Challenge entry
I had no idea what to write for this challenge until it came up to me and yelled in my face! But first, I suppose I should start with a disclaimer… More for my own sake of working through my beliefs than anything else, but that’s what I’m doing this challenge for, anyway. 
Signs and messages can be very difficult for me. I tend to think along the lines of what @Artemisia quoted, and I think that not everything is a symbol or sign. Or perhaps, to go even further, nothing is a symbol or sign from the universe—it’s entirely up to me to decide that I want to look more into something and get meaning out of it. So, basically, when I engage in practices like these, I’m using them as prompts to be introspective, think more about the world around me, or dive into studies.
But that’s just the background of how I personally see these things at the moment. Chances are, this perception will continue to swing back and forth like a pendulum until I find the right spot that’s best for me. After all, from what I’ve gathered so far on this journey, it seems that what we get out of our practice is ultimately what matters. So, I’m not worrying about wrong or right; I’m just thinking about what helps me get through life and evolve into a better person along the way.
Without any further digressing…
Ravens
I know I’ve talked about ravens and crows at some point in the recent past, but they’re such beautiful birds that I’m happy to take any excuse to dive back into them as a topic.
[https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/120007661]
The Australian raven (Corvus coronoides) is one of the six members of the Corvid family found in Australia. They live in eastern and southern Australia and have distinct features that set them apart from their crow cousins.
(For reference, Sydney is on the south-east coast.)
In comparison with our species of crows, the Australian ravens have a more robust, thicker beak and longer, more shaggy throat feathers—a feature particularly noticeable when they call or when the wind ruffles their necks.
[https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/163146491]
Their calls are perhaps the most definitive way to distinguish between the two: Australian ravens have a deep, resonant call that sounds like a slow, drawn-out “aah-aaah,” often described as a wailing or mournful sound. It’s pretty distinct from the typical “caw” of crows.
(This is a familiar morning sound for many of us.)
In terms of behaviour, both Australian ravens and crows are incredibly intelligent and can use tools, solve problems, and even mimic sounds. They’re often patrolling the skies in groups, searching for food—insects, fruits, small animals, and, regrettably, garbage.
Anyway, as I am often visited by ravens, I thought I could explore their symbolism. Ravens, with their mysterious aura and dark feathers, have fascinated cultures worldwide for centuries. I mean, how could they not, right?
In Norse mythology, ravens are seen as wise and knowledgeable creatures. Odin, the god of war and wisdom, had two ravens, Huginn and Muninn (“thought” and “memory”), who flew around the world to gather secrets and knowledge for him. In this context, ravens are revered as messengers and guardians of knowledge, representing a connection between the known and the mystical unknown.
[Huginn and Muninn | Odin’s Ravens “Thought” and “Memory”]
Native American cultures often portray the raven as a trickster or a creator deity, highlighting its role in creation myths and its associations with transformation, intelligence, and adaptability. This suggests that a raven’s visit might signal a time of change or encourage me to look at things from a new perspective.
[White Wolf : Symbolic Meaning of the Raven in Native American Culture (Video)]
In contrast, Western traditions, especially those influenced by Christianity, often depict ravens as omens of evil tidings or death, likely due to their scavenging nature and presence in grim settings like battlefields. This darker view has permeated popular culture, where ravens frequently symbolise foreboding and mystery.
[The Raven - Wikipedia]
Lastly, the raven’s intelligence and observant nature remind me that there might be important details in my life that I’m overlooking, or opportunities to perceive deeper truths about my surroundings.
Autumn
Since we’re also in autumn, a season of change, maturity, and reflection, I thought the season and weather might also be interesting to explore in terms of symbolism. As the leaves slowly change colour (due to the abundance of sunlight and warmth delaying them), we also slowly move from the vibrancy of summer to the quietude of winter.
This season reminds me of the importance of embracing change, even when it signifies the end of something. Just as the trees shed their leaves in preparation for the winter, I am reminded to let go of past burdens and prepare for new challenges and opportunities.
(Credits for this photo go to me. I have really been enjoying taking photos from my balcony since moving. But anyway, you can see that the trees look almost as green as they would in summer here, and I took this a mere 10 hours ago.)
Autumn is also the season when crops are traditionally gathered and stored, representing the fruition of efforts put forth throughout the year. While I live in an area that is much too urban for this to have any visible impact on my life, it can still prompt me to reflect on my own achievements and the fruits of my labour. Kind of like a reminder for me to consider what I have accomplished and to be thankful for, whether that’s the abundance in my life, personal growth, relationships, or professional successes.
