Symbolism of the Crow

Symbology and symbolism has always played a great role in the esoteric's sphere of life. Discuss everything about symbols here.

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PaganPriest
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Symbolism of the Crow

Post by PaganPriest » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:35 am

My animal guide is the crow and I'd like to know a little more about its symbolic meaning. Any help will be appreciated.

MamaBearDora
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Post by MamaBearDora » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:19 am

Crows have the ability to know about the doorways between worlds, they are talky little creatures, protetive of their own and cunning, if crows have been coming into your life, then you have the most wonderful ability to be able to put yourself in others shoes so to speak, as an empath is able to. but it seems that you are still skitish of exactly how much you want to see in your life, spiritual wise, and are not to fond of religious topics with others because of the way others like to try to get you to 'join',  crow is also telling you that you need to free yourself to better express your self without being to critical of others. try to next time pay attention to what crows are doing when you see them and how many of them there are because numbers figure well in your life.   good luck. peace to you.  mama bear dora
Hello. welcome to my world. Mama Bear Dora

dessa
Posts: 175
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:01 pm

Crow ... meaning

Post by dessa » Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:35 pm

Crow/Rook's Wisdom Includes:

Guardian of the place before existence
Ability to move in space and time
Honoring ancestors
Carrier of souls from darkness into light
Working without fear in darkness
Guidance while working in shadow
Moves freely in the void
Understands all things related to ethics
Shapeshifter

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Crow

Keeper of the Sacred Law

Crows are the keepers of the Sacred Law
and to have a Crow totem is very powerful.

Personal Integrity are your watchwords and your guide in Life.
If you have a Crow totem, your prime path
is to be mindful of your opinions and actions.
You must be willing to walk your talk,
to speak your truth and to know your life's mission.

Crow is a omen of Change.  
Crow lives in the void and has no sense of time,
therefore, it sees past, present and future simultaneously.
Crow merges both light and dark, both inner and outer.
It is the totem of the Great Spirit and must be respected as such.

They are symbols of creation and spiritual strength.
Look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life.
Crows are messengers calling to us
about the creation and magic that is alive in the world today
and available to us.


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CROW MEDICINE
Crow is the left-handed guardian. Crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law. There are several species of crow. Raven is one of these and magpies are another. Crow medicine people are masters of illusion. Do not try to figure crow out. It is the power of the unknown at work, and something special is about to happen.

Crow is also the guardian of ceremonial magic and healing. In any healing circle, Crow is present. Crow guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality and dispel "dis-ease" or illness. You can rest assure when ever crows are around, magic is near by and you are about to experience a change in consciousness. Crow can give you the courage to enter the darkness of the void, which is the home of all that is not yet in form.

They are territorial and won't give up an area without a fight. They are loners, seeming to like to spend time to themselves.

If you have a crow as a totem, you need to be willing to walk your talk and speak your truth. You must put aside your fear of being a voice in the wilderness and "caw" the shots as you see them. Crow is an omen of change. If he keeps appearing to you he may be telling you that you have a powerful voice when addressing issues that you do not quite understand or feel that they are out of balance.

Crows are the bringer of messages from the spirit world, and is thought to dwell beyond the realm of time and space.

When you meet crow, he could be telling you that there will be changes in your life and that possibly you should step by the usual way you view reality and look into the inner realms …walk your talk…be prepared to let go of your old thinking and embrace a new way of viewing yourself and the world.

Crow is the sacred keeper of the law. Crow medicine signifies a firsthand knowledge of a higher order of right and wrong than that indicated by the laws created in human culture. With Crow medicine, you speak in a powerful voice when addressing issues that for you seem out of harmony, out of balance, out of whack, or unjust.

When you learn to allow your personal integrity to be your guide, your sense of feeling alone will vanish. Your personal will can then emerge so that you will stand in your truth. The prime path of true Crow people says to be mindful of your opinions and actions. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth, know your life’s mission, and balance past, present, and future in the now. Shape shift that old reality and become your future self. Allow the bending of physical laws to aid in creating the shape shifted world of peace.

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Crow

Role~Carrier of Lost Souls into Light~
Lesson: To Understand the Shadow Within
Element: Air
Wind:  West ~The Quest Within~
Medicine: Shapeshifting

~Keywords~
Carrier of Souls ~ Shadow Within ~ Sentinel

Shape-Shifter
Night descends upon the ancient forest as a silky shawl of midnight blue,
settling over all that she encounters upon her journey,
she leaves everything she touches changed in
the shimmering veil of her silver light.

Perched atop the hard surface of granite boulders that dot the mountainside,
Crow stands, head cocked to the side, affording him a gaze
of the moon, as she rides the pathway
of the autumn sky.

From the beginning of the time when ~Great Spirit~ transformed Crow
from the  form of a two-legged, to the shape he now wears,
Crow has dwelled simultaneously in Two Worlds,
one of the earth & the other of the sky.

He is the Watcher that has observed we of the Two-Legged
as we walk along the Red Road of Physical LIfe.

He stands, ever vigilant, at the Gateway between shadow and light,
watching for the Soul that is beginning to Unfold, and then,
with a beckoning call, black wings touch our face,
and we Journey with him, flying from
the Night of denial, and awakening
with acknowledgments Day.


