What we can learn from a murder…
The brooding vernal sky crushed the hope I had of sunshine, but Wally and I walked on. The day was veiled in a gauzy-gray spring drizzle, cool and wet and dark. It was the perfect setting for what we were about to encounter: A murder. As we made the turn out of the woods and onto Totem Trail to head home, a cacophonous collection of crows, assembled on my neighbor’s roof, raised a raucous racket: clamor and caw – chatter and croak. Like a collaboration between Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allen Poe, it was a meeting of the most eerie kind. Even Wally stopped his usual eager pace and surveyed the scene. We were both mesmerized by this surprising corvid accumulation. I sent this to my friend:
There was a murder upon your roof today.
Sitting stiff, staring south,
Each an echo of the other.
Iron-like along the ridge,
A living cresting of crows: Six for gold!
A good omen, I suppose.
Crows are often portrayed in Western literature as harbingers of doom, ominous symbols of mystery. In some cultures, however, crows are revered and teach important lessons. In Native American folklore, crows are wise beings and tricksters, often regarded as messengers between the earthly and spiritual realms. This duality highlights their intelligence and adaptability, teaching us the importance of cunning and resourcefulness in navigating life’s challenges.
In Norse mythology, the god Odin had two crows, Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory), who flew across the world to bring him information. This symbolizes the value of knowledge and memory, urging us to be mindful of our experiences and learn from them. Similarly, in many Asian cultures, crows are seen as omens of change and are believed to ward off evil spirits, symbolizing protection and transformation.
While frequently depicted as sinister messengers of misfortune in Western culture, crows exhibit remarkable problem-solving skills and strong social bonds. Their ability to thrive in diverse environments teaches us resilience and the importance of community.
Observing crows reminds us to embrace adaptability, cherish our social connections, and seek wisdom from every experience, transforming potential adversities into opportunities for growth.
Today’s tangle tutorial continues our Zendala project one more pattern closer to completion.
Sara, I love this idea of learning one tangle a week and using them to gradually draw a tile. Makes it easy to fit in some tangle time each day, and it’s nice to end up with a finished tile.
I’m so glad to hear this, Kris! I finally took a moment to think about what I would want if I followed a Zentangle blog, and this was it. I’m thrilled we’re thinking along the same lines.