animal medicine card

Crow (Law): 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 fewer still have mastered Crow’s art of shape shifting. This art includes doubling, or being in two places at once 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, none had ever seen the powerful 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 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 native women long before the boat people or Europeans came to this continent, contain knowledge 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 Crow.

Children are taught to behave according to the rules of a particular culture. Most orthodox religious systems create a mandate concerning acceptable behavior within the context of worldly affairs. Do this and so, and you will go to heaven. Do thus 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 sees 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 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 Chiefs 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 a 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.

 

Source: Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals by Jamie Sams & David Carson, illustrated by Angela C. Werneke.

fires

More on who I am. I often reflect about how I used to label myself an activist. I would say it with pride and a sense of self righteousness. I was going to be the one who would save the children. Save then from adults who prey on them, save them from the abuse that happens so often, it is hard to fathom. Even though I know it as my own truth. I was in contact with groups all over the country. I wrote the President, more than once. I moderated a group, I volunteered, I read and researched, ran public awareness campaigns, and I worked in the field. I was a child advocate. I told anybody who happen to ask what I did. That is quite a title if you think about it. Activist. I went from nothingness to activist to nothingness to everything.

See I was angry. I was angry for what happened to me, I was angry at the judicial system, I was angry at the scum bag perps. I was pissed off and I HAD to act of that. Like a mother lion protecting her young. I bared my teeth at the world. I did great work. I helped a whole lot of children, and I helped a whole lot of adult survivors.

It was never enough. I kept flailing my gentle spirit against a brick wall. Over an over until I couldn't get up anymore. When this happened, I came to a stark realization. Somehow, I had lost myself somewhere being a heroine and a warrior. Neither of those were representative of my true nature. My true nature works best when I am in line with my higher self. I forgive, I am an eternal optimist. I am a peaceful creature. I was born on the year of the rabbit. Ok?

It was art that showed me my path. It was the paintbrush in my hand that made me believe in a power higher than myself. God was painting through me. I say the name God, because that is the word that most people will understand. But God has many names to me. But this post is not about religion. Perhaps I will get into that later. What I am talking about in this post is how I found the turn-off switch to all of that rage. I was doing great things, but it was killing me. I found my way out by art, With each painting I scraped off the layers of gunk that had me entrapped.

It is from my own perspective, that I look at other Activist. Fist in the air. Demanding justice. Consumed in their quest. I am not talking about encouraging people to recycle or talking about issues. I am talking about people who are in the battlefield daily, hourly even. They have followers applauding their efforts, giving them the thumbs up while they flail themselves into walls in the name of Activism. Animal Rescue, Woman's Rights, Gay Rights, Coal mining, Religious Rights, Global Warming, Politics, Earth Day, Peace, War. I know there is passion, but I wonder if they too have unresolved issues in their lives that they are acting on without being conscious of what fuels their fire. Fire needs fuel to feed it. I wonder what that fuel is for other Activists. I see some people become what appear they become martyrs for their cause. They loose themselves in a desperate act to SAVE the ____. They complain how tired they are, how unhappy they are, how their life sucks in the name of being a hero. Is there an empty spot in the emotional well being that needs to be filled? A primal fight or flight response? But the fight trigger gets stuck?

This is what I wonder.I am not judging here. I am only reflecting on my own experience. I am talking about being mindful. In order to be mindful you have to be honest with yourself. Check in and ask, why do I choose to do this, think this, act on this? Denial is very cunning. If it hits home too much you get louder in your justifications, and simply writeoff anybody who is not on you level and on your clock. Calling them names, and finding fault with them for not getting "it".Assuming they are not as enlightened or informed as you.

I can say I was guilty of all of that and I still am from time to time. Like tonight, I lost a little chick, was feeling a bit off, and I took it out on the Republicans!. See my facebook. It is funny. I gave them a stern warning. As if they would change from it. Who are "they" anyway? Saying "they" puts them all the same. It is a form of demonizing. I am sure they are not all robots. I mean there has to be some good republicans out there right? (kidding) My baggage with Republicans, the ex-husband. I used to be one, until I got as far away from that situation as possible.

But come, on... You have to lessen all that baggage, so when you do go forth and promote good things you know it comes from a place that doesn't have cobwebs. You have to stay open to all points of view. People assume way too much and are way to quick to judge. A fight to be RIGHT. Again, I am talking from my own experience. I catch myself doing it all the time. A benefit of being older. It is not a terrible deal, but it is something that will, without you knowing turn you bitter. You can be smiling and sweet and still have some bitterness simmering inside. Find it and take it out and have a look at it. If you do, love yourself during the whole process. Forgive yourself, see your own humanness and forgive others to for theirs

I could be completely wrong on all counts. This is only an exercise for me in truth. A fire drill.