Keywords
 Carrier of Lost Souls into Light

The Crow is a creature that has elicited much thought and speculation amongst all indigenous peoples and across many cultures and times.

To some, Crow is a harbinger of "evil" or portender of physical death, to others, he is one who offers the choice to fly free of the chains of the past and to soar toward self knowing, yet all seem to agree, that this Animal Totem possesses a powerful energy (Medicine) contained within his small frame.

***One who has the honor of having Crow fly by his/her side, is an individual who has the Role of carrying souls lost in pain, denial, bitterness or ill intent, into the light of forgiveness and self-awareness.

When we are reeling in the darkness of emotional pain and turmoil, confused by denying that which we don`t want to see, or feeling bitter over the actions of those who have hurt us, betrayed us or rejected us in the "past," we have become lost on our Path.  It is the Role of one who has Crow as their Power Totem, to then find those lost souls and call to them to make the journey into the light of awareness, and eventually, sincere forgiveness.

For one who does not have Crow as their Power Totem (yet has lost the sense of their Life Path), it is Crow that they would call upon to carry them to re-align with their Path once more, as she is the Totem whose vision sees through the darkest of Nights to find the way back home.

Yet in order that one with Crow Totem can carry others into the Light, he/she must first find their own way free of the shadows of the past.  This can be an arduous task, yet is essential to fulfilling their Role as Carrier of Lost Souls into Light, for how can they fulfill a task that they have not yet completed for themselves?

To assist them in this process, Crow Souls have been blessed with the ability of keen perception, to see right to the core of their own Self.  This is reflected in Nature as the Crow is considered to be the most intelligent and perceptive of all Winged Ones, and she is renowned for her abilities in cognizant thought and strategy.

Whether turned within to gain understanding of herSelf, or reflected back as a mirror to Others so that they may know themSelves, this is a beautiful gift bestowed upon a deserving Soul.***
 

Shadow Within

All who hear the caw of the Crow immediately recognize that raspy voice.  Yet, in reality, that particular call is only one of the sounds that Crow will utilize to make a statement, call out his territory, or alert other crows to impending danger, though without a doubt, it is his caw that most two-leggeds recognize him by.

He will also make a very distinct chirping sound when he is singing in the morning or welcoming the moon into the night sky, and he can elicit tingles along the spine of the listener when he is warning others of infringement upon his territory, or of danger approaching, with a call that is halfway between a screech and a caw.

***For anyone who is born with Power Totem of Crow, communication is an integral part of their flight along the Sacred Hoop of life.  They are here to express the depth of what they feel, to alternately inspire others with their vision of Life, or to transport them, through beautifully woven words, into other realms and planes of Being.

Yet for their keen intelligence and ability to communicate the intensity, scope and beauty of their own experiences to Others, Crow Soul is one who struggles to find and define him/herself to the Self.  Years, and even lifetimes, may be spent in gradually coming to an understanding and embracing of all the facets that make up their Personality, Mind and Soul.

Part of the process is in uncovering the ~Shadows Within~ that all possess along this Earth Walk.  These are the areas of our Self that represent our greatest lessons and opportunities for growth, yet can remain elusive to our grasp and understanding.  However, once these "shadows" have been fully understood and integrated, then the journey upward to the light of the Higher Self can be easily attained and serve as inspiration for Others.

To achieve this demands that one go Within and illuminate all of the corners of the subconscious where shadows still linger.  To open the door to the corridors of pain where the past still haunts the soul, and shed the Light of awareness so that true Healing may occur.  Then, Crow Soul may share his/her insight, understanding and awareness with others through words (written or spoken) in either literal or metaphorical language, that will invoke understanding and inspiration within Others to reach for the Light within themselves.

This is the Journey of the Soul from Night into Day . . . the blessing of Crow to both the  Self, and the Gift to Others.***
 
Sentinel

Crows are known for their tendency to observe all that is happening around them and to alert other crows nearby at the first sign of an intruder or danger.  Their keen eyes miss nothing, and when an approaching threat is noticed, they will sound the alarm with their throaty caws echoing in the air.

It is believed that because of their tendency to call out when intruders are around, they have been given the task of being the Messengers of the Ancestors.  In other cultures and times, the belief that they are messengers of the Spirit Realm is also predominant, as in ancient Roman mythology, where a white crow was said to have delivered a foreboding message to Apollo, who then turned all ravens and crows black out of his anger at the bad news.

***Like their Power Totem, Crow Souls are Sentinels who keep silent watch over all that is happening around them.  They will first observe what is occurring, making mental notes on what has been seen, heard and experienced.  They will then translate these thoughts into either spoken or written format, sharing their observations with the world around them.

In esoteric astrology, the Crow would be considered to be much like Saturn, the Gatekeeper, who stands ever at the ready of the Doorway between Planes, keeping the Ancestors informed as to the progress and evolution of those who walk the Red Road.  Yet Crow will also carry messages from the Ancestors to his/her fellow two-leggeds.  This has earned the Crow Soul the responsibility of being the Watcher and the Sentinel, standing as a messenger between the realm of the physical, and the realm of the Spirit.

