Once a month I’ll be posting a new Spirit Animal*. This is both for me to study and learn, but also to help inspire each month.

This month the animal made itself known to me at work shortly before the chaos of the pandemic, and has remained with quiet nightly reminders around my home while we isolate.

The Owl.

I’ve often liked the idea of owls.  Shortly after we moved in to this home I decided that I wanted owls for my kitchen decor. I haven’t gotten far with that, but we’re getting there. Still, in all of my life I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one in the wild. I’ve seem images, videos, and at maybe a zoo situation?

Then while on break at work a few weeks back I heard the almost cliche hooting of an owl. I stopped short, and spun in a circle to try to find him. No luck, so I continued to my car.  The bird, after a few more hoots, took flight right by me and over the hospital until it disappeared into the night.  Since then, I’ve heard semi-regular hooting around my home in the evenings.

Owls serve to deliver many different messages, but upon research, I chose to focus on several messages that spoke directly to me and where I’m at.

Owls can see in the dark, see beyond the shadows.  Owl guides help you see beyond a person’s facade or mask. If they’re deceiving you, you’ll have the clarity to see beyond the lies, to see the person underneath.

Owls are a large symbol of change. When I first saw him, I didn’t know what changes were coming, but whoa did they come. Owl guides help you find the opportunities in the changes. To see the light at the end of the tunnel, as it were.  This gives you the chance to find something good to focus on, some way to make it through. Owl medicine allows you great insight for yourself and others. It helps you intuit deeper meaning in events such as we’re all living through now.

This month, through a lot of inner and outer work, Owl has helped me gain an appreciation for the little things in my life.  I had some nights at work where I was sent home early, but I didn’t allow it to upset me as I had in the past.  This wasn’t a targeted attack, I knew that many of our staff were facing cut hours. My check would be shorter, but I was still getting one, and blessedly so is my husband. Things could be so much work. I appreciated the little bit of extra sleep and study time. I worked when I could, and looked for the small blessings in all that I could.

I have been finding a nice, deeper peace these days.  I faced a year of struggle with this move. While life isn’t perfect, it was especially rough for a while.  Today I embrace owl medicine and let its many lessons wash over me.  Including the lesson to sit in silence, and observe. Changes are still happening, and will continue to do so. I need to remember to sit in silence and observe and learn, rather than reacting.

What animal is speaking to you this month?  Do they have lessons for you?  

*Disclaimer: I use the term Spirit Animal with deepest respect to the Indigenous people.  I have been studying under an amazing, powerful indigenous woman and I respect their beliefs in the highest. I use the term with much honor, and not as a joke or meme. I truly believe these animals come as messengers for me, and try to learn under them. Miigwetch.