Ravens have always fascinated me. These magnificent birds, with their glossy black feathers and intelligent, curious eyes, are truly remarkable creatures. Just like owls, which I wrote about for my O is for Owls post, the raven has captured the imagination of cultures across the world, from its role in Norse mythology to its appearances in Native American legends. Ravens are often seen as symbols of mystery, transformation, and intelligence. Their cleverness is unrivaled in the bird world; they can solve complex puzzles, use tools, and even mimic human speech, all of which make them endlessly captivating.
In many cultures, ravens are considered magical beings. In Norse mythology, the god Odin had two ravens, Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory), who flew around the world gathering information. In Native American mythology, particularly among the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, the raven is both a creator and a trickster. It is capable of shape-shifting and has the power to influence the world. For instance, the Haida people credit the raven with discovering the first humans. However, it’s important to note that these stories are culturally specific and vary widely among different tribes, and some are considered cultural property that should not be retold without proper permission.
I’ve always been drawn to these birds, especially when I spent time in Canada and Scotland. It was in Powell River, British Columbia, surrounded by mountains and ancient forests, that I first truly connected with the raven as a symbol of magic. I would often see these majestic birds soaring high above, and their presence in the vast, untamed wilderness inspired me to write Raven, the first book in The Raven Witch Saga.
In Raven, the main character, Lilly Taylor, discovers that she is not who—or what—she thought she was. It’s a shapeshifting urban fantasy where Lilly must come to terms with her true nature. The setting, with its misty forests and the towering mountains of Powell River, mirrors the mysterious and magical qualities of the raven. The bird’s symbolism of transformation, intelligence, and the blending of worlds fit perfectly with Lilly’s journey of self-discovery.
The raven’s ability to straddle the boundary between the physical world and the unknown is one of the key elements I wanted to capture in The Raven Witch Saga. Just like the raven, Lilly is a creature of both the known and the mysterious, struggling to make sense of the world around her while uncovering the hidden truths of her own identity.
If you’re fascinated by ravens and the magical world they represent, I invite you to explore Lilly’s story in Raven, December Moon, and The Lost Soul—three books I loved writing, inspired by the mysterious energy of these incredible birds and the wild landscapes of Canada.
Speaking of books, I was super excited to find a book on Vinted the other night which is all about ravens. It’s called Mind of the Raven: Investigations and Adventures with Wolf-Birds by Bernd Heinrich. I bought it immediately and I’m looking forward to reading it!
