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ATTRACT LOVE! ROSE QUARTZ
Taurus & Libra
This is a stone of gentle warmth and love, as it heals emotional wounds and pain with it’s gentle calming salve. Opens the heart to the beauty within and all around us, and will begin its healing by reducing resentments.
As Amethyst is to the Spirit, so Rose Quartz is to the Heart. And lord knows, they need unconditional love in dealing with friends or spouses in the program. Not only unconditional love for others, but for themselves, too.
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Self-Acceptance, Self Love, and Personal Worth
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Enhances all forms of love: self love, mother love, caring, kindness, platonic and romantic love.
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Kindness: Opens our hearts and encourages us to be tender, peaceful and gentle. Teaches forgiveness and tolerance.
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Attracts: Emanates unconditional love and nurturance and helps us attract positive, gentle, non-judgmental love into our lives.
Physical
Aids healing of depression, blood circulation, heart fortification, sexual problems and encourages fertility. Believed to prevent wrinkles and encourage a beautiful complexion.
Taurus and Libra stone.
September’s birthstone, the sapphire, was said to represent the purity of the soul.
The sapphire, birthstone for September, is a relative of July’s birthstone, ruby. Like ruby, it is a form of the mineral corundum, a normally drab grey mineral. Red corundum is called the ruby, while all other gem quality forms of corundum are called sapphires.
Typically, sapphires appear as blue stones, ranging from very pale blue to deep indigo, due to the presence of small amounts of titanium and iron within the crystal structure. The most valued shade of blue is the medium-deep cornflower blue. Sapphires also occur in other natural colors and tints – colorless, gray, yellow, pale pink, orange, green, violet and brown – called fancy sapphires. These different colors are caused by different kinds of impurities within the crystal. For example, yellow sapphires get their color from ferric iron, and colorless gems have no contaminants.
The Logan Sapphire Brooch, the second largest sapphire known (at 422.99 carats), is on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Image Credit: Andrew Bossi
The biggest source of sapphires world-wide is Australia, especially New South Wales and Queensland. Found in alluvial deposits of weathered basalt, Australian sapphires typically are blue stones with a dark and inky appearance. Kashmir, in India, used to be a well-known source of the cornflower-blue stones. In the United States, a major source is the Yogo Gulch Mine in Montana that mostly yields small stones for industrial use.
The word sapphire has its roots in several ancient languages: the Arabic safir, the Latin sapphirus (meaning blue), and the Greek word sappheiros for the island of Sappherine in the Arabian Sea where sapphires were found in ancient Grecian times. Ancient Persians called sapphire the “Celestial Stone.” It was the gem of Apollo, Greek God of prophesy and was worn by worshipers visiting his shrine in Delphi to seek his help. It was used by ancient Etruscans as far back as the 7th century B.C.
The sapphire was said to represent the purity of the soul. Before and during the Middle Ages, it was worn by priests as protection from impure thoughts and temptations of the flesh. Medieval kings of Europe valued these stones for rings and brooches, believing that it protected them from harm and envy. Warriors presented their young wives with sapphire necklaces so they would remain faithful. It was believed that the stone’s color would darken if worn by an adulterer or adulteress, or by an unworthy person.
Sapphires were once believed to be protection against snakes. It was said that if poisonous reptiles and spiders were placed in a jar containing the stone, the creatures would immediately die. The French of the 13th century believed that sapphire transformed stupidity to wisdom, and irritability to good temper.
One of the most famous sapphires rests on the Imperial State Crown, worn by Queen Victoria in 1838. It resides in the British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. This gem is called the St. Edward’s Sapphire because it once belonged to Edward the Confessor, who wore the stone on a ring during his coronation in 1042.
The Meaning of Lapis Lazuli – LIBRA
Color: Dark blue with gold flecks.
Element: Water.
Metaphysical:
For many people all over the world Lapis lazuli is considered a stone of universal truth and friendship.
The blue stone is reputed to bring about harmony in relationships and to help its wearer being an authentic individual who may openly state his or her opinion.
Lapis Lazuli is a powerful stone for those who seek spiritual development. It brings mental clarity & emotional healing, and enhances judgment and wisdom.
This stone is also considered strengthening to mind and body. Lapis lazuli allows us to tap our own inner power while purifying the soul and the thoughts. Helps us contact our spirit guardians.
Lapis Lazuli – Energizes the throat chakra. Augments strength, vitality, virility, mental clarity, illumination. Enhances psychic abilities and communication with higher self and spirit guides.
