Alicanto

The Alicanto, a magical, nocturnal bird, looks nondescript in daylight, but at night, golden light gleams from its wings. Its luminous eyes are like lasers. The Alicanto is a beacon in the darkness. Miners and gold prospectors long for a glimpse of the Alicanto, as it allegedly leads to treasure. According to legend, the Alicanto subsists on gold and silver. It does not fly but runs with its arms extended (not because it absolutely can’t fly, but because its metallic diet renders it too heavy for flight; presumably a less well-fed Alicanto flies quite well).

The standard myth is that if the Alicanto is unaware of your presence, it will lead you to treasure, but if it sees you it will lead you to jagged cliffs and your doom. That underestimates the Alicanto, a magic bird. The Alicanto is well aware of the presence of onlookers as well as the value of precious metals (spiritual as well as economic).

• If the Alicanto favours you, it will lead you to treasure.

• If the Alicanto is displeased with you or is the vehicle of some punishment against you, then the bird leads you to danger.

The crucial thing to recall with the Alicanto is that no one is required to follow it. The Alicanto may be invoked in visualizations or appear in dreams.

ORIGIN:

South America

HOME:

The Alicanto allegedly lives in small caves or crevices within mines.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes