Hearing Whistling at Night: Spirits, Winds, and Nature's Call

So, I’ve recently started hearing some whistling at night and it got me curious (and a little spooked), so I decided to look into what it could mean.

hearing whistles at night spiritual meaning

At first, I thought it might just be someone outside whistling, or maybe it’s Hypnagogia, which is basically a type of hallucination that happens when you’re transitioning from being awake to sleep. I remember discussing it here: Circle Casting gone wrong? - #2 by Francisco

But then I stumbled upon some more…interesting explanations.

Hearing Whistling at Night

What if we interpret hearing whistling at night through various cultural and superstitious lenses? Could it be an omen or a sign of supernatural presence?

El Silbón

Ever heard of the legend of El Silbón? It’s a Venezuelan tale about a spirit that whistles as it roams the night. The story goes that if the whistling sounds close, you’re safe, but if it sounds far away, it’s actually nearby and you could be in danger.

Legend of El Silbon the Whistler
El Silbón - Picture by Malevus.com

The Devil’s Music

In European lore and superstition, whistling is called “the devil’s music.” :smiling_imp: The Icelanders not only abhor whistling, but believe that he who swings a stick or whip at the same object as to make a whistling sound, drives the Holy Ghost away from him.

An American traveler in Iceland tried to coax a dog to her by whistling. A servant exclaimed: “If you please, ma’am, do not whistle, for every time you do, the heart of the Virgin bleeds!”


Source: Encyclopædia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World

Whistling Deer of the Night

In some regions, these sounds can actually be attributed to deer. Certain species, like the sika deer, are known for producing high-pitched whistling calls, especially during the mating season. These whistles serve as a means of communication between deer, often signaling alarm or attracting mates.

So, if you hear an eerie whistle in the dark, it might just be nature at work, with deer calling out in the night rather than any ghostly presence. Here’s a YouTube video showcasing the unique whistling sounds made by deer.

How the deer whistles. The call of the Sika Deer. - Youtube

Whispering Winds

Another plausible explanation for the whistling sounds heard at night could be the wind itself. Wind moving through trees, buildings, or other structures can create eerie, whistling noises that echo through the darkness. This phenomenon is not just a modern curiosity but has deep roots in cultural lore.

For example, in Scottish Gaelic tradition, the third week of February is known as Feadag, or “The Whistle,” due to the cold, whistling winds prevalent at that time of year. Such natural explanations remind us that sometimes the source of mysterious sounds is not supernatural but simply the earth’s own voice.

Scottish Winds of Winter
Source: Llewellyn’s 2011 Witches’ Spell-A-Day Almanac: Holidays and Lore

Spiritual Meaning of Hearing Whistles at Night

Hearing whistling at night can carry various spiritual and cultural interpretations, depending on the context and personal beliefs.

Hearing whistles at night

1. Communication with Spirits

Many believe that hearing whistling at night is a form of communication from the spirit world. It is thought to be a message from guardian spirits or departed loved ones :candle: offering guidance or reassurance. This belief is common across various cultures, where the sound is seen as a connection to the supernatural realm​​.

2. Warnings and Omens

In some traditions, whistling at night is considered a warning. The sound might signal impending danger or bad luck. This interpretation varies significantly, with some seeing it as a protective warning from spiritual entities. :warning:

3. Inner Wisdom and Intuition

Whistling sounds at night are also associated with awakening inner wisdom and heightened intuition. The quiet of the night amplifies these subtle signals, encouraging individuals to pay attention to their inner thoughts and feelings​. :dizzy:

4. Psychic Receptivity

The occurrence of whistling is sometimes linked to the enhancement of psychic abilities. It is believed that as one’s spiritual senses become more attuned, they might begin to hear such sounds as indicators of their growing psychic receptivity​. :eye:


So, what can you do about it if the whistling is bothering you or making you uneasy? One suggestion is to cleanse your home or bedroom. This could be as simple as burning sage or using salt around the room. You might also want to set some boundaries, like asking any spirits to leave or to be quiet if they’re trying to communicate.

Anyone else experienced this or have any tips? I’m curious to hear your thoughts or similar experiences!

Sleep tight! (hopefully without whistles) :rofl:

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Yeah that would be creepy for sure

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While I’m sorry you’ve been hearing creepy, curious, and confounding (yeah I just jumped on that alliteration train), I absolutely love it when you go on a hunt for research.

I am always fascinated by different cultures’ myths, lore, and superstitions. So many things I would never hear about or know otherwise!

I can’t say that I’ve ever heard whistling at night that I couldn’t attribute to a person and I don’t think I’ve had aural hallucinations. :thinking:

Thank you for sharing this post!.

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The Encyclopedia said if a girl whistles, she’ll grow a mustache? I’ve been whistling whenever I cannot sing for 50 years, and I haven’t grown a mustache yet.

Hmm. I do have a mole on my cheek with one persistent hair. Does that count? :grinning:

Music soothes an ill breast just as much as a savage breast, so when I’m ill and can’t sing, I whistle. Don’t sing with a sore throat, or you could injure your vocal chords like Julie Andrews or Harry Belafonte.

Whistling in imitation of a bird can indicate harmony and friendship. Having a wild bird respond to your whistles feels like magick. It also helps develop rapport with caged birds.

Some owls have a whistle call. Remember that an owl hunting is silent, so the sounds they make may seem freaky, but they are an indication that they aren’t hungry. Happy owl.

Wind across wires or thin tree branches can create a series of moan or whistle sounds which can be replicated by making an instrument called an Aeolian Harp. String metal guitar strings across an open window during a windy day. The length and tension on the wires can then be manipulated to modify the pitch.

Just some trivia.

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This is so interesting. My hubby pulled his demon oracle today, and it said pay attention to the whistles in nature as there is a demon known as the whistling demon and he may have a message for you.

Love this, perfect timing. Thankyou :heartpulse:

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That’s so cool! I didn’t know deer could whistle - a fun fact for the day :grinning: :deer:

I love when months or seasons are named after defining features that happen during those times of year. It makes me think of how in Polish, September is wrzesień, named after wrzos (heather) because heather blooms during September :purple_heart: :blush:

I haven’t been hearing whistling lately (although I know feel prepared if I do - thanks for this great guide!) but I have been hearing beeping, almost like a phone ringing but far away. It’s been a few days, mostly around dawn and dusk, but I haven’t figured out if it’s something I need to examine more or if it’s just the neighbors’ having their windows open :sweat_smile:


Same to you! Thanks again for this awesome exploration of whistle correspondences and meanings! :notes: :grin:

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