March 17, 2024
WOLF BIRDS: RAVENS AS THE TRICKSTER IN FICTION & MYTHOLOGY

WOLF BIRDS: RAVENS AS THE TRICKSTER IN FICTION & MYTHOLOGY

Image by Willgard Krause from Pixabay

Ravens  are the most  bad ass  animals  besides  wolves  in the animal  kingdom .  They  are  intellectually  the  strongest   of animals and  that is why it  is said that they are tricksters  and also  that they are called wolf birds because they hang out  with   wolves .   Yup I said it . Wolves and  Ravens  are  old chums and always  have been  . So ordinarily  what’s  a  werewolf story  without a  raven in the mix?  I’m sure every  novel  about werewolves has one, right? Well I do . 

Three days ago I  posted about talking animals .  Did you know  that in  fiction and mythology the raven  when considered a talking  animal represents prophecy and insight?

In stories they are usually psychopomps.

Psychopomps are  creatures, spirits, angels, or deities in many religions whose responsibility is to escort newly deceased souls from Earth to the afterlife. Their role is not to judge the deceased, but simply to guide them.

Ravens are often  considered as a mediator  animal of life and death.  

In North  American mythology among the  Inuit , Tsimishians and Haidas  ravens are  known as  either the creator  of the world  or as  a trickster.  Another  mythology  says that the raven  comes  from the land of spirits. 

Within Haida mythology the raven  is frequently seen as a trickster and has been described as the greediest, most lecherous and mischievous creature but also  helps  humans with the spiritual world.

In  Sweden folklore  the raven  was thought of as ghost  who were murdered .

In some  cultures  the raven was  a harbinger  of death.

As you know ravens are scavengers whether it be human or  animal they can find food  anywhere. They know how to  take  advantage of any  other animal to help  get food.  They can learn to imitate different sounds, including the human voice. In nature, their calls include guttural croaks, gurgling noises, that also include  a sharp, metallic tock. And  this is where the wolves come in the picture .  Being around other animals make  the raven  accessible to food.  The raven follows  packs  and  are usually seen  flying over  or beside the wolf.

Because of this wolves interact more with the  raven than any other  animal and like I  said  are best buds with them .  The  raven in actuality protects the  wolves  by calling out if there is danger near. They are also said to draw  other animals such as the elk near  so  the wolves can   tear and eat through the meat and then the raven  goes  ahead and eat.

IN MY WIP NOVEL

In my  work in progress novel During the Blue Hour I  use the raven as a trickster but also as a Psychopomp . They are beings called  earth divers, a type   of  celestial  beings and a type of Viators  of Caelum . They  are powerful celestial beings  who have the power  to manipulate  time  and shapeshift.  The ravens in my novel are   guardians to the werewolves. They help  protect them  and they watch over  them.  But they  are also tricksters  who are also   tired of  werewolf politics. And so even though they  protect the werewolves  they give them  a  difficult   time   by  having a little  fun and tricking them.  They are very  warrior like and clever  when it comes to  a battle. 

If you liked this blog post and you want to  see more content involving my work in progress During the Blue Hour Follow , Like , share  . But first  LET’S START A DIALOGUE

Do you  have a raven in your novel?

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