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” A broken wing, a fettered sigh, a teardrop in the eye- -none,
but raven will even cry, for I will have learned at last to fly
free- -my wings arched toward that rainbow.” Suzie Ashby,
a few lines from my poem, Arching Form.
Here we are on the doorstep of autumn racing into shorter days and longer nights. The seasonal changes and splashes of color send my creativity into overdrive. If I am not writing, I am sewing, drawing cooking or some other “ing” thing. Luckily, it almost keeps me out of trouble.
Right now the wheel of change makes raven a prominent character. A lot of people think ravens are just dumb birds, “creepy creatures of the dark side.” On the contrary, ravens are extremely intelligent survivalists that adapt very well to change. They easily conform to the laws of nature and we can learn a lot from them.
There is a huge dead douglas fir-tree standing at the top of the mountain where I live. Just before large storms an entire council of ravens collect on the branches and chatter noisily. Unfailingly, every time they do this we get hit with lightning, rain or more often that not, hail.
I have always noticed the raven’s ability to mimic other animals. I kid you not, I searched all over this mountain one day for the elusive wild turkey I was hearing. Sure enough, I found a large raven perched in a tree speaking wild turkey. I am certain the bird completely enjoyed the prank and laughed his blue-black feathers off. I have also heard them mimic frogs and barking dogs. Last summer the woods were filled with the sound of chattering monkeys. I can only guess that somewhere in the neighborhood several of them had gotten together over a few scraps of carrion and watched way too much television.
Some cultures believe ravens are actually considered to be messengers. They carry our prayers to heaven and our loving well wishes to all those we care about. By paying close attention to ravens and their ways of life, we can learn to live wisely.
The raven is the balance between Earth and Air, light and darkness, therefore we can learn balance through them. They teach us to seek deeply within ourselves and strengthen our own weaknesses. In making us stronger within, we are more capable to help others in need, out of balance, or ill.
“Change is a measure of time and, in the autumn, time seems
speeded up. What was is not and never again will be;
what is is change.” Edwin Way Teale.
The raven’s autumn is a time for us to slow down, reflect on the season which has passed, and be thankful for the gifts and lessons of that time. We also need to use those teachings wisely and make careful planning for the long darker and colder days ahead. This is an excellent time to build stronger relationships with loved ones. We should stand strong in our conviction to find our own balance and inner peace, seek meditation and time for calming.
“…..autumn sings without surprize and brings us gifts as great
as this- -ever grand and colorful bliss…..” Suzie
Ashby. From my poem, “Colorful Bliss”.
Raven tells us it is the season to prove just how adaptable we are and show others how big-hearted we can be.
“All-cheering plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow
Autumn, wreathed with nodding corn.” Robert Burns.
Copyright 2010, by Suzie Ashby. All Rights Reserved.
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