Look!! Up in the sky....!!

.... Look At The Birdie !! ....

(Little informational-type morsel to pass along to you .... the word "auspice", which means omen or prognostication, is derived from the Latin word that means "observer of birds" .... )

As in other methods of divination, discrimination and good judgement are necessary in intrepreting the portents revealed ... and it is seldom that a single omen will draw out all conclusions without reference to other circumstances. This method was favored among the ancient Romans ...

Birds on a flight-path from the left hand side to the right hand side, crossing the path of the observer, is considered fortunate -- while flying from the right to the left is unfortunate.

Birds seen to the left - wether they be in flight or perched, in particular dark birds - are an ill-lucked omen. A "fortunate" bird on the left considerabley lessens the good which it promises. *Whereas* birds on the right is a fortunate sign - an ill-lucked bird seen on this side means their omen is tempered somewhat.

Birds in flight that appears to head straight towards the observer is thought that they bring good luck with them -- *But* if they are flying away from the person, they will take good fortune away with them.

A songbird singing or uttering a cry while in flight is perceived as a good omen; *but* for a bird of prey (or a dark plumed bird i.e. raven or crow) to be heard croaking or screaming while in flight, _*unless*_ it happens to be near it's nest at the time, is considered an unfortunate sign.

Bird(s) suddenly changing their flight direction is to be taken as a warning that one should be on guard against an enemy's sudden attack..

Bird(s) of prey hovering while on wing warns that treachery is to be feared resulting in a sudden and "going for below the belt" attack.

Height of a bird(s)' flight is taken in consideration to judge its effect on the force of the omen -- the greater the height, the more favorable indication.
"'For instance a single raven is universally regarded as a bird of ill-fate ... but if a raven is observed to fly towrads the right, past the observer, then the evil it brings in its wake is considerably lessened and be reduced more so still if the bird is flying high. On the other hand if the raven is flying towards the left or away fromthe observer and is skimming the surface of the ground and croaking as it goes....well....not a good indication at all.'"
"'Similarly though...swallows are considered to be very lucky birds and a swallow perching of flying to the right can be regarded with a smile especially if (in the latter instance) high in the heavens. But if it is flying to the left or away from the person, or skimming the surface of the ground... only slight good luck is preseen.'"*¹

Omens Assigned To Certain Birds

Bird
Omen
Bird
Omen

Buzzard Warns to beware of danger caused by hidden enemies and those who have a predatory nature Cock (Rooster) For a girl to hear one crowing while thinking of her sweetheart is a good luck omen. *Whereas* if a prospective bride or bridegroom hear one crowing on their wedding-day, it is thought to portend strife, bickering, and unhappiness in the wedded state. To encounter a white cock is not a lucky sign -- trouble lies in store for the inhabitant of any house it approaches slowly

Crow; Jackdaw; Rook Dark-plumed birds have always been regarded to be held of evil portent...and these are no exception to this tradition. One or more on the left hand side is thought to be a definite omen of misfortune and stresses Cuckoo Unseen but yet heard the call of this bird on the right is regarded as an omen of incoming prosperity. If the bird is heard on the left, the good fortune is somewhat reduced

Dove Once the emblem of Venus - godess of love - and thus a favorite bird with lovers, since it thought to mean love, happiness, as well as a joyous married life Duck To hear one quacking is said to be indicative of prosperity ... to see this bird flying is a good sign also, in particular for those who are in trouble or unhappy

Eagle Among the ancients the eagle was a very important bird - symbolising the power of Jupiter who is often depicted with this bird accompanying him, so thusly considered a very favorable sign Falcon; Kestrel Like most birds of prey, considered unlucky -- threatening a sudden upheavel falling into one's lap per se. If seen or heard on the left , it is even more unlucky

