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Post by RAIVEN on Sept 25, 2005 13:42:23 GMT -7
When I was in Alaska I learned this legend of the Haida people. The Tribe ranged from the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia and on part of Prince of Wales Island, southeast Alaska, which some Haida groups invaded, probably early in the 18th century. . Since the raven is my totem I was fascinated by the stories. Here is a link: Raven Steals the Light
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Post by barncat on Oct 5, 2005 17:09:55 GMT -7
You're going to love October for a whole other reason because according to the Native American Medicine Wheel of Totem Astrology {Generalized conslammaration of words all falling under the same study} October is the Month of the RAVEN symbolising BALANCE. It's span of influence is Sept 25 to Oct 25 to be precise. During the "Ducks Fly Moon", First Moon of Mudjekeewis, Spirit Keeper of the WEST. Raven is the Animal toem, and PLant is the Mullien, Mineral is the Bloodstone Jasper and Color is Brown. Element of Air, Butterfly Clan. Raven People are adaptable, intelligent and mercurial. They are people who long t search out hidden truths, often in an attempt to improve the welfare of others. Thjey are willing to go to extremes in order to, damnit brb...
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Post by barncat on Oct 5, 2005 18:13:54 GMT -7
...in order to find the middle, to experience change rapidly if that can help them come to balance. Raven people who have found their constancy and strength are comfortable in most situations, and are great at communication. They make excellent teachers and healers, particularly of emotional problems. They must guard against inconsistency, procrastination, irresponsibility and naivete'. {This includes that of others} People under the influence of the Ducks Fly Moon often experience the whole gamut of human feelings, thus learning to exemplify the balance they seek.
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Post by RAIVEN on Oct 7, 2005 22:35:14 GMT -7
RAVEN TOTEM Ravens are the largest songbirds in North America. Their bodies are covered in rich black plumage, which shines with an iridescent bluish color. Though often mistaken with crows, ravens are much larger and their croak is more raucous. Ravens are intelligent masters of mimicking the calls of other animals and have also been known to mimic some human words. They are good at finding food and communicating with other ravens where food is located. It is their natural talent of recycling, which has gained these birds a bad rap. They do a good job cleaning up nature by eating dead animals. Ravens further recycle by using the same nests year after year, and bringing in new materials for repairs if necessary. These birds build their nest in large trees or the sides of cliffs where they usually lay 4-5 eggs. They don't wander far from where they were raised and will only get a new mate if one of the pair dies. Ravens are known as the "keeper of secrets" in several native tribes, and are the teachers of mysticism. They have been wrapped in a wealth of myth and lore throughout many cultures and ages. Their black color and diet of dead animals associates them with the vast void of darkness, which is representative of the unconscious. Raven flies to us with heightened awareness and greater understanding of our consciousness. It is with this new perception that we begin seeing into the hearts of others and experience their feelings. Raven asks us to experience the transformation it brings within our multidimensional self, and be reunited with the mysteries of the universe so we can expel our inner demons. Wonder what your Totem is?? Animal Totem Horoscope
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Post by RAIVEN on Oct 7, 2005 22:52:40 GMT -7
More RAVEN Stuff: Raven as a Totem Raven is a special totem. They are all special, of course, but Raven holds a unique place among totems. He is considered by many to be the creator, and sometimes saviour, of man. According to legend, he made mankind, he brought them salmon to eat, he stole fire from the sun so mankind wouldn't freeze, he brought them water to drink during a drought, and he taught man to enjoy life. Raven is a cultural hero - a creator... and a trickster. Raven's mischief is legendary among the native tribes of the northwest. He is always playing tricks, changing shape, and never quite who or what or where you expect him to be. With such a complicated, shifting totem, it's not surprising that different people have different interpretations of Raven's personality and gifts. Still, several main themes come up when you look at Raven. Here are a few of the main aspects of this complex totem. The Creator AspectRaven is seen as giving life. He is primarily a helping, nurturing spirit. There is also a certain amount of self-sacrifice in his actions. He does what he does to ensure the happiness of others. The Trickster AspectRaven is associated with joy and laughter. He is known to play tricks, but they are usually beneficial ones, teaching people to laugh at their own follies. The Great MagicianRaven is seen as a shape-changer. He has the power to alter form, and to bring great changes in people's lives. He can also see through false forms, lies, and the tricks of others. The Seeker of SecretsRaven has a great sense of curiosity. He is a gatherer of information, and a sharer of secrets. The search for the Truth is predominant. The Juxtaposition of OppositesRaven is a contradiction. He is both black and white, joy and sorrow, saviour and nemesis. He is about both knowledge and secrets. He can be, and not-be. Taken from: www.shades-of-night.com/aviary/totem.html
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Post by BarnCatDrgN on Oct 12, 2005 2:24:02 GMT -7
I just saw on my Northern Exposure DVD Boxed Set an episode right up Raiven's perch too. Two seperate slightly different tellings: The Legend of the Raven As told by Marilyn Whirlwind Episode 3.10, "Seoul Mates" Pageant Version A long time ago, the raven looked down from the sky and saw that the people of the world were living in darkness. The ball of light was kept hidden by a selfish old chief. So the raven turned himself into a spruce needle and floated on the river where the chief's daughter came for water. She drank the spruce needle. She became pregnant and gave birth to a boy, who was the raven in disguise. The baby cried and cried until the chief gave him the ball of light to play with. As soon as he had the light, the raven turned back into himself. The raven carried the light into the sky. From then on, we no longer lived in darkness. On-The-Street Version A long time ago, the raven looked down from the sky and saw that the people of the world were living in darkness. The ball of light was kept hidden by a selfish old chief. So the raven turned himself into a spruce needle and floated on the river where the chief's daughter came for water. She drank the spruce needle. She became pregnant and gave birth to a boy, which was the raven in disguise. The baby cried and cried until the chief gave him the ball of light to play with. As soon as he had the light, the raven turned back into himself and carried the light into the sky. From then on, we no longer lived in darkness.
Other Versions of the Legend
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest
The Origin of Light
Raven Steals the Light
Raven Steals the Sun, Stars, and Moon Marilyn is the indian secretary to Dr. Joel Fleischmann, a new york doctor trying to find his way in the quaint country town of Cicely Alaska. {Factoid, a matter of state pride, Cicely was actually Roslyn Washington, a town but a mere drive SouthEast of mine truly!}
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Post by RAIVEN on Oct 23, 2005 1:33:15 GMT -7
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Post by BarnCatDrgN on Oct 24, 2005 3:03:12 GMT -7
The Coast Salish Indians were of the Very First to have carved what is commonly believed these days to be the first Sasquatch Masks. Tsoo-noo-quas, basket ogresses and the like carved in distinctly simian appearance. They had no word for Monkey or Ape so seeing pictures of them for the first time in books etc, they pointed and said those are like the Sesqec {Sasquatch}. Legends come to life. Gotta love that. Thunderbirds sighted in Texas, too. What next, shapeshifting ravens? AAAAGH!!! LOOK! IN! SHADE!
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Post by RAIVEN on Oct 24, 2005 20:11:09 GMT -7
The Lich by its nature is a shapeshifter. And so is the raven of legend..
"Raven is seen as a shape-changer. He has the power to alter form, and to bring great changes in people's lives. He can also see through false forms, lies, and the tricks of others. "
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Post by BarnCatDrgN on Oct 25, 2005 1:39:46 GMT -7
That's too much like you, lol. I could go on and on about the myths and mysticism of cats, there's alot to it, but we's a bit more close to the vest on letting "all the cats outta the bag", so to speak.
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