what is your heritage and how does it play into your spiritualism

[ladybug]

I am catawba, a tribe originating from the Carolinas with a short stay in Oklahoma, which is where my family is from, the catawba had all but withered away, later joining the cherokee nation so as to be part of the "civilized tribes", a tribe who fought for the confederacy during the civil war, my allegiance with the south goes back generations. Also, on my fathers side, choctaw; another mound tribe, which is similar to the creek tribe found in alabama. It is funny to me that choctaw originated in alabama and mississippi, yet my family was from texas and then I ended up in alabama! I also am German, but only in looks. I have always felt a pull from my native american roots. I had stories told to me from as far back as I can remember of the rituals, the mythologies, omens, and descent into the spiritual world. There are still traditions I heed to today that were passed down. I think that is why I am so drawn to the paranormal. Opening myself to my roots has allowed me to open my mind to all possibilities. My great grandfather called all his children "rabbit hunter", probably because of how many there were. My family at one time chose to hide their Native roots during the census because of terrible discrimination. I on the other hand, partly because of the strenght in the catawba nation's women that runs through me and the tough as nails German roots could never hide who I was. Catawba women were equals to their men, they were cheifs, and medicinemen, shaamans, mothers, sisters, wives, warriors. Much like my family now. Women in my family are strong, stubborn, control freaks, who dont take crap off anyone. We are in medicine, we are in law enforcement, we are keepers of children - ours and others, we are sisters, mothers, wives, and warriors. I take this into consideration when studying the paranormal. My women ancestors were scientists and warriors- and that is what paranormal researchers are scientists and warriors (for not running from the things that go bump in the night.) I think of them when I go into a place, especially when I know there is something nasty lingering about. As the General says, hold your nose and jump in! Here is a little warning passed down from my family ... take heed if an owl passes in front of you in the daytime, it is a terribly bad omen. But if you see an eagle soar high, it is good luck. And, like in Faith's case- if an eagle drops a snake on you or in front of you, (or on your car) go buy a lottery ticket!

[The General]

Well since you asked....LOL My grandmothers side of the family all come from the British Ilse, Scottish Highlands, Ireland, Holland and England, As for my Grandfathers side of the family again Scottland and closer to the states my grandfathers mother was of Cherokee decent. My fathers side of the family came from Germany and Norweigh. My paternal German and Norwegein side goes way back, from what I understand that bloodline wasn't broken for several generations until my dad's family immigrated to the US from Germany. On my maternal side my x3 grandmothers madien name was Spicer a common and known name in the Scottland and Ireland as well. My Great grandfathers parents, (last name Green) immigrated here from Scottland and Ireland also. With so much Scottish/Irish/Anglo Saxon blood I acknowledge them most. I never knew my Grandfathers mother who was Native American but I do feel my native roots as well. The Cherokee where a promonent group of native peoples here in the states before removed and there land taken from them. I have no real knowledge or history except a picture and who she was but I do feel she is with me alot. That particular part of myself I will never know due to circumstances I had no control over. My spirituality comes from what I know and what I was taught growing up. Majority of my family maintain there Christian religion, they do not shun the knowledge that we have pagan roots. My ecletic form of worship has no loyality to any god or godess. I chose to preserve my heritage by keeping the knowledge of family history alive in every day life. Being one of many female members of my bloodline whom seem to have many different types of clarivoyance. I pride myself in being the part of my family circle where the old meets the new. Opening the doors of my mind and the minds of my children to see the world not in vast amounts of noisey cities and over populations, crime, and cruelty but to see past the bad and into the heart of a world that they can change and with every day they breathe make it a better place for them and there children as well. Staying close to nature because helping maintain our enviroment that is healthy for everyone will determine whether mankind will strive or see his/her demise. I have no structured religion and that makes me pagan. I do have a problem with old Christiantity due to the impact pagan religions recieved in the name of a god that was said to be a savior. As with many of my dearest friends whom are Christian, I can say they have enough knowledge of there religion to know that who I am shouldn't be judged by who,what or how I worship, but by my measure of character and devotion to them as people and keeping them close to my heart, knowing I can call on them in a time of need. This is what makes people, PEOPLE! each indiviual soul is different in life and death. Knowing that these people whom I hold so dear to me in life......rest assured I won't be far in death. The worlds that exist outside our own are very real and for the most part unexplored except for those of us who know how to reach it. I coin the phrase "para-religion" or "para-religious" because the study of the paranormal in a sense is a devotion to the dead and in all religions keeping an open line of cummnication in one way shape or form is really what religion is about. So am I religious? Yes...I like to think so. What religion am I? Fercyly pagan as my husband would put it...LOL Do I bleieve in god/goddess? Which one would you be refering too? So am I para-religious? I guess so, being so eclectic and close to the dead, I think that would be a better term to use. Para-meaning "not normal" and religious-being a simple term for whatever religion you practice. So now that I have confused you enough. There's your answer.....lol.....I AM PARA RELIGIOUS!!! AND PROUD!!

[Vickey Thompson]

My grandmother's family is all Cherokee I am half...i find very cool that where i live now in the woods down a steep hill is Indian graves. The reason i say they are graves is how the rocks or placed....okay that was off the topic but i had to put that in lol. I have german in me as well. but the indian in me shows through.I'm from Alabama born and raised here. Everyone says I live in the boondocks due to the woods all around my home.As far as my spiritualism what is it? I'm wiccan but i do believe in a lot of things