The osprey occupies freshwater and marine habitats where there is adequate food in nearby fishing grounds. Some species feed on flamingos, but most feed on fish.Ospreys nest in trees, on cliffs and occasionally on the ground. They can also nest in colonies, but food has to be especially rich for this to occur. Their nests are built of sticks and grasses, and have a clear view of fishing grounds. These nests can become massive and have been used as navigational guides for fishing boats in the past. Ospreys have also used artificial towers as nesting sites.The osprey's scientific name Pandion, is linked with a king of Athens in Greek mythology. It is thought however that the name is poorly attributed, and that osprey is better associated with Tereus, the man who was transformed into a raptor.
In Bolivia, hunters there believe that if they implant osprey bones under their skin, they will become successful, efficient hunters like the osprey itself.
Please remember that if this animal is contacting you, it will often be the best resource for teaching you what its lessons are. The osprey is connected to all aspects of solar worship. And can come into one's life to emphasise the value and healing properties of the sun, and to help those who practice mystically or spiritually to facilitate sun-god communion.
- An osprey doesn't wait for the fish to jump out of the water to meet him, instead he splashes in headfirst into an element that he could not survive within. He even places his head under the water - unlike sea-eagles. He teaches us how to plunder our resources and the necessity to move outside of our comfort zones in order to do this. Osprey teaches us to take risks, and to not be frightened of grasping opportunities just because they seem like they're out of our reach.
- An appearance of osprey in your life can indicate an appearance of the spirit in the form of the Beacon, coming to guide you back to a place of safety or security, or to a feeling of grounded-ness.
- In terms of working on an energy or elemental level, osprey energy can be called upon when working with the elements of water and wind.
- Osprey tells us that what is right in front of us, is enough, and that we must overcome 'grass is greener' syndrome and constantly wonder 'what if?' about how much better things are on the other side of our horizons.
- We must learn to respect others and their boundaries. Osprey comes into our lives to specifically teach us that those we want to treat with disdain or contempt, should be treated with respect regardless of how we feel. We might be drawn to fierce personalities, and then clash with them, osprey energy teaches us that we are able to maintain our integrity but taking a step back and practicing respect.
- Ospreys come into our life to teach us how to hone our senses, on both a physical and spiritual level. We might have become lazy with meditation, or with a physical endeavour we used to enjoy. We might have let our brains, bodies and spirits become sluggish. Osprey claws us back into shape, so that we learn that we nourish ourselves when we're honed.
- Sometimes opportunity sticks around for a while, but most of the time it doesn't. Osprey teaches us precise timing, and if osprey has come into your life, you are either able to spot opportunities and seize them as soon as they're noticed, or you are learning this trait.
