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The Stealer Of Souls…

The Stealer Of Souls…

Last updated on: October 5, 2024 at 4:12 am by Raven Wood

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The Stealer Of Souls… 2024-10-05T04:12:06+00:00 Raven Wood

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Today as I walked the woods I realized that the shadows have become greater, appearing much earlier in the day. The darkness silently consumes the light, slowly filling these woods with decay… It was then that I saw her resting on a log, or was she there watching me instead? The Stealer of Souls, Corbie of Death, but for me a bird of transformations instead.

Crows are a large passerine bird species of the Corvidae and have a rich symbolism in folklore and mythology. Most often associated with the afterlife, death, and transformations. Seen as a trickster like the coyote, due to the bird’s cunning no doubt, and is ironically credited with teaching humans how to deal with death.

That isn’t that far-fetched… considering crows mourn their own dead.

If a crow comes upon a fallen friend it will make no haste in sounding the alarm, alerting other crows of the bird’s demise. The crows then all flock within the surrounding trees to take site upon of the corpse. They seem to sit still and take watch for a spell, contemplating and protecting their dead from any nearby predators. Then in unison, the silence breaks as they all begin this intense cawing, shrill cries… grieving for the loss of one of their own.

In the winter they have what is called “Winter Roosts,” communal roosts known to have a few hundred, and up to two million crows huddling together to stay warm. These creatures understand adaptability and the harshness of the dark season.

As a spirit animal crows represent intelligence, mysteries, and magick.

They aid our transformations, allowing us to reach higher states of consciousness. Crows help us with self-awareness and teach us how to expand our intuition. And finally witches within the crow’s favor are given the knowledge of shape-shifting into crows themselves, and can fly away at will to their safety.

So fly-fly away… the stealer of souls is coming your way.

About Raven Wood

Raven is a traditional witch of Celtic and Germanic roots who is an herbalist, hedge crafter, poisonous plant grower, and planetary alchemist practicing woodland folk magick for over 20 years in her woods of the mid-western United States. She is the owner of "Deep Within the Hollow" a shop of Tarot readings, incense, oils, poppets, and poisons. As well as "Raven's Hedge," a green witch shop of herbal body care, seasonal forest teas, and woodland fare. She has a website “Within a Witches Wood” where you will find her blogs, shop updates, herbal lore, and other writings. Her first book is in the works. You can read more about the author here.

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