[sirI]

It is a very old story of how the life on earth began. I only can tell it short version and from memory from my grandmother.

Water was and Earth was not. The animals and birds swam in Water.

Above Water was the Great Tree in the sky. Four roots extended and reached North, South, East, West. One day, the Great Tree was uprooted and the Great Chief and his Wife, who was with child, looked down into the hole that remained. She slipped and grabbed hold of a limb as she fell through the hole. In her hand, she grasped only seeds from the limb. She fell below.

Bird saw her falling and flew to catch Wife. She was saved on the wings of Swan. But, she could not swim and Bird said that they would have to swim down very deep and bring Earth to Wife. So, they did with the help of other animals. Finally, swimming deeply, Muskrat grabbed Earth and brought Her from below Water. Earth was placed on the back of Turtle.

Earth grew and grew. Swan, with the help of many many Birds, brought Wife down to Earth. When Wife placed her feet on Earth, she dropped the seeds from her hand into the soil.

Life on Earth began......

[cardiacRN2006]

Originally Posted by weetziebat

She told me that if a wild bird gets into your house and is flying around, it means a death.

I've had many a wild bird in my house. Flying into the windows and walls. It sure is a task getting them out.


This is a lovely topic. I've heard about the owls being associated with death. But for a while I've noticed a crow (or raven?) who always flies above me. Everytime I look out the window he's there-when I'm driving, walking, or shopping. I told someone about him once, and then he was gone. So now I keep him to myself. I consider him good luck.

[weetziebat]

Originally Posted by siri

It is a very old story of how the life on earth began. I only can tell it short version and from memory from my grandmother.

Water was and Earth was not. The animals and birds swam in Water.

Above Water was the Great Tree in the sky. Four roots extended and reached North, South, East, West. One day, the Great Tree was uprooted and the Great Chief and his Wife, who was with child, looked down into the hole that remained. She slipped and grabbed hold of a limb as she fell through the hole. In her hand, she grasped only seeds from the limb. She fell below.

Bird saw her falling and flew to catch Wife. She was saved on the wings of Swan. But, she could not swim and Bird said that they would have to swim down very deep and bring Earth to Wife. So, they did with the help of other animals. Finally, swimming deeply, Muskrat grabbed Earth and brought Her from below Water. Earth was placed on the back of Turtle.

Earth grew and grew. Swan, with the help of many many Birds, brought Wife down to Earth. When Wife placed her feet on Earth, she dropped the seeds from her hand into the soil.

Life on Earth began......

Siri, thank you so much for sharing this lovely tale. What a beautiful thought.
So.......if birds can accompany a soul to its final resting place, and can also bring back the seeds of life, could their presence signify bringing seeds of a new beginning?

CardiacRN2006, thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one with birds flying around indoors. It was kind of difficult to get the baby bird out - it was so frightened.
I do believe animals are much 'closer' to us than we generally realize. I hope your crow comes back to you.

[Gennaver]

Originally Posted by weetziebat

O.K. I have a question that perhaps someone here can answer. I was talking with a friend and she has heard that Native Americans have a belief about black birds (crows?, ravens? I don't know) gathering when there is a death.

A friend was driving into work and found her car surrounded by crows that just seemed to stay with the car. When she called home she discovered that a relative had just died.

I also noticed that just after my cat died, there was a black bird that seemed to hang around in my yard for a few days, as though to keep me company. Has never happened before.

Does anyone know anything more about this phenomenon? Must admit I know nothing about Native American spiritual beliefs but this fascinates me.

Hi,
You know, there are over 559 federally recognized tribes and over 200 more non-federally recognized tribes.

I am not sure which ones may or may not have that belief but, it is not in agreement with the beliefs that I grew up with, quite the opposite actually.

Gen

[Gennaver]

Originally Posted by weetziebat

I swear your message wasn't there when I first looked. Wouldn't have ignored it, had I seen it. It was fascinating reading about counting crows. At least they all agree that one crow is for sorrow - so I'll take that to mean the crow sitting in my yard after my cat's death was sharing my mourning. Thanks for the info

Siri, so...can birds be looked at as messengers, say from a spirit, as well as coming to accompany a soul to its final resting place?

Hello,
If you ever get a chance to see the Canadian Movie, "Dance me Outside" there is a nice little piece that starts the movie all about Crows. As an Oji-Cree and multi mixed cultured person, I have a *very* fond association and appreciation for Crows and Ravens and they are not associated with death any more than any thing else is.
Gen

[Gennaver]

Originally Posted by siri

Above Water was the Great Tree in the sky. Four roots extended and reached North, South, East, West. One day, the Great Tree was uprooted and the Great Chief and his Wife, who was with child, looked down into the hole that remained. She slipped and grabbed hold of a limb as she fell through the hole. In her hand, she grasped only seeds from the limb. She fell below.

Life on Earth began......

Hello, From what very little I know of Haudenausonee, that sounds like Sky Woman?

Gen-with much appreciation for the Seneca of the Iroquois confederacy, (Iroquois = Haudenoshonee-yes, my spelling is not literal it is phonetic).

[sirI]

Sky Woman......Heavenly Mother.......Great Chief and His Wife.....depends on which tribal clan is referencing the story, Gen.

[janetjanetbobanet]

Originally Posted by weetziebat

Ahhh, perhaps we should steer clear of superstitions. My Irish mother had enough to make me shudder at least once a day. She told me that if a wild bird gets into your house and is flying around, it means a death.

Last month, I heard this fluttering sound and then a bump. OMG! It was the smallest, most adorable birdie you'd ever want to see. My dd and her bf also had a bird in their house. I keep telling myself this is simply a silly superstition - and I keep trying to believe that.

Now, a family of owls in your front yard? And hoping they don't fly over your home? Please feel free to join me. "It is only a silly superstition", "It is only a silly superstition", ...............

And, BSNtobe2009, I love the poem 'The Raven'. Actually tried to memorize it in high school and almost did it. Not quite, but almost.

With my friend, she was driving on a busy road and the crows stayed only around her car. Which she naturally found pretty disconcerting.

So, is it just a myth?? Anyone know any more about this???

Had a great horned owl that used to sit on a pole by my house at night when the weather was cold. I'm sure he flew over many times. Nobody died.