Creative expression.
It has also been used as a protective stone, sheltering the wearer/carrier from physical danger and psychic attacks.
Lapis Lazuli is a “stone of total awareness”, helping to expand awareness and intellectual capacity, and allowing for conscious attunement to the intuitive and psychic aspects of ones nature. “
Stone of truth to be open in all ways. Tranquility, positive manifesting. Attributes of the night sky with golden stars.
Lapis Lazuli
Psychic facilitator. Used by ancient Egyptians to access sacred knowledge. Cleanses the mind body and spirit of toxins and negativity. Key words are: will, perfection, awareness. Encourages integrity in relationships. Strengthens the immune system. 6th chakra. Sagittarius, and Aries stone. #1,#7, and #9 vibrations.
LAPIS LAZULI Hardness : 5 – 6
Corresponding astrological sign : Libra
Lapis Lazuli stimulates psychic awareness.
Lapis Lazuli is very good for recovery from surgery (This is one property that is shown in the book listed below. I was looking for a stone for a friend who had just gone through surgery, and this stone was the one that I found to be noted most for quick healing after surgery.). As a matter of fact, I used Lapis Lazuli extensively after my surgery in January.
Lapis Lazuli gives us courage.
Lapis Lazuli leads us to self-acceptance.
Lapis Lazuli boosts the immune system.
Lapis Lazuli is for mental clarity.
Wear Lapis Lazuli for relief from insomnia.
AND, in legends and lore: Buddhists believed that Lapis Lazuli brought peace of mind to its wearer. Egyptians were reminded of a starry sky at night when they saw Lapis Lazuli with its tiny flecks of Pyrite. Present-day practitioners use Lapis Lazuli to enhance meditation and to increase psychic abilities.
Lapis Lazuli vibrates especially well with the Astrological Sign of Sagittarius, and the number 3.
Promotes self-knowledge, abundance, wisdom, honesty and communication. The stone of friendship. Releases tension and anxiety and enhances psychic ability. Aids healing in the areas of the neck, larynx, and vocal chords. Also lowers blood pressure and regulates the thyroid gland.
LAPIS LAZULI
Also known as Lapis or Lazulite The color is dark blue with gold flecks. Lapis Lazuli is associated with truthfulness, openness, inner power, love, purification, intuition, a sense of wonder and mystery, positive magic, self confidence, virility, manifestation, an appreciation of mystery, psychic ability and tranquility. This stone is also considered strengthening to mind and body. Lapis lazuli allows us to tap our own inner power while purifying the soul and the thoughts. Helps us contact our spirit guardians.
Lapis Lazuli – Energizes the throat chakra. Augments strength, vitality, virility, mental clarity, illumination. Enhances psychic abilities and communication with higher self and spirit guides. Creative expression. It has also been used as a protective stone, sheltering the wearer/carrier from physical danger and psychic attacks. Lapis Lazuli is a “stone of total awareness”, helping to expand awareness and intellectual capacity, and allowing for conscious attunement to the intuitive and psychic aspects of ones nature. “The stone of Royalty”.
Stone of truth to be open in all ways. Attributes of the night sky with golden stars.
This gemstone enhances psychic ability as well as reduces stress bringing deep peace to the wearer. This gemstone stimulates the mind promoting clarity and connection with angels, spirit guardians, and loved ones passed on to the other side. Lapis lazuli is also an excellent gemstone for over coming depression and sadness in one’s heart. It is said to be a deep balancer and enhancer of intuition and inspiration. This gemstone also enhances very deep meditative states aligning the wearer with the silence of spirituality. Lapis Lazuli
Psychic facilitator. Used by ancient Egyptians to access sacred knowledge. Cleanses the mind body and spirit of toxins and negativity. Key words are: will, perfection, awareness. Encourages integrity in relationships. Strengthens the immune system. 6th chakra. Sagittarius, and Aries stone. #1,#7, and #9 vibrations.
Hardness : 5 – 6
A Phosphate. Combination of minerals the principal ones being Lazulite and Calcite. Bright blue in color. Dissolves in strong hot acids.
Metaphysical Properties: The “stone of Total Awareness”. Promotes esoteric study. Activates crown and throat chakra. Provides unification of all chakras. Release one from emotional bondage. Used on the third eye to promote dream insight. Stimulates emotional, mental and physical clarity. Helps one to overcome depression. Promotes serenity and self-acceptance. Balances yin yang energies. Protects against psychic attacks. Egyptians believed this stone to be a “Stargate”.
