The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is a large owl native to both North and South America. The wingspan of the larger female great horned owl is as much as 5 feet. The presence of this owl is often made apparent by her characteristic hooting that sounds like the phrase Who’s awake? Me too! Despite her excellent camouflage, the great horned owl is often spotted flying at dusk heading out to hunt for the evening.
Horns and Connection with the Heavens
The great horned owl doesn’t have actual horns, but instead has a tuft of feathers on each side of the top of her head that look like horns. Horns have long been associated with the ability to connect with the heavens and access psychic abilities. In this owl’s case the horns are symbolic rather than literal, made of fluff rather than bone.
Great horned owl symbolism is about trusting that you are connected to Source even if you don’t have physical proof. With great horned owl spirit animal, don’t expect to see material world results to your wishes and prayers. The communications, the answers to your prayers, will come as a feeling or a knowing, much in the same way that wind rustles through the “horn” feathers of the owl.
Connection to the spirit realms will feel like a whisper rather than a bolt of lightening. Luckily, great horned owl meaning also encompasses the talent of all owls for acute hearing. You will find the remarkable ability to hear the faintest whisper of inspiration. The feathers of a great horned owl carry the power of the ability to connect to the quietude of the Divine. In the silence, you will find the support and solace you seek.
Like all owls, the great horned owl makes almost no sound when flying. This is due to special soft barbs on the edges of her flight feathers that gently push through the air. Hawks and falcons have stiff, sharp edges on their feathers that slice through the air and make much noise. Owls are designed for silence, both moving with stealth and hearing what others cannot.
What Big Eyes You Have
The eyes of the great horned owl are nearly as large as ours but she is less than 2 feet tall. Her eyes, when compared to her head and body size, rank among the largest eyes of all terrestrial vertebrates.
These large eyes take in additional light, allowing the great horned owl to see well in near darkness. It then follows that great horned owl symbolism is not only about seeing in the dark, but having your eyes open wide. Great horned owl hunts at night and sleeps during the day, showing a talent for seeing into and being active in the unconscious. Great horned owl meaning lends enormous support for seeing into the shadow of our own unconscious and finding the fears and secret desires that motivate us. If you are trying to clear those skeletons out of your closet, now is a fitting time to do so.
Early Starter
The great horned owl is the earliest of nesters in North America, laying eggs from November through March depending on the climate. Obviously, she lays eggs later in the season in colder climates such as the Rocky Mountains. This gives the great horned owl a serious advantage over competitors. She is able to hunt and raise chicks when predation pressure by other hunters is low. Her chicks are also well grown by the time migratory predators, such as hawks and eagles return on their migrations from wintering grounds.
To get such an early start, the great horned owl does not leave her home. She lives with her single mate in the same territory year round. It is significant that great horned owls are most active in the winter. We typically think of the winter, and nighttime, as the times for rest and retreat.
Great horned owl medicine brings a time of contradictions. You may be active when others are quiet, and resting when the world is active. This may result in an increased dream activity or a change in your natural rhythms. Rather than be alarmed, go with the flow. The wisdom and schedule of great horned owl will help you get ahead of the game.
Ferocity of the Warrior
The male great horned owl fiercely protects his territory not only from others of his kind, but from other raptors of his size or larger. With as much as 300 psi (pounds per square inch) crushing power in his talons, his grip equals that of the much larger golden eagle. (For reference, golden eagles are three or more times the size of great horned owls.) It takes 29 lbs of force to open the talons of a great horned owl compared to a mere 6.6 lbs. for the barn owl.
Throughout the range of the great horned owl, over 500 different species of prey have been identified. The diversity of prey speaks to the ferocity of the great horned owl. She can take down prey that weigh more than she does and she easily takes down and eats most other species of hawks and owls.
Her main competition is with that of her daytime counterpart, the red-tailed hawk. These two species rarely nest close to each other because great horned owls may quickly devour the chicks in a red-tailed hawk nest. The red-tailed hawk and great horned owl inhabit the same ecological niche, eating the same prey. The great horned owl does not build her own nest. She instead takes those of other birds, including red-tailed hawks.
The way that red-tailed hawks and great horned owls are able to overlap in territory is that one rules the day and the other the night. Fierce fights still may break out between the two when they happen to cross each other’s paths.
Wise Action
The strength and courage of the great horned owl relates directly to the warrior archetype and the gift of wise action. The warrior archetype is not only known for ferocity, but loyalty. Great horned owl spiritual meaning relates to fiercely defending what you believe in as well as staying strictly loyal to where you are most at home. You’ll be able to avoid conflicts by avoiding the busyness of the tribe and retreating into the quiet and less active areas of your life.
Do not fear the medicine of great horned owl, she will not lead you into mindlessly injuring others. Instead, she will teach you about the wise use of warrior power and the amazing gifts of strength and courage. When you turn these gifts to focus on facing your own fears, you’ll reap the most reward.
About Author, Stacey L. L. Couch
Stacey L. L. Couch is a Spiritual Teacher who specializes in shamanism, inter-spirituality, archetypes, and symbolism. She supports soul pioneers - those of you who are learning as you go along the spiritual path. She works with beginner and life-long spiritual seekers. Through working with Stacey, lost seekers find their way home and professional spiritual guides receive mentorship. Stacey empowers people with the ability to explore their purpose and calling. Wisdom found in story, mysticism, and nature provide guidance and healing in her work. She is the author of Gracious Wild: A Shamanic Journey with Hawks. She values mindfulness, wonder, and compassion in her daily spiritual practice. Learn More about Stacey.
106 comments
Beautifully written
What wonderful insights into Great Horned owl. Thank you. My wife and I just had one fly toward us this morning as we walked our dog. She landed on a pine branch and we all looked at each other for a while until she had enough of us un – interesting creatures. What a blessing to have had this encounter today.
Hello Christopher, That sounds like an amazing encounter for sure! Thank you for sharing and for reading. I look forward to staying in touch, Stacey
I have a few Great Horns that reside in my area.
What a blessing to hear these fascinating creatures.
I happen to live near a river…adjacent to our city’s main Parks Dept. In Sioux Falls So.Dak.
Very wooded. And serene.
Anyhow, I usually get home from work around midnight and that’s when my friendly “GHO” is making conversation. Look forward to actually seeing them someday.
Tonight I only hear the male… he has a much deeper tone.
Pray this winter wasn’t too hard on them.
I get all kinds of Gods wildlife bc they know who likes to feed them. 😉
Thank you for sharing Michael. And thank you for listening to and taking care of the wild ones. Any day now the Great-horned owls should be laying eggs and starting a new family. It amazes me that they start so early in the year with so much cold and snow, but those dense feather coats make all the difference. Blessings to you and the wildlife where you live, Stacey
Thank you for the insight. I’ve had a great horned owl that has been around for a long time now, and it flew directly over my head during the day. So this helped me see. When I was a child I seen a dead barn owl, then a white owl when I was about 10 staring directly at me during the day in a tree, and now I have a great horned owl that has been with me for a long time now. At night I heard it for a long time. But one day it was perched on my roof and flew directly over me gave me quite a scare no lie. It was a female, it was very clear. Reading this has helped me find peace that it is not a bad thing. It is good. Thank you.
Hello Kayla, You are welcome. I’m so glad to hear that your relationship with the owls is deepening and that you are finding peace. Sending Blessings, Stacey
It was an hour past midnight and my wife mentions it’s officially Halloween. In my head, I think, this would be about the time the veil is the thinnest (because I closetly get into weird stuff like the nature of reality and spirituality. You’d absolutely never know meeting me or talking to me. Not even my closest friends.)
So just as soon as I think this, I start staring off the porch (we were smoking a cig before bed) just trying to see or perceive rather any difference. Really focusing. Literally about 3 seconds of doing this and a Great Horned Owl came out of nowhere flying, wings spread gliding, down just over our heads, maybe 10 ft. It looked INCREDIBLE. I was exuberant going on about how incredible that just was. I could see its eyes, looking at us as it flew it was so close, white speckled underbelly, the texture of its feathers on its wings.
