#Sinn. Chippewa

[tipsycad147]

The Magic of Crows and Ravens

By Patti Wigington

Updated January 12, 2020

Both crows and ravens have appeared in a number of different mythologies throughout the ages. In some cases, these black-feathered birds are considered an omen of bad tidings, but in others, they may represent a message from the Divine. Here are some fascinating crow and raven folklore to ponder.

Did You Know?

Crows sometimes appear as a method of divination and prophecy.

In some mythologies, crows are seen as a sign of bad things to come, but in others they are considered to be messengers from the gods.

Crows often appear as trickster characters in folklore and legend.

Although crows and ravens are part of the same family (Corvus), they’re not exactly the same bird. Typically, ravens are much bigger than crows, and they tend to be a bit shaggier looking. The raven actually has more in common with hawks and other predatory birds than the standard, smaller-sized crow. In addition, although both birds have an impressive repertoire of calls and noises they make, the raven’s call is usually a bit deeper and more guttural sounding than that of the crow.

Ravens & Crows in Mythology

In Celtic mythology, the warrior goddess known as the Morrighan often appears in the form of a crow or raven or is seen accompanied by a group of them. Typically, these birds appear in groups of three, and they are seen as a sign that the Morrighan is watching—or possibly getting ready to pay someone a visit.

In some tales of the Welsh myth cycle, the Mabinogion, the raven is a harbinger of death. Witches and sorcerers were believed to have the ability to transform themselves into ravens and fly away, thus enabling them to evade capture.

The Native Americans often saw the raven as a trickster, much like Coyote. There are a number of tales regarding the mischief of Raven, who is sometimes seen as a symbol of transformation. In the legends of various tribes, Raven is typically associated with everything from the creation of the world to the gift of sunlight to mankind. Some tribes knew the raven as a stealer of souls.

Native-Languages.org says,

"In Native American folklore, the intelligence of crows is usually portrayed as their most important feature. In some tribes, the crow is conflated with the raven, a larger cousin of the crow that shares many of the same characteristics. In other tribes, Crow and Raven are distinct mythological characters. Crows are also used as clan animals in some Native American cultures."

Some of the tribes with Crow clans include the Chippewa, the Hopi, the Tlingit, and the Pueblo tribes of the American Southwest.

For those who follow the Norse pantheon, Odin is often represented by the raven—usually a pair of them. Early artwork depicts him as being accompanied by two black birds, who are described in the Eddas as Huginn and Munnin. Their names translate to “thought” and “memory,” and their job is to serve as Odin’s spies, bringing him news each night from the land of men.

Divination & Superstition

Crows sometimes appear as a method of divination. For the ancient Greeks, the crow was a symbol of Apollo in his role as god of prophecy. Augury—divination using birds—was popular among both the Greeks and the Romans, and augurs interpreted messages based on not only the color of a bird but the direction from which it flew. A crow flying in from the east or south was considered favorable.

In parts of the Appalachian mountains, a low-flying group of crows means that illness is coming—but if a crow flies over a house and calls three times, that means an impending death in the family. If the crows call in the morning before the other birds get a chance to sing, it’s going to rain. Despite their role as messengers of doom and gloom, it’s bad luck to kill a crow. If you accidentally do so, you’re supposed to bury it—and be sure to wear black when you do!

In some places, it's not the sighting of a crow or raven itself, but the number that you see which is important. Mike Cahill at Creepy Basement says,

"Seeing just a single crow is considered an omen of bad luck. Finding  two crows, however, means good luck. Three crows mean health, and four crows mean wealth. Yet spotting five crows means sickness is coming, and witnessing six crows means death is nearby."

Even within the Christian religion, ravens hold a special significance. While they are referred to as “unclean” within the Bible, Genesis tells us that after the flood waters receded, the raven was the first bird Noah sent out from the ark to find land. Also, in the Hebrew Talmud, ravens are credited with teaching mankind how to deal with death; when Cain slew Abel, a raven showed Adam and Eve how to bury the body, because they had never done so before.

Resources

Feher-Elston, Catherine. Ravensong: a Natural and Fabulous History of Ravens and Crows. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2005.

Sinn, Shannon. “The Raven and Crow of the Celts - Part I: Myth and Legend.” Living Library, 23 Mar. 2018, https://livinglibraryblog.com/the-raven-and-crow-of-the-celts-part-i-myth-and-legend/.

Starovecká, Zuzana. “Ravens and Crows in Mythology, Folklore and Religion.” Perspectives, https://perspectiveszine.webnode.sk/news/ravens-and-crows-in-mythology-folklore-and-religion/.

https://www.learnreligions.com/the-magic-of-crows-and-ravens-2562511

[tarotss88witch]

Both crows and ravens have appeared in a number of different mythologies throughout the ages. In some cases, these black-feathered birds are considered an omen of bad tidings, but in others, they may represent a message from the Divine. Here are some fascinating crow and raven folklore to ponder.

