A. Venefica’s Weblog: Symbolic Meanings

Hi I found your blog while doing a google search for ravens and magpies. Today I witnessed a huge raven surrounded by a tiding of magpies. It appeared as though the raven had called together the magpies who were lined up on wires and a rooftop around this huge raven. They sat for a few minutes, then the raven soared off into the distance. The magpies shortly there after dispersed.

Wondering what sort of message this scenario might suggest? About three years ago I saw a huge murder of crows outside my window, so many, it almost blackened the sky, which I likened to the blackening phase of alchemy. This raven/magpie activity I saw today, seemed equally significant to me. Wondering if you have any insight? Cool blog BTW. I have it on my reader now.

Yes, here are a few suggestions:

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/magpie-symbolic-meanings.html

Thank you for your patience & interest.

Odd, we do not normally have ravens in this area of south central AZ desert. But I just had one circle my porch three times, land then after I acknowledged it, it flew off to the north. Always when I have had an animal messenger I needed to heed the message. Don’t know what this one is about yet, but am now on alert to watch for anything.

Hi Oak Feathers,

What a gift! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Namaste,
A.

I was “Googling” images of ravens for a raven mandala I want to paint. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your magical site! I have always been drawn to ravens and often use them in my art. I’ll have to do my totem as I feel raven is definately with me.
Blessings,

Laurel Gaylord

Hi Laurel,

Likewise, your blog, studio Lolo is inspiring!

Thank you for sharing your light & vision.

Brightest blessings,
A.

Hello. I found your site from a google search for Ravens and I would like to share with you a recent vision that I had during morning meditation.
This wasn’t the first vision I have experienced but it was one of the most memorable. My problem here is that I don’t think I really understand it and/or, what I should be
getting out of it. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

About ten minutes or so into my morning meditation, somebody was suddenly right in front of my face. This person seemed to be shouting at me. Slowly, my vision expanded and I realized it was a native warrior, face painted, and a single feather rising from the back of his head. As the vision continued to expand, I could see we were in a forest clearing and it was a circle of warriors chanting and dancing around a fire. I watched them as they made one complete circle of the fire, and suddenly they were gone.

Now I realized that straight ahead of me, through an opening in the trees, something was flying towards me. As it came closer I thought it was a bald eagle. It was quite large, and I could see some white. Now it began descending. Closer and closer, lower and lower, and as I strained my neck to watch it fly directly over me, so close I
thought I could almost reach out and touch it, I realized it was a pure white Raven.

At that point, I found myself sitting in meditation position, looking at the ceiling, saying “WoW!”

Hi David,

I’ve written some thoughts about the symbolism of your vision here.

Namaste,
A.

hi im not part of this site but i just wanted to know what the raven ment because i have been having starnge and brazzare thing about like see into its eye or …well it was a long time ago um well i got hit by a car and i had dream when i was in a coma (not for long)and well i saw a man in a trech coat and the a raven flew by and he went away but the raven stayed there fying in the same place then i just black out so i have been trying to fuirgure it out for a while (please email me if u read this thanks) by the way this help me a little bit because i have alittle native amercia in me thank u

At work, last week, I had this conversation with a person who is pure native. I had to help her in a very personal, delicate issue and we just had a chance to connect. Last night I had this strong dream and I found my totem ( i feel it in my guts).In my dream, I transformed into a crow.My hair suddenly grew very long and as black as coal. they were so long that they covered my body from head to toes.I started flying into this house.I felt a pure sense of freedom and power. I woke up suddenly and I had this deep feeling that this was who I am deep inside me….I am not a native, I do not knoe anyting about that culture…but I know for a fact that I feel great today and I have this feeling hapiness about this dream.

I forgot something important….In my work, I helped this client to get back to her own name and make it official. I just felt how important this was. This person was so happy …I know she may have sent me this gift of knowing me a bit more.

Hey Charity, you ARE part of this site. We’re all together in this. Venefica’s made a point of being very open, and I know she thinks every body here is part of the family and part of the whole “web.”

If I may direct your attention to this post she wrote…

Symbolic Meaning of Eyes (in dreams, visions, mythology, etc.)

Also keep in mind raven’s come to people who have big magic in their soul, because it is only these poeple who are know how to listen to their language.

