I remember one day in the village of my people seeing a raven; its inky dark feathers seemed to take on many colors. It landed in the top of a huge white pine tree and watched me as I came to rest near the waterfalls. When I looked up in its direction it would turn away from me as if it did not want me to know that it was closely watching me. The sunlight upon its feathers produced many different shades of colors.
Some of the children told me that the raven was the keeper of many secrets. They said; see how he pretends not to be watching you? See how he perches near you above you on the branch? They said, it would transform into what ever creature it imitated. Even a two legged like you, one young brave said.
One of the children also told me that if the Raven came to me in dream that it was the Great Spirits way of telling me that soon it would be time for me to cross over.
This as a young child of five, I found very disturbing. So I remember turning to the young boy and saying, you make the raven sound evil and I do not understand. I like the Raven and sometimes it does come to me as I sleep and it tells me of many things to come. The boy became angry and told me I was evil and that he and the others with him could no longer be my friends. I was very upset by this and I still remember that feeling of great sadness that came over me as I watched them walk away from me. I felt as if I would always be alone for I was considered an outsider already by them and most the people that dwelled in our village.
Photo by the Quail
I sat there near the wading pool by the falls for a long time, as I did not want my mother to see me crying. I did not want her to know that I was sad inside.
My mother, the great medicine woman she was always knew if something was wrong as she was always watchful of me and said I was her special gift from Creator.
I sat there for a long time imitating the many different sounds that the Raven was making.
The Raven just stared down at me from the branches of the pine tree and soon I said, why do they think you evil? Why if you can imitate me do you not talk to me? My mother who was now standing beside me, spoke very softly. I see my son is now talking to Creator's teacher the Raven. You should be happy and not sad in your heart young one. The Raven seeks you out for he brings you messege from beyond the many veils' of this world.
The other children say that the Raven is evil and because it comes to me in dreams and tells me things that I am evil too. They say they can no longer be my friends.
My mother, smiled softly and put her arm around my shoulder and said, come young one. Let us walk down to the other wading pool at the bottom of the falls and as we walk let me tell you about what Raven, Creator's Special Teacher too many has to say.
Photo by the Quail
The belief that Raven is an evil omen comes from outside our village. It is the teachings and belief of another culture. It's comes from Europe.
Some of the other children in the village have heard this from those that stop for food and rest while traveling. The young ones do not understand this; so they tend to accept the things they hear. They too are still learning young one. She said.
The Raven brings messages that can benefit the one it visits. Its high pitched sounds can alter the state of ones consciousness. Teacher Raven can move between the worlds because it has the ability to transform; it can also shape shift if it decides there is a need too.
Creator did not make any evil creatures; the evil we see is not in Raven. It's in our self .
I went away that day with a new understanding and also respect for Raven, Creator's messengers and teachers.