In my head though, it’s halloween (another halloween where I have something extraordinary happen), 1am, I just told myself to try to see the world unseen, and the gatekeeper himself flies right over.
I told my wife to go get my phone, I was going to pull out some owl calls as we could still hear it. As I was waiting, a second flapped silently over from the same direction the other had come.
To top it off, a technician at work who I talk a lot with about esoteric stuff (solely because he initiated the conversation topic with me) is a prison minister and as we were talking he disjointed lyrics started telling me of the reason he moved here, he felt a calling. And when he certainly for his interview he told his son they couldn’t sTay the night here because his mother was going to die that night. He was telling me that sometimes he’d just know something. He then said he didn’t know where he was going with that and I had to get back to work. But, as usual in my life, I feel it’s a bold synchronicity.
Any insight or interpretation would be welcome but I really just had to write this story down somewhere. Literally happened an hour ago.
Hello Brad and thank you for sharing this fantastic story. I am guessing from what you shared about your coworker, that you are wondering if this visit from the owls is some sort of omen or foretelling? It is true that in some cultures, owls are said to be related to death and accompany someone’s crossing over to the other side. I have a pair of great horned owls that live near my house and they are around constantly in the winter. If this were true about them being a sign of death, we’d all be gone by now :). That said, these owls can signify our own inner deaths and losses, loss of ego or identity specifically. What is it time for you to let go of in your life? Letting go is often viewed as a loss of power, but this powerful experience you had with the owls shows how releasing what no longer serves you can be a source of power. Many blessings to you on the path, Stacey
What does it mean if one has sat by your bedroom and your dog yard outside at 1:37… It kinda makes me nervous!
Hello Makaylen, There is a biological explanation for your nighttime visitor. This time of year is great-horned owl mating season! They find a roost in a tree and sit hooting to their mate and to rival owls throughout much of the night. There’s no need to be nervous about the owl as he/she is not a real threat to you, but it may be worth looking at your inner fears. Are you afraid to face someone or something? Are you having a hard time braving people’s opinions of you? The owl may actually be there to call up your warrior spirit and encourage you to find courage. I would love to see you move out of the distraction of the fear of the owl and into the deeper fear that you are trying to avoid. You are strong enough and can handle it! Blessings to you on the path, Stacey
Well isn’t this an interesting read!
I’ve always been in tune with nature and the beautiful creatures inhabiting this earth, learning all of their messages. Each equipped with their own unique and insightful “mottos”.
I heard a great horned in my trees a few months ago, calling for a mate. I talked to him, we hooted back and forth for a while, was it ever therapeutic. The next day I walked over to where I thought he was and discovered he had left a single feather from his wings. I’ve made a talisman with it, as it is helpful with meditation (as you had mentioned above regarding the warrior spirit helping one discover and understand their inner fears).
I’ve always felt a deep connection with the great horned, almost like they are key players in my spirit guides. The piece you wrote definitely puts these feelings into better perspective, thank you!
It is my pleasure Dani to be able to contribute to your connection with these gorgeous beasts. Many Blessings, Stacey
I have great horned owls nesting by my house for the second year in a row. i like to sit and listen to their calls and have noticed they often call in intervals of seven seconds or multiples of seven. For example hoot, then 21 secs, hoot then 14 secs, hoot 7 secs, hoot back to 21…etc. I think this is really interesting how timed it is.
Last year the owls were terrifying to me. I was spooked by their screaming, haunted by their call, and convinced they would harm me or my small dog. I meditated on it often and realized i was fearful of many things in my life, and so egocentric to think they are around because of me. I have dug deep and faced many demons this year, and now the owls are back and I feel their blessing instead of threat. When I have researched the symbolism of the owl I have read mostly negative things, I appreciate your article illustrating their positive influence. These are truly magnificent creatures.
Awesome example Megan on how to work with great horned owl medicine! I love too how you came to knowing the nature of your fears by working with the owls, so fitting. You show so eloquently how spirit animals are here as helpers and guides rather than simple omens of superstition. Thank you, thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for this well written and awe responsive and stimulating piece. I have just read it after hearing a great horned owl outside of my house for the first time that I Can recall. It sounded so mystical. And what’s more- it happens to be on the very night That I begin to read a book about the intersection of the scientific workings of the universe and the way in which we interpret and experience our own existence in it. Sometimes there’s so much to see and feel and intuit in one moment it’s as if time slows down and one can think and see more clearly.
You are most welcome Danny! Your description of the intersection of the owl’s call and the book you were reading is so beautiful. I definitely am with you in appreciation of time slowing down and clarity coming. Blessings to you.
I found a baby horned owl in front of my door this morning. It died a few hours later. It bothered me, because my husband passed last year and yesterday was his birthday. I was wondering if it was a symbol for me; I hoped someone else was not going to pass. I see a nest in our front yard pine tree and it has been windy here. It probably means nothing; I also am glad to hear about their positive influence.
Dear Deb, I encourage you to forget seeing this as a bad omen and to remember that the baby owl fell into your path to grace you with the wisdom of her gifts. Call on great horned owl spirit animal’s support in your grief. She will answer. Remember to listen to the silence. Many blessings to you in this time of need, Stacey
I was at a hot springs spa this weekend and there were two great horn owls in the tree directly out the room window. An acquaintance said this is a bad omen in this part of country[sw colorado]
Hi Shawna, I wonder if you are in my hometown of Pagosa Springs, CO? We’re in SW Colorado and we have the world’s deepest hot springs! Just recently I heard of this same association from local Apache schoolchildren, so I know it is part of the local folklore. Do I believe any animal was put on this earth simply to bring us bad news? Definitely not! I think this folklore falls into the realm of superstition and superstition is simply a way for us to project our fears on something else. Do you get the sense that something bad in your life is coming? Or do you have a fear that everything will come crashing down at any moment? Rather than project this harmful energy on a perfectly well meaning owl, please, please, please take a look at your own fears about your life. Learn to develop a ferocity of heart that abolishes the fears. Pray for help overcoming your fear rather than hoping the owl didn’t bring bad tidings. Blessings to you, Stacey
Thank you for this article, Stacey. I was drawn to your writing in trying to find significance for the Great Horned and Barred Owls in my life the past few months. I have Owl on my totem in my protector/warrior spirit position. I experienced a life changing tragedy two weeks ago after having heard Great Horned in my backyard for months. I was driving the week of the tragedy and witnessed a Barred Owl standing on the double yellow lines in the middle of the road staring through me without wavering until I drove past. Owl is definitely with me. Am I ego-centric, like Megan mentioned, to think my owl experiences have something to do with a message I’m meant to heed? Do you recommend any particular meditations to help me connect with owl? How can I call on owl’s support in my grief as you mentioned to Deb?
Hello Owld Soul, You ask a number of really good questions. The owls were there for you and they weren’t there for you. Both are true. By remembering that there are a great number of reasons why the owl was in your yard hooting and for why the other was in the middle of the road at that given moment, it helps keep us from being egotistical about it all. The Owls didn’t need to be there solely for you to give their presence meaning. The fact that you are curious about what the encounters mean, says that your soul knows there is a message for you. That’s all you need to know. As far as meditations go, blend your current spiritual practices with inviting the energy of the owls in. If you pray, speak to them in your prayer. If you meditate, ask the spirit of the owls to inform your understanding of silence. Get creative. Use your imagination and see what arises. There is no set way of doing this and each of us has our own unique way of relating with the sacred. Calling on owl’s support means simply that. Just asking for the support. You may or may not see or feel anything. You may or may not experience proof that they are there. That is the challenge – to surrender and develop faith. Go into the darkness and trust. Many Blessings, Stacey
Just saw an owl quietly land on the roof of my home. I was mugged about a year and a half ago, tonight I was at my worst with anxiety from that event. That event led to a multitude of terrible things and now am losing my home. Never seen an owl before in the wild so I am taking this as a sign of good things are on thier way.
