There is a medicine story that tells of Crow's fascination with her own shadow.
She kept looking at it, scratching it, pecking at it, until her shadow woke up and became
alive. Then Crow's shadow ate her. Crow is Dead Crow now.
Dead Crow is the Left-Handed Guarding. If you look deeply into Crow's eye, you
will have found the gateway to the supernatural. Crow knows the unknowable mysteries
of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law.
Since Crow is the keeper of sacred law, Crow can bend the laws of the physical
universe and "shape shift." This ability is rare and unique. Few adepts exist in today's
world, and fewer still have mastered Crow's art of shape shifting. This art includes
doubling, or being in two places at one time consciously; taking on another physical form,
and becoming the "fly on the wall" to observe what is happening far away.
The Europeans that came to Turtle Island were named the "boat people" by Slow
Turtle. Even with the knowledge of alchemy possessed by certain boat people, none had
ever seen the powerful shape shifting of shamans who utilized Crow medicine. Many
boat people were frightened by what appeared to be animals coming into their camps or
dwellings to discern their medicine. Crow medicine people are masters of illusion.
All sacred texts are under the protection of Crow. Creator's Book of Laws or Book
of Seals is bound in Crow feathers. Crow feathers tell of spirit made flesh. Crow is also
the protector of the "ogallah" or ancient records.
The Sacred Law Belts, or Wampum Belts, beaded by native women long before
the boat people or Europeans came to this continent, contain knowledge of the Great
Spirit's laws, and are kept in the Black Lodges, the lodges of women. The law which
states that "all things are born of women," is signified by Crow.
Children are taught to behave according to the rules of a particular culture. Most
orthodox religious systems create a mandate concerning acceptable behavior within the
context of worldly affairs. Do this and so, and you will go to heaven. Do thus and so,
and you will go to hell. Different formulas for salvation are demanded by each "true
faith."
Human law is not the same as Sacred Law. More so than any other medicine,
Crow sees that the physical world and even the spiritual world, as humanity interprets
them, are an illusion. There are billions of world. There are an infinitude of creatures.
Great Spirit is with all. If an individual obeys Crow's perfect laws as given by the
Creator, then at death, he or she dies a Good Medicine death - going on to the next
incarnation with a clear memory of his or her past.
Crow is an omen of change. Crow lives in the void and has no sense of time. The
Ancient Chiefs tell us that Crow sees simultaneously the three fates - past, present, and
future. Crow merges light and darkness, seeing both inner and outer reality.
If Crow medicine appears in your card spread, you must pause and reflect on how
you see the laws of the Great Spirit in relation to the laws of humanity. Crow medicine
signifies a firsthand knowledge of a higher order of right and wrong than that indicated by
the laws created in human culture. With Crow medicine, you speak in a powerful voice
when addressing issues that for you seem out of harmony, out of balance, out of whack,
or unjust.
Remember that Crow looks at the world with first one eye, and then the other
cross-eyed. In the Mayan culture, cross-eyeds had the privilege and duty of looking into
the future. You must put aside your fear of being a voice in the wilderness and "caw" the
shots as you see them.
As you learn to allow your personal integrity to be your guide, your sense of
feeling alone will vanish. Your personal will can then emerge so that you will stand in
your truth. The prime path of true Crow people says to be mindful of your opinions and
actions. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth, know your life's mission, and
balance past, present, and future in the now. Shape shift that old reality and become your
future self. Allow the bending of physical laws to aid in creating the shape shifted world
of peace.