#cherokee magic

Quick glance at this book I bought at the Spirit of Halloween store 🎃

° Doesn't use "Wicca," and "witchcraft" interchangeably

° Doesn't differentiate between white and black magic because (direct quote): "...what might be considered evil or revengeful in one circumstance might be benevolent in another."

° Draws from many different cultures

And what's this?

SOURCES~ 😄

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-Tohna, Cherokee Shaman

Tohnah has watched his daughter grow into the young woman she has now become. It’s been 25 years since Yonsi gave herself up for her daughter and in all those years she has reminded him she is still near. He has seen her presence comfort Kahmahmah when hurt or sad. She has comforted him when he was confused and angry. Even now, she is with him as he watches Kahmahmah’s final dance in the sacred stomp ground. Pride boiled up in his chest watching the lead dancer and guardian of earth cast the spell to keep the dark magic powerless. Her hair bouncing in the moonlight reflecting it’s rays of light. Her eyes focused as each touch of her heels and toes bring forth the promise of magic. It was truly a beautiful sight.

Suddenly he didn’t see the woman she had become dancing, she was a child mastering the steps she had already been given the knowledge of by the earth herself. Her grandmother, dancing with her, showing how gently to place each step, how strongly show each symbol with her hands and fingers all while being as graceful as a butterfly dancing on a gentle breeze. He breathed in a sob, his little girl was no longer little. The regret of teaching her who she was and what she was destined for as soon as she could comprehend weighed heavily on him. There no choice though. The earth had chosen her and the others in clan knew by her appearance. Her skin remained lighter, a dark olive complexion, her eyes the color of the Passion flower rimmed in silver. Her hair the colors of purple and silver. Even the crescent moon in her nail beds shown silver.

Knowing what was to come Tonah performed his own dances, seeking the knowledge of what he needed to do in her raising, though a Shaman, he had no idea how to raise the defender. The earth gave him instruction through the animals, the flowers and willows. Instilling the ability to speak English and understand it in order to teach her. Not surprising she learned at an astounding rate.

The final blow of her heel against the ground sealed the spell, bringing him out of his thoughts. Nodding his approval as she approached. “This ground will miss you.” Kahmahmah’s eyes met her father’s, “And I will miss her as well.” Looking back she sighed. “I have to go, father.” He gently took hold of her shoulders, turning her to face him. “I know, my daughter. But the father I am does not want to release you into such a cruel world. Especially to the hands of the government.” She looked away. He still held the resentment of what was done so long ago. “You have let that go. They are no longer who they were.” She offered a gentle smile. She had gone through college and the academy, first in her class. Now, a position at the Magic Task Force in Los Angelas awaited her. It was no small feat, knowing she was Cherokee led to harsh outbursts against her from classmates. Looking nothing like the others in her clan made the treatment worse. She chose to keep such things from her father, knowing he would step in and try to change fate only to fail. Something she couldn’t bare to watch.

“I will never leave you, father. I will always be here.” She raised her hand and laid it on his chest, over his heart. Taking a deep breath, he nodded. “We must join the others. They will be missing you at this feast.” Kahmahmah smiled linking her fingers in with his, like she did as a child and they left the memories behind on the stomp ground to join their clan before she takes her leave in the morning.

The same time an agent at the bureau had gotten the last of the paperwork together for the new hire.

Agent Kandomere scoffed at the thought of a Cherokee coming into the bureau. The government and Cherokee have had no communication since the fall out during the magic treaties. “A fucking engine.” His partner mumbled. He lifted his eyes to the auburn haired man. “You know damn good and well they practice magic. I don’t give a shit what anyone says.” He rubs his eyes in frustration. “Go home. Rest.” The man nodded. “Yeah, long fucking day tomorrow.” He got his suit jacket and left Kandomere alone in the office as he looked through her file. Though she’s Cherokee, she looks almost nothing like one. Purple and silver hair dawned her shoulders matching the purple eyes looking back at him. “Half elf, maybe?” He thought to himself. But, the ears were human and her complexion to dark. He immediately had his suspicions, even going as far to think she could be a plant. Closing the file he knew he would find out soon enough. Standing he slipped his suit jacket on before turning off his lamp and leaving for the day. His partner was right. Tomorrow will be a long fucking day.

