MOTHER EARTH...NATURALLY                                            

Season of the Raven

    It is always at this time of year, when the Sun begins to share more of itself with us each day, that my thoughts turn to Raven and I pause to recall the story. A Native Alaskan legend ... one with several renditions, of how Raven stole the Sun and brought light to the People releasing them from darkness. It is a tale of magic and trickery--- greed and giving.

    Myth and legend bring Raven to us in many forms, as Creator of Life---a powerful, supernatural being with the power of transformation. And also as Trickster, like Coyote, another great deceiver and lesson-giver to humankind according to many Native American teachings. Native cultures of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and far Siberia know Raven as 'Real Chief','Big Man', and 'He with the Sun in his mouth'. To these people, Raven is everything, and to some he is even a ancestor..

                                                                     
   Among the Celtic people, the bird was associated with 'Valkyrie s'--- several Goddesses of war, who could assume the form of a Raven at will and by doing so, could ordain the future outcome of battles by directing them from aloft. In many Northern European fairy tales, Raven is depicted as the Spirit Helper who guides the hero through the dangerous obstacles of his quest. During the dark and troubled Middle Ages, the Raven was associated with Witchcraft and Satanism. Not for what many would believe--- it's black as midnight colour and it's raucous cry, but because humans sensed Ravens' super intelligence and it's keen memory. In keeping with the fear-based mind set of those dark years, there is little doubt that people saw Raven as more than just a mere scavenger of a bird. Raven was one who watched shrewdly over the lay of the land on both spiritual and physical levels, possessing the ability to touch several dimensions at will and 'shape-shift' itself into anything.

                                                                 
   To the Ancient Ones, Raven was respected, honored, and feared. It is this reverence toward Raven, that this large, stately black bird has assumed an almost universal role as a symbol of death and destiny.

    In reality, Raven is every bit as intelligent as our ancestors believed, and possesses a remarkable memory in comparison to other birds & animals. Scientific observation has shown that the Raven has the ability to think out and solve complex problems--- not by instinctual qualities, but by using pure brainpower. Indeed, Raven has one of the largest brains of any other bird of comparable size. One would find it difficult to believe, due to Ravens' size alone, that this member of the Corvid family is a songbird--- especially if you are familiar with it's raucous squawks, chortles and loud,incessant murmuring... a litany unrelated to any melody. Averaging up to two pounds in weight and with a length of up to twenty-four inches, Raven is by far, our largest bird of song... believe it or not.                                                            

   Raven, like it's cousin the Crow were looked on with distaste by modern man. Seen only as a forbearer of misfortune the midnight-coloured bird was considered a thief in the barnyard, a familiar of witches, a scavenger of carrion. A flock of Ravens was known as an 'unkindness', and the mind set traveled quickly across the unspoiled New World. Settlers shot the birds on sight and the practice was encouraged by the placement of bounties. This and other factors including lethal baits & traps destined for predators and rodents killed Ravens as well and lead directly to their rapid decline during America's frontier days. All but vanished from the Great Plains along with the Buffalo, and found only in scattered pairs along the Eastern seaboard, limited to the upper reaches of the Appalachians and the deep forests of New England.
Ravens in North America had almost became as the bird had croaked in Edgar Allan Poe's poem...'Nevermore'.

                                                                  
    One of the rewards, as our society becomes further enlightened to the persecution of wildlife, is that common Ravens are becoming 'common' once again. Their numbers in some areas of the West and North today are higher than ever and the species is growing stronger--- a rare trend in these times of vanishing wildlife. I, for one am thankful, for who would steal the Sun and return it to us but Raven?

RAVEN BREAD

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda                                                     

1 tsp. salt                                                                           
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 c. sugar
4 eggs, well beaten
1 1/4 c. vegetable oil
2 c. fresh or frozen blackberries, drained
1 c. black walnuts, chopped
1/4 tsp. ground allspice

Mix dry ingredients together. Add eggs, oil, blackberries and nuts. Stir just until mixed. Bake in 2 well greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch pans at 350 degrees for 60- 70 minutes. Cool in pans 5 minutes.