic, heightened senses, intuition, and wisdom.

Like the cat, the owl has keen hearing and vision which make it at home in the world of night, a world in which many humans are very much uncomfortable. This fear can also make us uncomfortable with night creatures.

We are especially uncomfortable because night symbolizes the unknown, that which we cannot - or do not wish - to see. One of the most remarkable human abilities is the capacity to push into unconsciousness that which we don't want to know. We may do this with traumas which we find too painful to remember, with memories we don't enjoy, and especially with regard to anything about ourselves which doesn't match the images of ourselves we want to preserve.

Sometimes when we sleep that which is stored in our unconscious minds comes into consciousness in our dreams. Many people try to prevent this from happening by not remembering their dreams.

When we try to hide from ourselves our feelings and thoughts we are deceiving ourselves, and one of the key words for Owl is deception.

Because of its heightened senses, which make it such a successful hunter, Owl symbolizes the ability to be undeceived by external appearances and illusion, and to discover the truth behind them.

If you are attracted to Owl you may have this ability, and may find that other people are as uncomfortable with you as they are with the night hunter. It is a gift to be used carefully - and with compassion.

The ability to see through illusion and secrecy is one which is valuable for all of to cultivate with regard to ourselves. Owl teaches us that it is safe to look at what we may consider to be the darkness of our own souls, and that in that darkness we may find much food for growth.

Owl is one of the Wild Earth Animal Essences. Owl images are available in pocket totems, power stones, and jewelry