Hello Dan, What a lovely force to have the warrior owl show up as a fierce protector for you as you venture forward into the unknown. Ask the owl to help you uncover the fierce spirit within yourself. That power is there and will keep your interior safe. You have the power to close the drawbridge of your interior and forbid the fear entry into the holy place that is your soul. Owl spirit animal can help. Many Blessings to You, Stacey
Hi Stacey
Yesterday evening I took a walk down my usual path in Highlands Ranch Colorado where I sometimes see Hawks but this time I see from far a Black Crow and a big bird not sure what kind of bird they were both on the ground. As I walked closer the huge Bird flew away up high in the tree so I got closer and clearly! it was a Great horn Owl sitting on the tree and the crow close by also. The crow cooing and owl did some hooting. As I watched and record from my phone it was clearly they were going for the same prey. The crow finally flew away after some bickering back and forth. The owl sat there as I took some pictures which my pictures doesn’t give this owl justice of how beautiful it really is and I wasn’t afraid when it looked down at me ..this beautiful wild creature turning it’s head 360 looking for the black crow moments later it flew down for its prey. I actually felt at ease a calm feeling and Thankful for this experience it felt mystical and spiritual at the same time. It was Friday the 13th and surly after I get home I hear about these superstitions but couldn’t swallow that belief after the feeling I had just experienced. After waking up I researched some more ran across this article which clarified my intuition I felt yesterday evening.
Thank you Stacy for sharing your article.
Hello Michelle, I was just talking on the morning of Friday the 13th how odd it is that as a society we’ve picked a day to have bad luck on. As if one day could mean that one thing for everyone. Every day has the potential for sublime encounters like the one you had with the great horned owl. That is the grace of being alive on this planet. Thank you for reminding us of the beauty of the natural world and of the persistence to go beyond obvious explanations into what resonates within. You are so welcome for the article. It is my pleasure to offer it for you to read. Many Blessings, Stacey
I live in the Roaring Fork Valley in Carbondale Colorado. I have been driving up and down the 82 Corridor that leads from Glenwood Springs 2 Aspen. I have come upon to great horned owls young ones that have been killed probably from traffic. And I’m wondering what kind of significance that that I have seen both of them. I’ve been really have a lot of low energy and I’m having to make some life-changing decisions and I’m a little nervous about making those. I have been going through some internal turmoil. I have some deep decisions to make and very fearful due to past injuries that resulted after I made life changes. One of those decisions as if I should stay in the valley or move to a tropical location which I really haven’t been drawn to do.
Hello Laurie, Making big life changes can require an immense amount of courage and it sounds like you are in need of courage right now. With the medicine of great horned owl you can gather that courage in times of quietude. It sounds like in the previous life changes you made that you were derailed off course. This is very similar to the young owls that didn’t make it to adulthood. Reflect back on those experiences and the reasons why you decided to make those changes. Were the changes for someone else or were you trying to do what you thought other people expected you to? Were you following what seemed rational rather than what felt right? The great horned owl spirit animal may very well be delivering the message as a reminder to stick to what you value and what you intuit is best. You may see into the darkness where other people can’t and know things they can’t know. Make the decision based on the information YOU have, not what others think they know. Trust your intuition on this one. Remember that intuition isn’t an oracle that keeps us safe from all harm, but it does carry us along a path we can believe in. Once we are acting from a place of self-belief no amount of struggle or trouble can bring us down. Best Wishes to You at this Crossroads, Stacey
Thank you so much Stacey: You are right! I am making some big decisions and feel a little lost. I have always wanted to live tropical and tired of winter. However I am torn as I love the Carbondale area. Just recently I was offered a position in Hawaii and dragged my feet about it as I just didn’t think it was just what I wanted. That day, I decided this I was driving on a back road and there were about 30 ravens standing on the road. They were literally all over the road like they were blocking it. As I got closer they flew away! Still unsure of my next move.
I saw a great horned owl around 3:45 am and when I seen it I got cold chills on my arms what does this mean?
Hello Matthew, I can see how an encounter with a big owl in the dark could bring chills to your skin. I’ve been there a time or two myself. I suggest reading carefully through my article on great horned owl spirit animal and seeing what stands out for you. Bring those pieces or that piece into your contemplative or meditative time and sit with it. See what arises from that. If there is a crossroads you are at in your life, see how you can bring a courageous warrior spirit into the unknown. We don’t have the chance to be courageous unless there is a fear to confront. Many Blessings, Stacey
For the past 6 nights every time I would be standing on my back porch, wich faces the woods, I would hear the hoots of the great horned owl, and how I came to identifying the sound with that of the great horned owl, a couple of days after I returned home from moving out of state, while standing once again on my back porch. Something was whispering through the winds, and while looking up, the horned owl just flew right over my head, and flew straight into the woods. Being raised deep in the south and also in such a religion that frowns on the abilities I have. Only in secret can I attempt to find meaning and understanding of what exactly Iam suppose to be doing, or even which path I need to be on. While living in Pennsylvania I came cross a Priestess who warned me that others will see and have seen these gifts I have and I should take caution when choosing a path. Does this owl associate with any certain groups?. Im sorry for the long story, but I feel it not coincidence, that all hollows eve falls on the same day which I was born this year.
What an awesome gift to experience the presence of the great horned owls so many nights in a row and during such auspicious days! Of course it all does relate. Some people do call it coincidence, but I prefer the term “synchronicity”. Synchronicity is defined as events related in meaning but not by cause and effect. The meaning of seeing the owls during this time of year and the meaning of your path of feeling your way through the dark in secret all weave together. I have not yet noticed a pattern of great horned owls associating with any groups in particular. Of course they relate to people that have the warrior archetype but that pattern of behavior spans across all cultures, races and beliefs. I encourage you to choose your path out of a joyful heart that opens to a deep calling. Be cautious within yourself. Be sure that you are choosing the path for the right reasons and not for other people. Many Blessings, Stacey
I see a pair a male and female horned owls about the same time every morning. The time is just before sunrise. I feel a peace come over me every morning I see them. They seem to be close sometimes only a few feet above my head as they fly over at times. I feel blessed.
Hello Kelly, What a blessing. Thank you for sharing the ways these beautiful birds grace your life. In Gratitude, Stacey
Hi Stacey,
I’m sitting on my back porch in Oriental, NC with a Great Horned Owl perched about 60 yards away from me in a beautiful pine tree. She’s been there for the past 6 hours. I am an astrologer who has been on a spiritual path forever, but really understanding more and more the past three years. Your article really hit home for me and because of what you wrote, there is no doubt in my mind now that this is my spirit animal. It’s not the first time I’ve seen these beautiful creatures in the past year, and I do believe the universe blessed me with this knowledge when I was ready to receive it. I am grateful that your words were there for me when the Universe knew I was ready to receive them. I feel I can now move forward Spiritually!
Thank you Diane for your sharing. I’m so glad to be, in part, a witness to your continual unfolding. I wish you all the very best as you move courageously forward into the destiny that awaits you. Many Blessings, Stacey
My name is Johanna Perez today 11/16/16 at 1:45am I saw a baby horned owl and he was so beautiful he stared at me wit those big yellow eyes he actually sat there for a very long time till he flew away from hearing my vacuum. what does it mean ??
Hello Johanna, It is nice to meet you. I am curious where you live as in my part of the world the baby owls are all grown up by now. I encourage you to reread through my article again paying special attention to what parts of the article resonate or stand out to you. What situation or situations in your life does the teaching relate to for you? Then, since your experience was with a baby, how are you just starting to embody the power of the great horned owl in these situations? Deciphering the messages of spirit animals takes time in quiet, reflecting on what is happening in your life and how the medicine of owl relates to that. Many Blessings, Stacey
I hope you had an amazing thanks giving. I wanted tell you about and experience I had tonight. An owl flew in front of my car and I hit it. He was just lying in the middle of the road trying to flop around. I felt horrible and turned around not realizing what I had hit. I wrapped my coat around her and pet her head and asked what I could do for her as I did not want her to suffer. I asked her to please relax and assured her I would not leave her by herself. I gently told her not to be afraid I am not there to cause harm but simply to make sure no more harm comes her way. She started to move a little I set on the ground on the side of the road she then started standing and fluttered her wings a few times. I told her i will remain until she is well enough to fly away and promptly put water in a container. She allowed me to stroke her back, wings and head and she looked me up and down nodded her head and flew away ok. The most amazing experience !! (Someone just told me this was not a good thing.. I’m a bit confused.. can you please shed some light?)
