Appalachian Roots

[southernfriedwiccan]

Perhaps they mean they live in a part of the state that don't have the hills?

 For the most part the Appalachian Mountains. Do not comprise a lot of the area. Of the states they pass through. The only exception of this I believe its West Virginia. If Kentucky is anything like Virginia the majority of the state is flat

[Merin]

For the most part the Appalachian Mountains. Do not comprise a lot of the area. Of the states they pass through. The only exception of this I believe its West Virginia. If Kentucky is anything like Virginia the majority of the state is flat

 
Ah, I understand now.  Thanks for clarifying.

[Holdasown]

For the most part the Appalachian Mountains. Do not comprise a lot of the area. Of the states they pass through. The only exception of this I believe its West Virginia. If Kentucky is anything like Virginia the majority of the state is flat

 
Yes that's why I said what I said.

[Olivia]

Perhaps they mean they live in a part of the state that don't have the hills?

 
Yep that is what I meant. I grew up in the very norther tip of Kentucky. I don't even have an accent. Lol.

[Hearth Keeper]

Although not from the mountains myself, my family--past and present--are from that region.  Every time I'm in the mountains (any mountains, really, but especially Appalachian Mountains), I feel more connected, especially to my ancestors.  I never want to leave.  

Every time I have to, I feel an overwhelming sadness and longing.  One day soon, I plan on returning to my ancestral home and seeing what magik can be birthed and harnessed.  I just feel truly at home in the mountains.

[SunflowerP]

 

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[Atehequa]

I was raised in Appalachia, and lately I've been doing a lot of focus on the feeling of "place." I think the place we were raised leaves a deep mark on us, good or bad.

Regardless, are there any other Applachian-based pagans out there? And if so, how has the region affected your spirituality?

In my case, being outside around the awe-inspiring mountains, trees, and rivers, I was always close to nature. I always had the feeling there was more to it than meets the eye. However, living in the Bible Belt also made it difficult to explore this notion without people causing a fuss.

I've read recently some books on Superstition and Omens, but I haven't found anything serious about Appalachia and magic. There may not be anything, but I'm really hoping there is.

Thank you!

Ahhh, some of the oldest mountains in the world and fraught with wild spirits. I usually regard the whole mountain range as being Appalachia, but have traveled through and stayed in Appalachia proper. I'm particularly fond of Black Mountain east of Harlan Kentucky.

[southernfriedwiccan]

Ahhh, some of the oldest mountains in the world and fraught with wild spirits. I usually regard the whole mountain range as being Appalachia, but have traveled through and stayed in Appalachia proper. I'm particularly fond of Black Mountain east of Harlan Kentucky.

 Yep wild spirits everywhere. I thought I'd mention the jack tales. If you haven't heard of them their series of stories revolving around a character usually named Jack in the Appalachians. They're told in the accent of the region by traditional storytellers. They are filled with bits and pieces of magic and lore which I usually refer to collectively as the Appalachian mythos.

[Atehequa]

Yep wild spirits everywhere. I thought I'd mention the jack tales. If you haven't heard of them their series of stories revolving around a character usually named Jack in the Appalachians. They're told in the accent of the region by traditional storytellers. They are filled with bits and pieces of magic and lore which I usually refer to collectively as the Appalachian mythos.

Oh the tales of mostly old Irish, Scottish and Anglo settlers, they sure did take to those wooded hills. Then there are very ancient tales, far older than the first European spoor left upon a patch of wet yellow clay bank of a meandering stream making it's way through a well shaded Appalachian vale. Oral traditions passed down regarding local spirits, sprites, nymphs, hags, little people, cliff ogres, thunder birds, tricksters, cannibal spirits, were-creatures and big ghost cats.

It's good to make talk about these mystical mountains as they are big medicine. Good for the spirit.

Let us catch up with the altitude.

[Atehequa]

Oh the tales of mostly old Irish, Scottish and Anglo settlers, they sure did take to those wooded hills. Then there are very ancient tales, far older than the first European spoor left upon a patch of wet yellow clay bank of a meandering stream making it's way through a well shaded Appalachian vale. Oral traditions passed down regarding local spirits, sprites, nymphs, hags, little people, cliff ogres, thunder birds, tricksters, cannibal spirits, were-creatures and big ghost cats.

It's good to make talk about these mystical mountains as they are big medicine. Good for the spirit.

Let us catch up with the altitude.

Oh it must of slipped my mind - White pagans want little to no interaction with American Indians, especially on their pagan forums. Would a 20 or more dollar donation buy someone to converse with here?

[RandallS]

Oh it must of slipped my mind - White pagans want little to no interaction with American Indians, especially on their pagan forums. Would a 20 or more dollar donation buy someone to converse with here?

Native Americans tend not to come to Pagan forums to discuss their religions -- probably because they their religions are tribal and they have no need to discuss them with random strangers on the Internet.

[stephyjh]

Oh it must of slipped my mind - White pagans want little to no interaction with American Indians, especially on their pagan forums. Would a 20 or more dollar donation buy someone to converse with here?

Actually, one big reason that people raised within Native cultures tend to avoid white pagan space is this deeply racist idea that outsiders are entitled to demand access to  their culture, or worse, can buy access to it. Especially since for so long Native religions were actively targeted for eradication, and so much of the tradition has been lost as a result.

[HeartShadow]

Oh it must of slipped my mind - White pagans want little to no interaction with American Indians, especially on their pagan forums. Would a 20 or more dollar donation buy someone to converse with here?

 
.... HUH?  I can't even tell which way that goes - are you trying to buy to talk to a white pagan, or to talk to a Native American?  *scratches head*

Either way, I talk to both here, soooooooooo yeah.  confused!

[Kelly]

White pagans want little to no interaction with American Indians...

 
I take  serious offense to the above statement.

 I  am a white pagan, I have worked with several American Indians ( although they DO prefer the term Native American), deal with some on a daily basis, am good friends with one, and MY FIANCE is half Cherokee.

*I  am using my phone  to reply to messages*

[AthenaiiseSofia]

I've read recently some books on Superstition and Omens, but I haven't found anything serious about Appalachia and magic. There may not be anything, but I'm really hoping there is.

Thank you!

 
Thank you all for your replies! I understand most of the information pertaining to Appalachia lore and magic is very oral. And unfortunately, no one in my family really wanted to talk!

Once again, I appreciate all the replies. And it's good to know that I'm not the only Appalachian pagan here! Our region is very unique ( I may be a tad biased ) and honestly, I didn't believe I'd get very many responses. I don't live in my beloved TN mountains anymore, unfortunately, or I'm sure I'd have found something by now!