I don't usually get too chatty on VaBirds, but I'd like to share a few of my
thoughts re: my Raven sighting at Burke Lake yesterday. I have seen many in
the state and many more in the SW - they have always been one of my favorite
birds. Somewhat frustrated by recent sightings in Fairfax Co. as they move east
from the Piedmont, my Fairfax Co. "nemesis bird" aptly becomes the 200th
species I have seen in Fairfax Co. Popular in Native American culture, here are
some excerpts on "the trickster"
Often honored among medicine & holy men of tribes for its shape-shifting
qualities, the Raven was called upon in ritual so that visions could be
clarified. Native holy men understood that what the physical eye sees, is not
necessarily the truth, and he would call upon the Raven for clarity in these
matters.
Foremost, the Raven is the Native American bearer of magic, and a harbinger of
messages from the cosmos. Messages that are beyond space and time are nestled
in the midnight wings of the Raven and come to only those within the tribe who
are worthy of the knowledge.
The Raven is also a keeper of secrets, and can assist us in determining answers
to our own “hidden” thoughts. Areas in our lives that we are unwilling to
face, or secrets we keep that harm us – the Raven can help us expose the truth
behind these (often distorted) secrets and wing us back to health and harmony.
Their intelligence and capability of logical thought is documented in a book -
Mind of the Raven - by Bernd Heinrich
an easy read for those so inclined...
Hope to see you out on the trail.
Rich Rieger
Alexandria