Hello Tracey, What an intimate and adrenalizing experience! I can imagine your heart must have been beating pretty hard and fast during the encounter. I know mine would have been! This is an opportunity for you to follow your own knowing about what happened. You were there, you felt the immediacy of the owl’s condition, the beauty of her body, and the fight in her as she survived and flew off. Trust your experience. Trust the change that was precipitated in your interior by the meeting of your two souls in the middle of the night by the side of the road. This transcends any idea about good or bad omens. Those are small, surface concerns. Be a fierce warrior and dare to look deeper and feel more fully. You got this! Many Blessings, Stacey
This is an awesome article. I have a great horned owl following me around recently. We also have a large vole colony in our yard too. I’m betting the two are connected. Although, the owl is showing up in the day.
I bet the two are connected Rayna! Voles have similar energy to mouse spirit animal. You might want to read this article of mine on Great Horned Owl spirit animal:https://www.wildgratitude.com/great-horned-owl-symbolism/. Many Blessings, Stacey
We live in No. Calif. behind a park filled with Oak trees, yesterday about 9:30 AM I looked out the front window and saw a Great Horned Owl sitting on my bannister, he kept moving his head about 180 degrees just looking around, it felt like he was watching me through the window, I walked out the front door and stood about 4 feet from him and he still didn’t move just sat there staring at me with those huge eyes, I took several photos, still no movement he was not afraid of me, unfortunately I had to leave for a few hours, he was gone when I returned, I’m curious, is there any significance to that encounter?
Hello Jim, Any time we have that close and intimate of an encounter with a wild animal, there is the chance for us to find great meaning. Your experience is a perfect example of a messenger coming to visit. How else can you explain a free, wild owl’s decision to sit and commune with you? Any explanation is unreasonable and far-fetched to our logical minds and exactly the territory of spiritual symbolism. See what aspects of my article speak to you and apply to your life right now and follow that line of inquiry wherever it takes you. These messages are riddles that unfold over time. Many Blessings, Stacey
the other day a great horned owl was in the tree across the street from where i live , i went out to take a picture several actually and in the pictures it is looking down at me and eyes are like lights , obviously from the flash , what would this mean if anything .
Helen ,
January 21st ,2017
Ont, Canada
Hello Helen, I encourage you to reread the section “What Big Eyes You Have” and then considering what shadow work you have to do right now. What fears do you need to face? What bad habits, resentments, and criticisms can you courageously confront to clear out the dark aspects of your character that need to go? Drawing on the warrior spirit of Great Horned Owl spirit animal will help I’m sure. Know that you are not the only one being asked if you’re up for doing this work. Anyone on the spiritual path is asked over and over to keep up this critical work. In clearing the darkness out of ourselves, we clear it out of the collective. That allows for the light to shine in. Many Blessings, Stacey
HI Stacey
Thank you for your lovely article on this fascinating animal. I love all animals and nature but have been particularly drawn to the owl other over the last couple of years. It does resonate what you have written, Ive been doubting Source and had so much fear and then through doing things to challenge myself (eg. ecstatic dance, meditation etc) I have been feeling that trust come back to me which is a very nice and exciting feeling!. I started with the intention of sculpting an owl and love the great horned owl and it was very interesting to read about the symbolism. I also have started to delve into the dark painful aspects of myself that i have long avoided so this resonates as well. Many thanks for writing this!
love
sandra
You are most welcome Sandra and thank you, thank you for your devotion to embodying and evolving alongside owl medicine. Many Blessings, Stacey
This morning I woke up (downtown Nyc) in my bed about 9am and I quickly noticed one of these types of “hooting” owls, it came in threes “hoo hoo hoo” and it seemed as though I needed to hear it, each time it was like it called my name, this is not the first time I have had visits in Nyc. I looked out the window to the back of our apt and couldn’t not see the owl, I went downstairs and had my morning tea, then it started again, still couldn’t see one but still hooting in threes, then taking my dog on the garden floor my dog was nervous and shaking and I felt the need to go out with the dog in case an owl came for the pup. I left and went to work trying to put together why the owl needed me to hear it, why it wanted my attn. if you have any theories please share. Thank you for your article. My apologies for posting as a reply at top.
Hello Rae, In hearing the owl’s hoot you and endeavoring to find meaning in the visit, already you are venturing into new territory. I encourage you to explore the elements of Great Horned Owl medicine to evaluate where you are encountering your own shadow (fears, self-sabotage, etc.) and how you can be more brave in confronting and clearing out the parts of yourself you don’t like. Many Blessings, Stacey
Good Morning Stacey,
This morning I sat quietly with my coffee to see an owl fly into the tall pine tree in Avon Park, Florida RV park that has a pair with 2 owlets nesting; and, where one was apparently attacked yesterday by a hawk, fell out of the nest, and reported by a neighbor to wildlife rescue. This is good to find your website and be reminded again of my own interest in ‘animal speak’ and see your beautiful words of wisdom. Thank You for sharing the knowledge of learning through quiet observation. Kindest regards, Liz
You are most welcome Liz. Thank you for sharing your story and for watching and looking out for the wild ones. Many Blessings, Stacey
I grew up in the woods. My father was a DNR warden so he would always educate on how to “read the woods.” By teaching us how to tell what’s poisonous; and what’s not by looking at it. But he also advocated listening to the woods as well.
One sound that was engraved in my brain was the night hoots of a great horned owl. The “who cooks for you.”
I didn’t notice it right away but there were signs surrounding me connecting me to owl totem. My grandparents house was covered in owl. Owl clocks, owl coasters, the list is endless. My grandpa even had a great horned owl carved in his cane.
It started noticing all of these connections after my father passed away. When he passed I got back to my roots and got back in the woods. Every morning on the way out to my tree stand the owls hoots would echo through the valleys.
One day I went up to the land to check my trail cameras and stumbled upon an owl feather in front of the camera view. Got some cool pictures of an owl. As I kept scrolling through the pictures the following morning there was picture of a red tailed hawk on the same stump where the owl was. Few nights later owl was posted on my deer stand.
It use to be just encounter up at the land that is in the country in wi. But than I started seeing them in the city, Madison where I live.
For the past three years they’ve nested outside my bedroom window. Just last week I walked out to my truck to grab my phone charger and I heard hooting in the pines. I’ve never walked towards or looked for them posted in a tree. But i don’t know something was just different. So I followed it deeper down the pine tree line and as I came closer he swooped between the pines and vanished into the darkness. Come to find out that next afternoon my grandfather passed away.
Just had to share this with someone. Thank you for posting and letting me cope!
Hello Taylor, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your grandfather and I’m glad to hear that you have the companionship of the great-horned owls to lend you much needed support. Thank you for sharing the tapestry of synchronicities that is the story of these great owls’ presence in your life. I am always so heartened to meet someone like you who has such an awareness of and respect for the wild ones. It does seem that they repay our attention well doesn’t it? The more we notice, the more they come. Thank you for being there for them as they are for you. Many Blessings, Stacey
Hello Stacey, Im from West Africa and I came across your site when I was looking for great horned owls symbolism online… Here is my story actually this will be my third time an owl will appear to me but lemme state this third visiting of owl to me because I find it so strange as I was praying up to the sky in our compound last night then I saw the great horned owl flying over my head to the next building beside our house and it fly on the roof there close to where I was standing and it was staring at me from up there for some seconds which Im not sure how many seconds before it flew away from it position. What does this mean?
