The story of La Lechuza started centuries ago and is rooted in Mexican and Texano folklore.
Legend has it Lechuza was a witch who was exposed for practicing the devil’s magic.
The townsfolk weren’t happy with that so they murdered her.
To enact her revenge, she came back as a shapeshifter who can appear as an ordinary witch during the day and then as a huge bird with a woman’s face at night.
“Lechuza” means “owl” in English.
Some describe the creature as large as 7 feet tall with a 15-foot wingspan and the face of an old woman.
While others describe it as a small bird with the face of an old woman.
She disguises her voice like a baby’s and will cry outside your door, waiting to pounce on you and swoop you away forever.
She might even whistle or screech annoyingly outside your window until you’re so irritated that you’ll open your window.
If you open the door, she will swoop you up and take you away.
If you don't, you're safe.
Finding scratch marks or personal belongings on your doorway may be the signs that La Lechuza will come visit you tonight.
Beware!
Legend has it that if you try to shoot her to kill her, you’ll end up dead instead.
Be wary of attacking her.
She is vengeful.
Various methods are claimed to protect against the Lechuza: tying seven knots in a rope and hanging it by the front door,
throwing salt and chili powder into the bird’s face, shooting the bird, or reciting the Magnificat, a Christian prayer to the Virgin Mary.
According to other legends, salt can protect against it, and many put salt on their windows at night for protection.
If you see it, you should also cuss her out to drive it away, but other versions of the legend say this may make it more mad, so be wary of this one.
Tying a rope of 7 knots and hanging it on your door will also protect you, since it is a sign of acknowledgement and respect toward the Lechuza.
Some say praying can also save you, specifically the Magnifica (Magnificat), a prayer from the gospel of Saint Luke, but it must be recited in Spanish and then also backwards.
If you dream of her, that might mean someone in your family will die.
If you see her and do not die, then her presence is that of a bad omen- Just by seeing her often indicates something more sinister or dangerous to come, like a deadly hurricane or tornado.
Lechuzas have the power to control the weather.
It is common to be told, “do not whistle three times at midnight” for it is an invitation for the Lechuza. It is said the Lechuza has swooped down on cars and can travel at the same speed.
The wariness of owls can be traced back to the bible, and even before that, in Aztec and Mayan culture.
Fear of owls is also seen in China and ancient Greek and Rome. There are various bible passages referring to owls as something dark and to be rejected by God.
In China, the owl is an omen of disaster.
In ancient Egypt, they were a symbol of death, the night and cold.
In Argentina, stories of Cachiru, a malignant mythical owl that steals the soul of men at death and turns them into ghosts.
In Teotihuacan (pre colonization Mexico city area) , the owl was associated with the God of rain,
and a bad omen and they were also associated with Mometzcopinqui, which are women born on the date of “Ce-Ehecatl” or “one-rain”,
which caused them to develop supernatural abilities).
They are said to have the ability to remove their limbs and replace them with bird (turkeys or owls) legs,
wings and sometimes beaks and this lets them fly. They were said to feed on the blood of babies.
This is possibly where the myth of witches feeding on newborn blood came from after colonization.
In Pre-Incan civilizations in what we know now as Peru, they were associated with death and sacrifice.
In Mayan culture, the owl was associated with Xibabla (the underworld) and was known as a messenger of death.
What an owl symbolizes:
Owls symbolize inner wisdom, change, transformation, intuitive development, good luck, and self-actualization.
Many Native American tribes believe Owl is the spirit of a deceased ancestor or other spirit.
In Japan and China, owls symbolize good fortune and protection.
In Ancient Egypt, owls were regarded as the gatekeepers of the underworld, helping protect the souls of those who unintentionally strayed into this land. They were seen as auspicious symbols of courage, higher assistance, and supernatural wisdom.
In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, the owl was revered as a symbol of the goddess Athena or Diana and protector of the city of Athens, which is named for Athena. It also represents the soul.
In Judaism, the owl is revealed as an unclean bird and used in stories to express desolation.
Owls and their Color; Meanings:
Black owls are not only symbols of spiritual protection, but they're also symbols of the subconscious mind.
White owls are true drivers of change and transformation. They're the visionaries of the animal kingdom and symbolize a deep connection with our higher selves and are desiring cosmic change. Whenever you see a white owl, it's tradition to make a wish.
Grey owls represent the yin and yang of life, the idea that even when we can't see the full path ahead, we're being asked to trust the steps in front of us. Grey owls encourage bigger-picture thinking and help release us from the talons of perfectionism and non-action. Small steps forward are better than no steps.
More Owl Beliefs:
Owls can be symbolic of death and change, and sometimes people may see one before someone passes.
Sometimes it's a message from the other realm- letting the person know their loved one is okay.
Owls are true messengers of the spiritual realm; They can appear as a symbol during challenging times as a guide. Unlike any other animal symbol, they relay truth, understanding, patience, and wisdom to us when we need it most. This is especially true during or after times of upheaval and distress.
Seeing an owl may be a sign that it's time to make a decision or take a leap in a specific direction.
They represent the cataclysmic fall and destructive phases of our life, but rather beautifully, they show us how these 'downfalls' are really just better beginnings.
An owl is a creature of the night; it knows secrets and can pick up on information with its intuition, they fly into our lives to help us tap into our intuition and inspire us to make decisions based on our internal guidance system rather than someone else's.
Seeing owls everywhere is a sure sign spirit or the Universe is communicating with you.
When you see owls everywhere or they recur in your dreams repeatedly, pay attention. Our spirit guides are sending messages, and they'll keep sending you signs.
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