On this week's episode, we continue to re-inhabit the story of "The Raven," gently picking up the mythic threads. Early on, we’re taken to the very wild and un-civilised understanding, as once shared by Robert Bly, that “accepting an initiatory task is more important than succeeding or failing at it.” 

With challenge accepted, we backtrack to the Old Woman’s hut, where grief and failure is our starting point. The road ahead seems impossible. But as we cross the initiatory thresholds of sorrow and remorse, something magical opens up and the Divine appears. Out of the tears of grief, sprout nourishing gifts and resources. A renewal of sorts happens. But where to go next, without directions from Google Maps, a Guru, or a fancy iPhone App? 

The only guidance we have are Raven’s calls that start to stir from within, or we might say, from in-tuition. An urge to simply walk follows. Footsteps lead to Human-Eating Giants. And Destiny-Maps are found. However, we'd be fools to think that the map and the territory were one in the same, right? Right. As we put down the map to scope out the territory, what waits for us are unexpected visitors and barriers - perhaps waiting to test and ripen us further.

And thus, the initiatory journey to find Raven Daughter and break the curse continues. 

Resources: 

Book by Francis Weller - “The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal & The Sacred Work of Grief” 

Book by Bill Plotkin - “Wild Mind: A Field Guide To The Human Psyche

Book by Marie Louise Von Franz - “Shadow & Evil in Fairy Tales”