Owl & Raven; Common Totem Birds for Witches & Pagans

Common Totem Birds for Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans

 

While these are in no way the only Totem Birds for Pagans, Owl and Raven seem to be very commonly named as a totem animal by most people that I talked to.  So I decided to outline the spiritual message of these two birds here.

 

I asked some of my friends on facebook to share their connection to birds, and two friends shared stories about Owls.  Here is what they said;

 

SHEILA -
“For me, my owl spirit guide comes to remind me to trust my intuition...that inner voice that I sometimes choose to ignore! He also reminds me to protect what is mine and to not take anything for granted...to protect my property and my family, in essence protecting myself. He is also there to help me learn about myself in the deepest sense and to learn more about my spirit and to push myself spiritually. I'm blessed, I think, to be able to see the truth or lies in people that others just don't see and I'll be extremely sensitive to how people are feeling...really feeling! 
My spirit guide doesn't always come to me in reality, many times he will come to me through symbolism or synchronicity or dreams and visions. I've learnt over the years though, that when he chooses to make himself known in the physical sense...I pay attention to what he has to say as he's there to keep me safe and warn me of things to come.
I think I shared with you at the time, that for about two weeks before my Mom passed away, I woke almost every night at about 2am to the hooting of the owl in the tree outside. In the beginning it was infrequently, but as her time drew nearer, it was every night! Since my Mom's been gone, so has the owl! It's as though he was there to let me know that her time was near and that he would be there to guide her spirit to the other world.”

SUMMER –
“The owl is my totem. Usually I will be in need of a message or clarity when one shows itself. Whether by way of a distant hoot or a close fly by.”

 

Message of the Owl, from Animal Totems
Owl is the Mystery of silent wisdom, heightened vision and hearing and the ability to pinpoint subtleties of motives, actions and people. He teaches the power of silence and contemplation and the balance of waiting and acting. When action is taken it is swift and exacting. Owl teaches the ability to extract secrets from within, so listen carefully. He also aids in clearing deceptions - within and without. Are you trusting your instincts about people? Are you listening to your surroundings? Do you have patience? Owl has much wisdom in teaching how to see and sense the world around you along with determination and patience in waiting for the opportune moment.

 

More on Owl Totem Animal: (from Spirit Animal)

 If you have the owl as a totem or spirit animal, you’re likely to have the ability to see what’s usually hidden to most. When the owl guides you, you can count on the power of this spirit animal to see beyond illusion and deceit to access the true reality. Owl spirit animals also offer wisdom about the unknown and life’s magic.

What is the owl spirit animal meaning?

Common meanings for the owl are:

• Intuition, ability to see what other do not see
• The presence of the owl announces change
• Capacity to see beyond deceit and masks
• Wisdom
• Owl spirit animals are associated with curiosity for the unknown, life mysteries
• The traditional meaning of the owl spirit animal is the announcer of death, most likely symbolic like a life transition, change

 

 The owl spirit animal and the power to see in the dark
The owl sees in the dark: As a spirit animal, the owl guides you to see beyond the veil of deception and illusion; it helps see what’s kept hidden. It also symbolizes the ability to cut through illusions and see the real meaning of someone’s action or state of mind.
When the owl is one of your power animals, you have a strong intuition and can access information and wisdom that’s usually hidden to most. The spirit of this animal encourages you to look beyond deceiving appearances into the true reality of a situation or a person’s motives.
The owl is a strong spirit guide for discernment and making decision based solid foundations. Call on the owl totem when you have to assess a situation or are going through confusing times.

The unknown and the owl power animal

If you have an owl as a totem or spirit animal, you probably like to explore the unknown. The mysteries of life are a fascinating field of interest. As the owl guides your steps, you are likely to develop an appreciation for life’s magic.
When the owl shows up in your life, listen and look out for the subtle signs that are around you. Your animal spirit guide is a great helper to be attentive to what usually goes below your radar, but is now of particular importance.
The owl is also a guide to uncover your hidden potential and abilities. Check whether you need to reveal more of your intuitive nature.
Night time is particularly auspicious for your creativity, so take the time to focus your creative energy then.

Owl spirit animals as messengers of change

Owl spirit animals are symbolic of death in many traditions. In most cases however, it should not be taken literally: If the owl is associated with death, it can be viewed a symbolic death, meaning a transition in life, important changes that are taking place or about to happen.
When the owl shows up in your life, pay attention to the winds of change. Perhaps you are about to leave some old habits, a situation that no longer serve you or bring something new in your life.

 

 

 

 

 

I also had several people I know mention a connection with Ravens. 

Meg said;

“My husband's spirit guide the raven comes to my dreams when we will be having real upheaval in our lives, each PCS shortly before orders, and deployment before it has happened”


The spirit message of Ravens (From Animal Totems) is;
Raven is about the magical act of creation, internal magic and transformation along with miracle of a rebirth. Raven tells us to be aware of omens that become a harbinger of the mystical and exotic. He can show how to stir life without fear and teach to balance life's playful aspects. Raven also brings in the light of awareness and knowledge with opportunities of great changes that are in store for you. Raven will teach how to usher in these new energies. He shows how to dive into the depths of the inner being to illuminate the true self. Are you ready to uncover past conflicts and long forgotten emotional issues? Raven will teach how to transform your spirit. From the deepest part of you healing begins. What has been in darkness will now emerge into the light.

Some other info on Ravens I found;

from Wicca Teachings on FaceBook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wicca-Teachings/127815357367419

Ravens, and to a lesser degree Crows, are very magical creatures. The Raven with it's plumage as dark as the void between the stars, is a citizen of the afterworld. It travels between the worlds of the living and the dead.

 Being native to both worlds, The Raven naturally has great knowledge and Power to effect transformations.

Raven is associated as a Wicca symbol because of this power to move between the worlds, and create new realities as she chooses. If Raven appears, you are about to experience a change in consciousness, Raven is the messenger that carries all energy flows of ceremonial magic between the ceremony itself and the intended destination.

 Although crows and ravens are part of the same family (Corvus), they’re not exactly the same bird. Typically, ravens are quite a bit bigger than crows, and they tend to be a bit shaggier looking. The raven actually has more in common with hawks and other predatory birds than the standard, smaller-sized crow.

 

No matter what your Animal Totems or current animal Spirit Guides are, meditating on the meaning and lessons of Owl and Raven can help deepen your intuition and help you tune into the realm of the Spirit Guides.  Adding a representation of an owl or raven to your altar can help you through changes and aid your magickal workings or rituals by adding the element of Mystery and reminding you to let your spirit soar high above your normal range of consciousness to contact the Divine and your Higher Self.