Barn Owl III by ~oOBrieOo , deviantart
I have a fascination with barn owls. I have always found them to be inherently beautiful, with their heart-shaped face, black yes and pale plumages. There’s more than that to make them fascinating tough – they are silent, but incredibly effective hunters, they mate for life, and often the remaining member of the couple dies shortly after losing their partner. Barn Owls are doting parents too and they look larger than life when they screech, a very particular sound they make when they are scared and seek to scare their perceived enemy. It’s that sound that won them the name of ‘ghost-owls’.
This should give you an excellent idea of what I am talking about. 
Aint impressive?
I grew up in an area where they were rather common, so I was rather used to hearing the songs of their serenading each other in mating season or seeing them (well, the residing couple of the neighborhood at least) flying silently across the night sky before elegantly sweeping down on a rat or a tree.
I was therefore rather enthusiastic when, years after, I entered in contact with the current guide of my journeys, that after plaguing me with owl imagery everywhere i looked, revealed herself to be a Barn Owl herself.
Most of time, my guide is silent. She assists me by providing necessary information on tasks to carry over Elsewhere, carrying me on her back from a place to another, or just leading me to destination in flying ahead. Since working with her, I also tuned in some clairaudience, which happens to be part of Barn Owl medicine, along with learning to sense truth in all worlds, clairvolance and mediumship.
One curious thing about Barn Owls, mythology-wise, is that while they have a modern reputation for association to Athena, they were instead considered sacred to Ares by Hellenes.
Interesting sources on the Barn Owl as spirit-guide: AnimalSpeak by Ted Andrews
links: http://www.spiracanada.com/ravendreamer/totems/barnowl.htm
http://www.wildspeak.com/totems/barnowl.html
I have had some difficulty to learn to honor my guide, in the beginning. I collect imagery on her species now, and offer water in thanks when she helps me with this or that task. It seems to be enough.
Oddly enough, I did not learn about the Barn Owl’s specific association with Ares until recently. I had always simply thought of owls in general as being sacred to Athena. I have always, for as long as I can remember, had a fondness for owls in general and Barn Owls in particular. They aren’t very common here, but we do have them. I find their cast-off feathers once in a while. Owls are something of a familial totem, with different species showing up stronger for different people. My Owl has always been Barn Owl.
You are right! That is one impressive bird. I really enjoyed your description of the relationship you have with the owl being your guide.
I am very glad!