Swan & Raven

Here's a story from Jane Clifford of Wales about the quest for a feather and the synchronistic influence of her power animals.
***
My power animals are Swan feminine side, (clairvoyance, beauty & grace) and Raven, masculine side (magic). Two weeks ago I randomly drew both cards--Swan and Raven--from my Indian power animal cards and placed them so they faced each other propped on my mantle.

I have had a swan feather for some years, it was a gift from a friend. Seven years ago, I started looking for a raven feather. A friend shot down an old abandoned nest, no feather. Another friend said he had a raven's wing I could have, but it had been eaten away by mites. I decided my raven feather would turn up when I had "earned" it,at the right time and stopped looking.

Last summer while staying with a friend 1,000 ft up a Welsh mountain in a medieval house,we observed ravens flying overhead. My friend said, "Your ravens feather will come to you here one day while you are visiting."

I replied, "Well I don't see how unless one flutters to my feet."

She said, "You'll see, it will come to you here."
Months later, she employed a local girl from the village to help out with decorating her house. Last week this girl, Zena, told me she once nursed a raven fledgling back to health and released it into the wild. But she had some raven feathers and brought me one the next day! My friend, who owns the house, also gave me a ceramic swan the same day and I traveled to London with the swan and raven feather in the car.

Just after I thought, "Wow, I have Swan and Raven in the car with me today, my journey to London took some baffling turns. Literally. I quite stupidly took a wrong exit off the motorway on a journey I have known well for thirty years! I ended up going along the Thames past Hampton Court with no idea how to get back on track again. I got even more lost in Kingston on Thames in heavy traffic.

Eventually, I stopped to ask a policeman, who surprisingly didn't know directions. While speaking to him, a schoolgirl nearly knocked me over. I got back in the car, still lost. Getting anxious, I narrowly avoided knocking over a child, my fault! Eventually, I got it sorted out, but arrived stressed and shocked, feeling everything was out of sync.
Later, at bed time, I picked up a novel left by the last visitor. The whole novel was set in Kingston on Thames (where I had been horribly lost that day). The next evening, I picked up a different novel, which was set in South End on Sea,where I was going to stay the next day!
I have no idea why having the Swan and Raven in the car made everything seem out of sync like that, although it could be said I avoided knocking down a child, and eventually arrived safely at my destination.I don't know why I was lost in Kingston and later picked up a novel set there! As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet: "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
***
Could it be that Raven and Swan lose their power when paired? i.e., birds of different feathers don't flock together. Just a thought.
www.ofscarabs.blogspot.com

Anonymous 67 Not Out (Mike Perry) said...

An interesting report.

"Could it be that Raven and Swan lose their power when paired?" - If you believe they could, then I would say yes.

Mike

February 18, 2010 9:50 AM
Blogger Shadow said...

could be. or the reason will still reveal itself...

February 18, 2010 10:13 AM
Blogger WolfsGotYourTongue said...

I love this post!
As a person who also carries Raven medicine, I would like to offer my intuitive insight:
to begin, this is your first Raven feather, and not your first swan. You already carry swan, and were gifted a feather. However, with Raven you just received the feather, or the invitation for initiation into Raven mysteries.
In my experience with Raven he is a trickster. I know I know, that's crow, not raven! Right?! Or are there certain similarities? I have found that Raven will make you fall on your ass until you realize that you need to be sitting. Raven's teachings are difficult.
Welcome to the world of Raven. Carry your feather with you and know that the energy is for your highest good (though it may not feel that way at the time).
Cheers!
-Giana

February 18, 2010 12:09 PM
Blogger Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Wolf: tried to post on your blog, but the word verification box refused to appear. Great paintings. Good insights here.

February 18, 2010 12:55 PM

Blogger GYPSYWOMAN said...

wow! raven and swan - very neat story - and dialogue - also enjoyed paintings over at wolf's -

February 18, 2010 1:19 PM
Blogger WolfsGotYourTongue said...

fixed my comment thingy :)
Thanks Trish and Gypsy <3

February 18, 2010 2:10 PM

Blogger Butternut Squash said...

I love these stories.

I had a number synchronicity today. I wrote a check for $3040 exactly. The check number was also 3040. Do you see a lucky number 7 in there? I wish I knew what it was pointing to. Perhaps there is a good trip in my future.

Thanks for the offer of books. I leave March 1, so if not this trip then the next. Peace

February 18, 2010 4:29 PM
Blogger Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

butternut - loves the 7s! I'd say that bodes very well for your trip. Daughter comes home this weekend, so I'll ask about textbooks. Safe journey! Have lots of synchronicities.

February 18, 2010 4:47 PM
Blogger Nancy said...

There is much to think and ponder here in the post and comments. But I think Shakespeare had it right.

February 19, 2010 12:00 AM
Blogger therese said...

Butternut: yes 7's but also 3's and 4's. 7's represent spirituality, but within the journey, and for that you need to consider the 3 and 4 level. It's not then end goal - it is the journey.

Jane: The swan and the raven are not in conflict. They may take you for a ride through unmarked territory but are also showing the way you choose to see.

Lots of journey synchronicity in this post and the comments. Maybe too much analysis and not enough trust. Which could be my personal message from this. But if it's personal for me, you've all brought me to it. So it's you too! LOL! Enjoy!

February 19, 2010 3:20 AM