Today’s walk was more of an escape from the indoors. The weather is as perfect as can be, and the trail that appeared to be empty at first was speckled with bikers young and old, and dog walkers as well. We were on our way to the deep pools in the creek for a dog swim.
As we rounded a corner there were people standing on the side of the trail, with one climbing down the embankment. “There’s an owl”, one of them said. They tried to point it out, but it took me a while to spot the owl perched on a tree branch. Oh, how well they blend, how still they are. I wondered how many times the owl watched me walk by on other days, when my mind raced ahead of me and I was far too out of sync to notice.
The owl, like many other birds, is honored by many in native cultures. For those simply out for a family walk the owl is still a commanding presence. This bird sat quietly, turning head to and fro every few minutes.
In legend the owl is associated with wisdom. They are most active at night, hunting easily with their keen vision. As a symbol, a totem animal with traits to be admired, the owl does not stand in the spotlight calling out its own praises. This bird waits, and watches. This is a trait of the night, the time associated with stillness. Stillness and wisdom, they go hand in hand. Wisdom is acquired through observation and keen attentiveness.
As I wandered back toward my home I shared the experience with a father and his two children. “Only one?” he asked, for just yesterday he had seen four owls. What a wonderful experience, to see a part of nature so rarely seen.
Estee Taschereau, Hummingbird Shaman, is the author of Being Here Now, a guide to greater awareness and tools for self awareness and personal ownership.
Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals is our recommended deck.
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