Also, ’cause of their secretive nature, the core of their message is probably really personal.

Hi Lorraine,

Thank you for sharing such an amazing dream - what an incredible sensation - so deep and profound that it even lingers with you during your waking moments too. What a gift.

You’re the third person to reference hair, so that means I’ll likely be writing a post on the symbolism of it pretty quick & I’ll link back to this when I’ve completed the article.

Lorraine, I sense that you know the intricacies and deeper workings of energy. So when I tell you that certain Native energetic patterns have been impressed upon you deeply (and I daresay on many occassions) you will understand what I mean.

When we have that kind of affirmation in our dreams or visions it is a big exclamation point on a statement that has been contained within the deepest energetic center of our being.

I am so happy to read that you have reached this beautiful self-realization. I expect we will be seeing more of your light shining brightly in the world as you continue to step more fully into your own brilliance.

Namaste & smiles,
A.

Hi,

I am not a member of your site, but i did a google and this page turned up. I live in central london, on the ground floor in an apartment block. For about two (2) weeks now, i have noticed a black bird & im sure its a raven fly towards my window everytime im in the kitchen. It settles on the grass right outside my window or on the wall a few meters away but directly infront of me. I dont know what this signifies but for some reason, im convinced it means something, hence my search.
I hope you can shed more light on this. I’d be very greatful.
Thanks & hope to hear from you soon.

I was searching on google for the meaning of the raven.I was diagnosed with melanoma cancer 3 days ago I have never seen a raven were I live before today one flew close by my window then sst on the tree in full view of my window I thanked the raven for coming to me he stayed a few minutes then left I am wondering if the raven had a message for me as usually when birds come to my windowsill a miracle happens I do not know about the raven as this bird has never visited me before
Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated

Hey heather, maybe it is a sign that not everything is as it seems. According to Venefica’s articles, ravens, crows and magiepies are shapeshifters, and they are about secrets or mysteries. Maybe those crows came to you to tell you not to take your diagnoses at face-value…things aren’t as they appear.

Did you see that interpretation she did on the white raven? She posted it on May 4th of this year. It’s pretty cool - you should search for it.

“Does wisdom perhaps appear on the earth as a raven which is inspired by the smell of carrion?”
~~Friedrich Nietzsche

Hi Heather,

I like what Analogous Anomaly said here and am impressed with the same inclination of thought.

Ravens are anything but traditional, and beckon us to see beyond the conventional.

I love that you’ve recognized the raven now in this pivotal time in your life - there is energy within you that calls to the raven.

Take the time to investigate what that is within you that called to this magnificent creature. Likewise, take the time to enter into the energetic pattern that IS “raven.”

Everything resonates to a pattern - once we tap into that vibration, our comprehension takes quantum leaps.

Anybody else have thoughts on Heather’s experience?

Namaste Heather,
A.

Hi there I was sitting out back when a huge raven flew onto my garage roof and was within touching distance of me. It stayed for a couple of minutes and I tried to ignore it by turning the other way, and then it flew off making a lot of noise; this was a couple of days ago; then last night a raven came into my dream; i was sitting watching a passing out ceremony for University in a stand next to my female frined when out of the blue the raven flies and sits on hand; then it craps on my hand and flies away leaving its beak behind in my other hand; all very bizarre; any thoughts? cheers Graham

Hi Graham,

Thanks for sharing your experience & contributing to this thread.

Of course, you’ll need to mine your own philosophical gold out of this scene & dream.

Symbolic moments, visions, dreams are unique to each of us and are therefore uniquely meaningful within the context of our lives.

My thoughts on symbolism are based on energetic patterns and/or archetypal patterns found witin a sort of collective understanding humankind has shared over its history.

That said:

Ceremonies are symbolic of recognition, accomplishment, and the completion of a goal. This symbol asks what has been the goal in your life, and/or for what accomplishment do you seek recognition?

University is symbolic of structure, stability, and orthodox methods of learning - an institutional process of enhancing our understanding. Here we would ask what in your life represents the most orthodox/conservative structure - and how does your dream convey a message about this?

Hands are symbolic of generosity and charity, as well as receiving. Hands also speak of hard work and action. They may also be symbolic of supplication as the collective utilizes imagery of putting hands together in prayer or mudras. Here we would ask: What are you giving or receiving in your life that requires attention? Or, what part of your life plays center-stage that requires action - or prompts you to ask for assistance in finding resolution (supplication)?

