I write this post as I am surrounded by the chattering calls of the local magpies, perhaps edging me on to finally continue this series. And why not begin again with the charming corvid known as a magpie! The magpie is a popular bird with much folklore and superstition about it. It can be seen as lucky, unlucky or somewhere in-between depending on the culture it’s from and even the number of magpies sighted.
Note: My personal experience with magpies is from the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica). Some birds that are named ‘magpie’ are not actually corvids, including the Australian magpie. For this post, I am referring to Pica pica, but other species under the Pica genus can also be included, such as the American magpie.
So what does the magpie represent? The iconic black and white magpie is a very common bird that can be seen in most parts of the world. This post will talk about some of the folklore and meanings behind this bird, and how it can help you in your spiritual journey.
Natural History
Magpies are members of the Corvidae family meaning that they are related to crows, ravens and jays. Along with their relatives, magpies are very intelligent birds and are believed to be one of the most intelligent of all non-human animals. A magpies brain is the same in relative size to it’s body as humans and great apes. It is also the only bird known to pass the mirror test.
Magpies are medium-sized birds growing up to 18 inches in length, with a wingspan of up to 24 inches. The head, neck and breast are a glossy black with a metallic green and violet sheen, the belly and scapulars are white and the wings are a wonderful iridescent green-purple with white markings on the primaries. Both sexes are identical but females are smaller. Magpies live for an average of 2 1/2 years.
Magpies live all over the world, with the Eurasian magpie extending across temperate Europe. They prefer open countryside with scattered trees and can also be sighted in suburban parks and gardens. Unlike many birds, magpies do not usually migrate, though some species living in Sweden, Finland and Russia will move south during harsh weather.
Magpies are monogamous and will often stay with the same mate throughout their life. They mate in spring, where males will perform a courtship display to any interested females. Magpie nests are large, made from sticks cemented together with earth and clay, with a lining created from prickly branches. Clutches are an average of 5-6 eggs and are laid around April where they will be incubated by the female for 21-22 days.
Magpies are omnivorous and will eat grains, acorns, carrion, insects, small mammals and birds. Because of this, they are often seen regarded pests on farmland and rural areas due to eating crops.
Magpies have been seen engaging in elaborate social rituals, including what appears to be funerals. They have also been known to able to use simple tools, have an exceptional memory, and have the ability to predict behaviour in other magpies. They are also ableto imitate human voices and other birds, recognise other magpie and human faces, and use tools to clean their own cages. In the wild, they will sometimes organise themselves into gangs and use complex strategies to hunt other birds and defend themselves against predators.
Magpies in Folklore
Superstition has surrounded the magpie for centuries, especially in Europe. They have been unfairly demonized to the point where the Victorians hunted them indiscriminately and almost to extinction. A lot of this demonizing comes from Christianity, where the bird was said to be evil and aligned with the devil, even to the point that it was believed that magpies carry a drop of the devil’s blood in their tongues. Apparently, if you were to cut to tongue of a magpie to release this blood, the magpie would then be capable of human speech. The magpie is also said to be the only bird that would not enter, or was not allowed on the Ark and was also the only bird that refused to wear full mourning at the Crucifixion.
It is likely that because magpies feast on carrion, they became associated with death much like crows and ravens. It would have been quite common to see magpies picking at corpses found on battle fields and gallows. Because magpies eat the chicks of many other birds, especially songbirds, they are regarded as ‘evil’ by those who choose to project human morality onto them.
Magpies are by nature, very inquisitive and mischievous birds. They gained a reputable as a thief of shiny objects, and this phrase is still used today. In reality, magpies are just curious and will pick up anything it can carry, shiny or not.
Magpie Folklore in Britain
The magpie represents the bearer of both good and bad luck depending on how many are sighted. Most people who grew up in Britain are likely familiar with this rhyme;
“One for sorrow, Two for mirth
Three for a funeral, Four for birth,
Five for Heaven, Six for Hell
Seven for the devil, his own self.”