Throat. Bone marrow. Insomnia. Ears.
Corresponding astrological sign : Libra
This stone is also considered strengthening to mind and body. Lapis lazuli allows us to tap our own inner power while purifying the soul and the thoughts. Helps us contact our spirit guardians.
In meditation, opens brow chakra; higher guidance, intuition, connection to higher self, overview, decisions for good of all. Organizes, quiets mind.
Opens throat/thyroid chakra; self-expression, writing, creativity, dream insight. Today, its most common use is to clear the mind of elements of the past which are no longer needed.
Emotional:
Physical:
Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, shyness, nervous system, speech, hearing, pituitary, inflammation, pain. Mind expansion, intuition, creativity, spiritual connection. Organize, quiet the mind.Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, autism, shyness, nervous system; MS, speech, hearing, pituitary, DNA, lymph, inflamation, pain (especially head),Throat. Bone marrow. Insomnia. Ears protection.
Keywords:
Self esteem, truthfulness, openness, inner power, love, purification, intuition, a sense of wonder and mystery, positive magic, self confidence, virility, manifestation, an appreciation of mystery, psychic ability and tranquility,
The gem stone lapis lazuli resonates to Archangel Michael, the Archangel of protection, courage and truth.
JEWELLERY TRENDS 2011/12
The costume jewelry trends these past seasons have been practically just swimming around the same concept: “Bold and Bulging” with over the top detailing and chunky features. The more the merrier as they say, the trends are even more focused with a hybrid of natural materials and various metals. Modern artistry still prevails in the upper market with usage of more long-lasting and sustainable materials such as sterling silver gold-filled and stainless steel metals– I’ve read before in an intensive analysis on jewelry industry in the Philippines that these are what’s called “Bridge Jewelry”, since they are positioned between Fine and Costume/Fashion jewelry.
Chunky & Large Metals
Huge and bold ornaments are in this time and ideas such as “not enough” and “much more a lot more-ness” is definitely desirable. Decadently embellished items having drama and generating a main statement will be the showstoppers everyone is hunting. Also, enormous (and expensive!) metal pieces as the giant curb link necklace pieces created by Kenneth J. Lane and other designers are really in.
Antique/Vintage/Retro & New Combinations
Absolutely everyone loves the look of antique, vintage and retro jewelry and now the most recent trend is to thoughtfully mix these and make a new and imaginative item as one. Jewelry designers, say, Elizabeth Locke and Roberto Coin are beautifully infusing their new concepts and marrying them to antique and vintage that seems to be and the resulting styles are perfect.
Dramatic, Special and “Restructured” Necklaces
As opposed to the 60s when the huge brooches and pins are the key component in one’s individual adornment… Now is the necklace. The bib necklace started to grow in the hearts of many at least 3 years ago and evidently, these are still very influential today and in fact evolved to different stand-out pieces like over-the-top multi-chain neckpieces, fabric-made, etc. Although necklaces are today’s key piece for jewelry, I would say that brooches can still be used still especially that trends in the 60s and 70s are back in the game. There are also interesting stand out pieces such as feathered headpieces and earrings- these truly bring the bohemian in any girl. Just be cautious that using these can be tricky, so perhaps search for looks that would suit your taste and body type before trying on items like these.
Ornamented & Bold Bracelets
This pattern has been scorching for a while considering that Louis Vuitton produced a significant statement with his embellished cuff designs. Wonderfully dyed leather cuffs reminiscent of “surfer chic” with ornamentation are generating much rave and substantial Lucite confetti bangles like in the old 50s and 60s, metal cuffs with charms, studs and crystals are all big and bold.
Eclectic /All-natural Ethnic /Tribal
Ethnic and regional styles are often very hot and this year has no exception. Taking from the Native American or African use of natural stones like turquoise, agates, onyx, opaque and other stones in rock candy colors as seen in high stop styles of Oscar Heyman and Katy Briscoe. Beautiful pale angelskin coral and red coral, whether utilized in their raw type or faceted are still not to be missed. Bringing all these together is just one concept: Mother Nature.
Fake & Genuine Pearls
Pearls yell pure classicism. For centuries they have been hugely desired for their natural class and exclusive appeal. Used in the Victorian Era, pearls have evolved from simple one-strand to numerous layers and layers of beautifully hand crafted balls. Even Cartier has revived their classic styling in a lot more eye catching pearl with diamonds as added details. Pearls can be worn with edgy metals and other ornaments to have that feel of “warrior princess” but still exuding glamour.
