House Wren
Believed to have great magical power, the wren was considered a magus avium, “sorcerer bird.” 168 A wren feather was believed to be powerful enough to be used as an amulet to protect against magic spells. This bird’s feathers were also used as charms against shipwrecks on the Isle of Man, where it was believed that a sea sprite could conjure storms and then fly away as a wren.
The wren was closely associated with the Druids and said to be used for divination. The Welsh word dryw means both “wren” and “druid.” 169 This association may have made the bird a target for a practice in the British Isles and parts of France called the Hunting of the Wren. It was considered unlucky to kill a wren except between Yule and New Year’s Day. Later the hunt was centered on December 26 and said to rid the world of evil forces because the wren was thought to have a drop of the devil’s blood in its veins. Killing this Druid bird was symbolic of ousting Pagan beliefs and practices. Also in the early Christian times of Ireland, wrens were believed to be witches. Although killing a wren for this annual hunt became illegal, the tradition continued with a token object in place of the bird.
It wasn’t only the Druids who believed in the wren’s oracular powers; in Rome this bird was said to have predicted the murder of Julius Caesar. As an omen, it was considered unlucky to see a wren at a wedding in Greece. A tale attributed to the Greek writer Aesop (620–564 BCE) tells how the wren outwitted the eagle to become the king of birds. A great avian assembly decided that the one who could fly highest would be their sovereign. From the get-go, the eagle looked like a sure winner until at the height of his flight, a tiny wren that had hidden in the eagle’s feathers popped out and climbed higher in the sky.
Another legend about the wren, which is included in the entry on robin, concerns the symbolism of the wren and the robin representing the holly king and oak king, respectively. Unlike that tale of struggle, other folklore portrayed these two birds as mates: the female Jenny Wren to the male Robin Redbreast.
The wren’s species name, aedon, is derived from the Greek words for “nightingale” and “songstress.” 170 Songstress is an appropriate name since the wren sings all year rather than only during the mating season as most birds do. Wrens also sing their trilling melodies in duets and tend to be very loud at dawn. They are most often heard and not seen even though they live in close proximity to people.
Magical Workings
A renowned bird of magic, wren can help us explore and find our powers. Call on it for aid in developing magical and divination skills. When seeking interpretation of messages received through prophecy or any type of omen, hold an image of wren between your hands and let it speak through your intuition. Also do this before a divination session for aid in activating and opening the channels of communication. In addition, wren is instrumental in connecting with spirits.
This small creature shows us that no matter our beginnings, we can overcome our fears and achieve monumental things. Wren shows us that adaptability, resourcefulness, and endurance are key to attaining our goals as long as we remain grounded and true to our values. Honor it at Yule and especially on December 26 by placing its image or a figurine on your altar along with a sprig of holly.
Make Connection
To connect with wren energy, dress in colors appropriate to a park, woods, or other landscape near you. If possible, choose a place with tangled bushes or vines—places that wrens prefer—and sit nearby. Close your eyes and visualize this tiny bird sitting close by in the bushes. When the image becomes clear in your mind’s eye, whisper three times: “Magus avium, sorcerer bird; Hidden from view and only heard. From you there is much to learn; I hope your trust, I will earn.” Wren may choose to respond in your visualization or later in a dream.
Associations
Element(s): Air, earth, fire
Sabbat(s): Litha, Yule
Gods: Jupiter, Saturn, Taliesin, Thor
Trees: Holly, oak
Solar system: Saturn, Sun
Ogham: Duir
Bird Identification
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Size: 4½ to 5 inches
Wingspan: 6 to 6½ inches
Comparative size: Sparrow
Description: Small head, short neck, and plump body gives the appearance of a ball of feathers; long, curved beak; short wings; short tail usually held cocked; brown all over with dark patterning; paler brown underneath; pale eyebrow
Range: From British Columbia across Canada to New Brunswick, throughout the United States, Mexico, and Central and South Americas
Habitat: Open forests, farmland, residential areas, and city parks; especially in tangled bushes, thickets, and hedgerows
Eggs: White with brown marks
Collective noun(s): A chime of wrens