| Ravens, Crows, Blackbirds |
| People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest. Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong thing right. |
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| In most parts of the world the raven is considered a prophet and a bad omen. Ravens deserting their nests were very bad omens and popular superstition declared that if the ravens ever fled the Tower of London, the monarchy would fall. In many areas of the ancient world, the sight of a raven flying to the right was a good omen, whilst a raven flying to the left was an evil one. Eaters of carrion, ravens were messengers of death, pestilence, and battle. It was believed that these flesh-hungry birds could smell the scent of death upon a person before they died, even through the walls of a house. In paintings, the raven may be seen flying over battlefields, eager to feast on the dead. These birds were thought to have a special taste for the bodies of hanged criminals and to enjoy plucking out the eyes of sinners. Christians thought they carried off the souls of the damned and associated this birds with the Fall of Man and Satan who blinds sinners, dulls their senses and feasts on their corruption. Ravens were a symbol of sin especially the sins of gluttony, stealing and false teaching. It was even said that evil priests were to turn into ravens when they died. Greeks believed that Apollo turned the raven black when the bird informed him of the unfaithfulness of his lover, Coronis. This episode gave the raven a reputation as a tattler, a spy and a divulger of secrets. Ravens are known around the world as shapeshifters and humans are often changed into ravens by an enemy's curse. They are prophets, spell-casters and messengers of the gods. Gods and goddesses of war and thunder such as Badb have ravens as their attributes. They are early emblems of the Danes and the Vikings. The crow is associated with motherly love and spiritual strength. It was believed that fairies turned into crows in order to cause trouble. In heraldry, a crow was used to indicate a dark person such as a Moor or a Saracen. In Egypt, two crows, like two doves, were an emblem of monogamy. Christians consider the crow an emblem of the Virgin Mary. The blackbird is considered a bad omen. However, the sight of two blackbirds sitting together is a symbol of peace and a good omen. |
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