Did You Know?

Crows sometimes appear as a method of divination and prophecy.

In some mythologies, crows are seen as a sign of bad things to come, but in others they are considered to be messengers from the gods.

Crows often appear as trickster characters in folklore and legend.

Although crows and ravens are part of the same family (Corvus), they’re not exactly the same bird. Typically, ravens are much bigger than crows, and they tend to be a bit shaggier looking. The raven actually has more in common with hawks and other predatory birds than the standard, smaller-sized crow. In addition, although both birds have an impressive repertoire of calls and noises they make, the raven’s call is usually a bit deeper and more guttural sounding than that of the crow.

Ravens & Crows in Mythology

In Celtic mythology, the warrior goddess known as the Morrighan often appears in the form of a crow or raven or is seen accompanied by a group of them. Typically, these birds appear in groups of three, and they are seen as a sign that the Morrighan is watching—or possibly getting ready to pay someone a visit.

In some tales of the Welsh myth cycle, the Mabinogion, the raven is a harbinger of death. Witches and sorcerers were believed to have the ability to transform themselves into ravens and fly away, thus enabling them to evade capture.

The Native Americans often saw the raven as a trickster, much like Coyote. There are a number of tales regarding the mischief of Raven, who is sometimes seen as a symbol of transformation. In the legends of various tribes, Raven is typically associated with everything from the creation of the world to the gift of sunlight to mankind. Some tribes knew the raven as a stealer of souls.

Native-Languages.org says,

"In Native American folklore, the intelligence of crows is usually portrayed as their most important feature. In some tribes, the crow is conflated with the raven, a larger cousin of the crow that shares many of the same characteristics. In other tribes, Crow and Raven are distinct mythological characters. Crows are also used as clan animals in some Native American cultures."

Some of the tribes with Crow clans include the Chippewa, the Hopi, the Tlingit, and the Pueblo tribes of the American Southwest.

For those who follow the Norse pantheon, Odin is often represented by the raven—usually a pair of them. Early artwork depicts him as being accompanied by two black birds, who are described in the Eddas as Huginn and Munnin. Their names translate to “thought” and “memory,” and their job is to serve as Odin’s spies, bringing him news each night from the land of men.

Divination & Superstition

Crows sometimes appear as a method of divination. For the ancient Greeks, the crow was a symbol of Apollo in his role as god of prophecy. Augury—divination using birds—was popular among both the Greeks and the Romans, and augurs interpreted messages based on not only the color of a bird but the direction from which it flew. A crow flying in from the east or south was considered favorable.

In parts of the Appalachian mountains, a low-flying group of crows means that illness is coming—but if a crow flies over a house and calls three times, that means an impending death in the family. If the crows call in the morning before the other birds get a chance to sing, it’s going to rain. Despite their role as messengers of doom and gloom, it’s bad luck to kill a crow. If you accidentally do so, you’re supposed to bury it—and be sure to wear black when you do!

In some places, it's not the sighting of a crow or raven itself, but the number that you see which is important. Mike Cahill at Creepy Basement says,

"Seeing just a single crow is considered an omen of bad luck. Finding two crows, however, means good luck. Three crows mean health, and four crows mean wealth. Yet spotting five crows means sickness is coming, and witnessing six crows means death is nearby."

Even within the Christian religion, ravens hold a special significance. While they are referred to as “unclean” within the Bible, Genesis tells us that after the flood waters receded, the raven was the first bird Noah sent out from the ark to find land. Also, in the Hebrew Talmud, ravens are credited with teaching mankind how to deal with death; when Cain slew Abel, a raven showed Adam and Eve how to bury the body, because they had never done so before.

Resources

Feher-Elston, Catherine. Ravensong: a Natural and Fabulous History of Ravens and Crows. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2005.

Sinn, Shannon. “The Raven and Crow of the Celts - Part I: Myth and Legend.” Living Library, 23 Mar. 2018, https://livinglibraryblog.com/the-raven-and-crow-of-the-celts-part-i-myth-and-legend/.

[corkcitylibraries]

It Seems Like Nothing Changes

By Paul Cussen

October 1919

While Lloyd George’s government realise that Home Rule is not enough to satisfy the Irish, the Irish Committee of the British Government is recreated under heavy Unionist influence, notably through Sir Walter Long.

 John McArdle, F Company, 1st Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers loses the use of an eye during an exchange with British forces.

James Joyce leaves Zurich for Trieste. He writes to Harriet Weaver to say that he has found the manuscript of A Portrait… in the drawer of his desk, exactly where he had left it four years before. Not trusting the post-war postal system he divides the manuscript into four parts, posting each one separately, and promising that if any part did not arrive, he will write it out again for her.