So, do I just give up on being an Activist because I know, or think I know where it comes from. Maybe. It was not healthy for ME. It did not match up when I became quiet and listened. What happened was this; I decided that the best way I can help the world, is to be my authentic self. I am a peaceful person. I like being alone, working with my hands, and I like to share the positive. By finding where I belong, and doing what I love, I send positive energy out. Positive energy in the form of being a role model to my kids by teaching them all life is precious, to not call people names and to try to hold off judgment. To walk in another person's shoes and try to understand their view.Also I look at the big picture, and be kind. Help out when I can. And laugh much. I teach them to work with, and not against nature. When we actively work against anything we are working against ourselves. I hope somehow the pebble I throw into the water ripples out and touches those who may need or want it. I hope I keep getting touched by other ripples.

So, I apologize to the Republicans. OK? Geez.


It's late. I am tired, and hopefully when I read this tomorrow it will make sense, Organic, everything goes, and no proof reading, wild, wonderful ~crow

thymus genus and gallus domesticus

Now that I have established who I am, I am free to go about being me in this world. I am a Farmer today and a little bit of Scientist. Sprinkle some scatter-brain Mom in there too. A mutt of a woman, I am!

Today was primarily spent potting thyme or thymus. It is a pretty little herb and useful too, and not just for cooking. Did you know thyme is an active ingredient in Listerine? It is also in all natural (no alcohol) hand sanitizer. It is an effective treatment of toe fungus. Do you know anybody with yellow thick toenails? All you need to give that person is a thyme plant wrapped with a bow and a smile. Thyme is also used for colds or respiratory infections. The best way to use his herb for cold symptoms in to infuse it in tea. Before antibiotics were so widely used thyme was used for to medicate bandages for wound care. Ancient Greeks used it in their baths and burned it as incense to help induce courage. I felt like I was a bit more courageous than usual today.

Chicks are hatching again! Two blacks and three reds so far. Two of the eggs are pipped and the chicks are peeping through their little holes in the eggs when I say, "hello chickies!" It helps to talk them through the process. So I have chickens,(gallus domesticus) big chicks, little chicks and teeny tiny chicks. It looks like I will have a 100% hatch this time. Funny, I forgot how little chicks are when they are first born. It has only been like what... 25 days since the last hatch!

Don't forget about the 16 ducks eggs cooking in the incubator. :-) I am brave! haha!

Here is the video of little chick hatching with some music from Iron and Wine. Excuse the quality. It get all blurry when I upload directly to blogger.

 Good night from Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.
~crow

who I am

I am a Mother of three. Although mothering three children is what I do, it is not who I am.

I am a wife.This means I chose to be life-partnered with my husband, but this is more about a choice I made. Not who I have become.

I am kind, funny, emotionally intelligent, weird, mindful, affectionate, passive, peaceful, intuitive, curious, spontaneous, weak and strong. I sometimes get sad and it lasts a little longer than I would like it to. But that is my personality or genetics, but it is not me.

I am a writer. I write but it is not the only activity I partake in. A tool really, to push past my mind and make some noises so I can try to make connections or sense, or nonsense.

I am a survivor. Something traumatic that has happened to me, but does not define who I am.

I am an artist. This nudges closer to who I am, as I love to create, think dream etc. It might be a link to who I am, perhaps even a passageway that I have found. Yet does not embody the me that is.

I am spiritual. Ok that is who I am...right? Sometimes. Brief milliseconds when I can connect to my soul/energy/being/thing, that is me. That is the me who looks down at all the rest of  the who's and what's I am then documents it in my subconscious. My subconscious, which is always on watch. But who is the me who watches and interacts with all of that? Who is able to connect to the collective consciousness of the Universe? Is that me?

How can I label anything really, without putting myself in a neatly wrapped box to be presented on occasion.

If I tell you who I am you will most likely not get it right and turn it into who you think I am. And, I can't tell you who I am to help you out with that.

~crow

untitled

for my sister

“It is the nature of the saplings to quake in the winds; hesitant, learning to hold their own places. But, the older trees, with their years of testing and being tested, they are the ones who, whether in the long stern winds or misty gales, sway the most. Less a bouquet of tentative trembling first-time buds, now much more the leaf-perfumed hips of a hundred wide women dancing—these old ones, regardless of form, sway, by heart, to the music that thunders through them.”
—Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD

"waste not, want not"

My duck eggs arrived via USPS Priority Mail. I find it so funny that fertile eggs can be shipped all over the place and then hatched! It happens all over, and every day. Check out eBay. In this link you will find hatching eggs up for bid by the wonderful wild woman who sent me my duck eggs. If you want to try to hatch some ducks out, I can vouch for excellent packing and expedited shipping. Plus she loves her ducks and they are nice and healthy and she has great hatches.

