I have an affinity for finding things in nature which have been left behind. Many are times that I walked the trails behind my Grandparent’s home in Blue Ridge and found arrowheads and other implements. I still have on particular arrowhead which I still keep in my little keepsake chest which is a white quartz point with blue and red veins running through it. I find sticks of different shapes that look like things to me. I am always on the lookout for different plants and animals. I have always felt a special affinity for the birds. Anybody who has followed me on Facebook for any amount of time at all has seen bird photos.
Hawks seem to always be sitting on trees and power lines watching as I drive down the road, or walk by the rivers.
Lately I have been attracting Crows. Lots of them. They follow me around like they have something to tell me. Cawing and talking to me. I think they are telling me that I am doing the right thing. “Stay in shape” “Keep on keeping on” “Live long and prosper” Oh wait…that’s Spock, never mind.
A lot of people don’t consider crows good luck. They actually represent death in some cultures, I guess probably because of their dietary habits. (They eat dead stuff…for Gosh sakes) The Hindus believe crows are go betweens of the worlds of the living and the dead, carrying messages. I believe they have at times truly brought me comfort with their presence.
The Scottish have a saying about “going away up the Crow road” denoting death.
But…the Native American blood in me tells me differently:
contrary to popular belief, crows do not symbolize death in Native American culture. Instead, they are seen as omens of good luck, with their intelligence being their defining characteristic. This is why they are often portrayed as tricksters in Native American folklore. Omens of good luck. Tellers of tales.
I choose to believe in the good luck. I choose to believe in being a trickster. I choose to believe in their communications with me.
I’ll keep the crows as walking companions as long as they want to come along…..
Writing for Sanity's Sake 