Auguries and Omens by Yvonne Aburrow
Birds have been an inspiration to poets, artists, shamans, witches, and mystics since earliest times. A Palaeolithic cave painting at Trois Frères shows a family of snowy owls; many birds are associated with magic and mystery in folklore and mythology. One of the most interesting aspects of the folklore of birds is their portentous nature; the most highly developed system of augury in the ancient world was that of the Romans. There are many examples of bird omens in folklore from many different cultures. I have had several experiences involving bird omens, particularly with herons. The picture shows me with a magpie found in a field in Cambridgeshire in 1994. It had ingested something poisonous, but after sitting by our campfire for a while, recovered and flew off.
Folklore, fairy tales, and mythology are rich in bird symbolism. Some birds represent the lunar, yin principle; others are solar and yang. Many folktales relate instances of birds helping and guiding humans; the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella (a more authentic version than Perrault's) has several instances of birds helping the heroine.
There are also many stories of people transformed into birds by the gods after some catastrophe; many of these are related in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Many cultures have stories of shamans and witches shapeshifting into birds, particularly the raven, the goose, and the magpie. There are also many tales of people's souls passing into birds when they die, especially sailors and kings.
The folklore and mythology of birds is central to the understanding of the ancient world, and it can be incorporated into modern Paganism with ease. It helps us to understand totemic relationships with birds, and to increase our understanding of the spirit world.
Birds are a vital part of the ecosystem and the Web of Wyrd; their song transforms the world and transports us to the spirit realms. They can be guides and totems, auguries and omens for us all, if we recognise their wisdom and beauty.