Desires, Shame and Shadows: Exploring the Darkness with The Crow

In the realm of Shamanism, the Crow represents that which is unchangeable in ourselves: our roots, our desires, and our shadows. The Crow invites us to accept the darkness within – a fertile darkness from which anything might be created. This is not the darkness of evil, of sin or vices or passions. It is a creation story, where dark exists first, and from it emanates light.

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Darkness is Fertile Ground

Our perception of darkness has been tainted by misconceptions – we’ve come to equate it with sin, vices, and passions. However, for something to originate, or be ‘birthed’ in darkness is vastly different from establishing that darkness as an identity. Consider reframing the concept of darkness as a reflection of shortcomings to a more accurate concept – that of darkness being a fertile ground that provides the ideal environment in which a seed may germinate and grow.

?With this understanding comes the realization that our deepest desires are to be embraced without judgment or self-condemnation.

Darkness is Interconnectedness

Another profound aspect of darkness lies in its role as the nurturing ground for roots that grow and flourish beneath the surface. This phenomenon is not confined to the realm of nature alone; it is a universal truth that extends to the depths of human consciousness.

Just as trees communicate through their interconnected root systems hidden beneath the soil, so too do humans engage in a form of subconscious communication through their deepest desires.

Despite this universal truth, the unfortunate tendency is to deny or suppress our desires, to negate them entirely, or to judge others for having them. In fact, embracing the interconnectedness of our subconscious desires will allow us to foster a sense of collective humanity, transcending barriers of judgment and division.

The Crow Represents Our Dark Subconscious

The crow serves as a powerful symbol of lower consciousness, shadow, and unspoken desires. The depths of the subconscious mind are where hidden truths and desires reside, devoid of illumination. Exploring this unconscious yields another truth: anything that is dark, desirous, or unconscious requires an ‘other’, interconnectedness, a relational field.

Just as we cannot see in the dark without light, or see what’s behind us without facing a mirror, it is through our interactions and relationships that we gain the necessary insights and opportunities for growth. This mirror or light can take many forms: it may be a person, a dream, or the symbolic imagery of a tarot card. Each serves as a reflection of our innermost thoughts and desires, offering us glimpses into the depths of our subconscious.

Exploring the Roots of Shame

The themes represented by the crow often carry a heavy burden of shame. Shame stems directly from a desire for perfection. We feel ashamed for being imperfect, we are shamed for having a desire, we shame ourselves for something done with low consciousness.

As shame and perfection are linked, it’s important to identify the function positioned opposite to perfection, which is creation. By denying shadow aspects of ourselves in the pursuit of perfection, we literally turn our back on life.

This clearly indicates how the thoughts and behaviors that stem from our striving for perfection can have profound effects on our mental and physical well-being. Unprocessed desires and emotions, when suppressed or denied, can manifest as illness in our bodies and minds.

Identifying Hidden Desires

Suppressed desires often manifest themselves in our lives through recurring patterns. We may encounter them within family dynamics, relationship troubles, broken bones, eating disorders, car accidents – anything that occurs more than twice should be considered a pattern.

When a pattern repeats itself, it signals the presence of desire that has become stuck. This desire has yet to be broken down, accepted as part of an imperfect nature, and allowed to release its creative potential.

Why Do We Judge Desires?

The judgment and shame associated with our desires stem from our values, typically given to us in childhood. As we internalize these values, we unwittingly adopt them as our own, without question or examination. Even though they may not necessarily align with our true selves, they shape our perceptions and beliefs, leading to inner conflict and shame.

This internal conflict marks the beginning of shadow work – the process of confronting and integrating the aspects of ourselves that we have deemed unworthy or unacceptable.

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