Hello Abiola, It sounds to me like the owl you saw was very much a response to the prayer you were stating in that moment. Without knowing the content of your prayer the best I can do is suggest that the owl may be saying the answer won’t be obvious, but rather an answer you have to search in the dark for. With the help of owl spirit animal however you will be able to see through mysterious circumstances and navigate your way through. Many Blessings, Stacey
Owls appeared 6 months ago, they have nested and young owls were hatched. More recently they are getting closer, perching on roof, on ground right outside our bedroom window and now walking around right outside our back door. We have small dogs and watch them when we let them out at night. People tell us they are evil and bring death. Is this true
Hello Paulette, No. Owls are not evil and they only bring death to the prey they catch and eat, but that this the way of nature. Spirit animals are neither bad nor good omens. The bad luck or good luck we ascribe to them is fabricated, an illusion that oversimplifies our interpretation of the guidance. The messages, power and gifts the spirit animals, including owl spirit animal, bring are neutral. It is up to us how we use and interpret them. It’s all a matter of perspective which becomes balanced as we become wiser. Many Blessings, Stacey
A few months ago i was at a park near where i live and i was going through a difficult time i had left my job and was feeling bad about it and less than others so i was sitting down and then i noticed a great horned owl flying in the sky over me twice and i was like wow what a big bird , then as i was walking home it flew by me and stopped at this wall with flowers on it near me and we made eye contact and then after a few seconds it flew away .. i was not scared well at first i was cause i thought it was gonna attack me but then i was like wow .. when i got home i noticed that my deceased grandma had a clock with a variety of birds and the great horned owl is one of the birds and it is for 12 pm on the clock so i dont know if it was her way of communicating with me but it was a good experience.
Hello Michelle, Thank you for sharing your experience with the great horned owl and the connection with your grandma. I often hear of connections between encounters with wild animals and those who have passed away, and like you I can’t help but believe that it is their way of communicating with us from the other side. Many Blessings, Stacey
What do you mean “don’t expect to see physical proof of your desires”?!!!!!! I fully expect what I want to manifest! Now wtf do I do! F*** I’m so lost!!!!!
Hello Sable, Although the law of attraction is real and does work, it also works alongside dozens of other mystical laws that can counteract, cancel out and/or amplify it’s effect. We want the universe to be reasonable and our minds have a hard time understanding the ramifications of so many influences, so we cling to simple laws like the law of attraction and expect the world to conform. The mystery is that sometimes it does and many times it doesn’t. The design of the cosmos is far more vast than any one of us, including me to be sure, can comprehend. It may be time to stop expecting the universe to be reasonable and instead open up to the mystery of what is. Many Blessings, Stacey
Hi Stacey — I came across your article as I have been having lots of sightings these past few days of the Great Horned Owl. He seems to like perching on my chimney. I live on a green belt with a canyon in the back, so lots of wonderful wildlife in the neighborhood. I always love hearing the owls — mainly the Great Horned and the Screech Owls — but I rarely see them. Up until now, I have only had two sightings of the Great Horned Owl and one was three years ago, also on my chimney.
I feel so fortunate to have this visitor. He tends to arrive around dusk and I can always hear the hooting echoing through the chimney. I quietly walk outside to my deck to look at him — sometimes he is in full view and other times, I can just see the little tufts of his feathers and he will pop his head over the side to look at me.
I’ve been seeing him every day and he will also arrive in the middle of the night when I hear his hooting through the chimney. I don’t always see him in the early morning, when I walk my dog, but yesterday, he was on my neighbor’s roof hooting to another owl. All of a sudden, this second owl flew right over my head and went to join him on the roof, where they hooted back and forth and then took off together flying over the canyon. It was an amazing experience especially as the moonlight is still bright.
I always try and pay attention to signs in nature… Personally, I have been struggling and grieving over the sudden end to my romantic relationship. It’s been seven months now, but this has been an extremely difficult experience and I am having such a hard time finding closure and acceptance. I had a bit of setback early last week and that is when I had my first visit. Back in the summer, I was having a lot of hummingbirds appear. I do see them in my yard, but this time was different as they seemed to hover close to my face and stay longer than I have ever experienced.
I can’t help but wonder if these owl sightings are some type of message or sign. Maybe this owl was bringing a message that it was time to end my grieving process. I really don’t know but time will only tell. I am truly grateful to have this little visitor to my chimney and I hope he continues to vist.
Thank you for your article.
Hello Tracy, Lovely telling of your friendship with the owls. It definitely sounds like you have a mating pair in your canyon which is sure an interesting synchronicity in light of what you shared about your recent break-up. The song and company of the romancing owls could very well serve as a healing balm on your broken heart. Nature can heal us in wonderful ways reminding us to ever open our hearts. If you get a chance you may also enjoy my article on hummingbird spirit animal: https://www.wildgratitude.com/hummingbird-symbolism/. Many blessings and best wishes for your healing, Stacey
Well I stumbled on this website by mere curiousity and couldn’t stop reading the posts, so here’s my own recent encounter. I live in South Texas and work usual hours at time. Well this past Thursday night while at work I was caught off guard by a “hoot hoot” sound from behind me in the darkness. I thought to myself, cool an owl out at alil after dusk. I proceeded to drive out the facility I was at and from the top of a telephone flew a good size owl. After doing some reading and sound research I now believe it was a great horned owl I encountered. Nothing usual happened and I went about my busuiness. Then yesterday, what I believe to be a barn owl flew across my path when I was driving, again this was right around dusk but this time merely blocks from my house. Now I’m Hispanic and have always grown up with the old wise tales of La Lechuza which is surrounded by fears of evil and wrong doing. Now I’m stuck scratching my head trying to figure out if this is all mere coincidence or am I being relayed a message. Sorry so long and drawn out but I had to get off my chest. Thanks for reading.
Hello JJ, It is always a good idea to check in from time to time on our own wrong doings, the times we’ve lied or hurt another. In taking such an inventory we take the wise power of owl spirit animal and bravely look into our own shadow. What can you do to make amends, to release yourself from the guilt and commit to living a more honest and kind life? We all have these skeletons in our closets and owl spirit animal can help us come clean and live with open eyes and hearts. Many Blessings, Stacey
The night after i lost my brother in law to suicide. My lil sister husband and my two lil nephews dad took his own life and took us all by shock, i took it hard i took the call frm my sister that night to talk about how she and him had a hard day and i took into realizations how important he was and how much i appericated him for being a good dad a provider and how bad he was treated by our parents! I cant stop replaying that night all the if and what of that morning my sister called and taking a cab there known i was going to see the one man id always admired gone….. the next time sleepless hurting crying alone home i went out side for a smoke at 3am and seen what i thought was a deer or raddit drop the fence only to look and see a white big thing fly right by me and sit on the tree in my yard .. i was so stunned scared and still i look this owl in the eyes and prayed hard i thought it was sign of our lost a warning for another ? I lost my brother inlaw and my decent grandma same week ive so caution so worried and scared i stay awake and look out every night for this white horn huge owl
Hello Kayla, I am deeply sorry to hear of the losses of your brother in law and grandma. It seems unfair to have both occur so closely together, and one by such heartbreaking means. I would like to suggest another perspective for you – that the owl is not a bad omen come to warn of more loss/danger, but instead a spirit helper that’s come to comfort and guide you through these dark times. When we are in a state of fear everything we see has the potential to be frightening. I trust that you have the strength needed to not let the fear take over your heart. The owl spirit animal can help with this. Many Blessings, Stacey
I often remember my dreams but very rarely do I have any so vivid… I was being chased by a great horned owl and it constantly kept winging down and biting me. I remember feeling pain from each bite but not enough to wake me up… I recognized a few of the places I was being chased through and some of the places I didn’t know… It was suggested by a friend that I look into the symbolism of strictly the great horned owl as opposed to dream symbolism on it’s own which can be somewhat convoluted… So I found your piece here and now I’m really wondering… What I’m thinking (and I am horribly literal so I’m asking if this is possible or if I’m reading way to far into it) is, near the top you said to take the great horned owl as a sign that your prayers and dreams won’t come true on a physical level but as something you just know (if I worded that wrong, I do apologize). My one hope and dream in this world is to be somebody’s one and only, to be a wife and a mother… My boyfriend laughs about getting married again (he is 10 years older then me) and makes jokes about it and the other day, he said we should get married to make his ex wife ease up and then he completely forgot he said it. He also says he will never have another kid (he has 3) after all the hell his exes have put him through over them… When I first met him, I don’t know why or what it was but I was instantly drawn to him, I instantly liked and respected him. But a voice in my head immedietly said, completely unbidden – “he won’t ever ask you to marry him”; before I knew anything about his feelings on the subject or anything… I guess my question then is, is my dreaming of an owl so close to his talking about marrying me and then forgetting he even ever said such a thing a sign that my dreams of getting married won’t come true with him? We’ve been together almost 3 years now and I love him very much but the marriage/children thing is the one thing I feel stands in the way of me really giving myself over to him fully…
Hello Shaylee, I hear in what you shared that you already have so much of wisdom at your disposal. I did not mean for it to come across that your prayers will not be answered. I believe that all prayers are answered, but not always in the way we think they should be. Our fears are silent prayers too, thus the reason why it is important to venture into our own shadow and illuminate and face our fears. Great horned owl spirit animal can help with this. I cannot say whether it is meant to be that you will have what you dream of, but I can advise you to cultivate courage, stamina, and compassion. These core values and capacities are what will help you thrive no matter what your outer circumstances. Many Blessings, Stacey
I came across this article, because I heard a Great Horned owl and was seeking meaning. However, when I was done reading the article (which was helpful and wonderful); I noticed you wrote a book called “Gracious Wildlife: A Shamanic Journey with Hawks”. This is so intriguing, because I have felt extremely connected to Hawks (mostly Red-shouldered Hawks). It defiantly was not an accident I stumbled upon this. I can not wait to read your book! Thank you 🙂
Also I am going to school for wildlife biology and want to work at a rehabilitation for animals (mainly birds) 💜
That’s awesome and good for you! Thank you for looking out for the wild ones!