Opening her eyes at the sound of the first bird singing, Kahmahmah turned off her alarm set to go off an hour later. She listen as the bird sang with a strong sense of saddness. This will be the last of his song she would wake to. Getting up from the bed she stretched then made her way to kitchen for coffee. Her grandmother sat at the table with a mug of coffee ready for her. She sat with the woman in silence as she sipped, the elder was deep in thought and she didn’t want to disturb her. “Osda sunalei, Kahmahmah.” She gave a warm smile. “Osda sunalei.” The elderly woman nodded and sipped her own coffee. “Tsisqua halieliga.” Kahmahmah smiled at her. “Yes.” They sat in silence avoiding the moment she would leave them to impend on her journey.

Cherokee to English:

Osda sunalei - Good morning

Part one

Yonsi laid in her bed exhausted. The birth of her daughter had gone terribly wrong. Tohnah, the Shaman of her clan and husband held his silent daughter. “Donadagvhoi.” He whispered to her still form, tears dripping from his eyes. Yonsi’s eyes opened wide, “No!” She screamed. Raising from her bed she rushed to the stomp ground just outside the the door to their home, now lit by the moon light. Raising her eyes to the sky she let go a mournful cry to the earth. Surrounding wolf packs stopped and listened to the heart wretched howl, joining in with their sister as tears fell from their golden eyes. The eagles woke and the fish came to the surface of the streams, all to take part in this sad chorus of a life lost before even beginning to live. Bear came from the lining of the dense woods to offer their strength. Tohnah stood with his lifeless daughter as the earth was serenaded with song. The powerful connection Yonsi had with the earth and the animals never ceased to amaze him, even now in the mist of this sadness.

Yonsi was chosen by earth to dance, to protect. Now, to give her daughter life she must sing. All the woods carried the tune deep into the earth and she gave forth flowers to the mourning woman. No, this will not be enough. Getting her exhausted body off the ground she danced. Not the sacred grass dance but the dance of sorrow. Blood dripped down her legs at the recent wound of giving birth, dropping to the ground as tears begging for another chance. Yonsi’s eyes glazed, her movement sloppy as she began to fall. Tohnah knew he couldn’t interrupt the dance though his heart ached, he was going to loose his love, his wife, his mate. Flowers sprang up to the woman, catching her body and gently laying her down before wrapping her in a colorful wrap. Opening, the earth took the woman’s body gently, as it released its magic, answering her call. The wolves, the eagles and the bear silenced their songs as they witnessed the receiving and giving. As Tohnah watched his love give herself to the earth he felt his daughter move in his arms and sing the song of new life. Looking down he saw the changes immediately. Her skin was lighter, purple streaks lined the dark fuzz on her head and when she opened her eyes, he saw the color of rain dance in her irises. Overcome by a new sadness he bowed his head. The prophecy has come to pass. The earth has now chosen his little girl. Not one to argue with the earth, he silently cursed it’s decision to pick her. Wind blew against him on this still night, Beautiful pollen finding his skin and hair. The scent off Yonsi filled his nose. The promise she will always be with him. A small smile teased his lips. As the earth wishes, will it be done.

Looking at his now sleeping daughter a new wave of sadness filled him. She will be the one to protect the earth and the races living on her. The apprentice to the dark lord will rise bringing evil not seen in two thousand years. A skinwalker will break free and she will be the one to defeat him or die trying. Though this didn’t seem fair by his human standards, the Shaman knew the Great Council and the earth know best.

Taking a deep breath he searched the sky, now pink with the rising of the sun for an answer. A purple and gold winged butterfly appeared and landed on the child’s head, laizily opening and closing it’s wings.

“Kahmahmah” he whispered giving his daughter her name. Upon him speaking her name aloud the animals bowed their heads in recognition of the one who will dance and use the magic the earth has now instilled deep inside of her to protect the earth, their home.

Kahmahmah, the chosen one.

Cherokee to English-

Yonsi- Strength of the buffalo (Dancer/Mother’s name)

Tohnah- Bear (Shaman/ Father’s name)

Kahmahmah- Butterfly (Chosen one/daughter’s name)