As we enter the darkness of the falling year and the coming of the Cailleach, it is interesting to note the various roles the owl plays in folklore. Very often considered a harbinger of death, this is not always the case, and, indeed, the death or ending of one way of life may be the beginning of another, so surface symbolism may belie a deeper meaning. (I know there are many articles about owl symbolism already out there so I'll steer clear of that aspect for this post.)
Owls have a long association with the subconscious and so-termed 'shamanic states'. As far back as the Palaeolithic we find depictions of owls within caves next to strange half transformed beasts and forms believed to be spirits and ancestor beings. The Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave features a half-woman/ half bison figure as well as unusual human-like forms with wings. David Lewis-Williams' book, The Mind in the Cave, is worth reading for more on this. A personal observation here is how the owl resembles Síle na gig figures, particularly in relation to the large eyes. This is interesting in terms of them both being linked to the Cailleach, of course. Also, the so-called 'Venus figure' found in the Chauvet Cave in its metamorphosed state might indicate the ritual transformation of consciousness or perhaps trance-travel to the spirit world in this context. In this example from the Irish folklore archives a fairy takes the form of an owl in order to entice and trap those who venture too close to her home.
Moving into contemporary encounters for a moment, this is a fascinating link to the work of Harvard psychiatrist John E. Mack who worked with subjects who claimed to have been taken by owl people. Although often associated with UFO abductions it is important to note that associations between owls and deities such as Cernunnos were described to Mack by his subjects.
The initial impression of owls and half-transformed mythological animals and deities were also described by author Whitley Streiber in his work Communion. This association between fairies and owls is quite complicated, though. The cry of the Bean Sídhe is often compared to that of the screech of an owl, and, as previously stated, this call is usually perceived as a negative omen. This link to fairies is also seen in cases where an owl has made its home within a fairy fort or cairn such as in this instance.
An interesting parallel here is the following observation by Marija Gimbutas, "At Newgrange, the owl goddess' round eyes, multiple beaks, and brow ridges peer down from the ceiling. They appear in a peculiar quadrupled design and in association with snake coils, zigzags, lozenges, and winding snakes. Eyes and snake coils are interchangeable on many megalithic monuments. Further symbolic fusions of symbols include eyes and suns, with the sun featuring radiating rays or concentric circles with a center dot. These symbols, so elaborately engraved on stones, evoke the goddess' sacred power and energy however she was worshiped: as owl, snake, sun, or moon.”
From a psychological perspective, the idea of a hunting creature navigating the darkness is a powerful motif. Also, the ability to traverse the nocturnal world itself brings the concept of wisdom, as well as the subconscious, to our consideration. It is no wonder that witches, wise-women, and indeed, fairies themselves are often represented as being close to owls or even with the ability to transform into one.
As human beings, we are also drawn to the hope that there is something wise and powerful awaiting us within the darkness of our lives and beyond. So much of this is subjective but I will finish on a strange and poignant personal story.
One evening, following the death of my wife's brother, her dad was sitting outside trying to come to terms with what had happened. Out of nowhere, an owl descended and landed on the table on front of him. My father-in-law was shocked and didn't know what to do. The owl then hopped from the table onto his shoulder. It sat there for about thirty seconds before flapping its wings and flying away. Of course this is a moment which can be interpreted as just an odd coincidence but at the time, and considering the owl as a messenger from the Otherworld, it was also a moment of wonder, solace, and perhaps even hope. (C.) David Halpin.
Image: Laura Makabresku