An alternative version of this rhyme goes:
‘One for sorrow, two for joy,
three for a girl, four for a boy,
five for silver, six for gold
and seven for a secret never to be told’
Another common superstition in Britain is that whenever you spot a magpie, you should greet it or salute to it. Failure to do this is believed to bring you misfortune. I admit I still do this to this day! It could be that the bad luck associated with seeing a single magpie is because magpies usually mate for life, implying this magpie is perhaps lonely or bitter at its lack of a mate and waiting to inconvenience someone!
A magpie flying or vocalising around your house or sitting alone symbolises that a misfortune has happened. If a flock of magpies suddenly abandon an area, this means that death is present and there are hard times ahead.
A single magpie seen near the window of a house is a sign that a death is about to happen. If you were to see a magpie when starting a journey, the journey will be hazardous and would best be rearranged. If a magpie is seen on the way to a church, it signifies that death is around you and you should cross yourself to ward away the evil energy whilst saying ‘Devil, Devil, I defy thee’.
In Ireland, magpies were seen as the souls of evil and gossiping women. In Yorkshire, magpies were associated with witchcraft and it is advised to make the sign of a cross to ward off evil spirits. In Somerset, carrying an onion will protect you from the magpies’ bad luck.
Three magpies together will predict a fire. If a fisherman sees a magpie first thing in the morning, he won’t catch any fish that day. And after all this, a positive one – seeing a magpie perched on the roof of a house is regarded as a good sign and that the house is sturdy and will not fall down.
It is obvious that much of the negativity associated with magpies comes from Christianity and also their association with death. They are also seen as a witches’ animal, carrying messages and spying for the witch. Even in modern Paganism and witchcraft, they are seen as a very magical bird with a connection to the Spirit world.
Magpie Folklore in the Rest of the World
In the rest of the world, magpies are not always seen as unlucky.
In China, a singing magpie was believed to bring good luck and fortune. Killing a magpie would bring you misfortune. It is a also a symbol of happiness. Similarly, in Korea, magpies were believed to deliver good news and invite good people into your life. They would sometimes be regarded as the village spirit that brought good omens, with a tiger being a servant that does his bidding. In Mongolia, magpies were seen as smart birds that have the magical ability to control the weather.
In France, evil nuns were believed to be reincarnated as magpies. But elsewhere in France, in Poitou, a bunch of heath and laurel would be tied to the top of a high tree in honour of the magpie. This was because the chatter of the magpie would warn the people of any wolves approaching.
In Italy, the magpie features in a 1817 Rossini opera called ‘La Gazza Ladra‘ (The Thieving Magpie) which tells the story of a pet magpie that steals anything shiny, resulting in an innocent man almost being executed after being accused of the magpies crimes.
In Scandinavia, the magpie was originally regarded as lucky which shifted to unlucky with the introduction of Christianity. In Norse mythology, Skaði was a known as a priestess of the magpie clan. The black and white markings symbolised sexual union, as well as an energetic balance. Magpies have also been associated with Hel and Loki. After the introduction of Christianity, magpies were associated with witches and sorcerers flying to unholy gatherings.
In some Native American beliefs, the magpie is seen in a positive light and as an ally and helper to humans. They feature in legends from the Navaho, Blackfoot and Cheyenne.
Before the spread of Christianity, magpies were important symbolic birds that were associated with good luck and fortune. The Romans recognized the magpie as a highly intelligent animal worthy of respect, which was also capable of magic and fortune telling and in Ancient Greece, magpies were associated with Bacchus the god of wine and intoxication.
Magpie as A Spiritual Guide
Magpie represents intelligence, balance and adaptability. Those who experience Magpie coming into their life should pay attention to omens and signs and act on them so that opportunities are not missed. The energy of Magpie brings success to those who work with it.
