A Crow Flies in Brooklyn

My son actually heard Crow before I knew he was there. He had one day complained that the birds were too loud this year, especially one bird, and he couldn't catch up on his rest (He works nights). I just sort of laughed it off and reminded him , "What a wonderful part of nature....the songs of the birds...Listen for the joy. Listen to what they are trying to tell you." Then, I went off to my job and forgot all about our conversation....until the weekend when I went out into the backyard early morn to welcome the new day and heard such a squawking...caw, caw, caw....just demanding of my attention. Then, , looking up, I saw him sitting atop the cable wires which stretched across the rear of the yard...such a beautiful, majestic creature he was. It seemed like my attention was all he was after for he quieted down once he knew I was looking at him.

I'd seen crows many times when I was still living in the countryside, but not here in the city... although I knew they existed in places such as Central and Prospect Park... but here in my neighborhood? Why the largest park is no larger than the size of a medium sized parking lot. So, I began doing some research in order to understand what my crow friend wanted. Could he be my totem? Was he aware of my new-found yearnings, and was he here to show me the way? I found the following in "Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through Animals" by Ja,mie Sams and David Carson, Illustrated by Angela C. Werneke.

There is a medicine story that tells of Crow's fascination with her own shadow. She kept looking at it, scratching it, pecking at it, until her shadow woke up and became alive. Then Crow's shadow ate her. Crow is Dead Crow now.

Dead Crow is the Left-Handed Guardian. If you look deeply into Crow's eye, you will have found the gateway to the supernatural. Crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law.

Since Crow is the keeper of sacred law, Crow can bend the laws of the physical universe and "shape shift". This ability is rare and unique. Few adepts exist in today's world, and few still have mastered Crow's art of shape shifting. This art includes doubling, or being in two places at one time consciously; taking on another physical form and becoming the 'fly on the wall' to observe what is happening far away.

The Europeans that came to Turtle Island were named the 'boat people' by Slow Turtle. Even with the knowledge of alchemy possessed by certain boat people, non had ever seen the power shape shifting of shamans who utilized Crow medicine. Many boat people were frightened by what appeared to be animals coming into their camps or dwellings to discern their medicine. Crow medicine people are masters of the illusion.

All sacred texts are under the protection of Crow. Creator's Book of Laws or Book of Seals is bound in Crow feathers. Crow feathers tell of spirit made flesh. Crow is also the protector of the 'ogallah' or ancient records.

The Sacred Law Belts, or Wampum Belts, beaded by the native women long before the boat people or Europeans came to this continent, contain knowlege of the Great Spirit's laws, and are kept in the Black Lodges, the lodges of women. The law which states that 'all things are born of women' is signified by the Crow.

Children are taught to behave according the the rules of a particular culture. Most orthodox systems create a mandate concerning acceptable behavior within the context of worldly affairs. Do this and so, and you will go to heaven. Do this and so, and you will go to hell. Different formulas for salvation are demanded by each 'true faith'.

Human law is not the same as Sacred Law. More so than any other medicine, Crow ses that the physical world and even the spiritual world, as humanity interprets them, are an illusion. There are billions of worlds. There are an infinitude of creatures. Great Spirit is within all. If an individual obeys Crow's perfect laws as given by the Creator, then as at death he or she dies a Good Medicine death--going on to the next incarnation with a clear memory of his or her past.

Crow is an omen of change. Crow lives in the void and has no sense of time. The Ancient Chief's tell us that Crow sees simultaneously the three fates--past, present, and future. Crow merges light and darkness, seeing both inner and outer reality.

If Crow medicine appears in your card spread, you must pause and reflect on how you see the laws of the Great Spirit in relation to the laws of humanity. Crow medicine signifies firsthand knowledge of a higher order of right and wrong than indicated by the laws created in human culture. With Crow medicine, you speak in a powerful voice when addressing issues that for you seem out of harmony, out of balance, out of whack, or unjust.

Remember that Crow looks at the world with first one eye, then the other--cross-eyed. In the Mayan culture, cross-eyeds had the privilege and duty of looking into the future. You must put aside your fear of being a voice in the wilderness and 'caw' the shots as you see them.

As you learn to allow your personal integrity to be your guide, your sense of feeling alone will vanish. Your personal will can then emerge so that you will stand in your truth. The prime path of true Crow people says to be mindful of your opinions and actions. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth, know your life's mission, and balance past, present, and future in the now. Shape shift that old reality and become your future self. Allow the bending of physical laws to aid in creating the shape shifted world of peace.

Powerful indeed. At first I was speechless. Saw so much of myself in this. None of my acquaintences know this, but I was cross-eyed as a child. I had to wear a patch over one eye to strengthen the other. If you look closely, you can still see that both eyes are not even because I would take it off at times when playing with friends. My parents never knew this, but hey, I was only a kid. I didn't know how important it was....But, alas, I must have left it on enough to do some good because my eyes are not that bad.

Also, the last paragraph really hit home to feelings and frustrations I have been going through recently at my place of employment. Actually, everyone there has been affected, but none of us have really spoken out about the problem. I actually took off work today because I needed some time to sort things out, and what Crow is telling me is "Stand in your truth. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth." I've been holding things in for so long, they are actually starting to affect my outer demeanor and how I deal with people...which is bad for me because dealing with people is my job. I am nearing that dangerous point where I quit...not a good idea in today's economy and at my age. What Crow is telling me is to no longer hold in what is bothering me, but to speak up about it, to speak my truth. In only that way can the old reality be shape shifted into a world of peace. People's feelings will be hurt, definitely, but if those people were not so out of balance, there would be no need to speak of what is right and what is wrong.

Ironically, as I sat down to work on this blog, I heard the now familiar caw...caw...caw...of my friend. It makes me wonder how long Crow has been there for me, but I was too deaf too listen.

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