I met The Old Woman of the World first in Sharon Blackie’s book, If Women Rose Rooted. She lived in a cave with Trickster Crow, spinning on her wheel and drinking her herbal tea, so reviving to lost selkies who come looking for their skins. After listening to Sharon Blackie tell more of The Old Woman and Trickster Crow in the interview she gave on The Medicine Sessions (see the link at the end of this post, about 58 minutes in), the characters started to take root in my own life and imagination. The story itself is older than Ms. Blackie, but as her exquisitely crafted adaptations were my original inspiration, I just want to be sure to acknowledge and give credit where it is due.
“…remembering the last time she left Raven alone in the cave for too long. He had lit her tapestry aflame and the whole sky erupted in fiery smoke and ash. … The fire had … nearly destroyed the tapestry. She was able to save a few strands of yarn, but she spent a long time after that incident spinning and dyeing and making the world anew. Raven himself had still been a bit of a youngster in those days, and white, with a long, feathery tail. He had been quite vain about that tail of his, but he didn’t get out of his own fire trick unscathed.
A spark had caught his tail on fire and in a panic, Raven flew up to his shelf to put it out. But he could not see through all the smoke and bounced about on the smoky, sooty roof of the cave…”
I love your (subtly?) subversive allusion to the Abrahamic Religions’ fallen-angel mythology, using trickster Raven and how Raven’s plumage started out white only to become black in a holocaust; and weaving into it a piece of our modern scientific creation story. Wonderful story!
Thank you! I actually never thought about the fallen angel stories. I was referencing Tlingit stories about how Raven turned black (in at least one tale, he flew out of a chimney). I’m so glad that this part of the story can be interpreted more widely than I had intended.
Funny! I had you weaving a modern mythic tapestry alluding to pieces of the Abrahamic Creation Story together with the modern scientific theory of the Chicxulub Impactor Holocaust, and couching it all in an urmyth. I love your unique word couplings and turns-of-phrase, and packing so much in while using just enough to do so. Whether I come at it with an overactive imagination or take it at face value, I love it!
Thank you so much! I was blending the Chicxulub Impactor theory with Tlingit mythology, but I like that other world mythologies, like the Abrahamic one, can fit into the story's weave just as easily. Ancient myths lend themselves to being retold in any age, and I am grateful that you enjoy and find meaning in my modern retelling.
I love stories that bring to life elements of creation. That describe how things come to be. This is one of those that is enriching for its creative expression of life's ways. The weaving of our existence being held within the nimble fingers of old wise woman and mischievous raven. So beautiful!
A terrific story with a meaningful ending--that the world is always a work in progress. Thanks so much for sharing your words. I really loved this story!
What a powerful closing paragraph! I love the coexistence between the old woman and the raven. Their playful banter was amusing too 😄 I like the message that life is always a work in progress... that there can never be a conclusion to her project because that would mean the end for us. It’s such a great metaphor. I really enjoyed this, thank you!
Down to earth and playful, I especially liked the extra details you wove into the retelling. I too am an admirer of Sharon’s version.
“…remembering the last time she left Raven alone in the cave for too long. He had lit her tapestry aflame and the whole sky erupted in fiery smoke and ash. … The fire had … nearly destroyed the tapestry. She was able to save a few strands of yarn, but she spent a long time after that incident spinning and dyeing and making the world anew. Raven himself had still been a bit of a youngster in those days, and white, with a long, feathery tail. He had been quite vain about that tail of his, but he didn’t get out of his own fire trick unscathed.
A spark had caught his tail on fire and in a panic, Raven flew up to his shelf to put it out. But he could not see through all the smoke and bounced about on the smoky, sooty roof of the cave…”
I love your (subtly?) subversive allusion to the Abrahamic Religions’ fallen-angel mythology, using trickster Raven and how Raven’s plumage started out white only to become black in a holocaust; and weaving into it a piece of our modern scientific creation story. Wonderful story!
FWIW, here is your link to SB’s story, again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAKwdrsJ1s
57:20 The Old Woman of the World, Trickster Crow and the Most Beautiful Tapestry the World Has Ever Seen
Thank you! I actually never thought about the fallen angel stories. I was referencing Tlingit stories about how Raven turned black (in at least one tale, he flew out of a chimney). I’m so glad that this part of the story can be interpreted more widely than I had intended.
Funny! I had you weaving a modern mythic tapestry alluding to pieces of the Abrahamic Creation Story together with the modern scientific theory of the Chicxulub Impactor Holocaust, and couching it all in an urmyth. I love your unique word couplings and turns-of-phrase, and packing so much in while using just enough to do so. Whether I come at it with an overactive imagination or take it at face value, I love it!
Thank you so much! I was blending the Chicxulub Impactor theory with Tlingit mythology, but I like that other world mythologies, like the Abrahamic one, can fit into the story's weave just as easily. Ancient myths lend themselves to being retold in any age, and I am grateful that you enjoy and find meaning in my modern retelling.
I love stories that bring to life elements of creation. That describe how things come to be. This is one of those that is enriching for its creative expression of life's ways. The weaving of our existence being held within the nimble fingers of old wise woman and mischievous raven. So beautiful!
Thank you, Marija! This old tale caught me and hasn’t let go. I love how the characters are as alive as ever, even now.
A terrific story with a meaningful ending--that the world is always a work in progress. Thanks so much for sharing your words. I really loved this story!
What a powerful closing paragraph! I love the coexistence between the old woman and the raven. Their playful banter was amusing too 😄 I like the message that life is always a work in progress... that there can never be a conclusion to her project because that would mean the end for us. It’s such a great metaphor. I really enjoyed this, thank you!
Thank you! I can't take credit for the bones of this story, but I am glad you like how I have brought Raven and The Old Women's characters to life.
Beautifully written. Magical,engaging and playful. Looking forward to more of the weaving of words and how they will unfold.