Raven & Onyx

Life, death, synchronicities, and messages

At the end of last May, I watched a pair of mourning doves build a nest in an overgrown privet just outside my kitchen window. It wasn’t pretty. Dad would deliver small twigs, and mom would weave them in. Sitting and checking size. More a platform than a nest, and way too small. Hastily thrown together. No comfort. No protection. Primative. Time was running out. They were building with almost nothing, and I found myself holding empathy where none had been expected of me. Watching and waiting. The male was very attentive and delivered meals. Two eggs. And the house painters came. I hung a natural cotton cloth that once adorned my Reiki table--offering healing energy, and protection from the dust and chaos. I talked, she trusted my presence. Finally, peace--and babies. Hungry mouths satiated, content. And then they were gone. Probably a crow, waiting.

My soulmate, a German Shepherd named Raven, left this earthly plane last Halloween—Samhain, the Celtic festival that marks the day the veil is the thinnest between the living and dead. They say that on Samhain, we can perceive more of reality than what we take in with our physical senses. How appropriate. Even with the stunning fall day, the poignancy was overwhelming. Our last hours together were spent deeply attuned in the sun’s comforting warmth. She knew, I could see it in her soulful eyes. The moment she left her body, a crow swooped down low, directly overhead, and cried. A message announcing her freedom.

Ten days later, a lone crow started appearing. It stands either on the telephone pole at the edge of my yard or directly in line with my front door on the electric power cable. Silent and waiting. Although nearly impossible to visually tell male and female crows apart, I call her Onyx. Hard, shiny, and black, the gemstone onyx is often associated with strength, resilience, and the ability to overcome obstacles but most of all—protection. Raven shared those same traits with me. Onyx has since been checking in on me and enjoying her shelled peanuts. Our loved ones are always nearby.

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Peace, Love & Blessings,

Tania

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