Rings Taking Over Hands
No matter whether fake or genuine the more one can place on a finger the greater and the notion is achieve that “eye catching style”. Clusters of different materials such as crystals, pearls, charms, natural stones, wired beads and even novelty pieces (like a scorpion, or a humming bird—anything of a known item or figure) are quite the rave nowadays. Flashing a statement ring while getting cocktails and engaging in convos is the ultimate tease!
Huge Hoops and Chandelier Earrings
A pair of hoop earrings is very flexible and this trend is nonetheless quite robust. The bigger… longer… and glitzier, the better. Hoop earrings that go 2-4” down give that fashionable trick and would surely bring you to that extra mile if they’re with rhinestones or diamonds or maybe embellished with other designs. Jewelry designers Patricia Locke and Ramona Singer are creating new and fascinating hoop earring designs. Now for a more elegant look, chandelier earrings are ideal. Bulgari, and other people are providing their spin on this traditional earring design and style. In 2010, earrings with extreme coloration palettes like scorching pinks, reds, greens and yellows produce a striking contrast that will give any vogue search a touch of glamour.
“Green Eco Conscious” Movement
It is actually sweet to witness eco-friendly things on the runways- this only means designers have learned (although forcefully) to be more resourceful and see beauty in other materials. Such as Mari & Lani Davis, Alex and Ani, and Tamra Gentry are concerned with “recycle and reuse” philosophies in their styles. Whether its plainly about recycling with plastic milk cartons, utilized newspapers, or whatever trash there is… fascinating and thrilling jewelry is literally popping up just about everywhere. And personally, it’s all about how things are put together, regardless of materials.
What is the true meaning of the Skull symbol ?
Anarchist Christianity has no structure, no doctrines, no catechism. It is described solely by the individuals who work it out for themselves. The emblem is a skull, inspired by Golgotha, i.e. The Place of the Skull, where Christ was executed. The church chose the the cross, an instrument of torture of the worst kind, and really a symbol of shame. The skull, however, is a reminder that all human beings meet at Golgotha on their hour of death. Christ is one with the mystery of death, and for this very reason he is man´s destiny. At this point one may have any choice of opinion what Christianity or other religions are concerned. The skull is still there as a one hundred percent guaranteed promise of death for every single human being, and it is precisely the fear of death that makes this symbol so unpopular in privileged bourgeois circles. They prefer the cross, because that´s how Jesus died, but that does not concern our own destinies at all. They claim we don´t have to die, because Jesus died for us on the cross and is now coming back very soon on his UFO to make us all forever physically young. Christian Anarchists, on the other hand, recognize their mortality though this symbol.
The symbol of the skull is often associated with terrorist groups and regimes, death squads, the Nazis, etc. – those who use this symbol to exploit the fear of death in their fellow man for their own power because that´s what they deliver. But if we approach this emblem more in the spirit of William Shakespeare´s Prince Hamlet when he holds the skull of the beloved court jester from his childhood, Yorick, in the famous graveyard scene, and we add to Hamlet´s ruminations the Mystery of Golgotha, i.e. the Mystery of the Place of the Skull, the emblem becomes holy. If we don’t add the Christ-Mystery, we remain shuddering with Prince Hamlet:
“- I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorr´d in my imagination it is! my gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kiss´d I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? quite chop-fall´n?”
Hamlet apparently believes at this moment that the skull he holds in his hands is all that remains of Yorick´s soul and spirit. When we add to this the Mystery of the Place of the Skull, the Resurrection of the Son of Man, this does not remove the grief and loss caused by the separation through death, because without this grief we would become cold and indifferent, we would yield to the temptation inherent in spiritual cognition. On the contrary, it´s the grief from the loss of a dear friend that unite athesists and believers; this grief is also a gift from the Christ; it´s what makes us truly human.
As a symbol for Golgotha, the skull is a Christian sign. And then we may say with the apostle Paul: ” O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (from his first letter to the Corinthians, 15:55 )
The skeleton has a unique significance for the Mystery of Golgotha. The Roman soldiers used to break the bones on those who were executed at Golgotha to make sure they were dead. But Jesus was obviously completely dead, and for this reason they pierced him in the side because it was written in the Old Testament: “No bone on him shall be broken.”
