A Lonely Crow - Spirit Animal

Picture of 
"Crow In Flight" from Wikipedia

 

We are at the time of year when all of the crows should have flown south - from Alberta - for the winter.  So, I was surprised to see one lonely crow in the park woods on my walk the other morning.  I know it was a crow because of the distinctive "caw" noise.  Thinking about the scene, I then began to wonder if I had actually seen the crow or whether it was a Spirit Crow that was there as the woods were eerily quiet.

Crow makes a wide range of noises, and it is possible to learn their language in our rather primitive human way.  Sometimes the sounds are about danger, others about gossip and where the food is, or where there are other animals that may present some fun! The shiny blackness of Crow's feathers remind us that absolute blackness is the chaos that we - the cosmos - was born out of. And, Crow represents the magic that is present during the day. (Appropriate for me in the woods.) 

What messages does Crow bring?  Messages that really need to be reflected upon.  Here are some of them.

a)   Crow likes to be very high up to observe and watch for danger.  If you see Crow, and she is cawing at you, perhaps you need to be warned of danger ahead.

b)  Crow likes to gather with other crows.  Some liken this to a Council.  Perhaps it is time to turn to your Council of Twelve for guidance.

c)  Various legends of the Gods and Goddesses tell of their use of Crows as spies because Crow has an inherent knowledge of truth.  If Crow appears, it may be that she is saying that you need to look beyond the apparent for the actual Truth.  Shaman say that you need to look for the story behind the story.  

d) Crow therefore is also about integrity.  Is there something that is challenging your truth and integrity?  Do you need to be diligent or discerning in your association with others?

As I look at my Crow experience, I realize that my  message came from Great Spirit, and that Crow was there to remind me that there is much beyond what we know, and that I need to turn more to guidance from Great Spirit, Ancestors, and my Council of Twelve.   I will be spending more time in mediation!

Blessings,

Judy

Winter Solstice is Thu, Dec 21, 2023, 8:27 p.m

"Winter Sanctuary"   © S. Roger Joyeux, used with permission.

A tradition we have every year is to participate in a Winter Solstice Celebration – whether we attend one or host one.  Here is some information about Winter Solstice.

On the longest night of the year, December 21st, we celebrate an ancient celebration, often called "Yule".  This is the Winter Solstice celebration that honours the long night, and welcomes the Mother Goddess to give birth to her child, the SUN. From this day, the daylight hours will grow longer, as Sun matures.  We celebrate Yule by lighting a big bonfire to welcome the light, and by burning Yule logs (pine logs) to honour the birth of something new.  At the sametime, we set our intentions because Winter Solstice is a magical season . . . one that marks the journey from this year to the next, journeys of the spirit from one world to the next, and the magic of birth, death, and rebirth.  We ask to shed that which no longer serves us, set our vision of what we desire for the next year, and take the winter to dream it into being.  We also give wishes to loved ones, to ensure the blessing on our visions.  We take our vision of what we will become and offer this to the Goddess for a blessing. As well, we offer gratitude for what we have and gift good wishes to others. 

In Sweden, The Goddess Lucina is known as the Sun Goddess. The people celebrate the return of the Sun Goddess on the day of the year when the night is the longest. By giving her this adoration, the next day, there will be an increase in daylight signalling something new! Lucina gives birth to the young Sun who will grow in strength to be able to nourish the Spring and the Summer so the world may flourish. Lucina asked the people to create joyfulness by decorating evergreens, the tree of life and death, which are sacred to her. As well, she asked them to put up holly, which is the symbol of rebirth (abundance and prosperity for the year). Mistletoe, also sacred to her, is the symbol of peace. The decorating of pine trees and the hanging of holly and mistletoe are traditions that originated with the Goddess Lucina.

That tradition was passed down to me by my Grandmother. When I was little, my Grandmother, who was Swedish and Norwegian, always sent a big box of presents at Christmas time on the years they did not come to visit. In the box would be several branches of Holly and a sprig or two of Mistletoe, to wish our family prosperity and peacefulness for the upcoming year.  Grandpa grew mistletoe and holly as part of his flower garden so Grandma sent a link from their house to ours. 

Note that the picture of holly comes from http://www.trainingreference.co.uk/ . We are grateful for their help.

We wish you all to have a branch of holly and a sprig of mistletoe!

Happy Winter and many blessings,

Judy

Minding The Soul

I was having a discussion about life and particularly, the way life is now playing out with a long time friend.  She said to me, what if our soul wants us to die now.  The thought took me so by surprise that I was speechless!  She asked me if I was okay.  I said that I was, but that the idea of our soul wanting us to die, ultimately so that we can move on to other things, simply got my mind churning away on new ideas.  

I remembered the poem, “Invictus”, and I wondered whether indeed we were the captains of our own souls.  My thought is that once we reach a high level of vibration, then our earthly soul merges with our higher self, and it doesn’t really matter.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

William Ernest Henley

It is worth reading this poem several times.  There are some big ideas in it that are good for focusing your meditation.

Many blessings,

Judy