In this week’s third and last chapter of “The Raven,” we track Pascal’s final steps, as his longing to break the curse that has been placed on Raven-Daughter intensifies. We begin the episode with some wise and poetic words of William Stafford that remind us of “the way it is:” the sacred thread that is always there, connecting us to our destiny - as long as we hold onto it.  

However, in picking up the threads from where we left off last episode - in true mythic fashion, of course - things don’t necessarily work out so smoothly. We begin in yet another challenging place, waiting to ripen us further. We’re asked to face sorrow again, but this time with a little bit of wisdom intact. The words of Oscar Wilde echo from the mountainous obstacle ahead, whispering directly into the ears of our souls: “where there is sorrow, there is holy ground.” Here, we hold onto the thread that has been there all along, and we explore the themes of destiny maps, mythopoetic identity (Bill Plotkin’s imaginings), hieros gamos (the holy marriage) and the union of opposites, and more.

With some magical-mythic survival resources in the bag and an intense longing crackling in the hearth, the story comes to a conclusion as we make our way towards rascal giants who  carry sacred gifts - that become the keys needed to complete the journey. And of course, what is "The Healer's Journey" without a wild and holy marriage that scatters seeds of revolution and wholeness for the community?

Resources: 

William Stafford poem - “The Way it is”
Bill Plotkin Books - “Nature & The Human Soul” & “The Journey of Soul Initiation”
Robert Johnson Book - “We: Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love”