Let us therefore adorn our Anarchist Black Flag with a Christian Skull.
TREND REPORT 2012
Trade Show Report | Women’s Men’s | Footwear Accessories: The outlook for Spring / Summer 2012 is a season looking for balance, in which nature and technological innovation team up in a dynamic search for elegance, a sustainable world and generous colour. It is time to step out in a lively, bold spirit, mixing and matching, taking risks. Olivier Guillemin, in collaboration with the Comite Francais de la Couleur, present a Material Trend report at APLF Material with colors and textures that apply to the leather accessories market,. Prepare for the upcoming season, and the Fashion Access trade show, which features finished leather accessories and footwear.
Accessories Materials and Color Trends S/S 2012
A season of more eclectic, open styles. Colours play on contrasts and paradoxes to surprise us and can be mixed without restraint:
• Subdued tones for reassuring elegance
• Natural, restful colours
• Exuberant, vivid flashes for fun and festivities
• Diaphanous colours for new romanticism with an eye on the future A season with very subtle changes in textures and effects.The beautiful classics play at innovation.Surface effects and finishes are inspired by nature, but an idealised nature.Technical materials go sophisticated and romantic.Textures and materials fuse to create vibrating effects.
Materials and textures take their inspiration from nature:
• Nappa – Goat grain – Suede flesh split – Coloured metallic leather, perlato – Supple vegetable leather – Exotic fish skins: stingray, eel, perch – Carapaces and big reptiles – Glossy short-haired pelts – Coated or double-sided canvas – Irregular, glossy or patent leather plaits – Bamboo.
• Changing, reflective, washed out, faded, tie & dye effects – Mossy effects – Glossy, wet, lacquered finishes – Camouflage net decoration – Traces, imprints, markings and engravings inspired by nature.
• Accessories: semi-precious stones and metals with changing looks, like meteorites – Malachite, agate and lapis lazuli.
The beautiful classics play at seduction:
• Flawless smooth leather – Suede leather – Stiff box leather – Crushed lambskin – Supple upholstery leather – Patent leather – Double sided fabrics – Sanded mat leather – Slightly glittery leather.
• Satiny effects – Simplistic graphic perforations – Diagonal fringes – 50s scarf prints, floral and narrow stripes.
• Leather accessories, tassels and covered buckles – Murano-style under glass jewellery – Gold glitter jewellery – Precious stone trims.
Technical materials become more sophisticated and romantic.:
• Very fine leather – Aniline lambskin – Kangaroo – Matt cotton and chintz – Poplin and nylon canvas – PVC, neoprene and rubber – Translucent rubber – Transparent materials – Futuristic net and mesh.
• Lacquered textures – Iridescent changing effects – Puffy, parachute looks – Smooth or crushed papery feel – Summer quilting.
• Accessories: clear, translucent or white painted jewellery – Plastic and perforated crystal – Water-coloured mother-of-pearl, moonstone – Feathers and short summer furs.
Natural materials and the basics go blithely together:
• Washed nubuck – Heavy suede – Dried leather – Sanded, waxed, patinated suede calf – Grunge leather – Big, broad grains – Matt or washed ostrich – Elephant – Leather cut in scales – Dry scales, grey and sand python – Summer pelts, pony – Double-sided parchment – Coloured plaited straw – Plaited hessian – Lacquered cork sheets – Coarse-weave linen fabric.
• Broad 70s stripes, mattress ticking – Inspired graphic prints – Dry, rough, irregular or lacerated finishes.
• Primitive-look accessories – Plexiglas ethnic jewellery, belts and rat’s tails – Retro gilt or enamelled metal jewellery buckles.
Native American Animal Symbols THE RAVEN 22Sep – 22Oct
If you’re looking for raven symbolism pertaining to ill omen, death or other gruesome turns of thought, look elsewhere. There are plenty sources to feed macabre minds, and malign the raven.
It’s not that I’m a big advocate of raven energy, and even if I were, it wouldn’t matter because the raven needs no champion. Content to move about its bizarre ways in solo-mode, the raven could care less if I’m pro or con for its symbolic status.
I just think the raven has more to offer than uneducated conjecture and superstition (most of which has only cropped up over the last few centuries).
A lot of negative raven symbolism comes about from their appearance on battlefields. They are scavengers (and curious to a fault), and are often seen picking at mangled remains of fallen warriors on battle grounds.
