Owl myth/lore? magical associations?

Question

Especially Native American. I need to know about rituals and rites using the owl feathers. How were they used exactly and for what specific purpose? Any magical associations they have? I am also interested to know who would have possessed them, how they were harvested, and gifted. Specifically the great horned owl but all are relavant. I know scientifically where they are, how big, etc, so looking for the other side of the spectrum. The more religion/belief based stuff. Thanks!

Answer 1

The Lenni Lenape considered the owl a good thing, full of wisdom.  Many of the Native American cultures used owl feathers on their arrows to hunt animals, because the feathers didn't make a sound in flight.  That could be the reason that so many of them believe that the owl is the messenger of death now.

Answer 2

Owl feathers in many Native American traditions are deadly. The owl is commonly seen as a harbinger of death and misfortune.

Owl feathers would only be used to curse or encourage death.

So, shamans may have possessed them, and harvesting would be a simple matter of finding them. However, their use would be VERY limited.

Answer 3

tsk! tsk!  watersprite...who has been teachin you what?

the ueln hates the owl totally...they're old chief raven was afraid of them or hated them,I think.  dunno... many from there were against it...myself I USED to be afraid as well,till I had a dream. and it was a reletive who said that they are night spirits and that they watch over all who wander.some eastern tribes' shamen used owl feathers for medicine waays I assume.  but what the cherokee said is true... and our little watersprite...I just wanna give ya a hug!  your learning tho... good job..feel YOUR inner thought about it...HOW do you feel?

Answer 4

Many cultures have traditionally thought of owls as being wise and all-knowing because of their glow-in-the-dark eyes and round heads covered with white and/or gray feathers (which make them look sort of like wise old men). In ancient Greece, the owl was considered a symbol for Athena, the goddess of wisdom and logic.

Answer 5

There are over 500 separate "tribes" or groups of Native Americans on this continent, their beliefs vary greatly.  Which "tribe" are you referring to??

I know a member of the Sioux wouldn't be caught dead near owl feathers or an owl.  To them the owl is the harbinger of death.  Other tribes such as the Cherokee regard the owl as a messenger from The Creator.  You should know too that owl feathers fall under the same restrictions as eagle and hawk feathers.. That is only members of Federally Recognized Tribes or Nation can have them.

That is as far as I will go though, our Spirituality is very private and we don't talk about it outside our own clan or family.