If Crow is not your personal Power Totem, yet has suddenly made an appearance in your life, then there are messages that the Ancestors are bringing to you that will likely be heralding significant changes in your life.  The more crows that you encounter, the more likely the message is to be urgent and needing your acknowledgment and attention.  Take the time to quietly go within, asking for clarification on the Message being delivered.  Or it may be that you will be called upon to assist others in their journey from the darkness of denial into the light of awareness.

If Crow is your Power Totem and you are suddenly noticing him/her all about you, it is a time to go within, immersing yourself in quiet contemplation, listening to the messages you are to pay heed to for either your own Path, or as a message to relay to Others.***
 
Shapeshifting

Several creatures of the Earth Mother are believed to have been given the Gift of Shapeshifting, that is transforming from their animal state to that of a two-legged, and back again.  Amongst these Beings who are said to possess this ability is the Crow.

It is said that the Elder Spirits will appear before a two-legged in the form of a Crow so that the strength, character and faith of the mortal can be ~tested~ prior to receiving a special gift or honor.  For this reason, Crow can be clever, attempting to trick the two-legged into folly.  If the two-legged passes the test, then the Crow will transform his shape and appear before the mortal as an Ancient One, who will then deliver a message of great importance, or bestow an ability upon the one who has triumphed in the face of challenge or adversity.

***One who flies with Power Totem Crow, is an individual blessed with great Insight.

This ability to see to the very heart of a matter, serves the Crow Soul well as he/she traverses the ~Earth Walk.~  With the keen perception and ability to grasp complex ideas and philosophies (initially on an intuitive level, followed by deductive reasoning), one with Power Totem Crow may transform the direction of their Journey, their belief system and understanding, indeed their very Life here in Physical.

More often than not, one whose Soul shares a deep bond with Crow will be an individual who may experience an especially difficult early life, wherein a certain sense of detachment or "dis-connectedness" to other two-leggeds has been felt.  This general sense of ~not belonging~ will exist on some level, and at varying intensities, throughout their physical life, or until a deeper level of understanding and acceptance has been attained.

Perhaps it is because, like their Animal Totem, they exist simultaneously within two worlds, that of the Spirit and that of the Flesh, that these individuals always seem to be looking for the answer to all of their questions, and ultimately, a sense of `conection.~

Yet the true thirst for connection comes from the Soul of Crow desiring to re-connect with all that was once known, yet lost when the Soul is cast upon the blank shores of forgetfulness that is Physical Life.  He/she seeks to connect all that which was known, is now known, and will one day be known, thus perhaps receiving the Answers to all of the Questions which fill their active and pondering minds.

When one with Power Totem Crow comes to realize that he/she is already connected to that vast repository of Universal Knowledge, and that the Earth Walk is the "schoolroom" of that great university, then, the process of transformation begins.  This leads him/her to the discovery that one is never truly ~dis-connected~ in the first place, merely walking on a different level, plane or experience than some of the other two-leggeds.

Once this realization has been made, then Crow Soul will begin to Shapeshift from the bindings of the past, which have dictated that there must be something "wrong" with his/her way of experiencing, feeling  or viewing ~Life,~ and can instead, come to Accept, Celebrate and Love the Self.  This is when the integrated human (mind)/crow (soul) may truly fly free.***
Last edited by dessa on Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

dessa
Posts: 175
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:01 pm

Crow ... meaning

Post by dessa » Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:36 pm

Ted Andrews/Animal-Speak:
Crow Keynote: The Secret Magic of Creation is Calling
Cycle of Power: All Day--All Year

My grandfather once told me that crow was the smartest of all birds. What's more, it even knew it was the smartst of birds and enjoyed it to the fullest. In fact, it was so smart that it chose to stay a crow, rather than move ont to some other area of evolution. It has a unique ability to outwit most birds, animals, and even humans at times, and they make for themselves a wonderful living. it can be thought of as another being who felt it better to rule in hell than serve in heaven. Crows seem to have mastered it well.

Crows intrigue us and they aggravate us. They and their other family member, the raven, have a great mysticism and mythology about them. There are actually 5 species of crows, one of which is the raven. Because they are of the same family (the only real difference being in size) it would be beneficial for those with crow as a totem to also study the qualities and mystical aspects of the raven.

The first noticable characteristic about this bird is its striking black color. Sometimes it will have hints of deep blue and purple on the feathers as well. Black is the color of creation. It is the womb out of which the new is born. It is also the color of the night. Black is the maternal color and thus the black night gives birth to a new day. Although the crow is a diurnal or daytime bird, it reminds us that magic and creation are potentials very much alive during the day. The crow, because of its color, was a common symbol in medieval alchemy. It represented "igredo," the initial state of substance--unformed but full of potential.

In Roman mythology raven and crows used to be as white as swans. In fact a white crow watched over Apollo's pregnant lover at Delphos. One day the crow brought bad news to Apollo and was turned black.

This connection to watchfulness is still strong today. Crows always have a sentinel posted. They build their nests high in the treetops so that they can see the entire area in which they are living and feeding. Occasionally crows hav been seen attacking and killing one of their own. There areose an old belief that the crow being attacked was a sentinel who failed. It may also be a reminder of what can happen if we are not watching for magic and creation every day.

Watchfulness warns other crows and other animals of intruders and threats--human and animal. They have been observed raising a ruckus when hunters are around, warning deer and other birds. They recognize possible dangers and they always post lookouts when feeding--their most vulnerable time.

