The legend of the messenger raven and the gift of the sacred cedar
At the very beginning of the world, humans lived in the light, but shadow was approaching. They had fire for warmth and water for life, but their minds were not protected from the heavy thoughts and jealousy that were beginning to take root among them. The great spirit, seeing the danger, decided that a new medicine was needed, a plant that could purify the heart and banish the darkness.
He called upon the raven, the cleverest and swiftest bird for traveling between worlds. "Raven," said the great spirit, "you will descend to earth and, where the rocks meet the mist, you will find the tree of light. You will take a branch, the most fragrant, and offer it to humankind. It will be the cedar, the guardian of good intentions."
The crow, with its mischievous spirit, snapped its beak in acceptance. It flew away, crossing the starry sky. It found the tree, not on a mountaintop or on a plain, but in a shady, damp place, for true wisdom often grows where it is least expected.
He delicately took the cedar branch in his beak. The branch shimmered, carrying within it the fragrance of heaven and earth. As he flew upwards, the raven was distracted by the twinkling of the aurora borealis and, by accident or play, he dropped a few sacred needles along his path.
These needles fell to the earth. Wherever they touched the ground, they gave birth to the first cedar trees. The raven continued on its way, bringing the main branch to the village elders.
The cedar was immediately recognized as a powerful gift. Its scent was so strong that it chased away bad dreams, clarified thoughts, and invited good spirits. The ancients quickly learned to use its leaves for smudging, the ritual of purification by smoke.
From that day forward, the raven has been honored as the messenger who brought purification. And every time a human smells the fragrance of the cedar, they are reminded of the generosity of the great spirit and the importance of keeping their heart and mind pure, for the cedar is there to dispel the darkness that even the light cannot reach.