Episode 92: Interview with author Rick de Yampert

Buckle up!  This is a long one!

In this episode, Amberle interviews author Rick de Yampert about his new book, 'Crows and Ravens: Mystery, Myth and Magic of Sacred Corvids.' They discuss the fascination with crows, their memory and communication abilities, and the importance of understanding crow vocabulary. Rick shares his background as a writer, musician, and artist, and talks about his favorite metaphysical and mundane authors. They also discuss Rick's experience interviewing Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and his inspiration for writing the book on crows. The conversation highlights the magical and playful nature of crows and the accessibility of forming a connection with them in everyday life. In this part of the conversation, Rick de Yampert discusses altering consciousness to access other realms and the importance of creating a physical altar. He shares his personal experiences with crows and ravens, including a stone he brought back from Ireland and the significance of Maeve in his spiritual path. Rick also explains his method of using crows in divination and shares a ritual for letting the crows shuffle his tarot deck. Lastly, he explores the dark side of corvids and compares different crow-themed tarot decks. In this conversation, Rick and Amberle discuss the process of analyzing oracle cards and the significance of the cards they draw. They explore the themes of freedom and cashing, relating them to practical and spiritual aspects of life. The importance of memory and the act of cashing memories are also discussed, highlighting the value of preserving and cherishing personal experiences. The conversation touches on the concept of living in the eternal now and the wisdom of embracing the present moment. The chapters also delve into the idea of saving for the future and the balance between adulting and maintaining a sense of playfulness and joy. The conversation concludes with a discussion on future pagan gatherings and the role of music in pagan practice.

 

You can reach Rick on Instagram @rickdeyampert, or his websites mistercrowart.com or wanderingspiral.com.

 

Takeaways:

• Crows have remarkable memory and communication abilities, and they can remember humans who have favored or been aggressive towards them.
• Understanding crow vocabulary can help forge a deeper connection with these creatures and enable better communication.
• Rick de Yampert's book, 'Crows and Ravens: Mystery, Myth and Magic of Sacred Corvids,' explores the magical and playful nature of crows and provides insights into their significance in pagan spirituality.
• Observing and interacting with crows can be a powerful way to connect with nature and tap into our own sense of playfulness and wonder. Altering consciousness can provide access to other realms and spiritual experiences.
• Creating a physical altar can serve as a focal point for spiritual practice and connection.
• Crows and ravens hold significance in various mythologies and can be used in divination practices.
• Different tarot decks with crow themes offer unique perspectives and symbolism.
• Exploring the dark side of corvids can deepen understanding of the circle of life and the complexities of nature.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Background

00:35The Fascination with Crows

01:31Crows' Memory and Communication

03:19Understanding Crow Vocabulary

04:34Introducing Rick de Yampert

05:18Rick's Background and Career

06:41Rick's Music and Art

07:56Shared Connection to New Mexico

08:41Favorite Drinks and Current Reading

11:40Favorite Metaphysical and Mundane Authors

14:05Interviewing Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

21:12Rick's New Book: Crows and Ravens

23:49The Inspiration Behind the Book

25:28Observing Crows in the Backyard

27:23Crows as Magical Creatures

29:21The Science of Corvids

31:16The Playfulness of Crows

34:31Writing the Book as a Magical Act

37:05Connecting with Crows in Everyday Life

41:09The Playful Nature of Crows

42:07Altering Consciousness and Accessing Other Realms

45:55Creating a Physical Altar

48:31Connecting with Ancestral Heritage

52:44Meeting Maeve and Exploring Ancient Artifacts

56:11Using Crows in Divination

58:08Letting the Crows Shuffle the Tarot Deck

01:09:14Exploring the Dark Side of Corvids

01:10:41Comparing Tarot Decks

01:12:20Analyzing Oracle Cards

01:12:49Freedom and Cashing

01:14:22Living in the Eternal Now

01:15:07Cashing Memories

01:16:18The Importance of Memory

01:18:43New Old Memories

01:19:13Ravens and Memories

01:20:22Interpreting the Oracle Cards

01:21:39Cashing Memories and Freedom

01:22:31Saving for Freedom

01:23:02Adulting and Financial Responsibility

01:24:09Playfulness and Joy

01:26:27Raven Tales and Chaos Witchcraft

01:28:07Future Gatherings and Music

01:31:30Communion and Tribe

01:35:12Sharing and Interviewing

01:37:11Closing Remarks