RAVEN
The Raven's keynote is that of magic, shapeshifting, and creation. While its
cycle of power is that of winter solstice. The raven is one of those birds that
has a tremendous amount of lore and mythology surrounding it, and it is often
contradictory. It is a bird of birth and death, and it is a bird of mysticism
and magic.
In the near East, the raven was considered unclean because it is a scavenger. It
is one of the foods listed as forbidden in the Bible. The raven is one of the
birds that Noah sent out after the floods, but it did not return to the ark. On
the other hand, also in Biblical lore is the tale of how a raven fed the prophet
Elijah when hiding from King Ahab.
In Scandinavian lore, the raven played a significant role. The Norse god Odin
had a pair of ravens who were his messengers. Their names were Hugin (thought)
and Munin (memory). Odin was known to shapeshift as a raven himself. This
reflects the idea of raven being a messenger of the great spiritual realm.
In the Middle Ages the croak of the raven was believed to foretell a death or
the outcome of a battle. It was even taught to the common folk in Christian
communities that wicked priests became ravens when they died. Even today, some
old timers tell how you can expect hot weather when a raven is seen facing a
clouded sun.
The raven is a member of the corvids family, to which belong crows and magpies
and other such birds. In truth, the only really significant difference between
the crow and the raven is in size, the raven being much larger. It would be
beneficial to study the information on the crow for anyone who has a raven as a
totem. Much of the same information that applies to one, also applies to the
other. It is simply a matter of degree. Rather than repeat that information
here, I would like to give you some information not generally associated with
the crow itself.
The raven has a wealth of myth and lore surrounding it. In many ways it is
comparable to the coyote tales of the plains Indians, the Bushmen tales of the
mantis and other societies in which an animal plays both a significant and yet
confusing role. The coyote was both trickster and wise being-fool and wise one.
This was true of the mantis in the tales of the Kalahari Bushmen.
In the Pacific Northwest the raven has this same aura about him. In the Pacific
Northwest, raven brought forth life and order Raven stole the sunlight from one
who would keep the world in darkness. Nothing could exist without raven. Raven
is honored in art and on totem poles, reflecting the tales and mysticism that
have developed around it.
With raven, human and animal spirits intermingle and become as one. This is
reflected in its deep, rich shiny black. In blackness, everything mingles until
drawn forth, out into the light. Because of this, raven can help you shapeshift
your life or your being. Raven has the knowledge of how to become other animals
and how to speak their languages.
Ravens are great at vocalizations, and they can be taught to speak. They
incorporate and mimic the calls of other species. In the Northwest are tales of
the Kwakiutl Indians who offered the afterbirth of male newborns to Raven so
that when they grew up, they would understand their cries. Raven can teach you
to understand the language of animals.
Ravens are playful, and they are excellent tool users. They will use stones and
anything else that is available to help them crack nuts and such. They are birds
not intimidated by others, and they are very fast and wary Because of this, they
are not easy prey for other animals or birds. This implies the ability to teach
you how to stir the magic of life without fear They are also known for their
amorous behavior, reflecting the strong creative life force to which they have
access.
This creative life force can be used to work the magic of spiritual laws upon
the physical plane. It can be used to go into the void and stir the energies to
manifest that which you most need. All this and more is what raven teaches. If
raven has come into your life, expect magic. Somewhere in your life, magic is at
play Raven activates the energy of magic, linking it with your will and
intention.
Raven speaks of the opportunity to become the magician and/or enchantress of
your life. Each of us has a magician within, and it is Raven which can show us
how to bring that part of us out of the dark into the light. Raven speaks of
messages from the spirit realm that can shapeshift your life dramatically Raven
teaches how to take that which is unformed and give it the form you desire.
The winter solstice and winter season is the time of greatest power for those
with the raven as a totem. The solstice is the shortest day of the year The sun
shines the least on this day, thus it is the darkest. From that day forth, the
light shines a little more each day This is symbolic of the influence of raven.
It teaches how to go into the dark and bring forth the light. With each trip in,
we develop the ability to bring more light out. This is creation.
CHANT
Wing so black it shines like Moon at midnight,
O Raven, strong, hear my cry!
Teach me old magick, powerful, bold,
O Raven, eloquent and wise.
© Ted Andrews - Animal Speak
THE DEER
The Deer's keynote is that of Gentleness and innocence a gentle luring to new
adventure. While its cycle of power is that of autumn and spring. The deer has
always captured the imagination of humanity. It is one of the most successful
families of mammals, native to every continent except Australia. They have been
able to adapt to every sort of habitat. The white-tailed deer, the mule deer and
the caribou are three that are prominent on the North American continent. The
moose and the wapiti (Elk) are also part of the deer family, but they are
described separately.
