THE CROW

Shifting the shape of reality
The messenger from spirit
From the shadows come
One as black as night

It seems as if crows are everywhere.  That perception may not be too far off.  The "crow is actually several common very closely related species of the Corvidae family that also includes ravens, rooks, Jay's, magpies, and jackdaws, among others.  the crow is, in most cases, an iridescent black bird that gathers into family groups called murders.  They are easily confused with raven, which is also usually black.  The crow is a medium sized bird that has a fan shaped tail and speaks in a "caw".  The raven is much larger, has a wedge shaped tail, a shorter heavier beak, and has more of a "croak".

​Crows can be found on every continent except Antarctica.  According to researchers, these highly intelligent birds use over 250 different calls when they communicate with each other.  They also collaborate to protect each other and their young from predators like hawks and owls.  They are often seen either sharing food sources or hiding them depending on the day and the crow.  They have an excellent memory and the capacity to learn.  They often will share gifts with people who feed them.

In some cultures, crows are a bad omen and a symbol of death, and are therefore feared.  This is understandable.  This omnivore will eat almost anything.  They eat grains and insects, but they also hunt and scavenge.  Most often crows are observed scavenging from discarded food and dead animals on the side of the road.  I personally prefer to see the more positive aspects of crows.  They take advantage of opportunity and clean up the negativity and gunk and recycle that energy back into the system.

Crows are a symbol of adaptability, cleverness, intelligence, transformation, and psychic ability.  They have shown the ability to adapt to almost any situation and thrive.  The fable of the crow and the pitcher highlights the crows problem solving capabilities, and they have been shown to make and use tools.  We can use this lesson from the crow to be flexible and adapt to anything that life throws at us.  Instead of resisting change, embrace the changes that life gives us and use what is available in order to thrive abundantly.

Crow is the keeper of the sacred law.  This is the universal law beyond the law of man and religion.  The crow is believed to working the spiritual depth of the laws of the universe in self and teaches us to always align ourselves with the deep truths and sacred law. This spirit animal is believed to travel between worlds and to cross the veils between the physical and the spiritual.  It carries messages from the spirit world to the physical world and may carry our prayers back.  It is a spirit of the void roe the shadows and as such can see from multiple points of view,  the past, present, and future, light and dark, inner and outer.  As a spirit animal, the crow teaches us to speak truth, walk your talk, and live with honor and integrity.

The crow is also seen as a gateway animal int the supernatural and to support and encourage your psychic ability.  Some cultures believed that the crow can bend the laws of the physical universe and shape shift at will.  This master of illusion can also be a trickster and manipulator.  It is a spirit animal of seers and prophets.  To learn the art of alchemy in your life, you might want to fearlessly follow the crow into the shadows as that is where true transformation occurs.  But be careful if you do, for your life will never be the same again.

This creature of mystery and power has captured the imagination of cultures around the world.  Most of the symbolism that I take from the crow comes from the Eastern Woodlands Native Americans, but there are other associations as well.  According to Norse mythology, crows were the messenger of Odin.  For the Greeks, the crow was the messenger of Apollo.  Crows were associated with the Celtic god of creation, Lugdunum, and polarity and prophecy.  For the Japanese, the crow was the heavenly dog and a messenger from the spirit world.  The Hindus believe that crows are the messengers from the ancestors.  And there is more.

Whether you are looking for ancient wisdom or the universal truth, you might want to listen to the crow.  If you seek transformation and the ability to adapt, you might follow the crow's example.  The crow can help you find your voice and strength to shape your future.  But be careful.  The crow can be the mischievous trickster leading you down the paths of illusion.

The sources for this article are:
uniguide.com
whatismyspiritanimal.com
yourtango.com
Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams