Here’s a story from Jane Clifford of Wales about the quest for a feather and the synchronistic influence of her power animals.
***
I have had a swan feather for some years, it was a gift from a friend. Seven years ago, I started looking for a raven feather. A friend shot down an old abandoned nest, no feather. Another friend said he had a raven’s wing I could have, but it had been eaten away by mites. I decided my raven feather would turn up when I had “earned” it,at the right time and stopped looking.
Last summer while staying with a friend 1,000 ft up a Welsh mountain in a medieval house,we observed ravens flying overhead. My friend said, “Your ravens feather will come to you here one day while you are visiting.”
I replied, “Well I don’t see how unless one flutters to my feet.”
She said, “You’ll see, it will come to you here.”
Just after I thought, “Wow, I have Swan and Raven in the car with me today, my journey to London took some baffling turns. Literally. I quite stupidly took a wrong exit off the motorway on a journey I have known well for thirty years! I ended up going along the Thames past Hampton Court with no idea how to get back on track again. I got even more lost in Kingston on Thames in heavy traffic.
Eventually, I stopped to ask a policeman, who surprisingly didn’t know directions. While speaking to him, a schoolgirl nearly knocked me over. I got back in the car, still lost. Getting anxious, I narrowly avoided knocking over a child, my fault! Eventually, I got it sorted out, but arrived stressed and shocked, feeling everything was out of sync.
***
Could it be that Raven and Swan lose their power when paired? i.e., birds of different feathers don’t flock together. Just a thought.
Here's a few follow up thoughts from Jane Clifford.
"One friend said, a bit of karma got stirred up by the feather. Certainly I was tested & the comment on the site about more trust is very valid.
I do not yet know raven energy as well as some other power animals,they have shown up at significant times,once on a bird table near the window where it sat and looked at me for several minutes,unusual because they are quite shy birds here,not much given to bird table dining! At that time my best friend was dying.
I need to get to know this energy better become more at ease and familiar with it.Own its power!"
Butternut: yes 7's but also 3's and 4's. 7's represent spirituality, but within the journey, and for that you need to consider the 3 and 4 level. It's not then end goal – it is the journey.
Jane: The swan and the raven are not in conflict. They may take you for a ride through unmarked territory but are also showing the way you choose to see.
Lots of journey synchronicity in this post and the comments. Maybe too much analysis and not enough trust. Which could be my personal message from this. But if it's personal for me, you've all brought me to it. So it's you too! LOL! Enjoy!
There is much to think and ponder here in the post and comments. But I think Shakespeare had it right.
butternut – loves the 7s! I'd say that bodes very well for your trip. Daughter comes home this weekend, so I'll ask about textbooks. Safe journey! Have lots of synchronicities.
I love these stories.
I had a number synchronicity today. I wrote a check for $3040 exactly. The check number was also 3040. Do you see a lucky number 7 in there? I wish I knew what it was pointing to. Perhaps there is a good trip in my future.
Thanks for the offer of books. I leave March 1, so if not this trip then the next. Peace
fixed my comment thingy 🙂
Thanks Trish and Gypsy <3
wow! raven and swan – very neat story – and dialogue – also enjoyed paintings over at wolf's –
Wolf: tried to post on your blog, but the word verification box refused to appear. Great paintings. Good insights here.
I love this post!
As a person who also carries Raven medicine, I would like to offer my intuitive insight:
to begin, this is your first Raven feather, and not your first swan. You already carry swan, and were gifted a feather. However, with Raven you just received the feather, or the invitation for initiation into Raven mysteries.
In my experience with Raven he is a trickster. I know I know, that's crow, not raven! Right?! Or are there certain similarities? I have found that Raven will make you fall on your ass until you realize that you need to be sitting. Raven's teachings are difficult.
Welcome to the world of Raven. Carry your feather with you and know that the energy is for your highest good (though it may not feel that way at the time).
Cheers!
-Giana
could be. or the reason will still reveal itself…
An interesting report.
"Could it be that Raven and Swan lose their power when paired?" – If you believe they could, then I would say yes.
Mike