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Now, lets define a few terms. Definitions sourced from Merriam-Webster.

Folk: People, generally; the Persons of one's own family. Tradition: An inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior.

I had a lovely conversation with my friend @vesse-moricaleo-lusifero that helped me understand these terms more outside of their written definitions.

Folk traditions are "folk" because of the local resources. Folk refers to the location of a group of people and thus, the impact this has on their tradition.

Not everyone has access to the same materials as others. One person's folk practice may be linked to the sea and the presence of bodies of water while someone else's may not be. Relation to the land is what links a community or "folk" to the land they resided on.

The relationship that a person has with the land around them and its spirits is most important. Learning to live in tandem with local spirits and the ecology around you. This is what makes a folk tradition "folk." The specific relationship you have with the ecosystem around you.

So how am I building my own folk traditions?

First, I started with research. It is the initial step to connecting with my local earth. By knowing whats around me, knowing what kind of trees are growing and the history of my town, I can properly honor and respect it.

I live by the beach. I know the body of water I live near. I know its name. I'm learning the patterns of the tide. When I have time, I frequent the park near the beach and have a spot where I sit and listen to the waves. I dedicate my time to the land.

If you respect the ground you walk on, it will reward you and return the love you give it. But the love it gives should never be expected. It is earned.

So, as corny as this tip may be, my first tip is to walk. Walk around. Walk your routes until you know them like the back of your hand. If your area isn't walkable and you need to drive, try to pay a little more attention to what you're driving past. My father used to pull over at gas stations and admire the stars or the changing of the trees. Spare a few minutes, if you can.

Familiarity will be the thing that grounds you. Knowledge and action will be what connects you.

Next is understanding how you perceive the world around you. I am personally of the belief that spirits of the land will approach you in relation to your beliefs and view of the world. So, if you believe in nymphs and naiads, or the fae, or simply ghosts, that is how your local spirits will present to you.

My personal belief system combines many different pantheons based on my own experiences. When it comes to local spirits, I align them more with the Zemí of Taíno culture. I am Dominican and Puerto Rican -- growing up, references to Taíno culture were constant and important. So this is something that I want to integrate into my practice.

Soon, once my living arrangement is more stable, I do plan on creating physical votives for the Zemí in my life.

And I suppose the last thing I would advise doing is allowing yourself room for mistakes and errors. It is okay if you misidentify a plant, take a wrong turn, or struggle to familiarize yourself with the land around you. I've lived in my town for three years and it wasn't until last summer that I started going on walks. And I'll be relocating entirely at the end of my lease next year. It is okay for things to take time. Tradition is a pattern. It will not take shape overnight.

It is okay to be unfamiliar. That should be what guides you.

Also, make sure you're writing things down. My book is fancy, it was a gift, but yours does not need to be. If you do intend to pass it down, I suggest a durable notebook and keeping the information hand-written. You can't rely on online storage to protect your information.

Plus, it is far more personal, handing down a physical book through your family.

My final notes would be talking to your loved ones. Not just blood family -- though, they may pass down surprise familial lore that you were previously a stranger to. But talk to the person(s) you plan to start a family with. Especially if they have a different faith or set of beliefs.

Don't touch closed cultures. Stay educated and open minded. And don't be afraid to ask questions. Just make sure you're also seeking answers.

I am absolutely open to continuing this conversation in the notes of this post, so please, share your methods or tips, or ask questions. I'd be delighted to hear them.