Sophia and I unwrapped each egg slowly and then exclaiming "runner!" "pekin!" as Nicky had marked them. Sophia is going to be my duck assistant. She is already a rabbitry worker and is heavily involved with the care of the chickens. She is in charge of the feeding of the cats as well. That is one of her daily chores. The rest of the animals is my chore, but she is a great help and always by my side. Sophia is just the perfect age to be involved. This could change with her teens, but I am not looking forward, I am enjoying now. Now, is pretty darn great too.

We stopped off at Tractor Supply today. I was hoping for more Tera Tints, there were none, I did pick out a couple of day old Araucanas pullets and some Brahmas straight run (chance of roos or hens). I hope I get one good Rooster and three hens out of that batch. Tractor supply has a limit of six chicks. They now have fencing around the chicks, so you have to have a TS employees get them. No fun. Some kid must have go salmonella or something and the parents sued. Anyway, we have funny looking chickens that will be coming up to join the flock.

I got more dirt too. My new drug of choice. :-) Peppers, tomatoes and squash are up next for seeding. I need to start some worm beds. Buying dirt is a waste, except if you live in FL! But right now I have to get my plants going. I want them to do the wave ~~~ Something always popping up, something always getting potted and something always getting stuck in the ground.

Bunny turds goat crap and chicken poop make great fertilizers and are part of the permaculture plan. Although, old time Farmers don't call it permaculture. They might just call it common sense or how things are done. I think what is considered "green" by my generation, was just plain, "waste not, want not" for my grandmother's generation. Going back to the basics is always a good idea.

The old quilts that I adore are pieces of clothing, feed bags, any textile that could no longer be used for it's original intent would get saved, then pieced together to provide another use. Perhaps that is what draws me to them. Master needle-working was a common practice, training started young. That is where those great antique American samplers came from. The sewing and weaving is going to have to wait for me until next Winter! Ha! I did clean the house today, so I am somewhat of a...

Wonderful, domesticated, yet still Wild Woman, living in West Virginia.

~crow

antique linen towel with red-work

getty owl

From Getty Owl to Edenland and now here at Crow I bring you this:
Available on iTunes on Tuesday 5th May.

run

We got the temporary chicken run up today. The weather was so nice I brought the chicks outside. They were in shock at first. I mean from going from a brooder to the great outdoors is a big leap into the unknown. Tetra was the bravest of all, of course. She led the flock and poked at that weird green stuff. I talked to them and did my chick "call" and they would feel a bit more brave and run towards my voice. For now I have imprinted on them. Time will tell who it will stick with. Brittany and Sophia love to pick up the chicks and hold them too. So they should be a nice and tame bunch.


The next bunch out of the incubator is another small hatch of chicken eggs. I took out the auto egg turner tonight and will be listening for my peeps and starting my chick call. lol. They should hatch in 3 days. Then, in go the duck eggs to the incubator.. Nicky said she sent 16 eggs! So, this will be a whole new operation! I love the learning curve.

I have been reading and studying kit (baby rabbit), chick and duckling care, hatching, kindling, troubleshooting, etc. It is always good to be well versed in knowledge. Not that I will retain everything, but I think it will settle in somewhere in my Swiss cheese brain.

Spring is a crazy busy time.

I did more planting today. I am going through potting soil like water. My thyme has popped up and is ready to replant. I might go bring some plants out to the fleamarket on Saturday. Sophia has been itching to go. She is like her mama!

Yoda went out to the chicken run late afternoon. He loved his safe freedom and chewed on some greens and hopped around. Tomorrow, I will let Blue Topaz and Tahoe out for some exercise.  I wish I could let them all out at once, but rabbits get very territorial and have a high risk of fighting, unless there are sisters and are raised together. Even then, sometimes it doesn't work.

Tonight I registered my Rabbitry with the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.) and contacted a ARBA Registrar in Bluefield. I hope he is actively working. I was suprised that I found one so close by. It is time for me to get all of that going! Bluestone River Rabbitry. Sounds good huh?

I need to clean my house. Bleh. Oh, and my dryer is broken. Oh well, it is time to start hanging the laundry outside and get a 5 star energy rating! The power company has raised their rates and have another increase pending. Pretty soon electricity/power with be a luxury item. That is why we are getting back to basics.

kaleidoscope quilt top

From Wild and Wonderful West Virginia... ~crow