This ability to warn is connected to the crow's second, most-noticable characteristic--its voice. The crow is actually a member of the songbird family because of its voice box structure. Although few think of the crow as a songbird, there have been many claims (unsubstantiated) over the years that when it is alone, it will sing in a soft musical voice.

Crows have a complex language. They have a remarkable voice range, but they actually do not sing. They can caw in many different ways, each with its own meaning. Learning to understand the language of crows is something we all can do with practice. Although it has a tongue, it does not use the tongue to make any sounds. Pliny once wrote that if the tongue of a crow were split, it would learn to speak like humans. This, of course, was not true. All that would happen is that the crow bleeds to death. The cawing out of the crow should remind us that magic and creation are cawing out to us every day.

The great horned owl is probably the most deadly enemy of the crow. If an owl comes into the area of a crow it will mob the owl and chase it off. Crows know that if the owl discovers its nests, the night could bring death. Many crows have lost their life to the silent night hunts of owls.

The crow has great intelligence. It is adaptable to its environment. It will eat almost anything. Part of their ability to survive is their being omnivorous. They have a unique ability to communicate with each other and to work together.

Their abilty for watching and their intelligence has given them a reputation for thievery. They will rob food from other birds or whatever source is around--including human food supplies.

Crows and all covines are easily imprinted with the image of their keeper. Those who have had crows as pets have found them extremely trainable, wit an ability to count and develop a complex communication with their owner. And yet in the wild, even though they are constantly seen an dheard, it is hard to get near them. Again I have found that it reflects for most people little awareness or realization of the magic necessary to create or recreate their life.

The courtship and mating procedures also reflect much about the crow's association with magicc. The male crow sets out to make itself as handsome as possible, and it is during this time that its voice takes on a singing quality. (Love makes the whole world sing.) The male and female build the nest together. the nest is built high up for protection and it is kept very clean. Even young crows do not foul their own nest. A little meditation on this will reveal much about health, home and respect.

Crows have a great mythology about them. This can reflect not only past-life connections to those times and cultures but it also reflects some of the archetypal forces that it can connect with us. As with many animals, crows also have been known to predict tornadoes, rain, an dother changes in weather by the way the fly. Working with crows can help you to see how the winds are going to blow into your life and how to adjust your own life flights. Crows have long been considered magical, and my grandfather once told me how even finding a dead crow was a sign of good luck.

We have spoken of crows and their link to Greek/Roman mythology, but they hae appeared in others as well. In China a three-legged sun crow was worshipped. It was a symbol of solitude. To the Athapaskan Indians of Alaska, a crow (in the form of raven) was the creator of the world. To the Celts, the crow was also associated with creation. In Biblical lore, the prophet Elija was fed by ravens and crows while hiding in the wilderness. In the Norse tradition, the god Odin had two ravens who were his messengers.

Wherever crows are, there is magic. They are symbols of creation and spiritual strength. They remind us to look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life. They are messengers calling to us about the creation and magic that is alive within our world everyday and available to us.

*Denise Linn/The Secret Language of Signs:
In many cultures the crow is considered a powerful sign. The ancient Chinese thought that the crow signified the isolation of the individual who lives on a superior realm. For some Native Americans, the crow has mystic powers and is the creator of the visible world. There was a similar meaning for the Celts, the Germanic tribes, and the Siberians. The eye of the crow was thought to be the entrance to the supernatural realms and the inner mysteries of life. The crow was also the bringer of messages from the spirit realm.

Native peoples consider the corw a shape-shifter (someone or something that has the abilty to expand into other realms of consciousness). The shape-shifter can be in two places at once and take on other physical forms. The crow dwells beyond the realm of time and space. The crow can merge into the past, present, and future and travel in and out of darkness and light. Early alchemists had a similar symbolism, associating the crow with the "initial" state that embodies both matter and spirit.

If this sign appears to you, take heed, for the corw is a portent of change in your life. This is a sign to step beyond the usual way that you view reality and look into the inner realms. To do this, your integrity must be impeccable. If there are some areas in your life where you are being unethical, change them. Keep your word, speak your truth. Get ready to shape-shift by releasing your old reality and embracing a new way of viewoing yourself and the world around you. Listen to the messages all around you from the mysterious inner realms.

In some traditions, crows were feared because they were associated with death. This association was made because they were black and thus represented the void and the unknown inner realms. Do you fear your own death and inner darkness? If the crow appears to you as a sign, take time to explore your inner darkness and listen to the ancient wisdom within yourself.

The crow and the raven are of the same genus and in some respects have similar meanings. The expression "as the crow flies" means traveling in a straight line. Walk your talk. Travel straight forward with clarity and decisiveness in your life. To crwo means to exult loudly, as over another's defeat, or to boast. It can also mean to utter sounds that express pleasure or delight. Do you have something to crow about in your life?

*Zolar/Encyclopedia of Signs, Omens, and Superstitions:
There is a great deal of folklore connected with crows and ravens due to their wide distribution throughout much of the world.

The Greek writer Porphyry (3rd C. A.D.) wrote that one might acquire the crow's prophetic powers by eating their hearts. According to Greek myth, when Apollo became the lover of Coronis, he commissioned a snow white crow to keep guard over his already pregnant lover while he went to Delphi. The crow failed to report to Apollo that Coronis had become unfaithful with Ischy. In his anger, Apollo turned the bird black.

