A black and a white crow
Late this morning I came across Symbol Reader’s post: I Love You, My Secret Raven (a great read for those of you who like Kafka and psychological astrology!). About ten minutes later I heard the kaw-ing of crows outside my window. Ravens and crows were a very rare sight in the city when I was growing up, but nowadays it’s not unusual to see a few here and there. However, I was very surprised and intrigued to see a murder of crows congregating in view of my window: in the trees, on rooftops, and even several walking on the sidewalk. As I watched, more and more gathered. Knowing that they are messengers of sacred law, I asked them if there was anything I needed to know or do. The response I “heard” was that the change I have been perceiving is coming and to accept and work with what comes. At that moment a hummingbird appeared, circling about, in the middle of the this whole scene, and then a dove flew by. Then in a blink of an eye, all the birds flew away.
Crows and ravens are part of the Corvidae family, which also includes blue jays, stellar jays, and magpies. Crows and ravens are often feared, partly because they are usually black (but occasionally white – the Greek god Apollo is said to have turned the crow from white to black after his white crow failed to peck out the eyes of his lover’s lover) and thus associated with death, and partly because they are very smart scavengers who will congregate around recently deceased animals and humans (such as in a battle field). They are associated with death, war, and bad omens across many cultures from Australian Aboriginal myths to the Celtic goddess the Morrigan.
Though the Morrigan, who was also called the Phantom Queen, was the goddess of war and death, she was also a great prophetess. The future is something that is hard for us to prophesy for it is the unknown. Like the raven and the crow the unknown is pitch black, dark, and frightening for many of us. The raven/crow’s symbolic representation of death/change and its portending of bad prophesies is a matter of perception. If viewed through fear, change will seem unpleasant. If viewed with openness, doors of opportunities for growth, understanding, and wisdom will open. Crows and ravens can be our guides as we step into the unknown.
The Raven and Crow symbolize:
- Sacred Wisdom and Sacred Law
- Moving freely in the void
- Working without fear in darkness
- Working in shadow/with our shadow selves
- Moving through space and time; and shapeshifting
- Carrying souls from darkness into light
- Honoring the deceased and ancestors
- Memory and Intelligence
- Ethical behavior
Hummingbirds are one of the smallest birds known to man. Though most hummingbirds
live in tropical environments, they inhabit the full length of the Americas from Alaska to the southern tip of Chile. These are high energy and long-distance migrating birds with amazing flight maneuverabilities. They also have beautiful and sometimes shimmering colorings. Hummingbirds are a joy to see and to watch, lighting up any dull moment. The local Native Americans, the Ohlone, believe it was the hummingbird that brought fire (light) to man.
The hummingbird symbolizes:
- Endurance and Persistance
- Energy and Vitality
- Healing and the ability to heal using light
- Ability to fit into small places to heal; Agility
- Joy and Happiness
- Peace and Love
I’ve been sensing big change is coming, but I am confident that it will open up doorways that will lead to even greater peace, love, light, and joy.
Through the Peacock's Eyes 
I keep seeing 2 black crows and a humming bird. Consistently. It’s quite strange. But whenever I go outside into the backyard they all 3 come and just linger outside with me.
💖
Two weeks ago, I was staying at a beach resort with my new girlfriend. I had awoke early and was sitting on the patio watching the sunrise on the beach front. Two black crows came up to the swimming pool which was directly below our room. I saw them mingling with some sea gulls. I grew up on this beach and had never noticed crows there. I returned to my home which is a two hour drive. I got up early about same time, looked outside window and saw two black crows drinking water from my pool. (I have lived at this home almost 7 years and never seen crows do that or even at my home.) It has been now a constant sighting. They are mates. I continue to see them every day now, bantering and flying and playing with each other. It has been a week. I also am seeing a large number of hummingbirds at my home. I am native American, great grandmother was full blooded. Birds always migrate towards me and I find that I am closer to nature than most.
I feel stirred in my spirit that great changes are coming. I just don’t know what else these birds are telling me.
Beautiful bird experiences! You can also take into account the number of crows – 2, especially since this began with your new relationship. Two is the number of partnerships, cooperation, working together, harmony, the balancing of your inner feminine and masculine (yin-yang), etc.
You will know what the birds’ messages are when you need to. Something else will trigger it and make you think of the birds, for example. Enjoy the great changes to come! Namaste _/l\_
Amazing I would love to know more about animal representations. Any suggested reading? I see lots of magpies I know generally they are associated with luck. When when I was training in india I was told about magpies but have forgotten unfortunately. Cheers
Keep up the good posting, Namaste
Thank you! I’ve actually never read a book on animals. I have lived with dozens of animals my entire life, and draw from a intuitive and telepathic connection and back that information up with animal symbolism I’ve read (mostly on the web) over the years. Alethea at http://nottomatoes.wordpress.com also writes about animal spirits and I recall that she has referenced a book or two.
As for Magpies, I believe they are in the corvus (crow, raven, jay) family, as so would have similar symbolism. Keep in mind that if there are usually lots of magpies around, it may just mean there are lots of magpies around. Now, if one approached you in some way or a few behaved in an unusual way to get your attention, then it’s very likely a message for you. Just be open to receive messages; they are all around. 🙂 Namaste _/l\_
Thanks! This one fly around the roofs near me then on the roof outside my window and looks in . I’ve try to receive but not got anything i’ll keep trying. Cheers again. Namaste
Very cool! Have you asked or talked to the bird? You could also ask it to come in your dreams if it has a message for you.
