When I moved back to Atlanta, I wanted to live in a loft. The only problem was that lofts are generally in the middle of the hustle and bustle of city. After these past years of living in remote places, access to nature and quiet were important requirements of my new living space. When the time came to get my own place (after much kindness of friends and family putting me up!) I perused Craigslist and drove through neighborhoods that were appealing.
After looking at several places, an apartment in a small tri-plex showed up. It was well situated but quite small and restrictive feeling with less than perfect Feng Shui. I was concerned that once the lease was signed, I would be trapped. But, not finding anything better that was affordable, lease negotiations began.
My intuition kept nudging me over the next two days (took me a while to listen) to look at Craigslist again. Finally I did, and this time an intriguing listing for a studio, that, it turned out was only posted for 1 day, appeared. I called immediately and set up an appointment to look at the space.
At the appointed time, after driving back and forth on the street, finally found the driveway. Pulling into the narrow drive I discovered a magical place. Going through ancient forest and over a creek, at the end of the drive, the parking area abutted an Asian style artist’s compound. Sculpture dotted the forest in front. A brick wall with wrought iron gates, surrounded the buildings, creating a very private courtyard. At the back of the courtyard was a large building that had been designed as an artist’s classroom and studio. Aligned perfectly north-south, upon entering the south facing front door, an 18 foot expanse of north facing window opened onto a nature preserve of trees and field. I fell in love.
Unfortunately, the next day the landlord called and said that he was honoring an existing contract on the studio. I asked him to please call me should it fall through again Meanwhile I decided to accept the contract on the apartment in the triplex. A nagging doubt in the pit of my stomach kept me from finalizing the contract. I dragged and dragged my feet. Finally, late on the final possible day of postponement, I decided that the universe would not have dangled the studio in front of my nose if it didn’t have somewhere equally good or better in mind. I decided I wouldn’t settle for the triplex. The next morning the phone rang and I received the call letting me know that I could have the magical property.
The property was not without its challenges so I continued to debate and second guess my decision. It would need alot of work to make the place habitable… I determined to visit one more time. As my friend and I drove up to the property we saw an owl sitting on the corner of the garage. We sat in the car watching quietly, waiting for it to fly away. It didn’t leave, so finally we got out of the car and walked in to the studio. As we approached the owl flew between us and the studio, to make sure we saw it, and then around back and into the woods. We opened the front door and entered. There, on the fence outside the rear windows, was the owl! (Pictured above). It stayed with us the entire time we were there. We measured the windows, sat and talked about curtains, rug and decorating. The owl’s eyes and head tracked with us the entire time. When we left and walked out to the car, the owl flew out to a tree branch above the car and watched as we drove away.
In many cultures owls are considered symbols of wisdom, intuition and insight. They have the ability to discern truth even through the darkness. I only hope that some of this wisdom will rub off on me while I live in this owl’s domain.