The Legend of the Guardians

The Owls of Ga'Hoole

A review of this mystical book series for children and youth

by Berit Kjos

October 26, 2010
 

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The owl as a symbol: "Cherokee shamans viewed Eastern Screech-Owls as consultants on punishment and sickness. The Cree believed that the whistle-sounds of the Boreal Owl was a summoning call to the spirit world.... In Africa the owl is associated with witchcraft and sorcery. Australia, China, Greenland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia and Sweden all have cultures or mythical traditions that give spiritual significance to the owl."[1] Carl Teichrib, "The Wise Old Owl"

"There shall not be found among you anyone who... practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead...." Deuteronomy 18:10-11

Resources to aid your Understanding

 

 

Halloween comes and goes, but the Ga'Hoole owls -- with their legends, divination, ghosts, and "hagsfiends" -- call for an all-year warning. These guardians fit right into the world's history of pagan myths and mystical "seers," and their adventures make their occult suggestions all the more alluring to young readers.

Like our world's mythical tales, the owls' treasured 'legends' involve spiritism, magic, murder, and hope-filled illusions. And like today's 'New Spirituality,' their beliefs are twisted into enticing heresies that match 'human' cravings and mock God's truths.

Since this book series is full of references to "Glaux" (the name of their god), some readers may even equate these "noble" tales with Christian parables. Without faith in God's Word and knowledge of His warnings, few are prepared to discern the deceptions. Enticed by the dark, scary thrills, many will gladly accept the lies.

A glimpse of the storyline

Soren, a newly hatched Barn Owl, would soon face plenty of challenges to his faith, life, and liberty. Even before he could fly, he was pushed from his nest by his older brother, Kludd, who planned to kill him as part of a ritual requirement for initiation into the league of the "Pure Ones." Soren survived the fall, but was quickly abducted by cruel strangers skilled in mind-dulling brainwashing ("moon blinking") of fledgling owls.

Soren and his best friend escaped and eventually found their way to the great Ga'Hoole tree and its enlightened community of owls. But foes like Kludd and his mate, Nyra, continue to shatter their peace. Kludd's gifted son Nyroc (who changes his name to Coryn) escapes his parents and the murderous Pure Ones. His exceptional psychic powers lead to amazing victories for the Ga'Hoole community.

Meanwhile, the captivated reader becomes more and more familiar with the dark forces behind those mystical triumphs. Evil seems increasingly normal, while God's timeless warnings are dismissed as old-fashioned and intolerant:     

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness.... Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21

It's easy for readers to identify with these fictional owls. Their values, rituals and relationships fit right into the multicultural training in American schools today. In today's post-Christian world, God's unchanging Truth has been twisted into enticing deviations that reflect both our changing times and our human inclinations. No doubt Scholastic, the U.S. publisher of the Harry Potter books as well as The Guardians of Ga'Hoole, had something to do with the "timely" message of the books.

The quotes below show the spiritual alternatives to our God-given guidelines:

Glaux (god)

Scrooms (Ghosts and spirits)

Hagsfiend (devilish spirits of the dead)

Psychic Power

Starsight (Visions and Divination)

Mystical Trance

Flame Reading, a form of divination.

Note: The popular Disney movie, Pocahontas, illustrated this "fire sight" well. Its natives cared for the land and communed with its spirits. Kekata, the tribal shaman, provided spiritual protection as well as guidance. The ghostly visions and images shown in his magic fire warned the tribe to shun the "white" newcomers who "prowl the earth like ravenous wolves."

Ritual sacrifice

Ritual book burning

Glaumora (Heaven), hagsmire (hell) spirit trails, and reincarnation

Belief and Redemption (Faith, and Positive Thinking)

Owl science versus occult manifestations


The world of the occult is no playground for our children -- not even in their imagination. From the beginning of recorded history, human minds have been drawn to the thrills and powers of dark forces and mystical manifestations. Though God warned His people to shun such evil, few seemed to heed His Word:

"...the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5

 

"...they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart..." Jeremiah 11:8

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh [human nature] will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:7-8
 

"...the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desire... they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things..." 2 Timothy 4:2-5

 

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..." 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

Those who do take a stand for Truth in the years ahead will probably face hostility. The following chart may help your child give wise answers:

Accusation

When People say...

remember God's truth

Intolerant

"You should be more tolerant of different beliefs and lifestyles."

Eph. 5:3-11, 15-17

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness...."

Arrogant

"You believe your religion is better than ours."

John 14:6. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me."

Narrow-minded

"You're not open to other spiritual traditions."

Deut. 4:39.  "...the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."

Ignorant

"You don't understand the need for multicultural unity and understanding."

2 Tim. 4:3-4.  "They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

Old-fashioned

"Your religion doesn't work any more."

Hebrews 13:8.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies."

Psalm 18:1-3


Article Provided by Berit Kjos

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