The birds almost deserve a separate branch of magick, a
system If You will, dedicated to solely to them. Like the Fairies ( Fairy magick ) or magickal
gemology ( crystal magick )… Many beliefs and folklore about them, spin the
globe, and connect the cultural heritage of diverse ethnic and national J
And it’s the very
ability of flight, that had earned the birds almost instant association with
magick, in human mind, according to anthropologists. We can easily understand,
and agree with this.
However, there is
always something more, something intangible, and subtle, delicate and
inconspicuous to the “unwary” eye of a non believer. Birds were guides of
shamans, witchdoctors, and witches through human history.
Birds were ominous to humans, and predicted either
catastrophes or successes of civilizations, as well as individuals, as far as
human memory goes back. Also, birds were
held to be messengers of deities, and
sometimes deities themselves in disguise. Examples are many. Sparrows and
swallows, and sometimes doves, were considered sacred to Aphrodite. Owls are
told to always accompany to the Judaic demon Lilith, and she would often morph
in one of them. Hence the name, “night owl” , which was often used as synomum
for Lilith. Native Americans firmly believe that the Eagle carries on his
imposing wings, prayers to Wakan Tanka or Maitou ( name varies in tribes ) that
is the Great Spirit. Ravens, although almost universally seen as bad omens in the world, is also a bird that had feed
the St Elijah the prophet , in Judeo-Christian lore. The white Dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in
Christianity and omen of blessing, empowerment , and salvation.
The four feathers
Native Americans, hold particularly sacred these four species of
birds:
·
Eagle ( most often Bold eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) – Native
American people consider Eagle a chief of
the bird tribe, and is believed to carry prayers of the people to Great spirit. It’s a symbol of strength and courage, and
his feathers carry some of that power,
hence their use among Native American
people, as a fetish, or amulet bestowing courage, while also being a medal of
honor of a kind. Direction associated with the Eagle is East, and season is
spring.
 |
| A White headed Eagle |
·
Hawk ( subfamily Accipitrinae, various genus’ and species ) – Native American people held that the Hawks
were messengers of spirits, and that they were associated with the mystical Thunderbird. The feathers of the Hawk were consequently
used for invocation of the rain in some
tribes, and were widely used among
various tribes in healing rituals.
Direction associated with the Hawk is south, and the season is summer.
·
Owl ( many of the genus’ from the family Strigida,
and from the order Stigiformes )
– Owl, as a night-bird is in Native
American though associated with the Moon, unlike the Eagle and the hawk who are
associated with Sun. It’s also associated with the knowledge, and sometimes
magick and transformation. Direction associated with the Owl in North, and
season is winter.
·
Raven ( Corvus spp. ) – Raven is believed to be
a messenger of the Great spirit according to Native American people, guardian of the Sacred laws, the theft who had once stolen the Sun,
trickster and a bird of transformation.
Direction associated with the Raven is west, and the season is
autumn.[1]
Here are some
additional Native American beliefs associated with the Owl:
“Some Native
American cultures link owls with supernatural knowledge and divination. In the
Menominee myth of The Origin of Night and Day, Wapus (rabbit) encounters Totoba
(the saw-whet owl, Aegolious
acadicus) and the two battle for daylight (wabon) and darkness
(unitipaqkot) by repeating those words. Totoba errs and repeats
"wabon" and daylight wins, but Wapus permits that night should also
have a chance for the benefit of the conquered, and thus day and night were
born. The Pawnees view the owl as a symbol of protection; the Ojibwa, a symbol
of evil and death, as well as a symbol of very high status of spiritual leaders
of their religion; and the Pueblo, associated with Skeleton Man, the god of
death and spirit of fertility. On a warm afternoon in August 1985, one of the
authors (DHJ) observed Ojibwa peoples at a weekend cultural celebration in
Duluth, Minnesota using dried wings of Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianas)
as hand-held fans to cool themselves after participating in native dances.” [2]
Read about some
more Native American legends, associated
with the Owl, on the Owl pages
In any case, the
four feathers of these birds were placed on four cardinal points of the wheel
inside Wigvams of those starting spiritual journey, for the sake of
illumination, vision quest or
initiation. As we have seen earlier in the text the position of the
feathers was following:
NORTH – OWL’S FEATHER
EAST – EAGLE’S FEATHER
SOUTH – HAWK’S FEATHER
WEST – RAVEN’S FEATHER
Birds in
divination, ornithomancy and avimancy ( also ornithoscopy )
The divination by
observing birds, and hearing their singing is called ornithomancy. There are many methods and
variations, depending on the culture, tradition, and even the bird species. But
there are general guidelines for what
should be observed in a typical
“reading” via birds , if we can call it
that.