If you are not already working with Magpie, you are likely to attract them into your lives when you feel that things are at a standstill. You may be annoyed with yourself, feel defeated, depressed and have begun pushing people away whilst retreating into yourself. You may be putting important things off out of fear, or pursuing something which is not good for you. Magpie can at first seem like a loud, chaotic energy to work with but as you learn more about Magpie’s character and attributes, you will understand how to work with them.
Positive Aspects of Magpie
Magpie teaches that you need to be resourceful. You already have everything you need to move forward in life, you just might not be seeing it. People who work with Magpie are usually quite assertive, eccentric, eclectic people and able to draw on a variety of resources to assist them in their goals.
Family and friends are important and are a source of strength for you. Magpie reminds you to not push them away and instead be more expressive with them to strengthen your relationships. At the same time, if someone does not wish to be in your life, don’t bother wasting your time on them. Always remember that found family is just as important as blood. Sticking together to work on your challenges is important, don’t face it alone.
Magpie encourages you to be more social because as humans, we are a social species and socialising is important for our overall wellbeing. It helps you to learn to express yourself more openly and helps draw other like-minded people.
Being able to adapt to any situation is a great quality of the magpie, and we can learn from it. If you feel that you are unable to move forward, assess why. Perhaps there is not as much as a blockage as you thought. Remember that life is all about balance – how can you bring more balance into your life?
Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help to achieve something that you feel is out of your reach. Those who work with Magpie know how to use their voice to attract the attention that they need. This also can be a sign that you are shy and need to develop your voice and try to improve your communication – this applies to verbal speaking, as well as writing and other forms of communication.
Magpie teaches you that it’s okay to be yourself and it encourages you to express yourself and show everyone who you really are. Showing your inner and outer beauty to others in the form of dress, make-up or artwork is encouraged.
Magpie also teaches that you are already smarter and more courageous than you think, you just need to learn to use these traits in a positive manner. Finding outlets in causes we believe in, charity work, public speaking and teaching will help you with this.
Negative Aspects of Magpie
People who work with Magpie can often seem distracted and fleeting. They can be loud, opinionated, daring and feisty. Be aware of being distracted too much by ‘shiny things’ and try not to focus so much on material gain.
When working Magpie energy, sometimes sudden and sometimes destructive change can occur in our lives. Things seem to happen all at once and it’s very common for a Magpie person to believe in the ‘bad things come in threes’ superstition. It can be hard for us to stop and think about these things, instead allowing anxiety and panic to build. When this happens, take a step back and really think ‘what is the worst that could happen?’. You’ll likely find that things aren’t as bad as it seemed, and that this sudden change is making space for something new and much better to come into your life.
Learning to use you voice is valuable, but beware of this turning into uncontrolled chatter or gossip. Try to be more conscious of what you say, and what the consequences of your words may be, especially when talking about others. People with Magpie energy also tend to overshare, so try to be more mindful of this.
If you feel as though you have too much Magpie energy in your life, try to counter it by purposely seeking out a calmer energy, or focusing more on the balance aspect of the animal.
Magpie is a wonderful energy but can be difficult to work with. We must really focus on cultivating the balance in our lives so that it doesn’t tip to either extreme. Magpie, with its black and white plumage is a great symbol of balance and one that we can incorporate into our life. Perhaps you could get a magpie statue, a feather or a painting that you leave around as a reminder. If you have magpies nearby you can visit them and get lost in their chattering.
What does the magpie mean to you personally? Did you read something here that you’d like to discuss? Let me know in the comments below!
I’m also going to do a series of these posts based on native British and European wildlife; if there is an animal you’d like to suggest, go ahead!
References/More Reading
All images taken from Pixabay (free use)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_magpie
https://ebird.org/species/eurmag1
https://druidry.org/resources/magpies-a-story-of-seven
https://www.birdspot.co.uk/culture/magpies-and-superstition
Spirit Fox 
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