Good point. I am moving tomorrow so will see if it follows. I will invite it into my mediation. Thanks
You’re welcome! Namaste _/l\_
A few years ago, I found a little hummingbird completely tangled up in a thick spider web, on a window ledge inside my garage. Luckily, the spider was not there. I picked the hummingbird up, web and all, and spent about 5 minutes gently pulling off the sticky web (it was everywhere). The hummingbird’s eyes were wide open the whole time, but it didn’t move at all. I thought it might be dead.
After I got all of the spider web off, I put the hummingbird down onto the grass outside. It couldn’t stand up, because its feet were clenched. So the hummingbird just laid there on its side, unmoving. After a moment or so, fearing that a cat might come by and eat it, I bent over to pick it up once more. I thought it might be safer if I laid it in a higher place.
But this time, as soon as I touched the hummingbird, it sprung up into the air and zipped out of sight. I was so happy that it was OK.
A day later, while I was in my bedroom up on the second floor, I kept hearing a tapping sound on the window (almost like someone was throwing small stones). So, I opened up the blinds and saw…it was a hummingbird! It looked like the same one? It hovered there in front of the window for a moment or so, and we looked at each other in silence. Then, it flew away. I have never had a hummingbird tap on my window like that before. Perhaps it came back to say thank you?
I would like to think that….
Wow, what an amazing experience! It’s said to be very significant if a bird taps on your window, so I’d say it was the hummingbird coming to say thank you. Just beautiful! Namaste _/l\_
Julianne, I’m glad to have found this post of yours because I have been having similar experiences this Summer in my back yard with a lot of crows and stellar jays, too. What has been the most delightful for me, however, has been the large number of hummingbirds I have seen. I moved into my current house a year ago, and I have never lived somewhere before where I can see so many hummingbirds, particularly since I do not have a hummingbird feeder or anything like that. I’m also very pleased to have read your description of the symbolism of the hummingbird! It’s a little different than what I had seen before, and I really like it. I’m more familiar with the association of crows and sacred law- crows have been with me a lot for some time now, I definitely do not like to think of them as bad omens, but like you mentioned I will take them and their cawing at times to be more alert to what is happening- the timing is often very interesting. I live in the Pacific NW, so two of my favorite birds to see less frequently I associate with omens are Blue Herons and Eagles. Best, Gray
Thank you Gray. I used to live in the Pacific NW and was always surprised to see so many hummingbirds in such a cold and damp climate, but they always brightened the day! May the hummingbirds bring you much light and joy! Namaste _/l\_
A couple of days ago I saw a raven perched high on the peak of my roof. I got a sense that he was smiling at me. A few minutes later I looked out the back window and saw the same raven with his mate and about eight little ravens at the bird bath. I didn’t think to ask for a message…however I did get a sense that he was happy with where I was at in my life.
What a great experience! I’ve never seen a raven family (well, at least not baby ones) together. “Happy” is a great message. Maybe some growth and abundance on the way?
That would be nice!
I have a lot of bird interactions in my backyard, a lot of hummingbirds, some ravens and others. They do talk to me and like music. Sometimes they even dance.
Very cool! Have you danced with them?
No, but I have danced with some caged Parrots.
🙂
I really like your blogs and learn something more about symbolism with every post – although I wrote a two dictonaries of symbols and several book about it.
Greetings from the sunny coast of Norfolk
Klausbernd
Thank you! And wow, I’ve taught a symbol expert about symbolism! Namaste _/l\_
the pleasure is mine 🙂
I believe they are also the most aggressive family of birds. I have seen their protective sweeping ways but then a robin who believes my backyard to be his personal playground and dinner table seems to be able to swoop them off quickly. Can’t help but wonder if the raven keeps his eye out for a vulnerable moment!
There may be some nest-protecting dynamics going on too.
True – I did look for that but it must be well tucked.
Hi, I like your writing on the animals. But I would love to read something on the eagle. Ever had anything to do with eagles?
Thank you. So far I’ve been discussing animals as they or thoughts of them appear. I’m sure I’ll write about the eagle at some point. Sooner if they start appearing now that you’ve asked. 🙂
Beautiful – both the moment and that you were aware. Crisis = change = growth; I am ready. Together, we will all be as One. Thank you for these words of wisdom, as always.
Thank you Theresa! May we all grow! Namaste _/l\_
What a powerful and sacred moment, Julianne! You captured it so well, I got truth bumps reading. May your forward motion be luminous in every way, may all the helpers you need, like humming birds to nectar, be drawn to you, and may your work of kindness and creativity serve many.
Thank you so much! May it all come true! Blessings and Namaste _/l\_
namaste!
I really enjoy your animal spirit stories! They inspire me to blog about mine. I am glad you are optimistic about the changes ahead.
Namaste,
Linda
Thank you! Optimistic, but still just have to wait for what is to come! 🙂 Namaste _/l\_
Amazing, the whole synchronicity. I think Kafka personified the Raven in every way.