CROW SPIRIT AND MEDICINE
The past few months there have been 8 crows that come and visit me every day. Around 7 or 8 in the morning I usually go outside with my dog and buddy Salem to walk around my yard and letting Salem do his business and get some exercise. Well most mornings the crows will be in my big Oak trees right outside my house and welcome me with their calls and then fly around. What is strange is that in previous years ,if they even saw me in the door they would fly off before I could get the door open, but now they are in the trees above me talking to me every morning. Or they would let me watch them hunting on the ground for food while standing on my back step or they would stay around as me and Salem would walk about my yard. They seem to be a permanent feature in my home area now when that has not been the case, they have been around but not as often as I see them now.This closeness started when I was trying on another name 'Rhaevyn' . I would use crow for a name but it just didn't sound as good as raven does so that is the only reason I was thinking about using raven but using my own spelling of the word raven/Rhaevyn as my name and not crow. I wonder whether crow is saying I need to reconsider not using Rhaevyn for my other name? I will ponder that one. I wonder if it is sign of a God or Goddess making themselves known to me,I have been asking for such, if so they better give me more information on who they are because many Gods have crow or raven as their symbol. So here is some more wonderful information on the totem Crow.
Crow Totem Spirit and Medicine: http://www.controverscial.com/Crow.htm Contributed by - Patricia Jean Martin
The crow is a major member of the Corvids family (genus, Corvus) along with raven, magpie, blue jay and others, so some of the major teachings of Crow have already been posted within the texts on Raven. As this is the case, I will need to mention some of the similarities between the two, but will concentrate mainly on the differences. For more in-depth knowledge, a study of Raven would be beneficial to anyone with Crow as their Totem or Spirit Guide, and vice-versa.
If Crow has called on you, you may soon find the following show up in your life: A call to magick, a better understanding of the creative forces within and without, a greater nudging to speak your truth, and the courage and cunning to fly into the Void in order to retrieve the necessary knowledge and wisdom to manifest all of the above and more.
When Crow comes into your life, you can also expect to gain a better self-understanding, greater intuitive reflexes, guidance while shapeshifting through the shadows, and the opportunity to learn about the advantages of determination and watchfulness. Extremely intelligent (along with ravens, crows are noted as being the most intelligent of all birds), the crow will work diligently at manipulating an object or their surroundings until they have accomplished what they've set out to do. Like the raven, they are known to use physical tools along with ingenious methods of action that are noted as being well thought out and even planned. For those with Crow Totem, all these mental capacities and skilful manoeuvres reflect a need to use one's inner senses and outer resources to their fullest.
A crow will build its nest up higher than most other birds do, and they do this for several reasons. The most important are for safety and to secure a wider visual range. A ship's highest lookout point (a small circular balcony surrounding a tall mast) is called a "Crow's Nest" for obvious good reason. Those working with Crow medicine will find it advantageous to work on broadening their horizons, along with anticipating and being on the lookout for new opportunities that are sure to come when under Crow's tutelage. The crow has often been nicknamed "The Sentinel," as one will often sit and watch and remain aware of all that is going on around them in order to protect other crows in the flock (technically called a "murder") and to make sure no harm comes to their family. One can learn a lot in this respect, and Crow will teach you how better to do the same. From this higher perspective and this watchful awareness, your perception increases and you are able to foresee what is in the offing, thus giving you greater opportunity to be prepared for and/or embrace what is coming your way.
Crow, unlike the raven, does not mind living in populated areas. They are apt to cohabitate with humans and often live near or around them, as opposed to the raven's deep forest preference. In fact, it is very easy to befriend a crow. Some people have even been known to keep them as pets. A crow very easily bonds and is imprinted with the image and mannerisms of its keeper and will remain faithful and trusting throughout their relationship if well cared for. This shows the bird's willingness to work with humans, and also gives insight into their teachings of being strongly connected to kin...of recognizing family, even if through past lives shared... and of honouring the spirit of their kin and never forgetting them. Past life regression becomes easier when working with Crow Spirit. And through their prompting, acknowledgment and veneration of one's ancestors is brought to the forefront of your memory.
Crow's character is one of protector, scholar, messenger, and a bit of trickster. They can be very playful, quite amorous, and very wilful...almost downright cocky, actually. And akin to ravens, crows like to talk. Most people find their vocals brassy and annoying, but one with Crow Totem will find them quite soothing, peaceful to the soul, and even joyful and interesting to listen to. Learning to listen to the various tones, inflections and repetitive but varied patterns of the crow's voice can teach you such things as how to work cooperatively, how to discern the truth behind another's words, how to read between the lines, and even how to predict the weather, be alerted to the sudden appearance of a predator, or how to navigate life successfully. But even through all of Crow's love of talk, they will also teach you the very opposite...how to stay advantageously silent when necessary. The Four Cornerstones of Magick (the Witch's Pyramid) is in no way foreign to Crow.Omnivorous and apt to eat most anything available, Crow shows you how to maintain a keen sense of personal survival and how to have an "appetite" for a wide and diverse store of knowledge that you will "eat"...take inside, digest, and either be nourished by or spit out. How to use that nourishing knowledge can often be learned by watching the movements and antics of the crow - how they interact, why they interact, and when and with whom they interact. When you learn how to use wisely the vast array of knowledge they offer you, it then becomes wisdom. Raven medicine is more apt to delve more deeply into this conversion of knowledge to wisdom, but Crow will always, at the very least, open the door and offer you the way.