After the
practitioner had asked the questions, in many traditions three times, aloud,
somewhere outside, he/she/it observes for appearance of bird, and some other
specific thing.
Aspects important in divination via birds that seem universal
in the world are following:
a)
Direction - in which the
birds appear and are seen, when the diviners spots them. For example, the birds
moving towards the diviner, foretell about the happy times awaiting the questioner.
b)
Direction
change – sudden or abrupt change of the direction was also
“diagnostic”. For example, a large flock of birds suddenly changing the
direction was indicative of, sudden intense change in emotional life of the
diviner , emotional instability and doubt.
c)
Color – was an important
aspect too. Majority of the flock
consisting of light colored birds, was a sing to take action, while the
majority of the flock being made
from the black or dark ones, was a sing
that more planning is due, and probably, that the questioner should ask someone
for an advice.
d)
Height – When it comes
to height of bird’s flight, the simple rule of thumb applies, when it comes to interpretation. Plainly, the higher the better. On the other
hand, horizontal, up-down and zigzag flight, is
a warning of the forthcoming
obstacles on diviner’s road to success.
e)
Singing – Bird’s song
is interpreted differently depending on the species, but generally,
if the bird/s are squawking a lot and flying in circles it’s a very bad
omen. If a whole flock is doing it over
a specific town, area… it can be sing of a natural catastrophe of some kind.
Later in the
article, we will touch upon the divination with specific bird’s such as Cuckoo
bird, and others, upon discussing these
particular birds. The variations are so many that it would hardly be possible
for me to explain them all in a blog post like this. Follow the given guidelines, in general divination and
experiment with them. Teach Yourself to observe birds and pay attention to them
more, they have a lot to teach, those that are ready to listen, according to the words of the wise
people.
Birds in folk
magick and divination of Balkan Peninsula
I decided it’s
best to approach the animal magick from the perspective I am most familiar
with, here. Its traditional Balkan witchcraft, folk magick and lore. I have also
observed animal magick, from perspective of Hoodoo, but that’s a topic for some other post/s. If
fact, I hope I will have the opportunity
to write about chicken as a magickal bird, in more detail in a separate post. I
will save Hoodoo insight on the issue of bird magick for such occasion.
In Balkan
peninsula, birds, as ominous creatures
and folk medicine source, were always held at high regard. Even by
people who are not superstitious. They might not believe, but they are at least
cautious and open-minded, about the possibility that birds indeed carry
messages from Higher Power. Or that they
know something. It may have to do with the rich body of folklore, which is a
cultural heritage of people in this part of world, and that dealing with birds
is extremely large. It can, alone fill tomes and tomes of books. Here I shall
deal with those extremely popular and
well known, as it’s only appropriate for this type of work ( blog post ). I
will give the species* of the bird spoken of, or at least that which is most
commonly identified as such. So let’s begin.
Raven ( Corvus corax , Ordo Passeriformes, Fam. Corvidae
)
According to one legend, raven was the first bird that the Noah had released to seek the dry land, but the bird got too distracted by eating carcasses, so the Noah had to send the dove, which brought back the olive branch.