Spans of massacred bodies and gore besieged with glimmery black ravens with chiseled beaks driving coldly into the bloody mire can conjure some nightmarish connotations. I’m betting a lot of the darker raven symbolism came from these eerie appearances at sites with massive death tolls.
This is underscored by the raven’s placement in Celtic animal symbolism because it is a bird closely connected with battle and the Celtic goddess Morrigan, who was a remarkable prophetess (connecting oracle themes with the raven).
Nevertheless, this page on raven symbolism will focus on the raven’s higher attributes.
For example, the raven’s intelligence is possibly its most winning feature. Indeed, these birds can be trained to speak. This speaking ability leads into the legend of ravens being the ultimate oracle.
In fact, the raven is often heard to cackle utterances that sound like “cras, cras.” The actual word cras is tomorrow in Latin. This lends more fuel to the legendary fires that distinguish the raven as a bird who can foretell the future, and reveal omens and signs.
Countless cultures point to the raven as a harbinger of powerful secrets. Moreover, the raven is a messenger too, so its business is in both keeping and communicating deep mysteries.
Raven symbolism of wisdom and knowledge-keeping is connected with the Welsh hero Bran, the Blessed whose name means raven. Bran was the holder of ancestral memories, and his wisdom was legendary. So much so, that he had his head (the vessel of his powerful wisdom) removed and interred in the sacred White Mount in London. Ravens are still roosting there (in the Tower of London), and they’re thought to keep Bran’s wisdom protected and alive by their presence. I’ve written more about Bran on my Celtic skulls page here.
The raven is symbolic of mind, thought and wisdom according to Norse legend, as their god Odin was accompanied by two ravens: Hugin who represented the power of thought and active search for information. The other raven, Mugin represented the mind, and its ability to intuit meaning rather than hunting for it. Odin would send these two ravens out each day to soar across the lands. At day’s end, they would return to Odin and speak to him of all they had spied upon and learned on their journeys.
Odin was also known as the Raven God. He had many daughters known as Valkyries who could transform into ravens . I like to think Valkyries would ride as ravens after a bloody battle and whisper to the souls of fallen Norse warriors to raise up from their bodies and come with them, where they would soar the skies to Valhalla. What a trip back home that would be.
There’s more good news about raven symbolism from the ancient Greeks and Romans. In spite of its midnight-colored feathers, the raven was a solar animal in this culture, and was associated with both Athena and Apollo, both deities closely affiliated with the sun, and the light of wisdom .
Apollo was also a major oracular god, which makes its connection with the chatty and (and alarmingly human-like) conversational raven a smart match.
There are some Greco-Roman legends that say ravens were once all white. And, because the raven couldn’t keep a secret to save its life, Apollo punished the raven by turning its bright white feathers black after it divulged too many secrets. There’s also a version that said the owl replaced the raven by Athena’s side as her associate of wisdom because of raven’s blabber-mouthed tendencies.
Raven color changes are also mentioned in Christian lore when Noah sent a raven first to confirm the receding floodwaters. When the raven did not return, it was said God turned its feathers black for its failure, and Noah sent a dove out to do the raven’s job. And since then, the raven has gotten a bad rap as being anti-mankind.
I’m not convinced. I rather think (as long as we’re postulating over legends) the raven is very pro-mankind and its feathers turned black from sorrow – a heaviness in its heart to witness the floodwaters were still too high to accommodate the birthing ark.
Ravens are humanitarians in Native American symbolic legends too. In fact, the raven was a hero to many tribes. The Inuit for example believed the raven tricked a giant sea monster into submission, and to this day its body serves as the Alaskan mainland.
Other Native North American tribes saw the raven as the bringer of light. In fact, southwestern tribes (Hopi, Navajo, Zuni) felt the raven was flew out from the dark womb of the cosmos, and with it brought the light of the sun (dawning of understanding). Consequently, the raven is considered a venerated bird of creation, for without the raven, humans would forever live in darknessDr. Carl Jung deemed raven symbolism to represent the shadow self, or the dark side of the psyche. I very much like this. Why? Because by acknowledging this dark side, we can effectively communicate with both halves of ourselves. This offers liberating balance, and facilitates tremendous wisdom (something the raven would be very pleased with).
In other words, through the consistent unveiling of inner depths, and the positive/active utilization of inner impulses the esoteric secrets become exposed to the light of our own consciousness. This is at the crux of what the raven speaks to me.
What does the raven whisper to you?
I hope you have enjoyed this post on raven symbolism.
