September 2025

For some reason my brain is really on birds today so here’s the bird symbolism I would assign to some of the Magnus Archive characters.

Jonathan Sims could be symbolized by an owl. Owl’s tend to symbolize wisdom, hidden truths, higher knowledge, guidance, and transformation. They can also be symbols of death in some cultures, while in other cultures they’re symbols of protection. Pretty fitting for someone who both ended and saved the world. (Bonus fun fact: Owl’s also eat spiders.)

Elias Bouchard could be symbolized by a cuckoo bird. Cuckoo bird’s are notorious for their song, and they often represent the power of the voice. They symbolize new beginnings, transformation, mystery, and fate. Though they’re also often connected with betrayal because they don’t tend to build their own nests. They steal the nests from other birds instead.

Gertrude Robinson could be symbolized by a hawk. Hawk’s represent clear vision, intuition, swift action, determination, protection, wisdom, focus, strength, and nobility. Honestly I don’t have a lot to say about this one because it just fits her that well.

Peter Lucas could be symbolized by the raven. Raven’s tend to symbolize transformation, trickery, insight, knowledge, death, mystery, and magic. They can also represent betrayal in certain contexts. As well as loneliness in connection to the famous poem “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.

Distortion Michael could be symbolized by a crow. Crows represent transformation, change, death, adaptability, and destiny. Interestingly, two crows can represent balance and partnership between opposing forces. Such as light and dark or evil and good or a nice human man and a monster that have been forced together.

Basira Hussain could be symbolized by a duck. Yes, really. Ducks symbolize adaptability, balance, community, emotional navigation, growth, intuition, and new beginnings. Ducks are also associated with teamwork because of how they fly in formation during migration.

Daisy Tonner could be symbolized by the Loggerhead Shrike. These birds are also called the “Butcher Bird” because they impale their prey due to their lack of talons. These birds are known for their hunting abilities and symbolize precision, focus, adaptability, intuition, karmic justice, punishment, and retribution.

Tim Stocker could be symbolized by a rooster. Rooster’s represent aggression and pride. However, they also represent protection, attachment, bravery, courage, vigilance, and honesty. As well as masculinity and attraction.

Melanie King could be symbolized by the Martial Eagle. These birds symbolize strength, power, freedom, bravery, and protection. They’re also often associated with warfare due to their hunting style, and they’re even named after the Roman God of war, Mars.

Georgie Barker could be symbolized by the chicken. Chicken’s represent prosperity, courage, vigilance, new beginnings, loyalty, simplicity, and protection. Chickens are also usually associated with nurturing, which I think fits Georgie since she takes Jon in without question and is also the only character to have a pet.

Sasha James could be symbolized by a blue jay. Blue jays represent, resourcefulness, intelligence, confidence, loyalty, and boldness. They often represent good luck, but they also represent trickery. Which doesn’t fit Sasha herself, but it does fit “her” role in season 2……..

Martin Blackwood could be symbolized by a penguin. Penguin’s represent perseverance, endurance, loyalty, unity, patience, maintaining balance, emotional strength, and transformation.

Gerard Keay could be symbolized by a Shikra. Shikra’s are falcons that are known to symbolize perception, intelligence, bravery, hunting, tenacity, facing adversity, and adaptability due to their ability to thrive in many environments. Which is fitting symbolism for a guy who was so well traveled.

Anabelle Cane could be symbolized by a Fork-tailed Drongo. These birds are known for mimicking the warning sounds of prey animals so that said prey animals will flee and drop their food, leaving it for the taking. These birds represent intelligence, cunning, manipulation, adaptation, and vigilance.

Michael isn’t sure how he got sent back in the past. He thinks he went through one of his doors that looked a bit stranger than usual, but his mind is so heavy it’s hard to think.

All he knows is that he stands right where it all started. In Sannikov Land, in front of a yellow door with Gertrude Robinson staring at him with what he now acknowledges as cold eyes.

He could do so many things. He could scream at her for all he’s been through and tell her every nasty thought he’s had over the years. He could take off running in another direction and takes him anywhere but to his fate. He could just sit down and wait for the ritual to either be torn down or completed.

But he doesn’t.

Michael’s fingers feel far too short. His skin feels far too real. So much anger bubbles under his surface that if he tries to let out even a little it’s going to bubble over entirely. And what is he now? Something more than someone who has taken people in his hallway and made them undone. How would he sleep? How would he look at himself in a mirror? How would he see someone become overcome with fear and accept the fact that he could no longer drink in something so delicious?

Michael wraps his hand around the handle and opens the door.