It was a real hoot

This morning at around 4:15am I heard an owl hoot about five times outside my window. It has a particular pattern and at first I thought there was someone out there – it sounded fake. Like someone was trying to communicate their whereabouts to someone else. Like maybe a couple of prowlers. They were up to something – umm.

I reached for my phone to record the sound but by the time I finally got it ready to record, the sound had stopped. I don’t live in the country I live in a residential neighbourhood and I’m not savvy when it comes to determining owl sounds. I wasn’t even sure it was an owl.

So I got up, I’m awake so why not, and I googled local owls and their hoot sounds. After listening to about ten different owl sounds. I figured out it was a Barred Owl and it sounds like it’s saying “who cooks for you – who cooks for you”. It has a rhythmic groove to it. So then I decide to look up what is the significance of hearing an owl hoot – like there has to be one right. And there is.

So I googled that and this is what I found out:

1. Curiosity and Questioning: The Barred Owl’s call is often interpreted as a reminder to be curious and ask questions, seeking answers and listening for wisdom.
2. Vigilance and Awareness: Owls are known for their alertness and observation skills, urging us to stay mindful of our surroundings and what matters most.
3. Protection and Boundaries: The barred patterns on the owl’s feathers are seen as representing strong boundaries and protection, rather than limitation.
4. Spiritual Guidance: Owls are often associated with spiritual journeys, death, and the afterlife, acting as a guide for those transitioning or facing changes.
5. Wisdom and Knowledge: The owl’s nocturnal nature and keen eyesight have led to its association with wisdom, intuition, and the ability to see beyond the surface.
6. Connection to Nature: Seeing a Barred Owl, especially during the day, can be a reminder of our connection to the natural world and its cycles.

I hope the reason it showed up is not number four.

“In essence, the Barred Owl encourages us to be curious, vigilant, and to embrace change, while also offering guidance and protection on our spiritual journey”(google).

Am I on some kind of journey – we all are to some degree. But my degree just seems to be heating up lately. And I wonder what should I do. Yoga just perpetuates my leanings towards the more mystical aspects of my life. It’s like an amplifier that seems to point me towards a more spiritual understanding of who I am.

I’m not religious, I don’t believe in God, and I’m not drinking the proverbial cool aid. I’m just one whom pays attention to those things that I never did before. It’s the nuances, those small tiny things that now appear to mean something that didn’t before.

It’s a slowing down and to be honest it could be I’m just getting older but yoga is an influencer and guides me towards that way of thinking. It’s a respect for the universe and what’s around me. Those little tiny signs that I never paid attention to before.

So when I hear an owl at 4:15am, I’m wondering is there a reason why.

Ahimsa

What does an English owl say….. whom whom. (Ted Lasso)