For many centuries, our ancestors looked to nature to bring them important information on their health, love, prosperity, and more. Many of our ancestors relied heavily on the messages that birds brought to them, including Native Americans, the Celts, and many more cultures. Why not use the same methods as our ancestors and listen to what nature has to say to us?
In this article, we will learn how to look at birds as omens and signs and how to listen to the messages that they bring to us. We will examine the following birds and meanings:
There is a misconception about black birds in much of Western society. Why is this? Is it simply because black birds are black and the color black seems to be associated with evil? Or is it due to many years of stereotyping the crow or blackbird to be a witch’s familiar? Either way, the black bird omen seems to be one that sticks out in many people’s minds when hearing the words “birds as omens”.
I have to disagree and state that this black bird omen being an ill omen is an incorrect thought. Even the Native American medicine man Bobby Lake Thom who wrote “Spirits of the Earth” states that the black bird always has a message to bring, and it usually is not an ill omen. While the crow or black bird can play the trickster, they are usually benevolent and bring news of good passage and protection. The black bird’s reputation as a bad omen is not based in experience or fact.
The video below is one that I took of a black bird (I believe it’s a Raven, others tell me it’s not) fighting off an attacking blue jay. I took this as a good sign and not a black bird omen. I had a great day and an even better week that week that I saw this huge black bird cross my path. I also immediately associated this black bird omen (albeit a good omen) with the god Bran and the goddess Maeve . . . two deities that had been trying to get my attention for quite some time
As much as I love and adore birds in the wild, is there such thing as a bird of ill omen? I absolutely hate admitting this fact, but I have to. I have personally experienced the owl as a bird of ill omen and read about this in medicine men’s writings. That was quite difficult for me to admit, as I am a big fan of owls. I find them to be beautiful and majestic creatures. However, every time my owl familiar has shown up at my home, within a week one of my neighbors dies. So in my personal experience, the owl (no matter how lovely) is a bird of ill omen because it brings news of impending death.
In Eastern Europe, if an owl lands on a person’s roof, it is said to portend a death in the home. Some Native medicine men say that the owl can be work for evil forces to spy on you or perform other evil tasks.
Another bird of ill omen, according to some Native American tribes, is the buzzard. While I have no personal experience with buzzards, many find that they bring news of blockages during travel and other aggravating circumstances. Is the buzzard a bird of ill omen to you? Or have they been a bird of protection? Messages can vary from individual to individual.
An old wives’ tales from the Ozarks and other regions in the U.S. say that certain birds flying into the house are a bad omen, particularly turtle-doves. But I say make your judgment from the situation and the circumstances that take place directly after the bird is in your home. And of course, by all means, set the little bird free!
Some people often wonder if certain actions by birds mean certain things. In my experience and opinion, the meaning may be specific to your life. Birds were known as messengers to the gods. They were said to bring messages to us from the other side. Here are some common bird omens and signs and their potential messages:
When a bird flies into your car or house window and is knocked unconscious, it might die from the impact. This may be an omen that you believe you are getting somewhere in life, but that you will hit a wall soon. Don’t worry, another window of opportunity will open. It can also be a sign that family turmoil is in store for the near future.
This is not necessarily an omen so much as an indication that this particular bird would like to be your friend. The bird that follows you home might actually be what we call your “spirit guide” or “totem.” These birds can be anything from a crow to a pigeon. Research the mythology behind whatever bird is following you home and be open to the fact that this bird might be a guardian of one kind or another.
Augury is the process of answering a question by studying the flight patterns and actions of birds. The ancient Celts used this technique, and so did some Native Americans. It involves listening to nature and being receptive to the messages it brings us. There are answers all around us, we just have to be open to hearing them.
To read the flight patterns or actions of a bird, you really have to use your personal intuition. Here’s how to get started.
One evening I was driving home from work when I saw a flock of about 20 birds flying above my car, into the sunset. I had been reading birds’ flight patterns for years, so it came naturally to simply look at their swirling flight (in and out of one another). To me, this meant that I was to experience some chaos at home that evening. While I won’t go into detail, I most definitely did.
Reading birds’ flight patterns is not difficult. You just have to be open-minded and willing to watch and listen, with both your intuition and soul. Augury is a wonderful tool for divination and for everyday life.
If you’ve seen a dead bird in the road, or perhaps accidentally hit a bird, it may feel like a bad sign. It may actually be a good sign, showing you that an end to turmoil or pain is coming. A dead bird doesn’t necessarily portend physical death, but metaphorical death. Perhaps you’re going through the heartache of a break-up. Perhaps you are struggling to find a job. This dead bird marks the end to your search and struggle. A new beginning is just around the corner.
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Very well written and informative. Right up my alley. Although it is not a historical article, I enjoyed it very much with its references to the Celts and North American Indians. I like birds, especially our wild Canadian geese which are all flying south at this time of year. Twice in the past year, I have had to bury birds who died after flying in one of the condo windows where I live. I must say though that I (at least I do not remember) that anything bad happened to me after I buried these two birds. Thank you for a wonderful and different post.