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Description
Shadow Priest Spirit Guide

11x14 140 lb. Watercolor stock
- Cheap Pencil from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office
- Color Pencil
- Watercolor
February 2011
References for this work: deviantID and two Google Images of Crows.

You’re Never Alone with Crow or Raven

In 1963 I died during open heart surgery. I was revived obviously, but my encounter with Death has meant that I have an uncommon relationship with death, in that I have no fear of passing beyond the veils though I would of course have concern for loved ones I will be leaving behind for a spell. Why mention Death? Because my Wild-Kin, Spirit Animals are traditionally considered as harbingers of death or impending death with the notable exception of the Norse and Greek traditions.

At four, almost five years of age, approximately one year after I was pronounced healthy by the medics I was watching neighborhood kids ice-skate in the school yard behind our house when a crow or raven introduced himself to me by landing on top of my head! This was not a momentary alighting upon my head, but a sustained perching that continued as I ran as fast as my legs would allow, while shrieking in terror all the way home. The Corvid (crow or raven) took flight just as I attempted to pull open the back door.

The following summer I learned that a neighbor had both a tame crow and wolf hybrid and we became fast friends. Was this the same crow that had claimed me that cold and wintry day? To this day I cannot say, but I relished my days of play with crow and wolf. In the autumn I began elementary school and didn’t see much of my new friends until the following summer vacation. Crow and wolf were touchstones in my early youth since I usually began my adventures in the surrounding forests after visits with them. I have vague memories of crow speaking to me, but don’t recall what we discussed.

We moved away when I was ten years old, leaving my wild-kin behind, but it seemed that whenever I was feeling unsure of myself Crows or Ravens would appear as if keeping a watchful eye on their charge. It was not until much later in life that I decided to learn something about my night-clad friends. I learned that they are technically song birds and confirmed that they are great mimics. But more interesting to me was learning that they are considered to be at or near the top of avian intelligence. They are highly social, living and traveling in groups called a Murder thereby reinforcing their relation to death. One of the most intriguing characteristics of crows is that they are never alone. If you’ve ever seen a lone crow you are mistaken, for there is always at least one acting as lookout from on high. Whether perched on a tree limb, a building, high tension wire or soaring over head they are on patrol to warn of dangers that may be approaching their loved ones on the ground. I am honored to be claimed by Crow and Raven, they have been harbingers of progress on my spiritual path.

©Copyright by Shadow Priest,
Alexander, 7th Pillar of Sophia

Description
Shadow Priest Spirit Guide

11x14 140 lb. Watercolor stock
- Cheap Pencil from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office
- Color Pencil
- Watercolor
February 2011
References for this work: deviantID and two Google Images of Crows.

You’re Never Alone with Crow or Raven

In 1963 I died during open heart surgery. I was revived obviously, but my encounter with Death has meant that I have an uncommon relationship with death, in that I have no fear of passing beyond the veils though I would of course have concern for loved ones I will be leaving behind for a spell. Why mention Death? Because my Wild-Kin, Spirit Animals are traditionally considered as harbingers of death or impending death with the notable exception of the Norse and Greek traditions.

At four, almost five years of age, approximately one year after I was pronounced healthy by the medics I was watching neighborhood kids ice-skate in the school yard behind our house when a crow or raven introduced himself to me by landing on top of my head! This was not a momentary alighting upon my head, but a sustained perching that continued as I ran as fast as my legs would allow, while shrieking in terror all the way home. The Corvid (crow or raven) took flight just as I attempted to pull open the back door.

The following summer I learned that a neighbor had both a tame crow and wolf hybrid and we became fast friends. Was this the same crow that had claimed me that cold and wintry day? To this day I cannot say, but I relished my days of play with crow and wolf. In the autumn I began elementary school and didn’t see much of my new friends until the following summer vacation. Crow and wolf were touchstones in my early youth since I usually began my adventures in the surrounding forests after visits with them. I have vague memories of crow speaking to me, but don’t recall what we discussed.

We moved away when I was ten years old, leaving my wild-kin behind, but it seemed that whenever I was feeling unsure of myself Crows or Ravens would appear as if keeping a watchful eye on their charge. It was not until much later in life that I decided to learn something about my night-clad friends. I learned that they are technically song birds and confirmed that they are great mimics. But more interesting to me was learning that they are considered to be at or near the top of avian intelligence. They are highly social, living and traveling in groups called a Murder thereby reinforcing their relation to death. One of the most intriguing characteristics of crows is that they are never alone. If you’ve ever seen a lone crow you are mistaken, for there is always at least one acting as lookout from on high. Whether perched on a tree limb, a building, high tension wire or soaring over head they are on patrol to warn of dangers that may be approaching their loved ones on the ground. I am honored to be claimed by Crow and Raven, they have been harbingers of progress on my spiritual path.

©Copyright by Shadow Priest,
Alexander, 7th Pillar of Sophia