La Lechuza: A Legend I Grew Up With

I am sure that most of you have heard of the legend of La Llorona which is now more popular due to the mass publicity of the box office movie. But as you know that is only one of the many legends of Mexico.

What I want to know is have you ever heard of La Lechuza?

See I grew up in El Paso, TX and my family is actually from Meoqui, Chihuahua, Mexico. So, I grew up hearing the many legends of Mexico. One that is a big deal is of La Lechuza. Many in my family have claimed to have heard or seen her. But before I go any further I want to explain who or what she is and where she came from.

“Who or What is La Lechuza?”

First off let me help those who don’t know Spanish. La Lechuza translates to “The Barn Owl”. In folklore from Mexico and parts of South and West Texas, she is a witch that can turn into a huge owl. In the daylight, La Lechuza walks among us as a normal woman, but at night she can shapeshift into a terrifying giant owl that flies, attacks those she dislikes or wants to eat, and warns of tragedy.

As the legend goes, those who are blessed with her presence in creature form will see her as a huge, black owl glaring at them from above with a predatory gaze. One unique feature that also separates her from ordinary birds is that she has the head of an old woman, that is twisted and decaying. Also, she is not one but many. What I mean is there are many of them. Like there are covens of witches there are flocks of Lechuza’s. Which makes this legend so terrifying because it states in the legend that they may hunt in packs.

“Where does this Witch come from?”

This legend is so old that there is no solid origin. This legend has been around since before the time of the conquistadors and the like. Some even claim that it can go as far back as biblical times. So, origin is hard to pinpoint exactly. But there are too many that believe and have claimed to see this witch to just shrug it off as just a campfire story.

One of the more common origin stories state that Lechuzas sold their souls to the devil for magical powers. Another common tale is that these women were accused long ago for practicing witchcraft by people in their village and were later killed for it. And at their death they swore to get revenge on those who harmed them including anyone who dared get in their way.

Some even believe that these are women that may have been murdered by their lovers and are here only to seek revenge on those who have done them wrong in any way. Some say that they are just a type of sorceress that is at an expert level of Magik in the dark arts

“Humans are Food…”

As if their appearance isn’t terrifying enough, but legend tells us that these witches eat humans. Yes, you heard me right these witches will eat you if you are not careful. It is how they survive. Unlike normal creatures that eat flesh these witches survive on the flesh of humans as well as their souls. The flesh sustains them, and the soul keeps them immortal. If any of you know anything of witchcraft then you know when you advance into the world of Magik and immortality in the dark arts, then this would be a requirement.

Though there are not that many that have advanced to this state and stand before us as proof, but there are documents that are not readily available for us to inspect that indicate such requirements. In other forms of witchcraft, a type of immortality can be acquired with rituals that require the sacrifice of an animal or a human. So, as you can see there may be some truth to the soul sustaining their immortality.

It is said that Lechuzas can lure you out of your home with the right noises. A Lechuza’s talons are so large that they can take a full-grown man off the ground in midflight. Some have even reported a Lechuza capable of picking up a car and trying to carry it away. It is said that if they are hungry enough the there is no limit to what they might do to feed.

“They have the power to control electricity…”

That is right folks recently reported sightings have claimed that this Witch has the power to drain the battery of a car, my guess is to make her victims more vulnerable and easier to catch. Legend tells us that their power involves the ability to control thunder and lightning. So, I do believe that this is a strong possibility.

“Maybe They Bring Justice?...”

I know awkward, right? Well I have heard that on a positive note it is said that she only attacks those who have done terrible things to women or those who have hate in their hearts.

If you see a Lechuza and she does not attack you, then she is there as a sign that something bad is going to happen to someone close or any loved one. But those who have had encounters with this Witch never really get to live long after seeing her.

“How can you tell when she is near?...”

There are tell tale signs that a Lechuza is near so staying alert maybe a good idea as well as hiding. For when the signs are clear that she is near you or a loved one may be in danger. Her cry is the most common sign but beware that there are signs to look for when this witch is around.

