RAVEN (see also: Crow)

[Terri Benning]

Spirit of the RAVEN: Magic, Healing, Creation, Shape-Shifting, Rebirth, Keeper of Secrets, Problem Solving

The Difference Between Ravens and Crows:

https://youtu.be/guBwMUAWAJI

Legend of the White Raven: 

http://earthkeeper.freeservers.com/legend.htm

MORE RAVEN LINKS:

http://www.wildspeak.com/animalenergies/raven.html

http://www.shamanicjourney.com/raven-power-animal-master-magician-k...

http://ladyoftheearth.com/wicca-teachings/animals-shamanism/raven

https://www.spirit-animals.com/raven/

http://www.universeofsymbolism.com/raven-symbolism.html

https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings...

https://www.wildgratitude.com/raven-spirit-animal/

http://mystinwolf.tripod.com/raventotemguide.html

Raven's Wisdom Includes:

* Rebirth without fear
* Ability to tear down what needs to be rebuilt
* Renewal
* Ability to find light in darkness
* Courage of self-reflection
* Introspection
* Comfort with self
* Honoring ancestors
* Connection to the Crone
* Divination
* Change in consciousness
* New occurrences
* Eloquence

The Raven

Ravens have a long history of myth and lore associated with them. In some native tribes they are known as the "keeper of secrets." They hold the teachings of mysticism and magic. Ravens are linked to the void, where universal secrets are stored. Their inky black color is the color associated with darkness. The darkness is a place where unconscious fears live. Raven, a master magician, embodies the energy of transformation and shows us how to eliminate our inner demons.

Ravens are the largest songbirds in North America. They are extremely intelligent and are clever mimics. They incorporate and mimic calls of other species and can teach us how to understand the language of animals. They have also been known to learn some human words.

The raven knows the mystery of life. They have an intimate association with death and rebirth. Because raven would feed on the corpses of the dead hanging on the gallons, early European settlers feared this bird and considered it to be an ill omen. In truth, however, raven should be respected not feared.

There are many stories in native cultures about this illusive black bird. Shamans know the power of an unexpected piercing sound in altering consciousness. Ravens exercise this power, emitting a variety of sounds and can aid us in shifting our consciousness into various dimensional realms. This is one reason why the raven is known as a shape shifter with magical powers. Anyone with raven as a totem can expect continual changes and spiritual awakenings throughout their life.

Raven picks its students according to their accumulated wisdom. It flies into a person's life carrying the energy of magic and healing. If it decides to settle in and take up residence, it will stay as long as necessary to aid you in transmuting your karma then return you to the light. It will push, prod, and lead you into the discovery of your multidimensional self and reunite you with the secrets of the multidimensional universe. Those with this totem should remember to meet raven, not with fear, but rather with an appreciation for the teachings that it holds. 

RAVEN: The Duality of Life

Often mistaken for Crow, Raven (Corvus corax) is not just a big Crow. A complex bird in both nature and mythology, Raven is noted for her innovative solutions to problems that She encounters. For example, Raven uses stones to crack her nuts. With her diverse language of calls, Raven often engages in wordplay with Her Friends. Not only that, but She also incorporates the calls of other Birds in her “speech”.

When the territories of Crow and Raven overlap, a distinction can be made between the Two. Unlike her Brother Crow, Raven prefers woods to cities. She has a greater tolerance for cold than Crow, and can even withstand the Arctic winter. To identify Raven, look at the Bird’s tail. Crow has a fantail, Raven a wedge tail. Also, when Raven is cold, She puffs herself up, looking a bit raggedy with a ruff around her neck.

In the areas where only Crow lives, people have attributed Him with Raven’s magical qualities. And in the areas where only Raven lives, She received Crow’s attributes. However, Raven is known for shape shifting, which Crow cannot do. More secretive than Crow, Raven is also associated with the night and dark magic. Since She is bigger and stronger than Crow, Raven’s magic is more profound.

Raven’s main food is carrion. Several Ravens will flock around a large carcass and pick the bones clean. Because She fed on corpses hanging from gallows, people took Raven to be an evil omen with supernatural powers. In Europe, they believed Her to be so evil that they killed Raven before She could do any more harm.

The Norse revered Raven since Odin, their chief God, had two Ravens – Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory) who told him about everything happening on earth. Among early Christians, Raven was a messenger sent by God to feed the saints in the wilderness. Among the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, Raven was the Great Trickster. She created human beings, and brought fire to them. Meanwhile in China, Three-legged Raven lived in the sun, representing the sun’s three phases – dawn, noon, and dusk.

People hold opposing views of Raven. She is either a creator of human beings or a harbinger of death. When She is not feeding on corpses, Raven is a messenger to Christian saints. Raven teaches the duality of life. Good cannot exist without evil. With joy comes sadness. Raven helps people to embrace life in all of its complexity.

Raven Animal Spirit Guide by By Zuesa Agni

Key points of Raven Energy:

* Rejoices in Magic
* Enjoys playing with light and creates illusions in the environment.
* Promotes relaxation in the moment.
* Shape shifting
* Bringing esoteric teaching into reality.
* Bringing magic into the mundane.
* Sometimes Raven energy is too powerful and can be intimidating to those that can't see past the illusion of darkness.
* Makes use of time alone but enjoys social interactions. Is aware that no one can ever really be alone.
* Flexible.
* Adapts to an ever changing environment.
* Alchemist tendencies.
* People with Raven age gracefully and make use of the process by growing wise rather that just accumulating things including social burdens.
* The material world is made up of things to play with, it is nothing more than stuff to manipulate.
* A mystics companion.
* Raven reminds you that the material world is simply unreliable.
* Personal responsibility
* Profound ability to communicate with others regardless of species.
* A Raven assisted person is always very good with animals.
* Raven assisted people are generally decisive or they are constantly challenged to be decisive.
* Always moving.
* Raven people have the exorcist archetype somewhere in their chart even if it isn't in the same house as where the Raven generally resides. Ravens don't let you get away with harboring personal demons.
* Maturity is a great gift to Raven people and they handle the aging process much better than others that are not Raven assisted.
* Raven people have a great response to metaphysical healing techniques.
* Raven people are the ones that see, feel, touch the Divine in ways that religion itself can never instruct. There are no words for what the Raven knows.
* Awakening
* Extreme consciousness

Raven figures it all out and loves to share his stories. Magic is just the daily thrill of life. Magic is to be lived with, worked with and played with but it isn't mysterious it just is and it's fun and fascinating. Raven brings magic into your reality. People that fear the presence of Raven are the types that don't understand the vast intelligence of all life and that it exists in all things. People fear Raven because they have tried to understand the extraordinary and felt that they failed.

Raven has no fear of magic or darkness. Raven flies into the darkness and brings wonderful treasures out into the open, treasures that no one else gets to receive because they are so full of fear. Trust the Raven.

Raven shows up for the special events so that you will notice them and be more aware.

Shape shifter not in the sense that Raven changes it's shape but that it can manipulate it's environment to create illusions around itself. Raven plays with light.

Raven guides people that are born into situations that are difficult. If you've had a particularly difficult childhood be sure that Raven has stayed with you. Raven is there to help you become wiser than the problems that you grew up around.

With Raven around you, in your chart, you will prefer to have extended periods of alone time. Be focused on wisdom. Everyone can feel your presence wherever you go.

Raven people usually have a spiritual white light behind them about ten to twenty feet and about fifteen feet off the ground. Earthbound spirits use this light to get Home.

RAVEN MEDICINE SONG: 

READ MORE ABOUT CROW and CROW-RAVEN BIRTH TOTEMS HERE.