Crow Medicine: Understanding Your Sacred Space

by

0

Crow medicine: learning My Sacred Space

I have always collected magazines that i will eventually get back to or keep because of some article I have read but today In my attempt to clean out the clutter I came across a Sage Women magazine that I had read years ago and a article about Crow Medicine. What makes this article so compelling to me is I had tossed the magazine aside to throw out when I was nudged to look at it again. it seems something was in it I needed to see. scanning the cover I found what I was being Lead to read again.

I had to smile as I thought of the glass bowl I keep on my desk at work in the corner that has become my Crow/Ravens nest my healing and sacred space. Recently they moved a few of us to a room for training and I brought my bowl with me and It has raised eyebrows and even questions from what is it too is it VooDoo. Not know how exactly how to describe it I call in my sacred space.

Chernak McElroy wrote of her experience with a group using animal cards and hers picking the crow. it inspired me to make my own sacred space and the healing and peace she received from it. There are points in her article that still ring true and make me smile as I think of those around me. Crows, and ravens collect things that to you and me seem trivial and mind boggling but to the Raven or crow they have a special meaning that only they understand and by no means does it matter that you don’t get it. McElory commented that you could actually see yourself in the baubles and odd things you treasure and that those things can serve as a catalyst to healing.

I had only thought of the corner of my desk as my crows nest but after reading this article again and looking around I realize that over time and unknowingly I have made the rooms in my home Ravens nests. My Daughter seems to collect Fairies, Snow globes, feathers and stones like some do jewelry and knows when some are gone. This is her nest with stuffed animals hanging above her bed a red shawl, goddess doll, flower head peace and hand painted Tambourine all covered in the blessings of women as part of her Welcoming to womanhood sit by her bed. My oldest boys room is covered in books stones and anime I would say the twins room is their but its not it is mine. I use to be baffled at the reason I would find anyone of my kids in my room in a corner on a pillow and as I type this and look around I finally see why.

I finally see that Over the Years I have placed thing in it that give me strength and hope. Things that help me heal be it mentally, physically or spiritually. All of theses things I have seen as decoration but now I see them as they really are. The butterflies on my wall signal transformation and change to a better person, Dandelions the strength to grow in any situation and still blossom into a bright and upright flower no matter how high I have to reach for the sun. My Teddy bears that where given to me out of love by another or to myself remind me of the gentle strength inside and the boundaries set to protect self and the nurturing of a mother. A tree that sings of the Tree of Life and of Creator. Prayer sticks Spirit shields and a Soul drawing that looks like a Phoenix rising and speaks of teaching others. The list goes on and on and includes the little quirky things my kids have given me for gifts from garage sales.

I realized that they come to my room when I am not home and even when I am to be in my space because to them this room is a reflection of who I am to them, but even with this there is one final lesson Crow/Raven has to teach.

The lesson of how you see others and allow them to be who they are. In this reflection I think of those I know who have shoes,jewelry or clothes for days. Those who have a sense of style that does not flow with the fashion conscious be it half your head shaved, tattoos or crazy clothes combinations. These are all things that fall in some way shape or form to have its own personal meaning, its own purpose that none other could understand but them. I have learned in seeing what I consider precious and a treasure has given me a doorway to understanding others.

Be Your True Self

by

0

Be Yourself is often a saying that is quoted and  touted by many as being true to who you are.  Being yourself seems to have come to mean accept me for  who I am and if you don’t like it to bad. To be yourself has become the anthem or reason to chase down and fulfill your every desire with recklessness and sole consideration for self. What should really be said is Be Your True Self… Which contrary to popular belief is easier said than done.

To be your true self  requires you look at who and what you really are deep down inside, Beyond the physical looks and the superficial  knowledge of what you think you know and believe. Your true self does not become evident after a few pills and doctor visits nor does it when you have one or two revelations about yourself.

It is a life long journey that has many twist,turns and discoveries. There are mirrors to look into and realms of self to  pass through. There is fear to be faced and pain to let go and responsibilities to be assumed as well as boundaries to be set. Its about listening to that inner guide that speaks to you. Its not just about others learning to accept you for who you are its about learning how to accept yourself for those same reasons. Its coming to accept and laugh with yourself at those things that others may show disapproval of. Learnig the leasons from each one and loving those same moments and aspects of yourself.

When you learn to find and cherish the Humanity, light, love or G-d within yourself you begin to see that in others. When  you see that we are all connected and apart of the same world only then do you learn to accept others for who they truly are when they discover there true selves and even when they don’t.