​Corvids (any bird belonging to the family Corvidae), are known for their intelligence and adaptability. You may be more familiar with specific species names like crow, raven, magpie, jay, nutcracker, etc.. This post will focus on crows and ravens. Here in Canada we see some variety of these birds nearly everywhere. If you don’t know how to tell one from other specifically, you might mistake one for the other. Here are some identifying differences*.
Crows are smaller, have fan shaped tails, slimmer beaks, and smoother/flatter feathers around the throat. They make a harsher higher pitched caw and often travel in larger groups, called “murders”.
Ravens are larger, have larger thicker beaks, a wedge-shaped tail that comes to a point, and a rougher looking patch of feathers at the neck referred to as “hackles”. They produce a deeper and more resonating croak-like sound and generally travel alone or in mated pairs, but also travel in larger groups, called an “unkindness”, when they are young (before bonding with a mate) or much older for feeding or roosting purposes (especially in winter).
Crows and ravens have been associated with many gods and goddesses across many pantheons, including, but not limited to, Odin (Norse), The Morrigan (Celtic), and Mahakala (Buddhist). They have been described as messengers, tricksters, evil spirits, omens (good or bad), and even a form certain deities take. They are often sited as omens of death (they are carrion birds after all), and as one of the birds that does cross the spiritual veil for various purposes. I think this gives them a somewhat bad reputation, however, this is not surprising since people tend to fear death, and so too anything that is associated with it.
Regardless of whether a culture saw them as more positive or negative, it is clear that many cultures respected them; and rightly so. Both crows and ravens are highly intelligent. They can solve complex puzzles, use tools, have pre-planning abilities, and even engage in social manipulation and misdirection. They also have excellent facial recognition skills and remember those who do right or wrong by them. They can also hold a grudge. Another amazing fact is that they can learn to speak human words. This is called vocal mimicry, which also extends to other sounds like other bird calls and even mechanical noises. While their range might not be as large as a parrot’s, that is still very impressive!
Crows and ravens can also appear as spirit animals, guides, and omens to us when we need them. According to Steven D Farmer, Ph.D. in his book Animal Spirit Guides both birds are represented slightly different as on omen or a power animal, and when and why to call on them.
Crows are more about manifestation, big changes, and speaking up for oneself. If it is our power animal, you are likely to be resourceful, highly social, guided more by Spirit and personal integrity, and will speak up when something doesn’t mesh with spiritual laws. You can call on them if you feel someone is trying to trick you, need help with significant changes, or need support for personal development or with manifesting.
Ravens have a more magical/spiritual correspondence. They ask you to pay more attention to dreams, visions, and synchronicities. If they are your power animal you are likely to prefer solitude, it may seem like you always know what to do as you are quite adaptable and feel able to shape-shift or disguise yourself to fit any situation. You may also be a healer, which people just seem to “sense” that about you. It could also mean that you may be susceptible to be derailed from your path by personal shadows, and so you must stay personally aware to avoid this. You can call on them to find clarity regarding intentions for tasks, relationships, or your spiritual path in order to manifest it, to reclaim lost innocence/joy and reclaim the “magic” in your life, or as messengers to send healing energy or prayers to sick loved ones.
You may have heard the popular nursery rhyme called “One For Sorrow” that is often associated with crows (but I believe was originally about magpies):
One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.
     Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten a surprise you should be careful not to miss,
Eleven for health,
Twelve for wealth,
                                                            Thirteen beware it's the devil himself.**
This extended version was published in 1846. The first recorded version from 1778 was only the first four lines.
There is so much more that I could talk about with these fascinating creatures, but I will leave that up to you to discover. They are deeply rooted in the spirituality of many cultures, and I feel blessed to have them be so prevalent around my home (I hear them every morning outside my window). I have long been fascinated by them, and I hope you are too. They do tend to get a bad rap as omens of ill repute, but I prefer to think better of them. I have heard many stories of people befriending crows or ravens and being given little gifts, and of those who have slighted them and been punished by them for it. Personally, I would love to befriend one, but that is me.
So how do you feel about crows and ravens? Do you bid them good day when you see them? Do you offer them a bite of your food? Would you talk to one? Do you dislike them, or simply prefer to ignore them? Do you feel any differently about them now? I would love to know.
 
