Before I start with the automatic writing, I felt the need to go and see what some other folks had said about crow. While I like to have my relationship with Spirit be fairly organic, I don’t operate in a vacuum. Besides, I like data.
Spirit Animals & Animal Totems agrees that Crow is associated with magic & mysteries. They underscore the idea of becoming aware of illusion in associating Crow with the Trickster, and they say that Crow provides insight, even prophecy.
The calling in of Trickster reminds me (I was going to say “of course,” but I have no idea how many people are actually familiar with Sooj’s work) of SJ Tucker‘s Rabbit’s Song off of her Blessings album. In it, Raven, Crow, Coyote, and Rabbit are chosen by Trickster to teach Man. Furthermore, Crow is associated in the tale with pride and service. Note: the song is based on mythology, if you were not aware. I find song to be an excellent teaching tool for the Old Stories.
Shamanic Journey associates Crow with change and sacred law. I find is interesting that this article focuses on their voice, which is what they used to draw my attention.
“Crows often appear in groups, and though there seems to be no variation in their caw-ing to each other, each caw actually has a different meaning. Their complex vocabulary is one sign of their intelligence, and is also a sign of their significance as power animals. When a crow explores something new, others watch closely to see what happens and then learn from it. They often make great noise when hunters are around, warning deer and other birds. Crows recognise (sic) potential danger and hence always post lookouts when feeding. This is their most vulnerable time. This helps us understand that we must watch what we believe, to test our habitual ideas about reality against a more universal standard.
Without paying careful attention, we are unable to understand the language of crows, this signifies the fact that we can’t always see beyond our own cultural limitations. These limitations include certain moral codes of right and wrong, along with ‘rules’ that accompany these codes.”
I also like that this article has Crow living in The Void, a space in which I do a lot of my personal sacred work. In that space, they “unite both the light and the dark, both the inner and the outer.” The entire article is really good, you should read it.
Spirit Animal Totems has Crow being an augur or change and a messenger of personal energy conservation. Considering my current situation, I certainly find resonance with that last.
The Universe of Symbolism speaks of ancient wisdom and sacred law again, and says that Crow is a call to use one’s inner vision and to see one’s authentic self.
Lin, whose writings on totems I love, speaks of personal integrity, change, magic, and awareness.
Birdclan, who I had not come across before, calls Crow the left-handed guardian. This can mean different things to different people, but to me, this is about the guardian of magic and the subconscious. We are in a waning moon, approaching the dark goddess, the crone of wisdom, so Crow’s appearance is timely. I do like it when I can see the puzzle fitting together. It should be noted, as well, that we have 4 planets forming a Cardinal Grand Cross in the 13th degree this week, 2 of which are in retrograde. There’s a lot of left-handed movement in that, and it heralds great personal change.
Lynx says that Crow will work to drive off negative energy, which is certainly needed right now. Lynx agrees that Crows says “Pay attention!
Crrookwood goes into a lot of real world facts about Crow and Raven, and associates Raven with Shamanism. They summarize their thoughts with “In general crows are more about developing wisdom and power within the group, ravens with solitary introspection and personal magic and power. Both herald change, often transformative deep change, and both sometimes warn of the closeness of death or the presence of the dead.”
The Spiritual Self by Anasopiah associates Crow with shape-shifting and learning and Raven with magic.
Cinnamon Moon, in a post on the Totem Library Forum on Spiritlodge, adds that two crows suggest mirth, which I take to signify not taking myself too seriously and seeing the humor in all things.
I’ll tackle the automatic writing in the next post…