Bird Magic: Wisdom of the Ancient Goddess for Pagans & Wiccans - Sandra Kynes 2016

Crow: American Crow
The Profiles

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Crows are mentioned in the mythology of many cultures throughout the world and are often portrayed as guides for traveling between the worlds. In European folklore, crows were believed to convene courts, pass judgments, and execute guilty members. Associated with the Goddess’s death aspect, crows came to be regarded as evil or fearsome. In medieval times, finding the foot of a crow, commonly called a witches’ foot, was regarded as a sign of death.

The Greeks regarded crows as messengers of the gods bearing wisdom and secrets. These birds were also prevalent in Roman and Norse mythology. In India, a crow landing on a nearby tree was a sign of good luck. In addition, Hindu legends tell of crows delivering messages and offerings to people’s ancestors.

Crows are prominent in Celtic lore and considered to be on the edge between light and dark, life and death. In Ireland, crows and ravens represented the goddess known as the Morrigan in her trinity with Badb and Macha. The name Badb means “crow,” and this goddess was said to carry souls to the otherworld after battle.⁵⁷ According to legend, Macha flew over battlefields in crow form to warn of approaching enemies. In Gaul, the goddess Nantosuelta was depicted with a crow or raven and a dovecote. The dove and crow (or raven) together represented the intertwined life/death aspects of the Great Goddess.

Considered among the most intelligent of creatures, crows learn quickly, solve problems (often in cooperation with each other), use tools, and even play. In addition, they are extremely inquisitive. I’m not sure what my neighborhood crows are up to, but they seem to enjoy messing with the seashells and other small things I place on my outdoor altar. Sometimes they knock these items to the ground, and other times they pick them up and place them in the birdbath or even fly off with them.

The common name crow comes from the Anglo-Saxon crawe, which describes the classic sound they make.⁵⁸ These birds actually have a wide range of vocalizations, which includes imitating human speech. Crows can be extremely aggressive, especially when mobbing a predator, such as an owl or hawk, for defense.

Magical Workings

Crow is a harbinger of change, bringing messages from other realms and at times warning of danger. Associated with war and death, it leads the way into the afterlife. While the destructiveness it seems to bring may cause fear, crow provides wisdom to see beyond into the fertile womb of darkness where rebirth and manifestation begin.

Fostering growth, crow’s darkness is a cradle for creativity and intuition where it can help incubate talents. Crow is also instrumental in opening awareness for divination and all forms of communication. Whenever you find yourself at a crossroads, crow can reveal which direction offers the best opportunity. In addition, call on crow for support in past-life exploration and shamanic work.

This bird holds a great deal of power that can be called upon to boost spells, especially spells for defense and protection, and even love. Crow shows us that adaptability and honor are essential when working within one’s community. It also tells us that intelligence and spirituality are keys to longevity.

Make Connection

Connect with crow energy by visualizing that you are completely black, even your eyes. At night you are practically invisible and during the day you are but a shadow and can be seen only when you want. Visualize yourself as a crow moving unseen through the world. Feel yourself as the holder of secrets and collector of wisdom as you carry messages from one realm to another. As you do this, be attentive for signs that crow is moving with you.

Associations

Element(s): Air, earth, water

Goddesses: Amaterasu, Athena, Badb, Cailleach, Macha, Maeve, the Morrigan, Rhiannon

Gods: Apollo, Asclepius, Buddha, Loki, Lugh, Mercury, Mithras, Saturn

Solar system: Moon, Saturn, Sun

Trees: Evergreens

Bird Identification

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Size: 15 to 20 inches

Wingspan: 33 to 39 inches

Description: Thick neck; heavy, straight bill; short and rounded or squared tail; completely black including legs and bill; old feathers appear brownish or scaly during molt

Range: From British Columbia across Canada to Newfoundland and south throughout most of the United States

Habitat: Woodlands, orchards, farmland, suburbs, and cities

Eggs: Dull bluish-green to olive green with brown blotches

Collective noun(s): A caldron, a clan, a company, a mob, a murder, or a rookery of crows

57. Eason, Fabulous Creatures, Mythical Monsters and Animal Power Symbols, 54.

58. Wells, 100 Birds and How They Got Their Names, 43.