Hello Michelle, It is lovely to meet you! I am glad to connect with you and I so look forward to hearing what you think of the book. Many Blessings, Stacey
Last night on New year’s Eve.. I witnessed the most beautiful great horned owl! As it flew from the tree in my backyard it passed right over my head *about 6-7 feet above* .. I can’t help but wonder why.. See I lost My husband to Cancer on November 17th and the Holidays have been so incredibly hard to get through without him. I would really like to take comfort in thinking that it is his way of telling me he’s still around. I have only had one other Owl experience and that happened many years ago when I had a Owl sit on my Air Conditioner looking in the window at me. They Are Beautiful Birds!
Hello Kris, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Great horned owls sure are beautiful birds and this is their mating season believe it or not. This is the time when they are calling into the dark and seeking their mate as it sounds like you are doing for yours. The appearance of the owl, known as the fierce warrior, may very well be your husband’s way of reminding you to stay strong and that you have the strength to go on. You know what sounds and feels right. If your sense is the owl came on your husband’s behalf, I believe you. I’ve seen and heard these kinds of stories too many times to believe otherwise. Stay strong and may you find the support you need during this trying time. Many Blessings, Stacey
Despite being a “night owl” all my life, I’d never heard one in person. Very early in the morning on Christmas Eve day, I had paused what I was doing to think about things for a moment. Then I started hearing a noise outside. I opened the back door to hear clearly, “hoot, hoot hoot hoot hoot, hoot hoot, hoot.” My first owl hearing! It started at 3:45 A.M. and stopped at 4 A.M.
I looked up owl sounds to identify the type, which pointed to the Great Horned Owl. My father, an outdoorsman, confirmed this as soon as I repeated the sound for him the next day, and also offered his thoughts that in his experience, it seemed unusual for the owl to have stayed in one place, making noise for that span of time. He said the owls roam more than they are stationary. I don’t know if that’s true, but the owl hasn’t returned since then, at least to my ears.
I found your site when I was looking up the significance of this owl. It seemed like a big message for me to hear it in those dark hours of Christmas Eve Day, something more special than hearing it would be on a normal night–but what is the connection between the two, I wonder?
Hello Venus, Good question! Christmas Eve day is the dark before the light, the quiet time before Christ entered the world. I wonder if the owl was a bit like the herald angels announcing the coming of the light within you? Great horned owls are stationary when they are establishing territory, nesting and raising young which starts in December. What are you establishing and getting ready to create right now? What are you on the verge of birthing into the world? Think symbolically here. Examples would be a new project of some sort, a new relationship, any kind of new endeavor. Hopefully that gives you some ideas of where to go next. Many Blessings! Stacey
Hello. I saw a baby owl on the tree in my house this morning. As a practicing Christian I started praying against any I’ll omen but I did recognize she was pushing some energy field towards me. So I left it to research this type of owl. The head looked like a cat (kitten) with similar ears. It looked like it was sleeping but as we got closer the eyes opened and it started looking at us. I thought they are supposed to be blind in the day? Oh and by the way I’m in Africa and not south America.
Hello Gaby, I am not familiar with African species of owls, so I can’t say which you saw, but I can say that owls are NOT blind during the day. They can see perfectly fine in the night or day. My suggestion is to not worry about ill omens, but instead consider what hidden aspects of yourself you are bringing out into the daylight. What are you bringing out into the light? It could be shadow, negative habits that need to change or it could be gifts you haven’t acknowledged until now. Definitely lots to ponder! Many Blessings, Stacey
Hello Stacey, I’m so glad I seen~ found your sight, Many years ago a great horned owl was in a tree in my yard, I was excited and got closer to see it, then it flew to front porch tree. It didn’t stay long , I researched and found information that it was a death omen. A week later my boyfriend drowned:( That was many years ago… Now a few years ago, I save a great horn baby owl. I was at work, I’m a concierge. I’m surrounded by windows, well something hit the window, it was quite a bang of force, it startled me, I jump up, then there was 12/15 magpies,(pesky Birds ) I was watching from the window, there was this ball of fur , and these birds were ripping it apart, At the time I did not know what it was. I grabbed 2 magazines, went out the door and had to become brave. I made loud noises and waved these magazines and shoed these birds, then , a couple birds got aggressive with me. I touched this ball of fur, it didn’t budge:( I came back in the building, going to search for a box or something to enclose it. I was gone seconds, the magpies are back at this bird, I shoed them away again, I touched this ball of fur again, And it all happened so fast, he flew to the nearest pine tree, screeching very load, now the magpies are squawking and all over this tree, and now there was more than a dozen. I threw a few pine cones and then I raised my hands and ask that spirit, pleases protect this bird. After 10/ 15 minutes it all became quiet, so I went back to my job. I learned it was a baby owl , Thinking it was a barn owl, or a screeching owl. But I hoped it was fine and again just ask spirit to look after this fella…. The next morning in my dreams I heard tapping , I was at work, It was at the window, The owl was doing a dance. This was my dream. I woke with excitement. I tried to analyse this dream, my conclusion was he letting me know he was fine, alive. My take on it. How exciting, that was a Saturday morning, The incident took place at 5 pm on a Friday. On Monday when I went back to work, A adult male great horn , silver blue, a foot and a half was sitting perched on the parkade fence. Right in the open, I approached it, It was 4 pm. He kept hooting , so lovely, and I was about a foot away, he stayed til 9pm, 5 hours, it was all so magical!!!!! I didn’t get much work done again. I said to this owl , Where is your baby, and a few other thing, like how beautiful he is:) He flew away around 9 pm, but did visit me often, I got to meet the female, but I kept asking , where is your baby. A little time passed and I heard some hooting I went out the building, right there the baby was sitting on the fire hydrant. And that was amazing too. This story is long, the baby grew to adult, he comes always, brought his mate, I sang them a song and she reached into her wing and threw me down a feather, her talons where huge. I have many pictures, I named them all, they had babies and she gave me feathers from her babies too. I have over 100 feathers from my owls, And like I said this story goes on and on… They are very wise, I live in Alberta, Canada, they are here all year and hunt day and night. One day there was this big white dead rabbit at the back door, a gift for me. So now I believe they are not a bad omen, because death is not to be a negative, it is something we all will endure, when it’s our time. Thank you for allowing me to share.
Hello Joanne, When the relationship with an animal is this intense and involved, the meaning transcends one simple message or omen. It becomes a rich, textured and varied tapestry full of connection and deep meaning. It is like trying to compare a life long friend to an acquaintance you made once. No comparison. Thank you for sharing your story and the bigger picture of what a relationship with a spirit animal can blossom into. Many Blessings, Stacey
I’m in Alberta Canada too and just posted my (long) story, lol.
