Raven Totem Spirit and Medicine:

Contributed by  -  Patricia Jean Martin

If Raven has called on you, you may soon find the following show up in your life:  Magick and mysticism, intellect and acute cunning, awareness and skilful perception, the ability to shapeshift into another for a more complete understanding of Spirit, and a journey into the depths in order to bring out the light.  In all this, and more, Raven will be your guide. 

The raven is part of the Corvids family (genus, Corvus), which also includes the crow, magpie, blue jay and others - crow being its closest relative.  The main difference between a raven and a crow is size, whereas the raven is much larger and has a shaggier tuft of feathers in the neck area.   Two other physical differences are the shape of their tail feathers and the length and appearance of their primary wing feathers - whereas a raven's tail feathers are wedge-shaped in flight, a crow's are more rounded...and where the longest feathers of the wing on the raven will have spaces between them when in flight, a crow's will not and will appear more compact.  These slight physical differences aside, Raven and Crow bring much the same message, so those with Raven as their Totem would do well to also study Crow, and vice versa.  But even through their many similarities, there are some differences. 

Where Crow brings word of the magick that surrounds you both within and without, it is Raven who dangles the key.  Ravens are known to be able to trigger the energies of the magick you feel all around you, and they will teach you how to fearlessly go about manifesting that magick to fruition.  They do this through activating the link between intention and wilful action.  Long associated with birth and death, Raven spirit knows best how to help you explore the deeper mysteries.  Just as their colour (black) reflects that there are worlds of colourful light within, they are known to delve effortlessly into the darkness for the sole purpose of bringing out the light; this too aiding you in the realization and execution of your magick.   

If Raven has come into your life, you can also expect that your imagination will be sparked, and you can definitely expect many changes to begin to take shape within your life.  Raven is all about creation...and sometimes in order to create, we must first relinquish old habits.  With Raven medicine you will be courageously led into the recesses of your inner self and be given not only the knowledge of what needs be done, but the wisdom and wherewithal to make those necessary changes.  And although at times these journeys may be scary to undertake, they can be the most healing.  Change is part of the natural Wheel of Life, and this is all part of Raven's reputation of being an omen that foretells of death.  He or she is there to help you foretell and render what must be destroyed in order to birth something new.  This is an important element of the mysticism of Raven's own magick. 

Ravens are excellent shapeshifters - always willing to embark on journeys into the void, and very capable of delivering the messages brought back.  The Norse god, Odin, possessed two ravens named Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory) that were his personal messengers.  Odin himself would often shapeshift into a raven.  So those with Raven Totem will find that it is not only Raven who will act as shapeshifter and messenger, but in return they will actually encourage and welcome you to enter their world.  Like no other animal, Raven allows their own spirit to become one with the human spirit, thus allowing the messages they bring forth to be quick and clear.  They also know how to intermingle and interrelate with other animal spirits, so those with Raven Totem may also find notably increased interaction with others, bringing about the advantageous ability to put one's self in another's shoes and seeing into their hearts.  With this useful skill comes understanding, the increased desire to cooperate and work together, along with the ability to manipulate.   <O:P></O:P>

Where a crow is more likely to be seen physically living near people...ravens are hardly ever seen, preferring to live in densely wooded areas.  Ravens are territorial and prefer lots of space, even amidst their brethren.  People with Raven Totem will find not only the desire but the need to both physically commune with the forests and internally commune with the dense underbrush of one's own inner being.  Ravens will teach you to be swift in deed but wary enough in your actions in order to proceed with safety.  In the same breath, though, they also teach you how not to be intimidated.  Ravens - just as their Crow brothers and sisters are known to do - will actually mob a hawk in order to chase them from their territory.  This is a fine lesson in taking back your personal power. 

Noted as being the most intelligent of all the birds, Ravens are excellent tool users.  In one study and documentary, they are shown manipulating various ingenious tools and methods to maneuver and gain access into a feeder, using the uncanny ability to plan and think ahead.  They are known to possess excellent puzzle-solving ability, good memory capacity and spatial perception, and even mental projection and visualization skills.  Metaphysically, they are widely known to be able to see into both the past and the future.  With Raven medicine, your own intellect will be acutely sharpened and your intuitions honed - your levels of awareness and perception greatly increased.  You may find yourself embarking on new intellectual pursuits, and a new sense of cunning will make what once were looked at as difficult problems disappear.  Your ingenuity will increase, and along with it, your self-esteem.  After you begin experiencing these new or heightened aspects of yourself, Raven may then ask you to go on a mission quest, but you never need worry about it, as you will be given all the tools that you need in order to accomplish the task. 

Ravens like to talk.  Those with Raven medicine will find themselves becoming more vocal and/or gaining the ability to reach out to others through some form of communication - many times through the art of writing, painting, acting, dancing or performing.  Just as the raven possesses a wide range of vocal tones and notes - actually having the ability to talk and mimic, and possessing a high command of language - your own communication skills will be enhanced.  As noted in the text on Wolf, Raven is prone to be vocally helpful in alerting others to danger.  In this way, you will find yourself also becoming very watchful and alert, and you will think it very natural to defend your family - be it blood or kinship.  You will find it comes easy to bring them messages, whether in the form of warnings or fresh insights. 

Ravens are playful and extremely amorous, and those harkening to Raven's call may also find these traits surfacing within themselves.  A bit raucous and hardly ever fearful, Raven will teach you how to find humor in the most unexpected places, as self-assuredness through cunning and being 'in the know' relinquishes inhibitions.  They will also teach you how to bring your own playful and amorous nature into the light...for bringing the creative life force to the forefront into the light is what Raven is all about.  

In all these things and many others, Raven is a great teacher and guide.

Sources:<O:P> </O:P>

Books

The Witch Book �?The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-paganism - By Raymond Buckland <O:P> </O:P>

Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft  - By Raven Grimassi <O:P> </O:P>

Animal-Speak (The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small) - By Ted Andrews <O:P> </O:P>

European Myth & Legend - By Mike Dixon-Kennedy <O:P> </O:P>

Oxford Dictionary of World Mythology - By Arthur Cotterall

 Websites<O:P> </O:P>

http://web.telia.com/~u85903393/corvus_english.html

http://kaweahoaks.com/html/raven.html

 

Written and compiled 06th June 2007 © George Knowles<O:P> </O:P>