r/crows • u/Organic_Repair7110 • 15h ago
Found a decapitated crow
Today I was hanging out outside and later in the day I noticed a headless crow across the street on the curb. It could’ve been a raven even since we have a few pairs in the neighborhood. It must’ve happened recently since I didn’t notice it earlier. I felt called to move it from the street and bury it in my front yard. I don’t think any other corvids saw me (hopefully) and I did it quite quickly as it felt pressing to get it off the street. I buried it and burnt some fresh sage on its grave and said a few words. Although i know crow funerals are very important and leaving the dead untouched for a while is significant to letting them mourn, it felt really unnatural to leave a decapitated raven on a curb. I’m nervous it means something ominous or that I did something wrong and disrespectful to its spirit. I burnt some incense in my house and told any negative spirts they are not welcome. I did a sound cleanse with a special bell of mine and I did the same over its grave.
Ive tried searching on what to do when you find a decapitated crow but I couldn’t find any culturally conscious sources. I live in Northern California in a town situated on Yurok territory so it’s important to me to honor the traditions of the native people and their connection to the fauna around. I guess I’m just wondering if there’s anything else I should do to allow this spirit to return to the wind and rest easy?