Guest Post by Sandra Atkinson, Retreat Attendee/Mentor & Circle Member
I am Owl
Swift creature of the dark night
Guardian of the Spirit’s flight
Herald of new direction
Ancient wisdom in reflection
Nature’s shy and silent one
Who sees beyond the setting .
~ By Cecillie Okada and Barry Brailsford
A few summers ago I watched my granddaughter, Nuala, drag my staff through the rocks in our backyard pronouncing to the wind “ I am Grandmother Blue Owl!” While looking at this bundle of light, my heart started to swell and quiver. Really didn’t know when I had mentioned my spirit name to my family. The beautiful sound of her speaking the words, Grandmother Blue Owl, filled me with the courage to accept the gift I had been given. In using my spirit name of Grandmother Blue Owl, I have enlightened my spiritual path and opened my heart up to the words that Spirit shares with me.
Owls have always been important to me. Their haunting song, their powerful flight and the magical lore surrounding them has kept me fascinated for years. Throughout history we have heard of Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, forever walking with her owl on her shoulder showering messages of truth to her public in Greece. Owl had the ability to light Athena’s blind side, enabling her to speak the whole truth, as opposed to only a half truth. Also, Owl was the guardian of the Acropolis. To the early Christian Gnostics, Owl was linked with Lilith. As Owl, Lilith strived for freedom. Lakshmi, the Goddess of Abundance in India always claimed Owl as a bringer of sacred, wise messages. Then there is Hedwig, who came to Harry Potter on his 11th birthday. This beautiful snowy owl continued to be his closest companion.
Owl represents Magic, Time and Space
Owl protects me
Owl can see what others cannot,
Granting me the gift to know the truth in others.
In the spring of 2005 the Great Gray Owl came south to Orillia in search of voles. They could be seen on Muley Point Road for a few weeks. At the time I was a teacher at Uptergrove Public School which is on Muley Point Rd. Also, I lived just down the road by Lake Simcoe. Every day I had the honour of meeting these glorious creatures eye to eye. People came from all over North America to take pictures and be close to them. When the Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson came to Uptergrove to present an award, she took a ride to see them as well. Of course all the attention was stressful for the owls and thankfully worried caretakers had to curtail the activity.
Their presence helped me understand the mysterious longing I had within me to be closer to owls. Throughout the time Owl visited us, I was able to study their habits and share the teachings with my students. We all learned valuable lessons from nature.
In our shamanic studies we know that Owl’s gifts to us include looking within to see the shadow side of our perceptions, understanding the messages and secrets from Spirit, feeling the moon magic and developing a link between the dark, unseen world and the world of light. Ted Andrews tells us “Owl medicine is symbolically associated with clairvoyance, astral projection and magic, both black and white.”.
Owl, sometimes called Night Eagle, sits in the East, the place of illumination, where we see the bigger picture and fly to the mountains we dream of.
All those perceptions come from a study of her great skills. While many humans are afraid of the night, the dark and the unseen, the dark is Owl’s friend. By learning the lessons of our shadow nature, we overcome our fears, make peace with our conflicts and soar in freedom like our mystical friend, Owl.
Owl is a bird of the night. Its great vision can adjust in an instant to a microscopic focus. The yellow colouring of their eyes is symbolic – like the sun alive in the dark. This light lives within the owl at night. As well, its hearing is just as keen as its sight. Those who work with owl medicine can see hear what others do not see or hear.
Its very telling to me that my name, Grandmother Blue Owl was given to me by Don Martine, a Shaman from Peru. I just thought it was because I had blue eyes and I was old. Now as I approach the time when there are more years behind me than in front of me, the veil is opening and is beginning to call me to do my spiritual work. With more time to accept this mantel of owl medicine, I have found that stillness has allowed me to hear and see like Owl. Owl can see that which others cannot, which when used for healing can be very worthwhile for those who are being helped. I am very grateful for the gift to be of service.
~ Grandmother Blue Owl, Sandra Atkinson
***
Home Practice
Where in your life does magic reside? Sitting in stillness, going deep within the yellow flame in your heart, ask silently for “finest hearing”. Breath deep, hold for the moment and release slowly. Going deep again into the golden yellow light in your heart, ask silently for “finest sight”. Listen with your heart.
* What sounds come to you?
* What sights come to you?
* What magic is revealed to you?