 
*There are more differences, but these are some good identifiers for identifying them on the go.
** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_for_Sorrow_(nursery_rhyme)

​Astrologically speaking, the planets contribute much energy, not only to our birth charts, but also to the universal energy as a whole. When we talk about a planet going retrograde we are talking about how that planet appears to be moving backwards along its normal course through our solar system. While it does just appear to do so and nothing has actually reversed its progress, the energetic “consequences” can definitely be felt. Each planet, as you may know, has its own connection to different aspects of self and of life. These are the aspects that are affected by the retrograde. They are, however, also affected by the astrological sign that they are in. This means that the personalities and characteristics of the signs can influence how we are affected by the retrograde, and possibly how we can better deal with the potential upcoming issues. Each planet’s retrograde affects our lives in different ways. I believe that knowing what aspects of our lives could be affected by a retrograde could give us not just a heads up for what may be coming, but also help us better prepare to deal with what may lay ahead. Fore warned is fore armed, so to speak. I have only given a most basic outline here, but it should provide enough of an overview to get you started*.
 
Mercury: This one happens most often during the year. It affects technology, communication, and travel. It can cause many misunderstandings and, as many of us have experienced, glitches in technology. It has already happened twice this year (2025), and is set to happen again in September (1-24), and November (9-29)
Venus: If you are familiar with Venus as a goddess you know she corresponds to love, relationships, pleasure, and beauty. As a planet in retrograde she asks us to look at ourselves, what we value, how past and current relationships may or may not serve us, and how we seek love and joy (within and without). This retrograde happened earlier this year in April/March.
Mars: Mars is a planet of action, drive and ambition. During retrograde this may mean we feel obstructed unmotivated, or even out right blocked from our goals. This planet went retrograde at the end of 2024 and this ended on February 23.
Jupiter: This planet represents personal and spiritual growth, wisdom, and expansion. While it seems a bit less harsh than the others, it does caution us that this is the time for introspection and not for making major decisions or overextending oneself. Rather, you should take the time to tune into your intuition, reflect, reassess, and realign yourself with your own path. Jupiter goes retrograde from October 10th to December 30th this year.
Saturn: Saturn is a planet of boundaries, discipline, and authority. This is a good time to reassess your responsibilities, aa well as your roles and views that revolve around structure, authority, and discipline. This planet is currently in retrograde (starting June 13) and will continue to be so until November 27 of this year.  
Uranus: Uranus relates to urges, patterns of personality, and our relationship with change. In particular, retrograde of this planet asks us to be open to new ideas, and reflect on how we adapt to change (or don’t). It also encourages us to tune into our intuition and our own potential. This planet retrogrades on September 6, through 2 astrological signs, and into February of 2026.
Neptune: Another planet that encourages introspection, Neptune also asks us to confront our fears/dreams, and to seek clarity concerning possible disillusionment or self-deception. Have you been trying to escape or avoid the truth/reality of a situation? Neptune may make that a bit more difficult. It may be better just to face to it. This planet went retrograde on July 4th and will continue until December 10th.
Pluto: Pluto is connected to the subconscious. As such, it too has a lot to do with introspection, and  corresponds to concepts like transformation, evolution, and trauma healing. It may bring with it vivid dreams, and reveal things that are hidden, like health issues, truths, and even power struggles. This is another planet that suggests it is better to avoid taking large actions in the outside world at this time, and spend more time with inner action. Pluto is also currently in retrograde. It started May 4th and will End October 13th.
 
For the most part, although times of retrograde can be difficult, and they may seem to ask a lot of us, especially with inner work, they are not solely negative things. If we are willing to learn about them, and do the work, the outcome could be an immensely positive one. I can say that, personally, I did not think too much about it until I started learning more. Now when “weird” things are happening (situation, dreams, etc..) I look to see what the planets are doing. Often this puts things into perspective, and can bring a bit more clarity to the current energies and goings on.
Do you follow the planetary courses through our skies? Do you find that their energies and movement are relevant to what is going on in your life? Did reading about them here help make sense of things going on right now? I would love to know.
 
 
* I have added dates for upcoming retrogrades for this year (2025). I will note that I found some conflicting dates (usually by a few days or so) while researching this post. I left out the astrological signs it happens in, because, while this is can be important information, it also changes each time, so it would  have made the planetary meanings less general and more relevant to this particular year.