Aside from merely observing crows in the wild, you can work with the quintessence of Crow in the Spirit world. Here, Crow's own wisdom, offered to you very often in a knowledgeable message form but also in connective experience, is invaluable. They possess the ability to peer into all realms, to coexist in the world of timelessness, and they are very likely to delve into the depths of hidden and obscure knowledge and emerge with a message. It's a bit of a wild ride when working with Crow medicine, as they can take you high aloft to towering realms where the essence of magick may manifest but has yet to fully form, and in the next minute take you perilously deep down into the depths of your psyche, where they almost impatiently will expect you to simultaneously pull forth and examine the message they've delivered from both. In working with Crow, I've found it best to mimic them by staying open and courageous and willing to receive. I've also found they will scoff at you if you do not heed their messages.
Yes, Crow is the epitome of all messengers. Some older superstitions carry the belief that the visit and call of the crow is an omen of impending death, but this was probably adopted in thought as a result of a series of ancient myths - one being where Crow delivered unwelcome news to Apollo, who in turn smote the then pure white messenger by turning him and all his brethren to the colour black. In going from white to black, Crow was actually given the gift of now knowing both of these realms very well - wherein the past, present and future are frequently visited by this most magickal and mystical bird. Being well-known for their methodical and meticulous explorations and their curious and brazen dispositions, Crow Spirit delves deeply into the Void in order to bring word of what may be in need of a better balance in your life. Like their kindred, the Raven, Crow's colour even reminds us that things are never just black and white. Within their present black colour lie all the other colours of the spectrum pulled within - as within one's self lie all the secrets of magick. Black is the colour associated with creation. It is the Void in which all new things are birthed. It is pure potential awaiting the spark of thought. Those with Crow Totem will find themselves pushed to seek out and bring back harmony, balance and justice to their world, and will be urged to unleash their unlimited creativity. In the act of creation, though, some outdated habits and things that are no longer useful are apt to demand change and transformation. Crow medicine very often heralds change through the aspects of death and rebirth. Crow is the Totem of Destiny.
As leaders and messengers in the world of Totems, you can expect Crow to lead you to magick at every step. With Crow being my own Life Totem, I've had them literally physically lead me to things of importance in terms of my enlightenment, and other times merely to a place or thing just for the sheer pleasure of viewing it. In fact, I use them as guides quite frequently. When travelling, I am very apt to see Crows along the way. In fact, I worry if I don't. Whenever I do see a Crow while walking or driving, I can usually expect something exciting to appear just around the bend. Just as they are known for being attracted to bright and shiny objects (which they will often steal and stash away for their own enjoyment), they tend to lead you to them too, both literally and metaphorically. It's not unlikely that you'll find something awe-inspiring - something that brings bright spiritual light and shining resonance to your life - immediately after spotting a Crow. They also very noticeably show up at particular times where I've been able to relate it to my own action and whereabouts, in the sense that they let me know I am in the right place at the right time. Crow's attraction to the bright and shiny can help you learn to value the light in yourself and in others.
In all these things and much more, Crow is an extraordinarily gifted teacher and guide.
Sources
Animal-Speak (The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small) - By Ted Andrews
European Myth & Legend - By Mike Dixon-Kennedy
Oxford Dictionary of World Mythology - By Arthur Cotterall
Microsoft Encarta CD 2006 © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation.
Written and compiled 19th July 2007 © George Knowles
Add a Comment
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Comment by Makoons on January 13, 2012 at 9:17 -
I actually like this article quite a bit and find a lot of it to be true as one of my spirit animals is also the crow. The only thing I would add is that people try to be more careful with the use of the word "totem." Totem comes from the Ojibwe word "Dodem (Dough-DAYM)" and isn't interchangeable with the spirit animal concept at all. A Dodem is a person's clan animal, the animal their family is identified with and through whom their lifelong responsibilities to the tribe are determined. For instance, I am Bear Clan which means that I am considered a warrior for my people and also a medicine person. It also meansthat I cannot date or be physically intimate with anyone else who is Bear clan as they are a member of my family. It doesn't matter if we do an extensive geneology and discover we are unrelated, they are spiritually considered a "cousin" to me and I cannot be romantic with them. A Dodem animal cannot be had by someone who isn't a tribal member (unless they are by some rare event adopted into a tribe or family). It is passed down through your genetic lines either through your mother or father's side of the family.
As you can see, Dodem animals are meant to be not only a skill to master, a family emblem, or a tribal responsibility, they are also a form of incest control. It keeps family lines from crossing AND gives a person a purpose within their tribe.
Spirit animals, however, are believed to be just as you've described here. They are an animal with a distinct personality that chooses to interact with you because of a spiritual connection. Many dream their spirit animal, others realize they have this connection through an interaction one might consider "out of character" for the animal. For instance, if a moose were to come to your front yard and stare into your window, you might want to consider what that might mean. An animal behaving in an ordinary way is probably just an animal.
Spirit animals are also found in many other traditions and can be had by anyone of any ethnicity or background.
Anyway, thank you for this article!
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Comment by Selenah Awrin on December 25, 2011 at 22:47 -
I saw 3 crows today upon leaving for work. I felt they had a message to give me and I tried to think of what that was but I had work to think about at the time. Maybe things will become more clear in a dream somehow. Anyway this was an interesting read nonethless.
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Comment by OWLTHENA on December 25, 2011 at 10:49
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I threw out some pancakes this morning and while I was doing that I called in the crows, I had 2 come by and check out what I was doing, I was thrilled, but so far none have come up to eat, waiting on them , will see if they come over later on.
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Comment by Flammeous {De Empress} on December 24, 2011 at 17:37 -
This is a insightful read.
http://realpagan.net/group/firstnationsspirituality/forum/topics/sp...
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Comment by Melissa on December 24, 2011 at 15:32 -
If you want to attract the crows more often, feed 'em with dog kibble! If you play a sound while feeding, they'll eventually come over when they hear the sound because they know you'll give food. I'm trying it with a dog clicker.
Makoons gave great info on this on one of my topics a while back. It's worth reading.
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