Take a walk at night to a place that is comfortable for you. Know within yourself where the sun is, where the moon is and where the pole star of your life is. Open your heart to compassion and joy while journeying to the golden flame in your heart. In silence, see with your finest sight and listen with your finest hearing. What magic is revealed to you?
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thankyou , for the inspiration , I have obtained from reading your brief story, and desired intentions of service for thyself’s journey and fulfilment of your own spiritual path, as well as for the health, happiness, healing and love of the communities, society and the all people of the world in which will be graced by your willingness to help.. I am happy for you , and the life of the world in which you will bring back to a balanced harmonic, loving , authentic frequency, creating deeper connections of the individuals to their truest, highest , purest soul selves, or as is , the Great Spirit, coming back to Self, Spirit… Helping people in their own becoming, even if for only a brief moment is all they experience this coming home, so to speak… back to their true nature, clearing their minds and bringing their heart in tune with the spirit in which flows within and out of All… My heart smiles, coming across your web page, for many days I have procrastinated, discouraging myself too , of taking the step to finally, put the wisdom and work in which I’ve spent a lifetime, walking the path to aspire to… to step into allowing the Great Spirit to flow through myself and heal, guide, be an ear for, or help those in need in any way I am capable to do so… to those around me and those whom seek such services… even if it be , but, just a question in which I can offer, for them , to begin their mind expanding into realisation and connection back to their heart and soul (energy) centre, a greater awareness.. as within so without, wisdom of the many branches of physical and spiritual heal, connection to mother earth and the universe..as well as trust for themselves of their own experiences or sanity. With Spirit working through me, I hope to help individuals journey into a desiring of as well of sharing wellness and love, seeking a greater connection with their Spirit Self, guides, family and all others whom cross their paths, within their lives.. I wish to ask you, how did you enter yourself into public reach… like how, or in which ways did you present your healing and mentoring/guidance services to the community or communities in which you are available to? I seem to have, in my way somewhat of a mirror, in which I am constantly, keeping myself in the state or on the journey of continuous learning to expansion, although, I have a large book of wisdom within my mind, and as well the knowing, wisdom and ability to allow myself to be the extension or medium for Spirit to move through offering healing, and spiritual rituals such as soul retrievals… What suggestion might you have, that may help me to take that required next step in offering my services to the communities in which I am of, so I too can be Spirits conduit way of reaching and healing the many people in need. What faucets of advertising, or having the people become aware of your service, did you use.. what ideas maybe you had that I have not thought of? Inspiration and some direction, or mentorship guidance from a like minded healer, and connector, i guess is what I am in, a really, probably too many word message, what i am seeking… after my above mentioned gratitude to you and your forward moving, healing, journey, chosen. :) I look forward to hearing from you, as I have not reached out to many healers, or people walking the same path much in my ascension of becoming… And no longer is my Shaman, still here as a support in this journey and path I so love, appreciate and am greatful as well to walk and help. I wish to offer my services, helping peoples hearts shine, smiles light up rooms, and bring their soul and being back to peace and harmony, connected and aligned with their own truest self.. Spirit… Bringing their experience of Themselves, Life, Family, Mother Earth and the Great Spirit (and or God , be it, if that is their perceptional All Infinite ) into a higher, more divine, authentic, loving, connected, one, in awareness and observation.. Stillness, Acceptance and Receipt of the Infinite Oneness.. or Source. Spirit Nice to meet you .. my Shaman named me … Spirit, Hoot :) In fact I was only searching for sites and or connections to him, to find his predecessors, group of friends and or people in which may have known him , healed with , and or learned or worked along side him… and I came across your page…. becoming interested.. thankyou , asi will keep you bookmarked and refer back, time and time again, see updates and revive that in which i have already reread , refreshing :) Have yourself a wonderful, beautiful, although cold here, a sun shining hopefully fantastic happy day:) May Spirit Move Mountains, bringing to you all those whom are in need, of.. near you… Bringing you with it the abundance of good health and many years of happiness… I am grateful, and happy to be able to reach out to, you.. thank you for making yourself of service, even if i only wish for a fellow healing friend, some direction or insight.. you are more than welcome to share all that you wish to .. I am of Acceptance and Receipt of.. Cannot learn to Much, and there is much I am sure of that I don’t even know of.. Feel free to further enlighten me. Good day HOOT <3<3<3