In Genesis, Noah sends forth a raven from the ark to search for land, an dlegend has it that travens guided Alexander to the Shrine of Jupiter Ammon in the Oasis of Siwah in Egypt and later foretold his death. Elijah was fed by ravens, predisposing Christians to regard the bird favorably (although St. Ambrose called the bird "impious" for not haveing returned to the ark).

In Great Britain there is a belief that, if the ravens at the Tower of London are destroyed, disaster to the empire is certain. [Note: this is because they did leave and the rodents ran amok bringing on the plague. When the crows returned the rodent population was kept under control and disease with it.]

In China the three-legged sun crow is held worthy of worship. Tradition holds that a crow never enters the Acropolis at Athens due to the enmity between Athena (whose symbol is the owl) and the crow.

The poet Ovid in Matamorphosos refers to a witch, Madea, who infused into the veins of the elder Jason a concoction of aged deer and the head of a crow that had outlived nine generations of men.

It was said that raven's eggs could be used to dye the hair black. Unless one's mouth was filled with oil while this was applied, however, teeth would turn black also. In Czechoslovakia, folklore holds that a man who eats three raven hearts reduced to ashes will become a crack shot. In Russia a witch's spirit is said to assume the form of a crow. If a Brahman takes money given to him for sacrifice an duses it for his personal ends, it is said he will be doomed to be a crow or a vulture in his next life and for a hundred years thereafter.

In Cornwall, to shoot a raven is to shoot King Arthur. In Wales, if blind people are kind to ravens, they will learn how to regain their sight. In Scotland those who hunt deer believe it a good omen to hear the call of a crow or raven before setting out.

A number of verses appear in American and European folklore to describe the corw's influence. In North America, "Crow on the fence, rain will go hence" is an often cited expression. In Maryland the following verse is found:
One crow--sorrow
Two crows--mirth
Three crows--wedding
Four crows--birth
The English version is as follows:
One's bad luck
Two's luck
Threes health
Four's wealth
Five's sickness
And six is death
Still another version goes like this:
One means anger
Two means mirth
Three a wedding
Four a birth
Five is heaven
Six is hell
But seven is the Devil's ownself.

Popular omens about crows abound. Here are some: Should a crow flutter about a window and caw, it portends death. Should a crow fly three times over a house and corak three times, it is a bad omen. An odd crow perched in the path of an observer is a sign of wrath. Should crows flock together early in the morning and stare into the sun, the weather will be hot and dry. Should they stalk at nightfall into water and croak, rain is at hand. A faminine is near at hand when crows in a flock forsake a wood. Foul weather is nearby should a crow croak an odd number of times. Should the croaking be an even number, the weather will be fine. Last, should crows be seen flying towards each other, it is an omen of war.

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dessa
Posts: 175
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:01 pm

Crow... meaning

Post by dessa » Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:37 pm

D.J. Conway/Animal Magick:
In Native American legends, crow could talk. Because of this, it was considered one of the wisest of birds. The sacred bird of the famious Ghost Dance was the crow.

In England, the species are called rooks. Crows are primariliy black; however, on rare occasions a crow will be white. They are mischievous and fond of pranks. They are somewhat shy and suspicious. Fascinated by shiny, bright objects, they will steal things. However, they also attack other birds' eggs and the young. Crows are like noisy watch-dogs when potential danger invades their territory.

The jackdaw, Corvus monedula, is a small crow from Europe and northern Asia. It is black, bu tthe sides of the head are silver-gray. Its eyes are white or luminous gray. It is a sociable bird, loving great numbers of this own species for company. The jackdaw can also be tamed as a pet and taught to talk.

A picture of two crows in ancient Egypt symbolized married happines; for the Aryan cultures the meaning was the same, along with the idea of food and fertility. To the Hindus, the corw was an emblem of the god Varuna.

It is possible that the word corw came from Rhea Kronia, a Greek goddess and mother of time, who was a form of the Dark Mother, Mother of Death.

Even though this bird was sacred to Apollo in ancient Greece, it was considered to be unlucky. It was said that the goddess Athene never allowed corws to light on the Acropolis, although they were sacred to her also. The Greeks believed, as do some people today, that if a crow perches on the roof it is an omen of death. In auguries, seeing a crow on the left was a warning of coming evil.

The Japanese also consider the corw to be a bird of ill luck, although they believe it brings messages from the gods.

A symbol of conflict, death, and ill-omens, the crow was associated with the Celtic goddesses Macha, Badb, and the Morrigan. The Irish word for crow is badb. This goddess, in the form of a crow, appeared to the Irish hero Cu Chulainn as a warning of his coming death. Branwen, sister of the god Bran the Blessed of Wales, was often portrayed in legend by a white crow. Later the Celts came to suspect and dread corws as a form taken by faeries to cause problems. They said that the cawing of crows signified the approach of rain.

Krake, the shape-shifting daughter of the Valkyrie Burnnnhilde, was said to have married the Danish king Ragnar Lodbrok and become the mother of the Norse-Germanic hero Sigurd (who was the same as Sigried). Krake and Ragnar also had three prophetic daughters owh created a magick banner called Raven (Hraefn).

