Episode 92: Interview with author Rick de Yampert

The Hearth and Hedge: A Podcast About Life, Books and Witchcraft

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