There are a pair of Ravens living at our ranch. They are massive, with thick necks and shaggy throat feathers, and a Bowie knife of a beak. They are a distinct pair and permanent residents as opposed to flocks of crows that pass through.
I have cultivated a relationship with them by fishing drown rodents from our pool and placing them on a platform that is easily visible and accessible to the Ravens. The bait disappears quickly, and the Ravens return every morning looking for their treat. If they see something in the pool and I have not fished it out for them, they come to get my attention by performing ariel acrobatics where they see me in the kitchen or studio. I think they have a special cackle call to remind me to look in the pool and honor our connection.
Ravens are the largest members of the Corvidae with a wingspan of almost 5 feet. They mate for life and claim a territory, protecting it from other Ravens. They are resourceful and resilient, adaptable. Ravens are problem solvers; they can use tools. They are smart and can mimic speech, learning whole sentences. Ravens represent cleverness and intelligence in mythology. The Raven intelligence extends to spiritual insight and enlightenment, symbolizing psychic power and mysticism.
Noah sent a pair of Ravens out to find land after the flood. The Norse god Oden sent out his Ravens, Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory) as spiritual messengers. In the British traditions, Ravens represent guardianship and protection. In Japanese mythology, Ravens are associated with divine intervention and benevolent guidance from the universe.
