The Wise Old Owl

Symbols are oracular forms–mysterious patterns creating vortices in the substances of the invisible world. They are centers of a mighty force, figures pregnant with an awful power, which, when properly fashioned, loose fiery whirlwinds upon the earth. –Manly P. Hall, Lectures on Ancient Philosophy, p. 356. (Manly P. Hall was one of the most influential occultists of the last century. He was recognized as a leading figure in the quest for mystical knowledge, and is considered one of the greatest Freemasons of the last one hundred years.)

The crucial question, of course, is what kind of meaning is being conferred by the use of certain symbols–what stands to be gained, what lost, and by whom. — Baigent, Leigh, and Lincoln, The Messianic Legacy, p. 136.

Symbols are employed as tools to communicate the spiritual attributes of the New Age movement and the occult. And while most of these symbols are many centuries old, their meanings have remained the same. In fact, as the public extension of ancient occult teach­ings, the New Age movement has placed mystical symbolism squarely in the face of our modern culture. What makes this especially disturbing is that while the “marks” of occultism can be found throughout society, yet we no longer recognize their spiritual implications. However, just because the average person doesn’t know the meaning of occult symbols, it in no way negates their significance. As Manly P. Hall stated, “They are centers of a mighty force, figures pregnant with an awful power….”

The fact remains; occult symbols have never lost their meaning. Today, New Agers and practitioners of the occult still employ their use, just as mystics have throughout the ages.

The Wise Old Owl

Owls are an amazing example of God’s handiwork. Depending on the species, owl eyes may account for one to five percent of its body weight. Owl eyes are fixed, forcing the bird to look straight ahead. However, an owl’s neck has 14 vertebrae, which allows it to turn its head throughout a wide range of motions. In fact, owls can turn their head a full 270 degrees! Truly owls are an incredible display of God’s creative nature.

But the owl is more than just a magnificent creature; at least that’s what the world of mythology and the occult would like you to believe. As birds of the night and birds of prey, the owl has been embraced as a symbol associ­ated with psychic powers, the “angel of death,” and the goddess of night. Greek, Roman, and Celtic mythology all employ owls as representatives of spiritual influence. Hinduism also uses the owl as a symbol of cosmic spirituality.

Of all the various usages of owl symbolism, Native American religions and their shaman priests (witchdoctors) have placed upon the bird numerous spiritual associations. The Cree believed that the whistle-sounds of the Boreal Owl was a summoning call to the spirit world. If an Apache dreamed of an owl, it was held that death was on its way. Cherokee shamans viewed Eastern Screech-Owls as consult­ants on punishment and sickness. To this day, practitioners of Native American spiritual traditions hold that the owl represents vision and insight.

In Africa the owl is associated with witchcraft and sorcery. To the Bantu the owl is the “familiar of wizards.” In eastern Africa, the Swahili “believe that the owl brings illness to children.” Zulus in southern Africa know the owl as a bird of sorcerers, and in the western part of the continent the bird is considered a messenger of wizards and witches. And in Madagas­car it is said that owls gather with witches to dance on the graves of the dead.

As a spiritual symbol, owls can be found throughout the world. Australia, China, Greenland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia and Sweden all have cultures or mythical traditions that give spiritual significance to the owl.

Probably one of the most bizarre occurrences of owl symbolism can be found at the “Bohemian Club.” The Bohemian Club is a rich-man’s organization that holds a two-week “camp” in northern California every year. This strange and secretive group, which has received very little press coverage, has an owl as its central symbol. Each year, approximately 1,500 of America’s most influential CEO’s, government officials, financiers, indus­trialists, and media moguls gather to hear speeches, network, and share common agendas. They also per­form Druid-like ceremonies before a huge stone owl, complete with robes, fire, incantations, and other rituals.

Of course the owl is also associated with “wisdom.” However, if owls could talk, I’m sure they would “wisely” scold mankind for his careless disregard of Romans 1:22-23, “Although they claimed to be wise, the became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.”

May we call upon God to give us wisdom.

Carl Teichrib is a Canadian based researcher and writer on globalization and the occult. His work has been used by such authors as Gary Kah and Berit Kjos, among others. Carl may be reached by emailing: [email protected].

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