For the Balkan
peninsula people, especially in Serbia, Montenegro and some parts of Bulgaria,
the raven is purely and exclusively a bad omen.
Seeing it, hearing it, flying, sitting on a tree, on a chimney, it matters very little. It’s a
sign of a great misfortune, either way.
In fact raven is plainly seen as a sign of great misfortune. There are
even various incantations that are to be “said” ** upon seeing eitheer a flock
of ravens, or a single one on Your rooftop in Your yard, flies over Your
village etc. to negate the power of this omen. The only positive thing about
this bird is that it had various applications in folk, ritual medicine, and was
a powerful, according to the folk “probatum” cure for many, otherwise hard
to treat or incurable conditions. For
example, salt poured through the dry head*** of the Raven was a cure for poor
memory, it restored the memory faculty, and could even activate immune system
in some cases. A few drops of raven’s blood, slipped ( ritually ) into the vine of a drunk, would
gradually or instantly ( sometimes it had to be done few times to take the full
effect ) them of alcoholism, and the
reckless behavior associated with it.
Raven is also associated with the Celtic deities Bran
the blessed, and Lugh, whose name
actually derives from the Celtic word for “raven”.
Magpie ( most often Pica pica, also O. Passeriformes, Fam. Corvidae )
Another one seen
as exclusively or almost exclusively as a bad omen, depending on it’s behavior, in some areas of Balkan
Peninsula. It might have been seen as omen of upcoming news, on rare
occasions. But the Magpie, was much like
Raven, ironically used in ritual
medicine profusely. Among others, it was
a definite cure for epilepsy when
“prepared” in specific way. If
someone was stuttering badly, or had lost the ability to talk, due to some kind
of nervous system blockage, even those magickaly induced, they were cured by
means of feeding them ten pulverized magpie tongues, in a glass of milk on a
New Moon night.
Magpie feather, in Europe is widely
held to be a magickal charm ( or
talisman ) that can help one retrieve and locate lost items and people.
Crow ( various
species Corvus sinatus, C. frugilegus, C. cornix and others, also O.Passeriformes,
Fam. Corvidae )
A crow, landing on
a tree, in front of Your house, or a lone one sighted in nature, according to the Balkan folk foretells of a arrival of some guest. One
heard squawking, while flying over Your house or resting near it foretells of some important news. Just for precaution, upon such occasion, Balkan
folk would say, in their mind’s voice:
“If it’s a good
voice/news, let them squawk, if it’s a bad one, let them fly away and carry the
misfortune with them”
The crow was not
used much in ritual medicine, but there are some indications that it was
sporadically used as a sacrifice to some deities of pagan Slavic pantheon. [3]
Cuckoo bird (many species
from the Cuculidae family,
particularly of Cuculus genus )
Balkan Peninsula
folk, have always considered Cuckoo birds to be prophetic birds, often
harbingers of death even, but an utmost friendly harbinger. Whatmore, they were treated as godsend omen!
But mind You, Balkan Peninsula folk believe that a cuckoo bird singing on the house
chimney, predicts dead of some of the house inhabitants. But unlike with Ravens and magpies, cuckoo
bird’s singing is rather a friendly warning, about unnatural death (premature,
not destined), that can thus be stopped. Hearing the Cuckoo bird’s “song” coming
from the east, was ominous of lucky, successful year, whereas the singing
coming from the west was a warning to “slow down”, dela y
all unnecessary journeys, and think things through a bit more. If you
hear the Cuckoo bird for the first time some year, on an empty stomach, that is
before you ate, it would be a sign that you will be troubled with insomnia and
fatigue, throughout the upcoming year. To prevent the “fulfillment” of such
prophecy, simply say as many times as the bird sounded the following: “For life
and health”. There is a curious dream
incubation recorded being done here, upon seeing a Cuckoo bird for the first
time in the year. This simple rite, is said to induce prophetic dreams. On such occasion one is to dig up some earth
from where they are standing with their right hand, and wrap it in some white
or red paper. This “sachet” is then to be placed bellow pillow. In some parts of Balkan Peninsula spotting
Cuckoo bird on a tree, was a chance for diviners to get some answer. They would
sit down below the tree, asking YES or NO questions aloud, and counting
the bird’s “replies”, even numbers would mean YES, and odd number
of cuckoo sounds would mean NO. The tree where the bird had spent some time, or
rather the very branch, was considered to attain special healing powers
afterwards. Particularly in helping the
hair growth, and becoming beautiful in Young women.
