Crow Moon

by Lucy H. Pearce

“Suddenly the sky overhead is alive. From east and southeast, west and northwest, large black birds fly, travelling in their groups of hundreds, swirling, cawing, interweaving, dancing a greeting in the air. The sky is thick black feathered. We watch in awe as they combine and dissipate above our heads, as though we are lying on the bottom of the ocean, looking up at the surface world. Then, without signal or warning, they circle the heart of the wood and land in hidden roosts. Silence falls once more.”

After months of feeling lost and burned out, a chance encounter with crows begins an adventure in the dark woods – inner and outer – leading to a strange and powerful initiation.

Three-time Nautilus award-winning author Lucy H. Pearce’s previous best-selling book Burning Woman was an initiation of fire, She of the Sea an initiation of water and Crow Moon is an initiation of earth and air, a way back to the heart of ourselves through wild revelation.

Strikingly illustrated by the author, with contributions from over thirty women – artists, healers, authors – midlife women who have also been called by the strange magic of crows at decisive moments in their lives.

Enter the dark woods. Follow the crow, the moon and the mushroom on a journey of transformation and remembering.

Genres: Nonfiction

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2024

About the author

Lucy H. Pearce is the author of multiple life-changing non-fiction books, including Nautilus Award silver winners Medicine Woman, Burning Woman, and Creatrix.

Her newest books are Crow Moon: reclaiming the wisdom of the dark woods and The Kitchen Witch Companion, which she illustrated and co-authored with Sarah Robinson.

Her writing weaves women’s archetypal psychology, feminist historical awareness and the healing power of creativity and nature.

An award-winning graduate in History of Ideas with English Literature from Kingston University, and a PGCE from Cambridge University,
http://www.lucyhpearce.com/

Lucy founded Womancraft Publishing, creating paradigm-shifting books by women for women, in 2014. http://www.womancraftpublishing.com/

She is the host of the Creative Magic podcast, where she interviews contemporary creative women. https://open.spotify.com/show/5tipcBA...

Support her work on Patreon http:/www.Patreon.com/lucyhpearce/


Burning Woman - an incendiary initiation to feminine power is her most recent and is blazing trails with its powerful words, a #1 Amazon bestseller in Women and History.

The Rainbow Way: Cultivating Creativity in the Midst of Motherhood was a #1 Amazon bestseller in Creativity and motherhood in the US and UK. it has been credited with kickstarting the creativity of women - and men - around the world, being the inspiration behind numerous creative businesses and even saving lives.

Moon Time - a book that hundreds of women around the world have labelled “life-changing”. The perennial #1 Amazon.com bestseller in its field.

Reaching for the Moon, a soulful guide to the menstrual cycle for girls aged 9-14, trusted and recommended by thousands of parents and their daughters as a nurturing way to approach a key rite of passage.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally couldn’t put this book down. I would stop reading, walk away to do something else and then find myself back again. I was continually pulled back to read more and more not sure where this book was leading me. But the words pulled at my soul toward my own Crow Moon. My own initiation. And as I discovered, that initiation was to find my inner artist again. It all clicked into place for me. What I have been hoping to find, where my path was taking me, how was I being reborn. It all lead here to this book, this place of initiation into my inner creative self. Setting her free with me onto my spiritual path of healing. She is what has been missing from my healing tied oh so tightly to healing all of me. Making me whole, finding my bits and pieces that had been shattered and relegated to my shadow self. I am giddy and joyful and so looking forward to this path. To continue to be the beginner who is brave and strong and oh so creative. Who is thriving again. Thank you Lucy for this incredible book that will lead those looking for what is next, what am I here for, what is being born in me, to seeing the path and feeling the initiation into the next bit of their lives.

[Layla, the Witch next door · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written montage of women’s connections and interactions with crows and ravens.

The author takes you on her personal and metaphorical journey through the dark woods. With lovely quotes, art and inspiration from various people, this is definitely a book I will return to time and again. With a Jungian theme, Crow Moon took me through the archetype of the shadow. A place of healing that should not be feared. I finished this book feeling good and inspired. I was a real treat to read.

[Tara Neale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful departure

If you are a Lucy H Pearce fan, you may find yourself discombobulated by the style of this her latest book. Shorter chapters written in poetic style and definitely more heart than head. Stick it out. I realized only towards the end - this is the only possible voice of the Crow Moon. Lucy says so herself in the author notes at the very end.

Read it slowly if you need to. Or like me sail through in days. I plan to give it time to sit in my soul. Then read it again and again.

Lucy definitely has maintained the high quality and heart-felt path that her previous works have led so many women down. May you be as blessed by her wise words as I have been.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing combination of word + image in a dreamlike, reflective inspiring style. Magic and moving, insightful and intuitive, this book is an initiatory exploration of its own.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Look outside your window, turn on the news, these are the symptoms of a world dominated by a species that has lost contact with its own soul.”

Crow Moon by Lucy Pearce is a journey into the dark woods, both inner and outer. A book of transformation and remembering. I found parts deeply connected with where I am in my life right now. The style and structure is delivered in a way unique to me, and while I likely didn’t always grasp the deeper meanings, it was a book I enjoyed.

I purchased it after I participated in an Omen Days practice, and crows were a significant feature of that. It arrived during the month of the Crow Moon, but not having a lot of time to read it as I was caring for my dog, I finally picked it up after his sudden loss last week. As I navigated his passing, crows appeared . Given what is happening in the larger world and my own world, I feel like I’m at a crossroads, and the symbolism of the crow has come to me as a guide. I felt that I may find some solace in my grief and a way forward. And while Crow Moon offers insights and inspiration, for some, like me, it left a lot up to interpretation. But we all have our own journeys to walk.

I loved the imagery Lucy created that illustrates her journey, thoughts and ideas. This is definitely a book you can go back to and pick up and read a passage or page that calls to you. If you’re feeling a pull to connect with your own power, soul and explore your connection to natural world around you, this book is an interpretive guide to get you started, accompanied by other women who’ve also felt and followed the call of the Crow Moon.

[Laetitia Devic · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much depth to this book - I will read it again (and again!) Mixing art/image and text is a very powerful way of conveying emotions and feelings, and the symbology of not just the Crow but of all sorts of other creatures and natural habitats and phenomenons makes it a fascinating read.

I can identify with much of what the author has gone through in recent years so this book is very reassuring 😀

I love all of Lucy H Pearce's work (Medicine Woman, Burning Woman, The Rainbow Way, Creatrix) and this book will join all the others proudly on my bookshelf of favourite books.

[the Susun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this book. Lucy's narrative and journey. Her artwork! And the ways she integrated the wisdom of others, for we depend on the journeys of this before us to guide us. The witch in me sees the witch in you.

[Sarah Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical and moving, this beautifully illustrated book reaches out into glorious flight and the sweeping feathered edges of our memory and intuition.

[Daniell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful black and white artwork

[Gemma Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t managed to finish a book since the Felon started ruining the world, but this was well timed and just what I needed.