Raven Solstice
The mysterious raven is an appropriate talisman of transmutation on this Winter Solstice. Renowned for traveling between worlds, he is aloof, yet always watching. Because he has one foot in each world, he is of both...and neither. There is no judgment on which is better; nor is there fear. Death and birth are both beginnings, and endings, depending on which side we stand. This is the infinite flow of energy as we transform from one state to another.
The raven has taken center stage as the harbinger of death in many indigenous traditions. It is likely due to their stealth, aloofness, and startling beyond-black hue that seems almost unnatural. Add to that their low, throaty call and you can almost imagine the grim reaper speaking through them.
Interestingly enough, they energetically maneuver between this world and the afterworld and we seem to know it at a core level. We are often afraid of the unknown, and none more so than death. But, if we connect with this amazing Being, and tap into the wisdom he has to offer, we will soon realize that death is an illusion. It's no different than the illusions thrillers use to take our imagination on a journey of fear and anticipation. Even though we know something is going to jump out at us, it doesn't keep our minds from taking us on this roller coaster ride of emotions.
Death is the ultimate unknown, and when fear of change is tethered to the unknown, we are often paralyzed. If we knew what the raven knows, we would laugh and gently release our physical vehicle when it was our time to shift energy vibrations and slide effortlessly into our new expression, until we decided to enter the amusement park once again and step into another ride.
I know you think it would be easier if we had full access to the other side so that we could feel safe on our current ride.But, just like the thrillers, once we've seen the movie once, it is not nearly so fulfilling and engaging the second time.The same would be true of this expression...if we knew too much, our lives would be drab and lifeless.It is the unknown that keeps us trying to become more than the odds might favor.It is the force that gets us up each day to create again and again.From that perspective, it is quite the paradox.k of the pool of enlightenment and are forever changed - and the same - because of it.
