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Raven by Jessica Sanchez (Originally published in Druid's Progress 11) As Samhain draws near, we must explore the dark side of the season. Commonly known as Halloween, this is the time when the souls of the dead roam the earth and bring mischief and death to the living. As with most holidays, symbolism plays a big role in celebrating the season. One animal that plays a role in representing Samhain is the raven. In most cultures, …

…crops, death to livestock, and depletion of game. This belief was strengthened when it was seen that ravens were feasting on the corpses of farm animals. Now as the time approaches for the raven to take flight and join the souls of the dead on Samhain, remember this-- Even though this bird is thought to be the harbinger of death, in some cultures, it is the bringer of life and omen messenger to the living.