I started being more serious about a personal website after I transitioned working regular “9-5” job into full time yoga teaching and studio management. I wanted to create a landing place where people could learn a little more about me. The first thing that came to my mind was two ravens…
I have two raven tattoos on my left arm, done by different artists at different times in my life. I sometimes get questions about them and what they mean to me and why did I get them. My first raven tattoo came about by my sister, mom, and I thinking about getting matching bird tattoos. Long story short, we didn’t end up getting matching tattoos but the bird them stuck with me so I got my first raven tattoo. My idea in picking it was that it was one of Odin’s ravens (I was into Norse mythology for a bit)…and later down the road I’d get the second.
Odin’s ravens names were Huginn and Muninn. There is a lot of content you can read about them, but a lot of sources agree they represent thought and memory, embodying aspects that Odin relied on for his wisdom as the All-father.. Huginn and Muninn would travel the 9 realms of Norse cosmology listening and observing then updating Odin with information. They represent a duality, thought (forward thinking/planning) and memory (reflection/past). You should read and research yourself if the topic is of interest. At this time of my life this seemed like something I wanted to symbolize in a tattoo.
Ravens are found across many cultures and represent many things. Common themes are that they are beings that walk the in-between, messengers between worlds, symbols of transformation/death/rebirth, tricksters, having foresight, and bringing light and chaos.
I did end up getting a second raven tattoo done by another artist a couple years later. They are both different, but I like that as I have changed since my first raven. I still like the aspect that they represent a duality….and now as a yogi trying to live in the moment, without duality, in oneness. So existing somewhere in between but still honoring my past and future.
I decided to call my website Two Ravens in honor of my journey and embracing impermanence and transformation…in each ending is a new beginning. And it also is neat that I have two beautiful raven tattoos that I wouldn’t change anything about.
*Raven Photo at top: credit to James Saunders: jamesfreemansaunders.com