Weekly Deity: Crow

Crow is a deity of the Iroquois tribe in North America.  He is a symbol of wisdom, being a wise creature, and also a deity of corn.  Also known as Ga-Gaah, for the sound he makes.

Attributes

Crow appears to the people as a bird, not as an anthropomorphous deity.  He does not change shape or take on human attributes.  He remains a large black crow.

Mythology

This deity is very important to the people.  When Crow came to earth, he brought with him in his ear a grain of corn.   This grain of corn fell out as he flew and was planted by the god Hahgwehdiyu, the good creator deity, in the body of his mother, Atahensic, the earth.  This planted grain soon grew and became the first ear of corn.  The Iroquois then learned how to plant and harvest corn, their staple crop.  At every harvest and every summer when the corn is tall, Crow is allowed to hover over the fields and eat the grubs, and he receives the first share of the corn as thanks.

Light and Dark Sides

Crow is a wise deity, although this does not come across in his myth.  To me, it seems more that the grain of corn in his ear was an accidental happenstance–but then, who would know?  Still, Crow is considered a wise deity by the Iroquois, though it would also be wise to remember some of the other attributes of crows when working with Crow: they like shiny things, and are sometimes braggarts, although in Crow’s case, he has the right to brag since he brought such an important crop to the people.  But keep that bit of arrogance in mind.  Crow can also be seen as partially a fertility god, since he was instrumental in bringing the corn to life and bringing growth to the people.  All in all, he seems like a pretty good deity to work with, neither Light nor Darkbut somewhat neutral.

A One-Two Punch

First we get the worst earthquake the East Coast has seen in decades.  Then we get the worst hurricane the East Coast has seen in decades.

It’s enough to make even the most oblivious stop and think: “What the hell is going on here?!?”

I know I’ve thought that in the last few days.  I don’t generally believe in coincidence.  I tend to believe that most things happen for a reason.  So when the weather gets stronger and the disasters get worse, I start to wonder what the natural forces are trying to tell us.

Of course, natural disasters in some way only seem more destructive because the human population has risen to the point where any major natural disaster will affect hundreds of thousands, even millions, of people.  More people live on the coast than ever before.  So when a strong hurricane comes around and is strong enough to cause loss of life, in part that high number is our fault.  We chose to live near the coast, and (usually) we can choose to leave.

But that still does not disguise the fact that in recent years, the storms themselves have been stronger.  April and May were record months for tornadoes in the Midwest and central US.  The East Coast is being hammered with a one-two punch of natural forces.  Japan had the strongest earthquake and tsunami that they’ve ever had.  And all of this happened in one year.  Can anyone remember another year in which nature has been so furious?

It bears thinking about.  Maybe she is causing all these disasters in order to make us more aware of our choices, our actions.  It’s interesting to note as well that as the natural forces have been growing stronger and more obvious, so have the old systems been breaking down in politics and government.  As the natural forces grow to more strength and upheaval, so too does human nature grow to a breaking down of the old systems that no longer work.

Granted, I may be entirely wrong.  Only time will tell.  But since I don’t generally believe in coincidence, and I see how the world has grown to more upheaval and unhappiness as the natural disasters have also grown, it seems a logical conclusion that maybe the natural forces and Mother Nature are trying to propel humanity to a different way of life.

And no, I don’t think these energies are trying to propel us to death in 2012.  I’ve never bought into that “end of the world” thing.  For my thoughts on that issue, read my post My View of 2012.

Snapshot Saturday: Arizona

So I made it out to Arizona before the hurricane closed down all the airports.  Here are some shots take by me, either in Sedona or on the way there.  Many more pictures will be posted as the weeks go by, and probably video too!

Cacti!

On the path to Bell Rock Vortex

Storm rolling in

Common Thread for Peace

I saw this on Witch, Please! blog and thought it was worth passing along.  If you’re going to participate, or know someone who would be interested in participating, pass the word around!

A large-scale art project for peace to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11 that is very simple but will likely be rather profound when it’s compiled and finished.  Go here for further instructions and the address to send to, but the basic details are thus:

• Get a piece of ribbon, fabric, yarn, or other flexible material that can be knotted.
• Write your message for hope, peace, or just your name on the ribbon or material.
• Mail to the address on the Witch, Please! blog.

I’m going to participate as soon as I can find some ribbon long enough.  I look forward to seeing the finished product!  Everyone should participate if they can.  It’s a simple way to both remember 9/11 and the people who lost their lives, and to focus some energy for a time on peace and brotherhood.  I hope you will participate.

Weekly Deity: Tepeyollotl

Image from Wikipedia

Tepeyollotl is the Aztec god of earthquakes, caves, echoes, and jaguars.  his name means “heart of the mountains.”

Attributes

This god is associated with jaguars, and so is often depicted as a jaguar or a man wearing a jaguar skin leaping toward the sun.

Mythology

Tepeyollotl is responsible for echoes and earthquakes.  It’s his raised voice that causes the earth to shake.

Jaguars, in Mesoamerican culture, were highly revered and respected creatures.  They were often the symbol of elite warriors, royalty, and the shaman.  For a deity to bear a jaguar form is a sign of great respect and strength, which makes sense–the Aztecs would most likely greatly respect a god that would shake the earth.

Light and Dark Sides

I couldn’t find anything that talks about his personality, but in general, deities that can cause earthquakes aren’t considered all that Light.  They tend to be very angry and very, very touchy.  I would treat this god with respect and care.