Guest Author - Phyllis Doyle Burns
And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted---nevermore!
- From The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe
He came from the spiritual realm to give light to the world. His black feathers whispering like silk as he soars in flight. His eyes see all as he looks down upon Mother Earth, for he is of the spirit world. He watches over his people. Haida and Tlingit tribes of the Pacific Northwest portray Raven as a deity in legend and myth.
To many cultures Raven also represents deep magic, the mystery of the unknown, death and transformation, creation, healing, wisdom, protection, and prophecy.
The Tlingit thought of Raven as a revered and benevolent transformer figure who helps the people and shapes their world for them.
How Raven Brought Light To The World is a Haida legend that tells how Raven stole all the light in the world from an old man who kept it hidden in a box within many boxes. Raven finally had the light in his beak and "Moving his powerful wings, he burst through the smoke-hole in the roof of the house, and escaped into the darkness with his stolen treasure. And that is how light came into the world."
Other indigenous cultures around the world, such as Scandinavia, Ireland, Wales, Bhutan (south Asia), northeast Asia, and Siberia, also have revered the Raven as a spiritual figure or god. Raven came from the Old World to North America over two million years ago by crossing the Bering land bridge.
From the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia comes an ancient story of how Raven brought the Sun, Moon, Stars, Fresh Water, and Fire to the world. Raven, as a deity figure became very protective of the people and helped them by bringing them what they needed to survive.
In Norse mythology, Huginn and Muninn are Ravens that sit upon the shoulders of the god Odin. Odin's Ravens fly around the world, bringing him back important information that they whisper in his ears. Thus Odin is aware of many important events and of things to come.
In Irish mythology Raven is associated with warfare and the battleground in the figures of The Morrigan, a Triple goddess named Badb, Macha, and Morrigu. The Morrigan is a goddess of battle, strife, and fertility and takes the shape of Raven when flying above the warriors. The Morrigan is a protector of warriors and Chooser of the Slain.
Bran the Blessed in ancient Welsh mythology is depicted as a giant and is King of the Britons, Protector of the Isle of the Mighty. His totem was a Raven and his name means "Raven". Raven is a bird of wisdom and prophecy. After the battle with Ireland, Bran requested that his men take his head and bury it in what is now Tower Hill in London to protect Britain from invasion. Bran's Ravens are kept there to this day. According to the legend, if the Ravens should ever leave, then the tower will fall and disaster would befall Britain.
In Arthurian legends Raven is often seen with Merlin and Morgan le Fay. Raven is symbolic of wisdom, magic, and the mysteries of sorcerers.
Tha gliocas an ceann an fhitich or Fice ceann na fhitich are Scots Gaelic proverbs meaning "There is wisdom in a raven's head."
"To have a raven's knowledge" is an Irish proverb meaning to have a seer's supernatural powers. Raven is considered one of the oldest and wisest of animals.
In the Hebrides, a group of islands off the west coast of Scotland, it is said that "Giving a child his first drink from the skull of a raven will give the child powers of prophecy and wisdom."
Since the beginning of the history of mankind, Raven has been looked upon as a powerful symbol. Stories of Raven abound in folklore and mythology.
*******
Editor Picks:
,
