A Tale of
900 Crow Feathers
A true story about the transformative power of ritual
Experienced, written and presented by
Felicia “Onyi Love“ Richards
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We need support finding venues/locations, institutions, producers, funding/sponsors and other logistical pieces for the 9th and final performance. Email info@onyi.love.
Learn more about this journey below!
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If you are connected to crow, feathers, other birds and have stories, images, or footage, email info@onyi.love. We’d love to incorporate it all in some way in the 9th (and final) presentation, and/or in the next iteration of the work.
Chapter 1: The Original Ritual
Once upon a time I picked crow feathers for 45 days. During that period, I learned an array of beautiful life lessons by which I continue to live and be shaped. Months after, my life transformed in ways I am still processing.
What has since transpired is an ongoing ritual in light of a commitment I made to myself, Spirit, and Crow to be a continual vessel for this work—allowing it to be a living, breathing entity whose purpose unfolds as I cultivate my life and become more of who I am.
Chapter 2: Initial Storytelling
After sharing the story the first time, I realized I had to do so again. Given the significance of the number 9 within this work and in my life, it only made sense to set it as the target number of presentations—to 9 audiences, or in 9 locations, or for 9 different events. I didn’t enforce any limitations or maintain insistence on the details. Instead, I remained open to allowing life to show me the way in its own timing.
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Date: September 2, 2018
Event: Multi-Cult # 5: Logic x Magic
Venue/Space/Organization: Lyric Hyperion Theater & Bar
Location: Los Angeles (Silverlake), CA
Additional Notes: The first presentation for which the script was created.
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Date: March 19, 2019
Event: Magic & Mingle
Venue/Space/Organization: Healing Collective
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
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Date: August 16, 2019
Event: Ahiah Women’s Circle, Onyi as guest facilitator
Venue/Space/Organization: Ahiah Center for Spiritual Living
Location: Pasadena, CA
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Date: August 5, 2020
Event: Guest workshop facilitation
Venue/Space/Organization: Spirit House Collective
Location: Virtual
Additional Notes: The first presentation conducted virtually in light of quarantine. It was also the first one that included a formal workshop right after the storytelling piece.
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Date: November 18, 2020
Event: Presentation and workshop on the power of ritual
Venue/Space/Organization: ONYI LOVE
Location: Virtual
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Date: July 7, 2023
Event: Oregon Country Fair
Venue/Space/Organization: Spirit Tower Stage as part of the Spoken Word Camp
Location: Eugene, OR
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Date: July 8, 2023
Event: Oregon Country Fair
Venue/Space/Organization: Spirit Tower Stage as part of the Spoken Word Camp
Location: Eugene, OR
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Date: October 13, 2023
Event: Impact Leadership Conference
Venue/Space/Organization: Los Medanos College
Location: Pittsburg, CA
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Date: TBD
Event: TBD
Venue/Space/Organization: TBD
Location: TBD
While telling the story, I create and move through an intuitive ritual in real time, using it as a co-creator of the experience to make the energy of ritual a visceral one. At times the presentation includes additional layers of “education” through a supplementary workshop, and at others, it is standalone. The overall effect is a combination of the magical and the mundane; a melding of tradition and modernity; and a bridging of personal reflection with collective conversation.
Chapter 3: (TBD)
I am taking a few concepts, ideas, and directions into consideration for the next phase of A Tale of 900 Crow Feathers.
If you are interested in being updated on my journey, sign up for the ONYI LOVE newsletter (below). If you are interested in being a part of the process through providing support—funding, production, referrals, guidance—please email info@onyi.love.
Professional images of Onyi with Crow feathers captured and produced by Acid Smile Studios
Story, images and footage owned by ONYI LOVE LLC