A trickster

A friend traveled to Vancouver for a conference.  While there, several of the participants went exploring during the off-conference hours, to see the local sights.  They had the opportunity to purchase some carvings created by native Inuit artisans and took some time to explore the choices available.  As I understand the excursion, each carving included a brief historical description of the carving process and also a brief depiction of the spirit of the image carved.

My friend was particularly attracted to the carving of the raven, and although she looked at several other selections during their visit, each time she returned to the raven carving.

Raven at Halloween - Softcut block, carved and inked; ready for printing.

She finally made the decision to purchase the raven and headed to the cash register with it in hand.  The man there asked her if she had read the attached information, which included a warming about the trickster nature of the raven.  The carving was thought to contain the essence of this trickster, which stayed with the carving and entered the new environment where the carving was placed.

'Yes," she had read the cautionary information, and really appreciated the craftsmanship and beauty of the image, and would like to buy it.  Again, she was cautioned and asked if she was sure she understood the power held within the totem image and the belief of the Inuit traditions.

Raven - Softcut block with first pulled proof

This friend holds many special talents and is filled with a holistic approach to people, problems, and cultures.  I am sure she was highly respectful of the raven lore, but not sure it would apply to those living outside of the Inuit culture.  She was not deterred by either the verbal or written cautionary warning, and returned to Minnesota with her new raven carving.

As she explains her return, it wasn't long before things started to happen.  Mischevious events that seemed to be more than happenstance.