“Have you ever noticed a strange pattern of storms?”

This is where the legend states connection to electricity. Some Oracles of the past say that these Witches have the ability to cause thunderstorms by just willing them. Now this I believe, because in my experience, I have come to know that there is a whole section on storm magic in the realm of witchcraft, whether it be White or Black magic.

Some stories that come from Texas, state that if you notice a weird pattern of storms, it’s a fifty-fifty chance that there is a Lechuza nearby. No one really knows why they favor the magic of storms, but my guess is that energy is the base of all magic, and since storms carry so much energy, it makes sense why they would prefer storms as their energy source. Since they are known for their greed for magical powers there may be some truth here.

“So, you’ve seen the shadow of a large bird…”

Most sightings have indicated that seeing the shadow of an unusually large bird means you maybe in the presence of La Lechuza. Reports have said that she appears as a huge owl the size of a human. Even though other sightings report her as having a contorted face of an old woman. I can see there being some truth in this because it could easily be another tactic of hers to lure one in, by not looking as threatening as she would in her twisted human-bird face.

So, if you love owls and you happen to see a human size one, be careful! It may not even be a bird at all.

“Are you the kind of person that likes to sit outside at night and listen to songs of the night?...”

So, then you know birds do not sing at night. Right? Well if you ever hear bird songs at night then it is likely that La Lechuza is somewhere close. An omen of the distant past warns us of this, and we must take heed. I know I would.

“When she calls to you…”

The fear of her presence is not the only thing people fear from this witch; it is also her cry. As the legend states when she cries out to you it is the sign that a loved one will die or…… you are next on the menu.

“Do you hike in the woods often?...”

La Lechuza does not screech like a hawk or eagle. She does not even hoot like an owl. No, this owl witch can conjure up a variety of whistles in many different combinations just to get your attention. The most distinctive and common combination can be heard in sets of three.

“The cries of an infant child are not always what they seem……”

After all that we have just learned about this witch it seems there is more. As you may know these witches can be very crafty. And since they look like one of us during the day they know that humans can not resist the urge to save a helpless child. To single out humans and lure them to a place where it would be easier to catch them, La Lechuza will hide and mimic the sounds of a baby, or any innocent creature.

Sometimes they will hide in the treetops and mimic the sounds of a stuck kitty. Other times it will bark like a small puppy. I would suggest that you take caution when you are out in the wilderness and hear such sounds. If you cannot resist the urge to check it out and help; at least be careful and be alert.

“Protect yourself if you fear La Lechuza is after you…”

Now I know La Lechuza is a very dangerous creature and one should definitely take heed. La Lechuza is assailable, and there are ways you can protect your self from this terrifying creature of the night. Not many live to speak on behalf of their experiences and those who have die in a span of days after encountering this Witch; in mysterious ways might I add.

So, if you feel you may need to protect your self here are some ways to do so:

1. SALT. Lining your home with salt is said to keep her away. But if you haven’t heard by now for some reason salt is globally known as a material that wards off evil. This is said to also work for La Lechuza.

2. CURSING IT OUT. Yup I know it sounds crazy but apparently they do not like vulgar language and will leave you be if you go bananas cursing at it. This is in the stories that some in my family reported amongst others all-around Mexico and parts of Texas.

3. NO WEAPONS PLEASE. Apparently if you use a weapon against La Lechuza it will not affect her, and in some way reverse the impact on to you, and you will die. I assume this is some form of magic she uses for protection.

4. IGNORE HER CRY AND TAKE HEED TO HER SHADOW. If you hear her cry and you know something is not right, follow your gut, do not submit to your curiosity. If you see the shadow of a bird the size of a human, stay inside or don’t go out at night. Beware of the signs and stay safe.

5. DON’T LOOK HER IN THE EYES. She will steal your soul if you look her straight in the eyes. And with your soul she will have the ability to shapeshift into the likes of you.

Stay safe and take heed too all. Remember the signs and protect yourselves. Happy Holloween!