Pagan Practitioners Personal Journeys - Lydia M.N. Crabtree
Connection to animals, plants, and, other beings
Lydia spent a lot of time on her grandparents farm
Her grandparents plowed and planted all the corn which exposed her to how close people could be to the earth
On her way up Lookout Mountain, Lydia needed a sign from God, which when a Golden Eagle locked eyes with her and made a complete 180 turn to fly straight toward her and screeches right in front of her car
Eventually she made her way to the witch's house where she was told that her family was part Cherokee
Connection to Indigenous People
At the witch's house, Lydia was told that she was of Cherokee lineage
Connection to Environmental Concern and Activism
Lydia's grandparent's especially her grandmother taught her the importance of looking after the environment and believing in yourself
Her grandmother taught her to protect and believe in herself, but also other living beings - Lydia said her grandmother had a "green thumb"
The Golden Eagle is considered the messenger for the Cherokee
When she was told this, she knew the Golden Eagle that flew at her car was a sign from God and that is Lydia decided she was pagan.
Connection to Sun and Moon
Lydia did not specifically mention the sun or the moon
Message from God: Your on a quest and this is the beginning of your specific quest
However, we need the sun and the moon to survive, and so does the environment
The sun and the moon regulate our days and nights, and depending on their position decide what season it is
Also used the sun and the moon for navigational purposes
We should respectfully use and spend time in the environment in order to become closer to nature and one with Earth
Sun and moon can symbolize new seasons in Native American culture