Defecation is symbolic of elimination, removal, or recycling….a process by which that which is unneeded has moved out of the current system to take its place in another form of energy (compost at its best, so to speak). Here the question surfaces: What is no longer serving you that needs to be passed out of your energy?

Beaks may be interpreted as freedom of speech, or verbal expressions. The imagery of the bird flying away yet leaving its beak in your hand may ask the question: Is something left unspoken? Have you left the scene (or has another left your company) without having said all that was on your minds?

I really like the use of hands here…

On the one hand rests the defecation (release of that which does not serve)

On the other hand rests the beak (holding a creative expression as of yet still unspoken).

This imagery smacks of balance - makes me thinks of scales…to be quite honest, the archetypal Justice card in the Tarot flashes in my mind when stepping into this imagery (you can view a bit about the Justice card symbolism here on my other site).

Graham, these are just a few impressions I got about your dream/experience.

Ultimately you’ll use your own symbolic lexicon & intuitive language (hammered out between your daily mind and your deeper mind) to translate the meaning of this experience to your own personal satisfaction.

Namaste,
A.

thank you very much for taking time out to comment about my dream;very interesting; i recently had a book of poems published and in it and i wrote a few poems about “Crow” similar to the work of Ted Hughes and one called Sins of Man which i have enclosed below

Sins of Man

Raven set light to the moon
And while she burnt, the world
Was in darkness.

Raven collected all the shells
On the shore
And scattered them across the sky.

Raven sheltered in the sun
Shrieking
In the scolding heat

And raven fell to the earth
Burdened
By the sins of man.

thanks again and will check out more of ur website; best wishes Graham

Graham, wicked-keen poem, sweet rhythm - renders a crackly sensuality - me like it muchly.

I would like to thank from my heart the interpretations given of the Raven to the ones who commented I do deeply appreciate your time and suggestions for responding.I have now had 2 Ravens come and sit on the tree outside of my window so definitly the universe is sending double the message. I love the Native American way of life and I know I have a indian guide he is a warrior his name is “Running Bird” I believe in their symbols and I am happy I found this site to learn more about the animal symbols and totem I will keep you informed on my progress with the diagnoses as I had surgery to remove the melanoma the results are soon to come in which will allow me to know if it has gone inward to other organs I will also take your advice, Once again thank you vey much.
In God the creator’s love
Heather

Hi Heather,

Thank you for being here, and for sharing your depth along the path.

Namaste,
A.

Maybe you all could help me.

I was jogging this morning, when I passed a Raven. It didn’t fly away, so I passed within only a few feet from it. I thought this was odd.

As I passed it and continued to run about 10-15 yards, it swooped down and buzzed the top of my head.

I was startled and amused. It flew up to a tree branch and kept looking at me.

I continued running, and it buzzed the top of my head again…lightly touching the top of my head with its wings as it flew past me.

I thought perhaps it was tame, and held my arm out, but it kept staring at me. Then, another raven flew down and chased it away.

Is this common behavior for a raven?

–Moe

Thankyou very much for this site, as others here, I also found it with google
Also, I felt for Ravens since I can remember. Several anekdotes with them, sometimes they make me go somewhere and sometimes they scare me away.
But now… a raven is knocking on our window very early in the morning. No mirror effect there, so it’s not “attacking a rival ” or so, and the sound of the knocking is so rythmical that, before I found out that it’s a Raven, I would swear there was a human knocking.
I had a plastic container with some growing Lavatera there, and the Raven did destroy the biggest plant, that was about to make flowers. I was sad because I was really looking forward to see the nice purple-pink flowers there, but luckely not all plants were broken…
Does anybody have an idea why Raven would knock the window (very early in the morning, when the light is just coming) and why he broke the Lavatera?
Thankyou so much
Lots of Love

i have always been fascinated by Ravens…in part…because I believed they returned from death to impart a message. I have a Ravens’s bird nest…..right above my kitchen window..chirping with life…..I see the mother and father….constantly…. I sit outside and they both perch on a dead trees branches….right in front of me…. I am trying to understand….what message I am to learn, to understand… any help would be great. I really believe in the American Indian folklore….so any input…insights would be appreciated.