Goose Due to this bird's connection with the ancient Romans, the cackling of the geese have been regarded as warnings of the approach of secret enemies, anyone who hears them should exercise caution for a few days following Gulls A traveller seeing sea-gull(s) settle on any part of a ship that they are travelling or about to travel, then person can expect a happy journey.. *But* to be brushed by a gull's wings while in flight -- or the gull flaps the wings in a person's face -- is is thought to refer to a death of someone close (i.e. a friend)

Hawk Sighting of a hawk should be regarded for the observer to be on guard againt those who are more powerful. If the bird is seen hovering on the left hand side -- or worse still, directly overhead -- the omen is dramatically increased in threats from cruel and power-grasping people Hen To hear one crow -- instead of the usual cackling sounds -- is a warning of personal illness

Kingfisher Seeing one is an omen threatening scandal and gossip resulting in public embarrasment Kite Warns of robbery, extortion, and financial losses for the person who encounters it

Magpie A solitary one, especially on the left, is said to presage death. To encounter two of these birds though is a very lucky sign and good fortune should be with you within 3 days time. Here is an old rhyme attributed to these birds :
One's sorrow, two's mirth,
Three's a wedding, four's a birth,
Five's a christening, six is death,
Seven's heaven, eight is hell,
And nine's the devil his ane sel.
Some believe the omen carried by a single magpie can be rendered powerless by spitting over the left shoulder three times immediately Owl To hear an owl hoot 3 times in succession is a sign of very bad luck (some even say death of someone close-by). An owl hooting around houses is said to mean an unmarried owman lost her virginity. To kill and owl or any nightbird is also considered unlucky

Peacock This bird is commonly associated to the godess Juno, queen of the heavens. To meet with one is a happy omen, to have it spread his tail for you is a promise of happiness and proserity. On the other h and, it is considered unlucky (especially by actors) to have a peacock feather inside as it is considered to be a representative of the evil eye Pigeon A white pigeon seen flying about a house is an omen of an engagment or marriage for one of the inhabitants in the near future

Quail Wether seen or heard on the right or the left, this is a fortunate omen Raven Not a fortunate bird... to see one on the right may be regarded somewhat auspisciously, but not if the bird is flying left ot right across the path of the observer. If the bird is flying away on the left, bad news is coming. This bird is closely associated with omens of death. There is also the belief that when ravens desert the countrysides and seetle in the neighborhoods of a town, that pestilence and famine lie in store

Robin To see one near a house or in a garden is a sign of good fortune to those who dwell inside Sparrow generally an unfortunate omen, but oddly enough a bird that favors lovers

Stork A very lucky bird. In certain countries the stork is considered to be a somewhat sacred bird due to the story that when Christ was crucified, this bird flew around venting cries of distress. The stork is sometimes encouraged to nest on house-tops with folks placing boxes to help form a foundation for the bird's nest Swallow Considered to be one of the most fortunate omens, it's the "symbol" of spring and regeneration - to see a swallow in early springtime before they have become abundant is a very fortunate omen. If one builds a nest in one of the eaves of a house, success and good luck are promised to all that inhabit. To kil a swallow, especially one that has nested in your house's eaves, may portend calamity for all concerned

Vulture To encounter one, though not likely outside of warm climates, is thought to foretell death of an acquaintance or friend. If more than one of these are seen together indicates the number of days that will lapse before it is fulfilled Wagtail To come across one is a lucky sign, especially if hte little bird is walking towards you from the left

Woodpecker Another fortunate bird; to encounter one is an omen of success - perhaps as a result of patient effort Wren Sighting of this bird is a promise of good luck; but to harm or frighten one in any way (or to take its eggs or young from the nest) is sure to bring calamity of some sort

This page opened up into a separate window, so just click it close and you will see the Divination Table Links once more. Thanks.

Bibliography:
*¹The Complete Book of Fortune; Anonymous; Bracken Books
Past Present Future; Peter Brent; Bobbs-Merrill Co. Inc.
Encyclopedia Of Fortune-Telling; Francis X. King; Gallery Books

© Carol aka Secretive 1996

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