(In July 1951 Harriet Weaver presented the manuscript to Frederick Boland as a donation for the National Library of Ireland. She was so impressed by Boland’s enthusiasm that she donated a portrait of the great man by Wyndham Lewis to the National Gallery of Ireland)

Winston Churchill condemns the IRA as ‘a gang of squalid murderers’ who have eluded capture.

D’Annunzio, the ‘John the Baptist of Fascism’, receives a cargo ship laden with military equipment. The Persia is captured by Giuseppe Giuletti and some volunteers who redirect it from its original destination of Vladivostock, where it is to supply the White Armies, to Fiume.

1-2 October    

Dozens of doughboys shot at African-Americans and when police arrive they shoot at them during the Baltimore riot. Police reinforcements cause the soldiers to withdraw. In total six soldiers are arrested.

2 October        

Seán 'ac Dhonncha is born in Carna, Connemara (d. 1996)

US President Woodrow Wilson has a stroke that leaves him partially paralysed.

 3 October        

John Boyd (Boyd Bradfield Upchurch) is born in Atlanta (d. 2013)

James M. Buchanan is born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (d. 2013)

5 October

Private William Grenville dies of appendicitis in Cork.

Donald Pleasence is born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire (d. 1995)

5-6 October

61.6% of voters vote for prohibition (of spirits) in a referendum in Norway.

6-7 October

American marines and Haitian gendarmes repel an attack by Caco rebels under Charlemagne Masséna Péralte in the Battle of Port-au-Prince.

7 October        

Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. (KLM) is founded and will become the first airline in the world to celebrate its centenary. The modified De Havilland DH-9B bomber pictured above was part of their London Amsterdam service with British Aerial Transport.

 9 October        

Constable Joseph Reynolds of the Dublin Metropolitan Police overpowers William Little who had just shot two “Asylum attendants and a private enquiry agent”.

10 October      

Private W.J. Edwards dies of aenemia in Central Hospital, Cork aged 18.

11 October      

Art Blakey is born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 1990)

 11 Oct–18 Nov

Soviet forces halt the White forces advance on Moscow in the Orel-Kromy operation.

14 October      

Aleksandar Stamboliyski is appointed Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

17 October      

HMS Dragon is hit by two shells from a shore battery while taking part in an operation against German forces attacking Riga. Nine of the crew die and five are wounded.

RCA is created as a subsidiary to General Electric.

18 October      

De Valera is made an honorary chief of the Chippewa in Wisconsin.

Pierre Trudeau is born in Montreal (d. 2000)

19 October      

Detective Michael Downing of G Division (Dublin Metropolitan Police) is assassinated.

Anna Howard Shaw becomes the first female recipient of the US Distinguished Service Medal.

20 October      

Ontario voters decide not to repeal prohibition in a referendum.

The man engine which transports miners underground at the Levant Mine in Cornwall fails. The rod which controls the movement breaks and men on the device plummet the 1,596-foot shaft. At least five of the 31 who die had served in the War.

22 October      

Doris Lessing is born in Kermanshah, Iran (d. 2013)

W. N. P. Barbellion (pen-name of Bruce Frederick Cummings), English naturalist and diarist, dies of multiple sclerosis (born 1889)

 25 October

Jimmy Rudd is born in Dublin (d. 1985)

Six Republican prisoners (including Piaras Beaslaí) escape from Strangeways Prison.

Ireland and England draw 1-1 in front of a crowd of 30,000 in Windsor Park, Belfast.

26 October

Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 premieres in Queen’s Hall, London.

President Wilson’s veto of the Prohibition Enforcement Bill is overridden.

27 October      

James Joseph Magennis is born in Belfast (d. 1986)

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count George Plunkett, reports ‘a steady progress’ in the development of Ireland’s foreign relations ‘in spite of all impediments’.

Mike Pepitone becomes the last victim of the Axeman of New Orleans.

28 October

Arthur Ransome leaves Russia with his future wife Evgenia Petrovna Shelepina, who had been Trotsky's secretary.

30 October      

Ella Wheeler Wilcox dies of cancer in Short Beach, Connecticut (b. 1850)

 Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth But has trouble enough of its own

‘Since I went to Ireland the only party delivering inflammatory speeches inciting to the murder of the servants of the Crown has been the Sinn Fein party, and so long as these speeches are likely to be delivered by these men I will prohibit them.’       -Sir James Macpherson in the House of Commons

 31 October      

Two units of the IRA attack the RIC barracks in Ballivor, Co. Meath killing 35 year old RIC Constable William Agar and seizing a revolver, five rifles and a large amount of ammunition.

Elsewhere in Co. Meath, Sergeant Matthews and Constables Griffiths and O’Shea at Lismullin RIC barracks repel an attack by about 26 Volunteers.