In North America, the corw was considered to be the keeper of all sacred law, the one who knew the deep mysteries of all creation. Seeing a crow in certain situations was an omen of coming change. Spiritual crow power could lead a seeker to the gates of the supernatural.

The connection between the crow's foot sign and witchcraft began during the Middle Ages. People then said that magicians, and especially witches used this emblem to cast death spells. The description of crow's feet at the corner of the eyes may be a remnant of this superstition, symbolizing the aging process. To the alchemist, the crow stood for the condition produced when the Elements had been separated out.

Superstitions: The English have a rhyme about crows: one means anger; two is mirth; three a wedding; four a birth; five is heaven; six is hell; seven is the devil himself. To the natives of Northhamptonshire, however, a single flying corw is an omen of bad luck instead of anger. If crows make a hoarse, hollow sound, it means bad weather is coming. If a crow calls three times as it flies over a house, someone will die. Crows or ravens gathering in trees in the dark, but never really settling, are souls in purgatory, according to the Irish. In Russia it was bleived that a witch's spirit took crow-form. Another European saying about crow is: one for sorrow, two for mirth; three for a wedding; four for a birth.

Magickal attributes: Thief, trickery, boldness, skill, cunning, single-mindedness; a bringer of knowledge. Prophecy. Learn from the past but don't hold onto it. Swiftness, eloquence. Shape-shifting. Letting go of past hurts. Learning to mentally shape-shift. Divination.

*Brad Steiger/Totems:
This large, stately black bird assumes an almost universal role as a symbol of death or destiny. Among the Celtic people, the bird was associated with various war goddesses, who could assume the form of a raven at will. The Vikings held similar beilefs about the valkyries, and it was decreed that understanding the speech of birds could help one gain entry to the world of valkyries and ravens, where the results of future battles were ordained. Valkyries, in their coats of lustrous black feathers, were also known as Kraken, or crows. Warriors who fell in battle and whose bodies could not be claimed by friends or family were known as hrafengrennir, "raven feeders".

The great Danish hero Sigurd was the son of King Ragnar Lodbrok and the valkyrie Krake, a shape-shifter who could choose to be a beautiful maiden or a crow. In numerous fairy tales of teh northern Europeans, the raven is the spirit helper who guides the hero through the dangerous turns and traps of his quest. The reaven is also a reliable consultant on the vagaries of the Other World. In the Germanic tradition, the great hero Emperor Frederick is guarded by ravens as he sleeps in his underground sanctuary until the day of his return to earth.

During the dark and troubled Middle Ages in Europe, the crow also came to be associated with Satan because of its black color and raucous cry. Moralistic animal fables were told of the crow's shame of its blackness, even to the point of scattering mud on elegant swans in an attempt to make them look like him. They, of course, could wash off the dirt, but the jeallus crow could never change his color. St. Anthony, however, was not disturbed by such negative reports against the crow, for he chose it as his animal symbol.

Among many Native American tribes, especially among the plains and southwestern groups, the crow is a trickster figure, similar in many ways to the coyote. The Dakota envision the crow as an assistant to the plover, the Spirit of the South, who presided over warm weather. When the Spirit of the North arrived with his winter wolves, a battle ensued between them an dthe crow and the plover. According to tradition, if the two birds with their war clubs are able to beat back the wolves, warm weather would prevail for a little longer before the harsh cold set in over the plains. The Pueblo groups usually associate owls and crows with Dark Side witchcraft, and it was generally accepted that witches could change themselves into crows at will and fly at night to work their evil deeds.

In the Native American zodiac, those born from September 23 to October 22 are Crow/Raven people. The Medicine Wheel describes them as social, energetic, and full of nervous energy and fluctuating moods. But they are generally very flexible and adapt well to new environments and circumstances.

If you hae selected the corw as your totem animal--or if the crow has selected you--you may consider yourself to be something of a shape-shifter, gifted at wearing many faces. Be cautious of becoming too manipulative of others and impinging upon the free will of those who may be a bit gullible and easily led.

Your crow is a keen-eyed student of the environment from a perspective seldom achieved by ordinary observers. As one who watches shrewdly over the lay of th eland on both spiritual and physical levels, your totem animal expresses a point of view that touches several dimensions. As you learn better how to listen, you will find that he is a messenger without peer.

As a spirit helper, the crow will be able to get you in touch with many ancient mysteries, but you must regularly enter the Silence to be certain that you do not yield to the temptation of exploiting the powers of these ancient wisdoms for the glory of the Dark Side. If you are able to maintain your spiritual balance, the crow will guie you to become a gifted practitoner of True Magick and Medicine.

*Timothy Roderick/The Once Unknown Familiar:
Key Words: Communicative, feisty, manipulative
Magical Influences: Magical prowess, self-control, creation of illusion.
Personality: Crows are manipulators. They are like chess players who make all the people in their lives their chess pieces. Either verbally, emotionally, or magically, they tend to get what they want through the manipulation of others. Crows are territorial and will fight for what they feel is, by rights, theirs. Crows hate to give up the ghost, so they can be extremely determined in whatever matters they set their minds to. Most crows like to have plenty of time to themselves an dcan appear to be loners.

*Mary Summer Rain/On Dreams:
Crow represents clear messages; straight talk.

