Have You Been Seeing Crows? What The Crow Symbolizes (More Than Just Death)

The other morning I ran out to my car to grab my purse when I heard the loudest “CAW” from right behind me. I looked back at my house and noticed a crow perched on a window ledge. When I looked at it, it cawed again and flew away. My immediate thought was, “Oh my god, who is going to die?”

I honestly don’t think I am alone in thinking this. Crows have long symbolized death because they are carrion birds, birds that feed on dead animals. There are many myths surrounding carrion birds. For example, ravens and vultures are said to symbolize war, death, and misfortune, and they are even said to be depicted as familiars of witches.

Of course this is all speculation and I’m sure many people will already dispute the mystical representations that birds have, so I advise you to keep an open mind if you choose to read further.

Crow Facts

Crows are highly intelligent beings. They have the same brain/body size ratio as chimpanzees (also not far off from humans) and have an excellent memory. Dr. John Marzluff, of the University of Washington, conducted a study where a team of scientists from the university exposed crows in Seattle to a ‘dangerous face’ by wearing a mask while trapping, banding, and releasing birds at five sites. Whenever they wore the masks again, they received a very hostile response from the crows in the area, not only revealing how skilled their memory is, but also that they warn other crows as well.

There is even a whole TED Talk by Joshua Klein about how intelligent crows are.

Symbolism

Death

The crow is known as the ominous omen of death because it is the harbinger that guides souls from the realm of the living into the afterlife. The crow has a powerful knowledge of the changes of life and death and the changes in the cycles of life. So when a crow appears, it can be a warning or a spiritual blessing.

It is said that when death is near, a crow will come to a window or near a home repeatedly for several days before the passing takes place. After someone has passed, a crow will visit the home again in the same way. This is a symbol of a special message from the one who has just passed and it’s important to pay attention to when and where the crow appears as it’s a telling sign of the message being sent. Generally, this is a beautiful and profound symbol confirming the rebirth of your loved one, shedding from the old, and awakening into the new.

Since these are ancient interpretations, today we can instead look at the crow as the passing of the old and the birth of something new.

Change 

The crow is an omen of change. Because they represent ancient magical laws and wisdom, when the crow calls to us, we have an instant flash of our authentic self; the crow sees our soul self. Crows have been known to build their nests very high up, giving them the chance to watch everything that is going on around them. By tuning into the sound of its call, it can remind you of who you are and what you are capable of.

You are being reminded that the answers to your questions are waiting to be discovered ahead of you and that you must look beyond your present range of vision, and to get out of your familiar comfortable space. Crows are adaptable to all environments and will eat almost anything. They can survive in almost any situation so when one presents itself to you it is reminding you that you can adapt and that now is the time for major change to take place that will awaken your authentic soul.

Magic & Clairvoyance

Crows not only harbour the message of change but remind us about the creation and magic all around us. The crow’s striking black colour represents the colour of creation. It is the womb out of which the new comes into existence. Black is the colour of the night, giving birth to the light of a new day. This is a representation of the immense power each and every one of us holds to take hold of our own destiny.

It is also said that the crow can also be appearing for you to to begin to use your ‘second sight’, the gift of clairvoyance.  This is the gift that allows you to see beyond what we are humanly capable of, and a gift that can allow us to see into the spirit realm.

What I take from my crow encounter is that major change is coming my way and that now is the time to live in the power of my true identity. I think this can be said for all of us. Sometimes we need a little reminder to just pause and ask ourselves, “Am I living authentically? Am I living my true self? Am I being held back from my true potential?” This is the sacred law, the power symbol and spiritual meaning of the crow.

When our little crow friend is calling, it is to tell us that the time of change is here. That the time of change is now and to let go of the old self, to let go of all things holding us back. It’s time to step into our authentic power.

Sources

Image Credit: Tyler Quiring

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2009278/Crows-excellent-memory-helps-tell-human-friend-foe.html

http://www.avesnoir.com/10-amazing-crow-facts/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/crows-and-ravens-zmaz06djzraw.aspx

http://www.perspectivesmagazine.sk/news/ravens-and-crows-in-mythology-folklore-and-religion/

http://www.universeofsymbolism.com/symbolic-crow-meaning.html

http://www.shamanicjourney.com/crow-power-animal-symbol-of-sacred-law-change