I hesitated to post again but I write almost continuously for this zine or that and I have written on the Raven and to clear up things, the Raven is a Crow, but not all crows are Ravens. Here are some excerpts that are under my copyright:
These birds have larger than average brain cavities. Their cerebral hemispheres are the largest of all birds, making them among the smartest birds in the avian family. Some sources believe the raven to be smarter than parrots but consider it like measuring apples against oranges. Needless to say they are very smart and very crafty birds.
They are highly intelligent as previously mentioned and according to accounts by people who have observed them, crows can count to a limited point. It has also been observed that they appear to have the capacity to distinguish between people who are out fishing as opposed to hunters and will avoid them. Yet they will go up close if that same person should be holding a fishing pole rather than a gun. Hunters have been known to shoot them as scavengers and in some cases even poisoned and otherwise tormented them. Some regions allow them to be hunted with a license at certain times of the year and in specified areas.
Note: Ravens are thought of differently than the common crow but they are in the same family but because of their size and regal look people think of them as less of a scavenger but they are indeed scavengers.
The raven by contrast is representative of healing, magic and also creation. It is a totem of change and it gives the ability to take our thoughts and manifest them into reality. This totem is transformational. We learn how to go deep inside to solve inner conflict and bring it to the forefront. In this way it is a very introspective totem. This is part and parcel to its great healing ability. As the saying goes, “physician heal thyself”. The Raven helps us overcome personal obstacles that have been buried deep inside and resolve them.
“Because raven would feed on the corpses of the dead hanging on the gallons, early European settlers feared this bird and considered it to be an ill omen. In truth, however, raven should be respected not feared.
There are many stories in native cultures about this illusive black bird. Shamans know the power of an unexpected piercing sound in altering consciousness. Ravens exercise this power, emitting a variety of sounds and can aid us in shifting our consciousness into various dimensional realms. This is one reason why the raven is known as a shape shifter with magical powers. Anyone with raven as a totem can expect continual changes and spiritual awakenings throughout their life.”
Note: I did not excerpt a straight page of writing but from various parts to emphasize certain characteristics of this particular species in science and lore. A few more excerpts:
Ravens are found at the Tower of London and it is believed that if they ever leave that the Crown of England would fall. Even to this day a dozen ravens are cared for at the Tower by a royal Ravenmaster. The ravens were accepted as part of life at the Tower of London but elsewhere it was not always the case. Some crows and ravens were kept as pets, although in most places at least in North America it is now against the law.
Ravens were accused of being witches familiars just as the black cat. People thought they helped cast evil spells. Sometimes individuals would gather together and form angry mobs killing the bird along with the accused witch.
Those that follow many of the old Celtic practices still view the raven and the crow as animal guides. They see them as part of the circle of life. They were known to serve the Goddess Morrigan. Morrigan was considered a good ally in war as she was known to be the factor that could gain victory in battle. She was a wrathful goddess if angered and could incite brutality if need be. She was said to be able to transform herself into a raven in order to fly over the battlefield to peruse what was happening and give support to the side she had chosen. When the war or battle was over the ravens would descend and feast on the bodies of those that had been killed in battle.
The raven was also associated with the goddesses Nantosuelta, Rhiannon, and Epona. They are attributed as guardians of the tomb of Bran. His tomb is said to be under the White tower located at the Tower of London.
The Norse was another culture with tales about ravens. According to legend Odin kept two ravens. One he called Hugin meaning thought and the other was called Munin meaning memory. When the birds took to flight and would leave Odin he would be without thought or memory. When the ravens returned they would regale him with stories about everything they had seen or heard on their journey concerning both earth and heaven. “The Germans referred to Odin as Wotan and thus in German the raven may be referred to as Wotansvogel--God's bird.” (Fr. Frog) Even in present day the Northern people have a special reverence toward the raven and still tell many stories about them.
Therefore because the Vikings were conquering the Christian settlements in England in the long past the symbol of the raven became associated with death. Even today many still hold a negative regard for the birds due to ancestral experiences.