*Lady Stearn Robinson & Tom Gorbett/The Dreamer's Dictionary:
This blak fellow is an unhappy omen. He's usually a forerunner of sadness though not necessarily grief.

*Jamie Sams and David Carson/Medicine Cards:
Law. There is a medicine story that tells of Crow's fascination with her own shadow. She kept looking at it, scratching it, pecking at it, until her shadow woke up and became alive. Then Crow's shadow ate her. Crow is Dead Crow now.

Dead Crow is the Left-Handed Guardian. If you look deeply into Crow's eye, you will have found the gateway to the supernatural. Crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law.

Since Crow is the keeper of sacred law, Crow can *bend* the laws of the physical universe and *shape shift*. This abilty is rare and unique. Few adepts exist in today's world, and fewer still have mastered Crow's art of shape shuifting. This art includes doubling, or being in two places at one time consciously; taking on another physical form, and becoming the "fly on the wall" to observe what is happening far away.

The Europeans that came to Turtle Island were named the "boat peple" by Slow Turtle. Even with the knowledge of alchemy possessed by certain boat people, none had ever seen the powerful shape shifting of shamans who utilized Crow medicine. Many boat people were frightned by what appeared to be animals coming into their camps or dwellings to discern their medicine. Crow medicine people are master of illusion.

All sacred texts are under the protection of Crow. Creator's Book of Laws or Book of Seals is bound in Crow Feathers. Crow feathers tell of spirit made flesh. Crow is also the protector of the "ogallah" or ancient records.

The Sacred Law Belts, or Wampum Belts, beaded by native women long before the boat people or Europeans came to this continent, contain knowledge of the Great Spirit's laws, and are kept in the Black Lodges, the lodges of women. The law which states that "all things are born of women" is signified by Crow.

Children are taught to behave according to the rules of a particular culture. Most orthodox religious systems create a mandate concerning acceptable behavior within the context of worldly affairs. Do this and so, and you will go to heaven. do thus and so, and you will go to hell. Different formulas for salvation are demanded by each "true faith."

Human law is not the same as Sacred Law. More so than any other medicne, Crow sees that the physical world and even the spiritual world, as humainty interprets them, are an illusion. There are billions of worlds. There are an infinitude of creatures. Great Spirit is within all. If an individual obeys Crow's perfect laws as given by the Creator, then at death he or she dies a Good Medicine death--going on to the next incarnation with a clear memory of his or her past.

Crow is an omen of change. Crow lives in the void and has no sense of time. The Ancient Chiefs tell us that Crow sees imultaneously the three fates--past, present, and future. Crow merges light and darkness, seeing both inner and outer reality.

If Crow medicine appears in your card spread, you must pause and reflect on how you see the laws of the jGreat Spirit in relation to the laws of humanity. Crow medicine signifies a firsthand knowledge of a higher order of right and wrong than that indicated by the laws created in human culture. With Crow medicine, you speak in a powerful voice when addressing issues that for you seem out of harmony, out of balance, out of whack, or unjust.

Remember that Crow looks at the world with first one eye, and then the other-cross-eyed. In the Mayan culture, cross-eyes had the privilege and duty of looking into the future. You must put aside your fear of being a voice in the wilderness and "caw" the shots as you see them.

As you learn to allow your personal integrity to be your guide, your sense of feeling alone will vanish. Your personal will can then emerge so that you will stand in your truth. The prime path of true Crow people says to be mindul of your opinions and actions. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth, know your life's mission, and balance past, present, and future in the now. Shape shift that old reality and become your future self. Allow the bending of physical laws to aid in creating the shpe shifted world of peace.

Contrary:
So you are an outlaw today, eh? This is one of the varied messages of Crow reversed. The rebel in you has given a yell, and all hell is about to break loose!

A word to the wise at this point: make sure that if you are stepping on toes, you have some back-up. The catalyst for a barroom brawl is usually the person with two black eyes. That is what it means to eat Crow.

If you do not plan to go to such extremes, Crow reversed may indicate that you are merely "cheating a little" on your diet, or covertly watching teh neighbors have a spat, or thinking, "Promises are made to be broken." In any of these situations, the only loser is you. If you are lying to yourself on any level, you have lost the power of Crow. Think about it, and maybe your inner truth will come to you.

In seeing what is true, you may need to weed out past beliefs or ideas to bring yourself into the present moment. Contrary Crow speaks ofneeding to remember that Divine Law is not judgment or denial of self-truths. Divine Law is honoring harmony that comes from a peaceful mind, an open heart, a true tongue, a light step, a forgiving nature, and a love of all living creatures. Honor the past as your teacher, honor the present as your creation, and honor the future as your inspiration.

Refusing to honor the shifts in your reality can cause emotional pain. An implosion of energy is apparent when rebellion surfaces. Contrary Crow speaks of broken law. The law of expansion is broken by suppression. this may apply to a situation, an old habit, a person you have given your authority to, or your own fears. It is always your own creationm so call on Crow and shift that creation to your new reality.

*Barbara G. Walker/The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets:
Along with the vulture and raven, the carrion-eating crow was northern Europe's common symbol of the Death-Goddess. Valkyries, sometimes described as man-eating women, often took totemic form as ravens or crows.