Each type of deer has its own special qualities and characteristics, while
sharing some of the qualities of all deer in general. Caribou, for example, make
long migrations twice a year, reflecting the need for those who have it as a
totem to use that same pattern in their life. They begin running in fall and
early winter, and these then are the power times. The mule deer is also a
wanderer. It never follows the same path twice. This is part of its natural
defense, making it less predictable to predators. Most of the information in
this section will focus on deer in general, and the white-tailed specifically.
The name "deer" has several variations on its origin. These may provide clues to
past lives for those with this totem. The Anglo-Saxon word "deor" was a general
word for animals and was often used just in the general sense. In the German
language, it has its root in "tier", simply meaning wild animal also. It can
also be traced to the Sanskrit "mriga", also meaning wild animal.
To many the deer is considered the most important animal ever hunted. The hunt
of the deer is what transfers our civilization to the wilderness. There are many
stories and myths of deer luring hunters or even kings deep into the woods until
they are lost and begin to encounter new adventures. One such example is found
in the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Sir Gawain
follows a white hart to many adventurous encounters. A reading of Sir Thomas
Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur will also provide more examples.
The deer is also a central religious image for Buddhism. Buddha is often
pictured with a deer, and legend tells how he first preached in a deer park.
This image itself reasserts the meaning of the deer as representing innocence
and a return to the wilderness.
The white-tailed deer is the most common in the United States. One of its most
outstanding features is the set of antlers that the male develops. In other
members of the deer family, i.e. reindeer and caribou, both the male and the
females grow them. The antlers are solid bone, and they are shed every year.
Antlers grow behind the eyes and are very protective.
Each year until the age of five, the antlers grow bigger and with more points.
If you encounter a deer in the wild, try to make count of the number of points.
This will tell you some of the significance the deer will have for you. Remember
that numerology can help define the essence.
Antlers are symbols of antennae, connections to higher forms of attainment. Deer
with antlers thus can be a signal to pay attention to your inner thoughts and
perceptions, as they are probably more accurate than you think.
The antlers are shed every year, and each year they grow back larger and with
more points, for five years. If a deer has entered your life, look for new
perceptions and degrees of perceptions to grow and expand for as much as the
next five years. It can indicate that there will be opportunities to stimulate
gentle new growth increasingly over the next few years.
One to two young are born. Fawns are born a color that protects and hides them.
In the first few days, they hardly move, and the mother nurses them often. This
is very significant for those with this totem. Many societies taught the
importance of staying with the new-born for a prescribed period of time. No
visitors, no family members other than the father were allowed to contact with
the new-born. Even today in the Muslim religion, a mother who breast feeds for a
prescribed time makes that child her own, whether or not it is her biological
child. This kind of attention and separateness enables the child to link with
the family more strongly and protects the new-born from subtle outside
influences.
Our auras or energy fields are electromagnetic and exchanges of energy do occur
with other people and places. The kind of energy a child is exposed to can have
strong effects. Until the child's energy is strong and firmly grounded, it
should be protected from extraneous influences.
The deer leads us back to the primal wisdom of those old teachings. It reminds
us to establish a strong healthy connection with the child before we expose it
to many people and other strange energies. It is a reminder that there is a
tradition that is natural and suitable for family units and for the health of
the young. It is for the child's best interest.
After the first few days, the fawn can usually stand and follow its mother
about. Doe fawns may stay with the mother for as much as a year. The buck or
male will usually leave after a few months. The father takes no part in the
rearing of the young; it is all the rule of the mother. Again this can be a
reminder for us to move gently back to the traditional family unit and roles. It
may indicate, if the deer has shown up in your life, that you have gotten too
far away from the role that would be most beneficial to you at this time.
A deer's senses are very acute. Its vision is designed for clarity at a
distance. It is especially effective at detecting contrasts and edges in dim
light. Its hearing is equally acute. Anyone who has deer as a totem will find
increasing ability to detect subtle movements and appearances. They will begin
to hear what may not be said directly.
When deer shows up in your life it is time to be gentle with yourself and
others. A new innocence and freshness is about to be awakened or born. There is
going to be a gentle, enticing lure of new adventures. Ask yourself important
questions. Are you trying to force things? Are others? Are you being too
critical and uncaring of yourself? When deer shows up there is an opportunity to
express gentle love that will open new doors to adventure for you.
CHANT
Woodland dreams of intuition come with the graceful deer.
I greet you, graceful brothers of the forest.
Your gift of magic will brighten my life.
Transformation will come to me.
Like you, I stand listening to the drum beat of life,
Poised to follow my guiding spirits.
© Ted Andrews - Animal Speak
Ravinessa23 Community Member 
|
|