I had to reach out and say your story was very touching. Absolutely beautiful.
I had a powerful dream the other night that I can’t let go of. I was in my bed with my children and woke up ( in the dream) and there were all these animals trying to get on the bed. First there was an orange cat, then a fawn, then a line of different animals. I got out of bed to see where they were coming from and passed a great horned owl who stared at me intently. As I passed, she flew past me and out the cracked door. When I came to the door there were 3 great horned owls staring at me with glowing amber eyes. I looked past them and there was a buffalo on a hill under the moonlight and my dog that recently passed away was barking at him. I called my dog in and closed the door but the owls never took their eyes from me. Any idea what this could mean? Thank you!
Hello Krissi, This dream is full of layers and many facets of meaning. I suspect it is going to take you some time to unpack it all. Very simply there is a coming in of support from the spirit animals. They found you in your safe space. Opening the door could very well be opening the door to a greater awareness of the spiritual realms or even the other side since your dog was there. I suggest reading my articles on deer: https://www.wildgratitude.com/deer-spirit-animal/ and bear https://www.wildgratitude.com/meaning-of-bear-spirit-animal/. Many Blessings, Stacey
This morning around 11:30am I was sitting outside as my husband mowed the yard and a large horned owl flew overhead. We live on the resevation and we both have always been told seeing an owl in the daytime fortells the passing of a family member. It flew right over my head my dogs when crazy chasing after it. It ignored them and perched high in a tree. Loking back at me until I would look up at it and then it would stare to the north. Black Birds swooping by, and bumping into it. My checkens went on high alert and hid under anything they could find. I have had an unsettled feeling in my stomach all weekend. Ended up staying 2 days in the hospital over the weekend. And now to see this. I read previous posts and see you say not connect owl sightings with bad omens. This sighting makes me even more unsettled.
Hello Becky, I recommend asking for your spirit guides to help you shift the fear. I know beliefs, especially when a part of our upbringing and culture, can be hard to ignore. From my perspective, it’s less important than you change what you believe about owls and more important that you are able to find courage and hope in the face of fear. Many Blessings, Stacey
Today I just and home from a family situation that lasted over a month. I read this and had to share my experiences with owls. My dad suddenly had heart complications in which he almost didn’t make it. In fact they had to revive him in the ambulance. He ended up having congestive heart failure and eventually had a quadruple bypass. I wasn’t raised to believe in omens, however I find myself believing quite different from how I was raised. I recently had a reading and was told that both owls and ravens are a thing for me. Well a week before my dad had his surgery (while I was there dealing with this whole ordeal) I was driving back to my uncles house where I stayed during my visit. While driving an owl, I don’t know what type it was dusk, landed in the middle of my lane and just sat there. I didn’t see him until I almost hit him with my truck. I’d seen this blur come down from the sky and couldn’t tell what was going on because of the lighting in the sky. I slammed my breaks and thought the front end of my truck just barely went over the top of the owl. Once I was completely stopped it flew off. I didn’t hit it. I saw that as a sign that my dad was going to make it even though a lot of odds were stacked against him. Fast forward a week and a half later, I’m still at my uncles, it’s night and I’m in the enclosed patio watching tv with all windows and the door open. I hear this loud screeching noise and look outside. Just above the door one great horned owl takes off. Another one sits just a few feet above where I was. They knew I was there, I had all the lights on and tv was loud enough. I talked to the owl for a bit and it wasn’t freightened. It just sat there looking at me and looking around and back at me. I felt very blessed. I have no idea what it meant or if it meant anything, but I still felt blessed that I was able to talk to it and it acknowledge me without being freightened.
Twice huge white great horned owls had flew into my car(s).
The 1st one hit the windshield as I was driving down the highway leaving a chip in the glass. I stopped to see where it was so I could help it but it had flown off. It was late evening out and dark.
The 2nd time I was once again driving down a highway in the night time when out of the blue the biggest white great horned owl I’ve ever saw landed directly in front of me where there was road kill. I couldn’t swerve or else I’d have rolled down a hill. There was no time to do anything. I applied the breaks but it wasn’t enough and I ran over the top of it but my tires did not run over it. I heard and felt it thudding under the car. Once again I looked for it afterwards to help it and it was no where to be found. That one was a real big one.
Red tailed hawks are often around me wherever I go. There for a while black ravens were always near me and my oldest daughter too.
I have went through very many difficult things and I keep bouncing back. Now I’m stronger and more of a warrior.
I take a daily walk in 900 acre forest near my house in Maine.
I feel like the animals come to me in rare but pointed moments in my life.
But in the last month on the same 200 yd stretch my dog and me have literally bumped into
A baby black bear cub and today find at head of new path a rabbit freshly dead without its head
I am healing from 10 years of stalking and subsequent paranoia/anxiety, newly living on disability.
I get great strength of spirit if not also heal my aching body in the forest.
I have already simplified my summer, trying to go inside myself and be WITH my puppy in nature, silent but attentive
In your humble opinion, is this really about a visitation of great barred owl?
I’m always waking up in the middle of the night especially 3 a.m. So yesterday I woke at 2 to something that sounded like screaming but I thought it was my cat for some reason. As I figured it wasnt my cat I look outside my window I could really see anything but I saw a black figured that shape like a bird so I was terrified cause I was thinking maybe it could be my grandma as a raven like she was before. I’ve had spiritual experiences for a couple years now and I thought that bird I assume I saw was something like that……. or maybe it is ……. something . God been give me little hints lately but I cant solve them so maybe this is another thing
I woke up in the middle of the night tonight and went to check on my kids. I noticed my 10 year old sitting in our living room in the basement and told him it was too early to be up (it’s 5am). After putting him back to bed I payed down and tried to meditate my way back to sleep. I cleared my thoughts and all of a sudden I hear a noise. It was so loud I thought it might be from a video game left on the computer. It did have that hooting sound of an owl, but not one I’m used to so I investigated the noise. It got louder as I went to my south facing window. I didn’t see anything, I just sat and listened a while then went to lay down back in bed. I started looking up owl sounds and when I heart the hoot of the Great Horned Owl, I knew that was it. Then, I found this article you wrote. Thank you for this.
Right now in my life I am in my awakening process. I always knew I was different and have been exploring that for the past year and a half. I went on a retreat in Maui in September and since then I have embraced my spiritual and intuitive side so much more than being afraid of it. I used to drink a lot but since my awakening, that side of me has subsided a lot. Although still not completely gone, it is nowhere near how it used to be. Recently, my husband lost his job as his company got shut down 2 months ago. I’ve been staying positive knowing that this was meant to be and that everything would be ok. He’s had over 15 interviews (for a senior software developer) and has had no offers. This is surprising as he has 2 degrees and has over 13 years of experience in his field. Yesterday, we heard back from what we thought would be a definite Acceptance, but it wasn’t. I finally let myself feel the emotion of fear and upset and went to bed with losing my trust in the universe. I know I won’t feel this way forever, but last night, I let myself.
Having this owl hoot after getting up already (not from its sound as it came after) and not ever hearing this owl before or even being familiar with it makes me feel like it’s a sign, but I’m not sure what. I live in the prairies of Canada but I live in a newer development not close to a forest for a few miles or so. I didn’t get the see this owl but it was like it was right outside my window. What do you think all this means? Anything will help. Thank you, Cindy
Thank you Dear Beloved for writing this passage. It is in perfect timing for me and I wish to offer you confirmation of your message being received. I need say no more as you shall totally understand.
As Always,
Infinite Love, Light, Wisdom and Blessings
😇🙏💗🗣👁💪
Sahar
At 8pm I heard an owl hooting in my backyard, I thought it was my neighbor cause he makes so much noise at night, then it hoot again, and I thought, this sound like a real owl, so I creeped outside, there was moonlight , I followed the sound and sure enough a Great Horned Owl was on the roof top, so beautiful I was so excited to see one. I felt something seeing that owl. It turned around and looked at me and continued hooting. I went in to get my daughter to see it but it was gone, it flew to our neighbors house, but she heard the owl hoot and saw it flew away. She was so excited as I am. It was a great night. Then I went on the internet looking for meanings other than death and your blog gave me understanding. Thank you.