Anglo-Danish myths spoke of a witch named Krake (Crow), daughter of the Valkyrie Burnnhilde. Krake was a shape-shifter; at times a beautiful virgin, at other times a hag, monster, or crow. She married the Danish king Ragnar Lodbrok (Leather-Breeches), and gave birth to Sirgud. Surgud was the same as Siegfried, whose mystic lady-love was the Valkyrie Burnnhilde; thus appeared the same convoluted incestuour relationships found in the oldest myths of sacred kingship. Again the Triple Goddess returned as the three prophetic daugthers of Ragnar and Krake, Fate-weavers who created the magic banner called Raven (Hraefn).

There was a mythological Kraken associated with the sea, pictured as a serpent or water-monster; but this was only another form of the same Death-goddess. The Three Ravens (Kraken) in old ballads were birds of doom perching over the slain hero. Sometimes there were only two of them, as in the ballad of the Twa Corbies (Two Crows), who proposed to pluck out the bonny blue eyes of the slain knight.

Such manifestations of the Goddess as a crow might be linked with Coronis, "Crow," a death aspect of the pre-Hellenic earth mother Rhea. Classical mythographers tended to ignore Coronis, remembering her only as the virgin mother of the healin ggod Asclepius; but sheseems to have been another of the Virgin-Crone combinations. Rhea kronia as Mother Time who brings death to all things.

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Post by ravenuriel » Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:13 am

Umm I had a whole flock of them hanging out in my yard last week.
about 30 of them. what do you think that means..
I have read the above posts.
and I understand them but I had a flock of them. Are they trying to tell me~ hello! you need to work on this.
The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding.~ The Kybalion~

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Post by RoseRed » Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:01 pm

Wow what a great amount of detail!
Where I live there are a constant amount of magpie's all OVER the place! So its difficult to say if they are giving a personal message or rather the message of how they live in your environment and hence showing you how to better live in your environment??? Not sure myself.
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To Forgive, Divine

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Post by dessa » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:50 pm

I would say they are definitely trying to get your attention so you will look to the areas they are messengers for.

If it were one or two you may have thought it interesting, but as you pointed out it was a whole flock that kind of emphasis seems to me they are REALLY trying to get you to pay attention even perhaps stressing the point a bit.

Take the time to think about what the meaning of crow is, which of those things here resonate with you and see if you can work on what it is they are trying to show / share with you.

That many birds seems to be more than coincidental.

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Post by dessa » Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:58 pm

RoseRed wrote:Wow what a great amount of detail!
Where I live there are a constant amount of magpie's all OVER the place! So its difficult to say if they are giving a personal message or rather the message of how they live in your environment and hence showing you how to better live in your environment??? Not sure myself.

It is something to be considered if the animal is a natural occurance or not, is it that the animals are native to an area, or is it that it is unusual.
Is it that they are native to an area but that they are doing something that is unusual?  If so is that so they can get your attention.

Though I personally feel the meaning of magpie is different than the meaning of crow.


An example of what I mean by natural element creature doing something unusual would be that most places have spiders in one form or another, and no doubt most have had spiders in or near their homes.

yet for about a month once, every night for a month to 6 weeks this spider would weave this web, across our back door. It was done daily and was aproximately 4 feet wide by 5 feet tall. It would go up about the same time each night. It was like living in the book charlottes web with spider sending deliberate message. Something else, the only reason we knew about it was because we would let the dogs into the yard at night before going to bed, more than one person has seen these huge webs and in the morning when we let the dogs out as we got ready for work etc, the web was gone. The web always stopped at what I would call mid thigh level high enough so that the dogs could walk under it when they went out side with out disturbing it.

So while spiders are a natural occurance, yes, the unusual behavior shared a message with me.

So that is something to consider when noticing animals are thy being natural to their enviroment and is it natural to see them there or are they sharing a message because they are doing something to be noticed?

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Post by enumero123 » Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:26 am

wow thanks for the great info   the crow is my spiirt bird  i have a crow tattoo on my right temple between my ear and my eye
always with me

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Post by Aegeus » Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:22 pm

I heard crows used to be white then they protect humans from something which turned them black. Not sure if that's just how I heard the Apollo story or if it was a different culture's story. Think it was a native american story.

There were crows swarming around in circles and dropping dead when Alexander the great was going into Babylon after he had been warned by oracle not to enter the city. The crows would have been protecting him by warning of his death.

For the first time in over 10 years I'm living somewhere that crows aren't. Just before  left I found  T - shirt that has 45 crows on the front perched on electrical wire's, and 10 pigeons. So it feels like crow energy is following me. I had a dream a while ago that I was in a crow form, and I flew from the ground to a tree top, and it was as easy as crows make it look to do.

I think areas where crows live in swarms are places where the way people live in relation to their environment needs to be seriously changed, and brought to include more awareness of the past present and future. Here Where I'm living now and I don't see any crows  notice the people live in better relation to the land for the most part. Over in BC there used to be tons of Salmon, before everyone and their dog was fishing for dinner and to sell and make a few extra bucks. The fish got sick of it and fucked off. Here where I'm living now, lots of people fish and either eat or give it away and a lot more people have success finding fish.

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Post by Aegeus » Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:31 am

It's interesting that crows are smart and they make lots of noise, and that owls symbolize silent wisdom, and crows consider owls an enemy.
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