Man! This has got to be the slowest group on DU!

[icymist]

Hello! Anybody? Let's talk about something!

[thinkingwoman]

1. I second your efforts

got a topic?

[icymist]

2. Gee, that was fast for this group!

Okay, a friend of mine in Indiana lost her job two years ago (actually more) for being a Wiccian. She went to court and won the case with the binding judgment that she say nothing about this trial! What are the courts afraid of here? Is this country already established as a 'one religion' country?


Or maybe we could talk about our ancestors?! It is that time of year. My Great, Grandmother was considered a Gypsy on Elk Mountain in West Virginia. It is rumored that she has Cherokee blood and raised my Grandfather to be white. My Grandfather was a very hard working man. He bought a small farm in Ohio and died young after paying it off while working three jobs. I honor these, my blood.

[thinkingwoman]

3. As a Hoosier

don't get me started on Indiana courts! I almost blew a gasket about the case that we recently overturned where some asshole fundie judge had decided to tell a divorcing pagan couple that they were forbidden to teach their child their religion!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Ok, sorry for the yelling.

I'd be happy to talk about ancestors, which as you said is appropriate for this time of year.

I have a rumored Cherokee a few generations back (about 5) that I've always wanted to try to track through geneology. Unfortunately most of the family members that would know anything helpful are dead, so I don't know how or where to start.

Most of my ancestors on both my mother's and father's sides can be traced to Ireland, England and Scotland...so I've got a lot of the old country in me. I'm a solitary and I refer to myself as pagan with a small "p."

I borrow celtic trappings and practices when it feels right, but Wiccan is too much for me. I feel like I lean more free-thinking earth religion--I try to stay in balance with all of the elements and enjoy the bounty that is Earth (even with all of the polution and rainforest cutting and global warming).

My ancestors are tough stock, like you describe. Both sides of my family were in America before it was a country and worked hard and migrated to the midwest with nothing but their bodies and some clothing much of the time. My mother's ancestors helped settle a county in Southern Indiana.

[icymist]

4. Great for your relations thinkingwoman!

Isn't it amazing how many of us with NA ancestry proceed on a Pagan path?

All my relations, Icy

[thinkingwoman]

5. yes, I believe it is truly in our blood

I spent many years searching for what I had believed and practiced from birth.

I have always dreamed things that came true and have been able since my earlies recollections to "conjure" or bring to me items and events at will. I worked spells and magick before I knew what it was.

A funny thing about my family too...all first daughters of first daughters of first daughters on my mother's side at least 5 generations back (same distance back as the rumored Cherokee ancestor ;-) ) have had this skill! It was fostered and encouraged and supported all while most of my recent female ancestors (mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, etc.) took part in their local Christian churches.

As a young adult I was able to shed the Christian trappings (and guilt) and bring myself into balance. Ah, what a relief that was. Once I did, my mother followed suit and my grandmother was torn about it until she died. I think she might have followed suit as well had she live longer.

My daughter has been raised pagan from birth.

I think the Earth (and Sky) calls to us with NA blood--no matter how small the drop. I am happy to have answered.

[icymist]

6. I am happy you have answered too, thinkingwoman.

I'm glad to have found a friend in common. I must go for now. I must sleep for my midnight job. Stay in touch. -icy

Also, on edit I may add, that when I began telling my mother of the experiences and abilities that I have 'developed', for lack of a better word at the moment, she too, has begun to pick up on 'alternative' religions and exercises. I find this delightfully curious.

[thinkingwoman]

7. get some rest

those night shifts are tough!

I stop by here at least once a day...next time you want to talk, pick a topic and start. I'll come along sooner or later. It's nice to chat with people who understand. :hi:

[roguevalley]

8. I'm a solitary in a very red religious state and don't let most folks

know so this place is one of my havens. My family has traces of wicca or craft if nothing else for generations and it has come to me and my mom.

If you want to trace your family, write down the names of your family members starting with you, your parents, your grandparents and both sides and go back as far as you can. Try and get as much as you can, middle names, places of birth, death and birth dates.

Then go to ancestry.com or geneology.com and search. You will be amazed at what you can find. Also, ask to look at old records still in the family. Old bibles are amazing. Also, native sites are out there once you find the link and the tribe. Its wonderful, this searching. Good look, my dear.

RV, who has found family going back to Ireland to 1640 and England to 1060.

[thinkingwoman]

9. thank you

Some distant family members have traced parts of my mother and father's families to Ireland, England and Scotland in the 1600s. But I'm totally stumped about which relative supposedly had Cherokee blood. I cannot tell by any of the names and nobody alive knows (that I know of).

Still, I'm going to go to the sites you mentioned and try again with the names I do have of people I think are near the ancestor who reportedly was Cherokee. Maybe I'll get lucky.

[Arianrhod]

11. 1060??? Holy mackeral.

My family migrated to southern England (Cornwall) in 1064.

Hello, neighbor! :hi:

[Arianrhod]

10. We're kind of similar.

I don't have any Cherokee in me, but my kids do through their mother. I'm pure ancient Celt--Cornwall via Gaul on my father's side, Ireland on my mother's. Many of the place names in Central and Northern Europe are derived from my family name. I'm first-generation American, and I still feel a strong affinity to "Old Europe".

I'm a solitary Druid who, like you, relishes Nature, finding great joy in the fulness of the Earth while basking in the light of the Moon!

:)

[lildreamer316]

12. We are so similar!!

That could have been MY description! I do have Cherokee in my background as well; however I did not find this out until last year. It was my great grandmother on my mother's side. NOW alot of things make sense. I identify with the celtic sensibilities also; but. like you, prefer to just simply honor nature instead of using alot of complicated rituals. I like to feel my spirituality and don't feel that I need to "practice" it phisically all the time.Just to know and be present in it is enough.
Let's talk more somtime...........

[thinkingwoman]

13. Hello kindred spirit!

Wow, it's great to meet you! :hi:

I stop by here at least once a day, would love to talk sometime. Also feel free to PM me.

[Arianrhod]

14. "NOW alot of things make sense."

Funny how what seems like a simple fact can suddenly make so much add up, isn't it?

I'd like to talk, too. Maybe via PM?