(This is an older photo, but probably my best storm/rain photo yet, so here it is again because I will talk about the autumn weather in just a moment…)
I think autumn has a reflective quality outside of the harvesting symbolism, too, as the shorter days and longer nights provide a wonderful setting for introspection and contemplation. As nature slows down, so can I, finding more time to think about my direction and choices. The cool, often overcast weather of autumn is such a great setting for encouraging a slower pace and a deeper connection with my inner thoughts and feelings.
Storms & Rain
Storms, with their formidable power and dramatic presence, have been revered and feared in many cultures, and are a prominent feature of this season of autumn. It feels as though there has been some degree of precipitation every single day for the past month or so, so let’s dive into that.
In Norse mythology, storms are closely associated with Thor, the god of thunder, lightning, and storms. Thor wields Mjölnir, a mighty hammer that can create thunder and lightning, and he rides a chariot pulled by goats that cause the rumbling of thunder across the skies. In this context, a storm could symbolise not only physical power but also the power of the divine to influence our lives, suggesting themes of protection and strength.
[The Hammer of Thor: A Weather Folklore - Farmers' Almanac - Plan Your Day. Grow Your Life.]
In Hellenic mythology, storms are often linked to Zeus, the king of the gods, who is also the god of the sky, thunder, and lightning. Zeus uses thunderbolts as his weapon, and he sends storms to display his displeasure or to assert his divine will over the world of mortals. These expressions of Zeus’s will bring to mind themes of authority, justice, the ethical balance of the universe, and the consequences of human actions that might provoke divine reactions.
[Deities & Gods of Weather: Exploring Ancient Mythology & Beliefs]
Storms also reflect the tumultuous, unpredictable aspects of life. Just as storms can suddenly alter the landscape, so too can certain events change the course of our lives, often dramatically and without warning. The storm serves as a powerful reminder of change, sometimes violent and unsettling but always part of a larger cycle of renewal and transformation.
But what is a storm without rain? The rain itself holds its own symbolism—that of renewal and cleansing. This natural cleansing acts as a metaphor for emotional and spiritual renewal. Whenever it rains, it seems as though the world is being washed clean of its prior troubles and sorrows, offering a fresh slate to start anew.
[APPROACHING STORM. Outback South Australia. Wall Art Print]
Historically and in various cultural narratives, rain has been seen as a blessing. It’s essential for crops and, by extension, for sustaining communities. This communal aspect of rain reflects the interconnectedness of life. A good rain benefits not just individual plants or people, but entire ecosystems. It fosters a sense of community and shared relief, especially in arid regions where rain is a rare and much-celebrated event.
Speaking of rain, the red Australian deserts look pretty fascinating to me when they’ve been hit by heavy rain. I remember seeing really interesting clips of the flash floods in documentaries years ago, but I can’t find them now, so we’ll have to settle for whatever I can find.
Pythons
Okay, it’s time for a bonus round… As though I hadn’t already rambled for too long. But I had a nap in the afternoon and dreamt about pythons.
First of all, I was not only born in the year of the female brown earth snake, but my month and hour of birth are also associated with the snake.
[Children's Python - Backyard Buddies]
Pythons symbolise transformation and renewal. This connection primarily stems from the way snakes shed their skin. Watching a python shed its old skin to reveal a new, shiny layer beneath is a powerful visual metaphor for personal growth and the shedding of past limitations or old habits. Sometimes, this goes further, such as in some Aboriginal Australian cultures’ mythology and totemic systems. Here, they are often viewed as ancestral beings that shaped the landscape and created important cultural sites. The Rainbow Serpent, for example, is sometimes depicted as a python and represents the cycle of seasons and the connection between life and water.
[https://www.kullillaart.com.au/dreamtime-stories/The-Rainbow-Serpent]
Also, snakes are sometimes seen as guardians of sacred places and are often associated with healing and magic. The python’s calm, observant nature, silently coiled and ready, speaks to a deep, inherent wisdom. For example, in Indonesia and the Philippines, pythons are often associated with spiritual guardianship and are sometimes believed to possess spirits, symbolising the link between the physical and spiritual worlds.
[Bali Temple Guide: Temples you Should Visit]
There’s also a primal aspect to pythons that connects them to the earth and protective qualities. Their close association with the ground and their rhythmic, flowing movements are evocative of the life force and energy that flows through all living things. For example, the Fon people of Benin venerate and protect the python as a sacred animal in the python temple in Ouidah. The python is considered a symbol of fertility and is closely associated with their vodun (voodoo) practices.
[https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-temple-of-pythons-ouidah-benin]
Speaking of which, it seems the Vodun religion, practised across various West and Central African countries like Ghana, Togo, and Benin, has also influenced religions in the New World, such as Louisiana Voodoo and Haitian Vodou, following the African diaspora.
And… You know what? I’ve long since forgotten about the original point of this post, if any! I think I’ll leave it here and go reflect on life in general through journalling.
