I felt the need to do a “recon mission” last week to a fairly remote place I really enjoy, a place that may be my last place someday. It’s very far from where I live, so I spent a few days there. I arrived in the evening, so I got an early start the next day, as it’s a 5 mile hike to a particular spot I wanted to check out (the general area is large with very few visitors). After hanging out for a while, I started back down the trail to the little town I was staying in, and suddenly a raven flies in and lands about 10 feet from me on a little hill. He squawks, and then just looks at me. I didn’t know there were ravens there (it was an actual raven too, not a crow or magpie, etc — I looked it up) and I’ve been there many times before. Ravens, as you may have heard, have particular meanings in European culture, an omen of impending death being one. They are also messengers (or spies) of Odin, and although I identify as an atheist, I’ve belonged to pagan organizations for much of my adult life, mainly a Norse-centered tradition. I have a large picture of Huginn and Muninn, Odin’s ravens, on my living room wall.
I was a bit taken aback, but then continued walking. Within seconds, the bird flew over me and again landed about 10 feet in front of me, staring. I we made eye contact for quite a while, then I continued walking, wishing I had brought my phone for a photo, and some food. He didn’t follow this time. Though I don’t believe Odin exists literally, I wish I could have appeased his spy with a morsel, just in case.
Putting myself in the shoes of a believer, the question on my mind this last week has been, Was this a sign, permission so to speak, to carry out my eventual plan? An indication that this is a good place, perhaps?
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Corvids are intensely intelligent, and the raven is probably the smartest of all of them. They’ve been known to use tools, and can remember faces for decades. I have an affinity for birds, and especially corvids. Befriending them has benefits that are not immediate but lasting.
I know from experience they like sunflower seeds, really any seeds but they seemed to favor the sunflower seeds more than others. Yes they are considered omens of death but they are also considered very wise. Much can be learned from watching them.
I find them similar to owls, but a much easier spot since they hunt more often during the day. They are immensely helpful in ridding the world of rodents.
It’s one of the reasons I prefer to retreat to nature, there is a kind acceptance there. Nature’s protectors are there doing their jobs, and within the trees, moss and fauna I can heal.