Celtic Raven

About the Celtic Raven

“To have a raven’s knowledge” is an Irish proverb meaning to have a seer’s supernatural powers. The Raven is considered one of the oldest and wisest of animals. As a bird of wisdom and prophecy, the Raven was the totem of the Welsh God, Bran. In fact, the Raven is often heard to cackle utterances that sound like “cras, cras.” The actual word “cras” is “tomorrow” in Latin, which supports the legend that distinguishes the Raven as the bird who can foretell the future, hold deep secrets, and reveal omens and signs. 

Many Celtic goddesses are linked with the Raven and are associated with war and death. The wife of the sea-god Tethra was said to be the Raven goddess who hovered above battlefields, and a Scottish myth has the Cailleach Bheure, the hag of the Highlands, often appearing in Raven form. And last, upon the death of the great Celtic warrior CuChulainnâ, the Morrigan perched on his shoulder in the form of a Raven.