I discovered the following passage, in its entirety, at a particularly beautiful site known as SheoWolf's Place. I was led to this lovely realm by a valued friend of The Hollow, Arvin. I am displaying this bit because I have an affinity for ravens and crows. I highly recommend that you go to explore SheoWolf's pages yourself. They contain a great deal of information, soothing music and stunning nature art.(See SheoWolf's gift, below, for a link to her site.)
Raven Medicine "Those who carry Raven Medicine also carry a heavy responsibility to Spirit. Raven is the messenger of magic from the great void where all knowledge waits for us. He is also the symbol of changes in consciousness, of levels of awareness and of perception. He carries the mark of the shape-shifter. He is the carrier of healing energy from distances.
Those of you who have asked for messages of light and healing and prayer . . . have asked for raven medicine.
What all of this means to us in the modern-day world is that raven medicine gives you the ability to get inside another's head and heart, and to understand them from the inside out, so to speak. You can "become" that other person because of the depth of your understanding of them, and it is not necessary to be in their physical presence for that to happen.
Spiritual healers and counselors who are skilled in their abilities are using raven power for they have a depth of understanding and empathy not shared by all. Because of this power, they have the ability to actually alter another's perception and behavior. They are able to work real magic in bringing peace, healing and understanding to others.
Here is the heavy responsibility, and the dangers, in raven medicine. As with all things, these powers can be used for dark purposes. It enables the carrier to manipulate and coerce others into doing their will to the detriment of the other.
This medicine can be used for selfish and self-serving purposes for the ego and greed of the carrier. Because of the power of the levels in understanding others, a practitioner of the black arts can use raven for destructive purposes.
If you carry raven medicine, you must always use it in the light for the highest and best interests of others. You must use it for the good and well being of others, and never for your own selfish motives even though you may be tempted when times are bad. Raven medicine demands that you walk in the light in all things. That's heavy with responsibility for your own thoughts and deeds.
Work your magic in the light -- you are Raven.
(Julia White)"
To WitchWorkspage graphics by Liz Crowe
