This morning, I was "up with the birds" taking my early morning hike. The land that morning felt quiet, but for the ocean breeze holding me in a veil of cool air. Upon my return to the hill where I live, I began the steep climb and there laying on the ground in front of me, to my absolute dismay, was a deceased owl.
I can only imagine various scenarios of how he got there, but as tragic as it was, I know there are no mistakes and this owl was on my path for a reason. I moved the owl off the road placing his remains gently upon the earth beneath some eucalyptus trees.
Eucalyptus is considered a holy tree that carries medicine to cleanse, purify and protect one from negative energy. I always hug these trees when I return from my walks, its a comforting embrace as the scent of the tree washes over me. It seemed appropriate to place the owl beneath them as I spoke my prayers out loud, flowing with love and respect to the owl, the Elders, ancestors and our helping spirit. I then asked Spirit to send me a vision of how the owl must have looked before his passing and as I laid my hands upon him, I could see him very clearly and my body felt his Spirit pass through me.
I have many medicine bags and will not leave home without one. I carry them to offer blessings of gratitude for the land, for something I may see on my earth walks, gifts from Mother Nature or for moments like this when I make an offering for a deceased one to honor their life. I took out my medicine bag and sprinkled an offering of tobacco. There was nothing more to do as I walked up the hill back home with sadness, my now unexpected visitor.
Later that morning, my husband and I took a drive over to the Santa Ynez Valley for a picnic lunch. It was a beautiful day and even though it was one of the warmer days, it felt good to be sitting outside eating. After lunch, we took a drive to Los Olivos. Being Sunday, parking was very limited on the streets, but we managed to find a spot right outside the church. We got out of the Jeep and I immediately turned to look at some buildings across the road. I had never paid much attention to them before as they were used as office spaces, but today my hawk eyes were keenly focused one of the buildings that appeared to be a store front.
It was not well advertised so it was hard to tell what the shop was selling. I could make out some knick-knacks in the window and outside the front door sat a small clothing rack with an array of t-shirts, swaying gently in the breeze. I started to walk over to the store, feeling a pull to go and explore. The door handle turned easily and my husband and I stepped inside. We were greeted warmly by a lovely elder woman who was the owner. The store had only been open for a month and was selling textiles, artwork, blankets, and household items. The owner was also an accomplished seamstress and chatted about making clothing (and even costumes) for her grandchildren and others.
While I was looking at a native American-inspired blanket hanging on a rack, my husband suddenly exclaimed that right there, next to us on the wall, was a framed photograph of an owl. I had been so preoccupied with the blanket, that I hadn't noticed it. It was exactly the vision I had conjured up earlier in the day. I gasped as I looked up at the owl staring back at me, immediately knowing why it was there! I had asked Spirit that morning to please give me a sign if owl had come to work with me again as a teacher and guide. I had just received my answer! So, of course, we had to buy it and it came perfectly framed. What I love, is that the print looks like a painting - it's soft and beautiful but accentuates the intensity of the owl's gaze. Now each morning, as part of my daily ritual, I stand in front of my owl picture for a few minutes quietly connecting to his Spirit and weaving more owl magic into my life.
I love owls and have worked with their medicine over the years. Each lesson has been rich and meaningful.
Owl is connected to the goddess Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Sometimes called the night eagle, he is able to fly with us, bringing wisdom and guidance as we go through the many transitions in our lives. He will fly with us as we pass through our own darkness by helping us to do so without fear, uplifting and guiding us onward into the light.
Owl will enhance your intuition, so you may see what others cannot. Who wouldn't like to be more intuitive? He advises you to look beyond the surface and will bring awareness where there is deception within others. When you carry owl medicine, you will see the truth as clear as day! Not so fabulous for those trying to deceive you!
Death is also part of owl medicine. It does not have to be a physical death but more of a letting go of an aspect of ourselves, negative or otherwise, that no longer serves us. Through uncertainty and challenging times, owl brings hope, wisdom and clarity. He will help you retool and refine who you are. We are constantly changing and I know from experience that moving from one identity to another, as we learn and grow along the path, can be exhilarating but also scary. It is a blessing and powerful to have such a teacher and ally who is there to support you along the way! When asking for help from our nature guides, please be respectful as just like us, they have the choice whether to help us or not. Sometimes they may come without us asking or we may call them in to assist with a particular issue. More on this in the future!
I am excited and eager to see what owl has come to teach me on this part of my journey.
Over countless moments in time, I have learned that when teachers arrive, they always show up at just the right moment sometimes with a big fanfare, whilst others quietly usher themselves in with a mere whisper. Now I would begin to prepare myself to receive the teachings.
So, if you ever find yourself asking the question, "Who am I?" Then maybe owl might just be your medicine!
If you are interested in learning more about connecting with not only the owl but other nature spirits too, or interested in any one of my healing services, please call 323-333-0071.
I look forward to connecting with you!
©️ Lily Rose Wilder - Wolf River Song, Wolf Medicine Woman
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