I had a dream that I walked outside and commented on how large our tree has gotten (we have no tree here) and I saw my ducks so I went under the tree and watched them. Then I saw a brown great horned owl hopping along the ground on the opposite side of the tree. He came around to my side and started playing with a stuffed dog toy. I tried to get a video and he started getting really close. I was moving away not to get in his way but I ended up laying on the ground. I felt him crawl on me. I could feel his talons on my arm but I couldn’t move. I watched my dog walk right past us and she paid no attention..which is weird..and then he kinda lowered his beak to my ear. I could feel my earlobe in his beak but he wasn’t biting. But it scared me. I couldn’t move. And then I tried to scream for help. I woke myself up with that weird nonscream inaudible sound we make in real life when we are talking in our sleep. It was super weird and my earlobe burns a little.
This dream happened right around the time I’ve been deciding on trying to be closer to my ancestors. We have stories and secrets and burned birth certificates and older generations who wouldn’t speak of their pasts. So while the family is trying to figure this out, we are not on the right path and lost.
This dream was just so specific. I knew I shouldn’t have been scared but I was anyway. I can’t figure out the real meaning. Though I’m pretty sure it was a message and I chickened out before I got it.
Any extra insight would be greatly appreciated!
I recently have been struggling with a lot mentally these past months and this whole pandemic did not help. I recently graduated college and am in the process of diving into the holistic approach to wellness. After returning back to Colorado I visited a friend who works with energy. After she helped me release the tension throughout my energy fields she said that in this process a great horned owl came to her. She said that it didn’t stay long but. it was very clear as she was doing her reading and. healing. When we were finished she told me that. this could mean that I either am seeking wisdom or that I needed to share wisdom. I’ve had the feeling that I had not been connected to my higher source or the divine however she said during the the reading that my connection was strong.
I wanted to learn more about the great horned owl after this reading and I loved this article. I was wondering if there is a better way of allowing this guidance through meditation or in any way honestly. I would really like to allow this oppurtunity to guide me as needed.
Thier was a owl sitting on my back yard fence staring at me at 530am this morning what does that mean
Hi Amanda.
At 4:44 this morning I got up and went outside. The moon is almost, if not full, and I stood at the side entrance to my home saying a proclamation/prayer in the moonlight, and as I spoke out loud, softly but with laser accuracy landed a large owl (I believe it was a great horned owl) on the peak of my roof above my head. It sat and looked at me for quite some time then left as silently as it came. It was @ 15 feet away from me. I had just asked source for a sign before going outside. My experience was already delightful, but made even better by your own owl experience at almost the same time of morning, and by the synchronicity of being the last post here on this site for me to follow. Owls are knowledgeable, and bring a subtle wisdom and fierce understanding to the table in stealth ways. Thank you for being part of a magical start to my morning. Blessings.
My spirit animal is Red Tail Hawk in the day and Great Horn Owl from dusk to dawn. We have a pair of each around our property and they both visit often. I call to them and they often answer and arrive on a chimney or a flag pole. I’ve often used the phrase “listen to the whisper” and I now know my horned owl spirit is there to assist in thinking thru the issue or opportunity.
I saw a great horned owl yesterday
I wonder if we’re related in anyway.
Ive never seen or met anyone with the same last name. I mean unless they were family.
Love the article thank you
When I was five years old, I went into the chicken coop to get the eggs and feed them as I did everyday.. This particular morning I was met with the biggest yellow eyes I’d ever seen. I stared shocked. It was huge bigger than I was. I can still see it plain as day when I close my eyes. Next I saw the carnage. Not a hen was left alive. It made me sad. Yet not afraid, it opened its wings it almost filled the chicken coop and it was a very big hen house we had over 60 chickens, none after that though. I dropped everything and ran to find my dad. Since this day I’ve seen many owls, we have a pair that nest in my yard, as well as the red tail hawk.
Recently I see snowy owls everywhere. I feel very drawn to them
Wow… where do I even start……..
To make a super long story short- I’ve now lost both of my parents. I lost my mother at 14 and my Dad raised me. He was my best friend.
It’s my birthday as of 4:15 AM Atlantic time( Born in Atlantic Canada)
I now live in Alberta, so being 3 hrs behind in Mountain time, 1:15 AM is my “moment.” And as a child my Mother told me that I had a bizarre routine of waking at that precise time from the time I was a newborn until she passed when I was 14.
I’ve been sad, somber and lacking my passions of arts ( singing/ songwriting/poetry/anything I can touch and create…. Explore and embrace, learn…) and it’s been three years of pain. Divorce/lost my father/ self litigation/ loosing all self worth as a woman and mother. Turning 37 was nothing more then a painful reminder I have no one to really celebrate with and well…. I’m another year older lol.
I’ve spent the majority of these three years awake in the middle of the night while the girls sleep, studying, preparing, trying to process and stay afloat. I’m most productive at this time and no one understands.
Anyways, hours leading to the moment of my birth, I felt weak. I felt defeated, worthless, exhausted , allowed myself to feel something for once and began to sob crying out to my parents.
I don’t know what came over me… but it was as if I stepped out of my body, and the next thing I new I was sketching a woman in a gown with long flowing hair while holding her face in her hands. (I used a picture to look at as reference JUST LIKE I DID WHEN I WAS A KID!)
A mass of energy is pooling toward her head and a flow of vibration is visibly steaming from her heart area.
With piano notes playing softly as a backdrop I lost track of time in a reunion with this long lost part of myself.
Her.
The girl who was often found day dreaming of magic immersed in all the wonders she would one day experience.
Me.
The soul who would dance in the pouring rain with her arms reaching to the heavens, receiving it as rhythm and the music Mother Earth.
It was a rush!
It was like seeing your best friend again after being apart for years and my heart was exploding when I realized what I had accomplished.
As I was finishing the last pencil strokes I was distracted by a noise outside.
(Keep in mind I’m currently missing 40% hearing in left ear, there’s piano playing and have a fan going.)
I turn the music and the fan off to listen and there it was. A mystical sound I’ve never experienced so close….the great horned owl. 🦉 (totally had to look up all the different owl sounds to confirm that.)
So yeah, then I grabbed my phone and started recording. Something inside was almost….excited?! Warm, fuzzy, tingly…. All the things!
When it stopped I sat back on my bed trying to process.,,, It felt surreal and I couldn’t understand why…. Perhaps my indigenous ancestry played a part in recognizing this was something I needed to pay attention to, deeply respect and cherish as a gift.
After a few minutes of trying to process all of this something told me to grab the phone and look at the time it was recorded……
……………1:14 AM Mountain time.
😮😯🤯
What?! Like HOW?! How did that happen!! Of all the times, of all the places for the owl to stop. You can’t make this shit up. That can’t be a coincidence.
The owl calls for that entire minute leading to 1:15 AM and stops a few seconds into “my moment”.
Next thing you know I’m looking up the meaning of said Owl visit and in disagreement about it being bad omen as many writers narrate.
Then. I. Found. YOU. And this post!!!
Yesss!! Yes yes yes! Thank you so much for this insight! It sits well with my soul and matched a lot of what I thought I intuitively felt.
I felt like I was so close to something so different, so elevated, sacred and Devine. I know one day I will finally decipher my beautiful birthday gift.
I couldn’t go to sleep without sharing! What an incredible feeling I’m having as I drift off to sleep… this hasn’t happened in years- what a birthday to remember for me!
Hugs!
Angie
Hello Angie, Happy Birthday! And… You can’t make this stuff up, it’s true!!! Such an amazing birthday present you received and I’m so grateful that I got to be part of the experience! Thank you for sharing your story and for taking the time to send it. It really brightened my day to hear of your spontaneous soul retrieval of the beautiful part of you and to hear of the owl coming to commune with you in the moment. If you’d like to explore what it would look like to meet and decipher the meaning of the message together, send me an email any time (info@wildgratitude.com). Sending Blessings,
Stacey