Divination by rooster’s choice, or alectryomancy
Divination by rooster’s choice, or alectryomancy
This type of divination, common among rural areas of Europe, was/is particularly often done with roosters, but in ancient Rome, where from the divination originates, it had been done with white chickens, or “holy birds”, which were hens, used solely for divination, and carried around in luxurious cages, by Roman soldiers.
The very method is
rather simple, the diviner/s draw circles on the ground, mark them with symbols
( answer options, or even letters of the
alphabet ) and then cast a few seeds of a kind, oftentimes wheat on each. The birds
are then released from the cages, and it’s observed and noted, which seeds they
ate first, second etc., that is from which one of the marked circles, and what
where the symbols/meanings behind it.
Divination by Magpies
 |
| A Magpie |
An old nursery
rhyme, popularly referred to as “One for sorrow” is actually an example of
apantomancy, combined with numerology,
and folklore superstitions.
In short, the
little poem, first time recorded around 1780. (in John Brand's “Observations on
Popular Antiquities on Lincolnshire” )
it consisted of four lyrics, attributing ominous meaning and symbolism,
or accidental encounter with Magpie birds; one was indicative of sorrow, two
were foretelling mirth ( sometimes also
births ), and so on.
“One for sorrow,
Two for mirth,
Three for a wedding,
And four for death” [4]
Which latter
evolved into a tad more lengthy poem, having ten lyrics, and therefore
observing the symbolism of accidental encounter with one, two, three, etc. up
to ten Magpies. In parts of the world where magpies are not that common, the
same symbolism may apply to Crows, or Ravens.
One for sorrow,
Two for luck; (or mirth)
Three for a wedding,
Four for death; (or birth)
Five for silver,
Six for gold
;Seven for a secret,Not to be told;
Eight for heaven,
Nine for [hell]
And ten for the d[evi]l's own sell! [5]
NOTES: This article was written and composed by myself, so If
You wish to use any parts of it elsewhere, feel free, but provide credits;
Shadow of the Shadows magick place , Shadow-333@hotmail.com
, or a direct link to this post
CREDITS AND REFRENCES:
[1] According to Cassandra Eason as stated in her :
“Encyclopedia of magck and ancient Wisdom”, adopted and edited here by myself.
[2] Retrieved from: http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=owl+mythology&title=owls+lore+culture&page=3
posted here for educational purposes
without any ill will
[3] Various sources, mostly : magazine :”Bakini recepti za
srecu” #11 , 5th August
2012., pg. 36th and 37th, ( see more about the magazine on here : http://www.lekiamajlija.com/?page_id=58 ) also
“Srpski Rjecnik” by Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic“, and: Mit I religija u Srba” Veselin Cajkanovic, all
dealing with cultural anthropology, religion, superstition and myths in Balkan
peninsula inhabitants
[4] Retrieved form: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_for_Sorrow_(nursery_rhyme)
[5] Retrieved
from: same source listed under [4] Originally
quoted from: I. Opie and M. Tatem, eds, A Dictionary of Superstitions (Oxford
University Press, 1989), pp. 235-6
IMAGE CREDITS :
White head eagle - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Weisskopf_Seeadler_haliaeetus_leucocephalus_8_amk.jpg
All used here for
illustrative and explanatory purposes without any ill will
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