At Halloween, owls and cats travel with witches. In ancient Rome owls were considered harbingers of evil, while in Greece they were sacred. The owl was a familiar of Athene, Greek Goddess of wisdom. This may by why owls are thought of as being wise.
Europeans of the Middle Ages feared the glassy stare and eerie call of the owl, as the Romans had. The screech owl in particular made them think of witches. Screech owls nested in hollow trees, seldom giving a sign of their presence until nightfall. Their weird, trembling call and hollow whistle frightened travelers on lonely roads. It sounded so witchlike.
For witches, everyone agreed, often took other shapes. 
Even today, superstitious people in some places believe the sound of the screech owl means death or disaster.
Along with cats, bats, and witches, the owl continues to stare at us in late October from greeting cards and party decorations, adding a bit to the eeriness of Halloween.............
Along with cats, bats, and witches, the owl continues to stare at us in late October from greeting cards and party decorations, adding a bit to the eeriness of Halloween.............
I love owls almost as much as I love ravens. I have a collection of them in my kitchen window. I see them as birds of wisdom and transformation.
ReplyDeleteI think i'm falling for them too! When I see an owl I like in the store,I have been purchasing them for my youngest daughter who has her own place. She loves owls. I bought a small one this week and I'm keeping him! Oh, I don't need another thing to collect!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Excellent information! I am with Vivienne, I love owls! To me they ward off the evil eye! A protector ;o)
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