The Deborean Clan

The Beginning Of A Clan A combination of Celtic traditional magikal beliefs and Native American, most often Cherokee spirituality make up the Deborean Clan. Formed in the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee, the Carolinas and southwestern Virginia sometime between 1780 and 1800. This tradition originated as a result of marriages or family unions between the predominantly Celtic settlers and the Cherokee residents.   No one is absolutely certain who first formed the clan, but it has been a long standing tradition passed through generations of several families. Some suggest the clan began through sharing information and culture between the Cherokee and the first white settlers on what is now the Virginia/Tennessee border. These men were of Irish and Scottish decent and were commonly known as "Indian Traders", exchanging goods between the native Americans in the region and white settlers in the east.   The culture of the Celts and the Cherokee are very similar in nature, although they have different labels for the same things. Here's a few simple examples: (this is by no means a complete list) The Cherokee The Celts Live in tribal communities A matriarchal society Believe in nature spirits See life as a wheel Believe spirits/animals take the soul to a divine world after death Believe all of nature has it's own spirit or souls, ie: trees, plants and animals of all kinds. Believe in spirits that help or guide people through life; ie spirit sprites, spirit guides. Often lead by a spiritual leader, such as a Medicine Man/Woman Live in clan communities Honor the Goddess & the God Believe in nature spirits See life as a circle Believe the Banshee take the soul to the divine world after death Believe nature has it's own spirit or souls, ie: trees, plants and animals of all kinds. Believe in spirits that help or guide people through life; ie spirit sprites, fairies, gnomes and spiritual beings along with others Often lead by a spiritual leader, such as a Shaman/Shamanka   These and other commonalities are in part what allowed these two cultures to get along and develop their long standing friendships. It is believed that through mutual respect, when a marriage was formed (most often between a Celtic man and Cherokee woman), both the Celtic and the Cherokee practices were adhered to within the family unit. Eventually these practices were merged in many ways, most probably with an emphasis on the husbands clan beliefs, and a new tradition of paganism was formed.   There are both family records and regional folklore that provide the general history and foundation of this tradition. But as with many older traditions there is very little written documentation. There is even less printed information on the Deborean clan itself, even after it was formed. Most of what is known has been passed down through oral stories and family teachings.   If you'd like to learn more, we invite you to visit Clan Of The Forest Moon, a Central Virginia branch of the Deborean Clan.

Source: 1, c16 , c17, c18, c19, o17, s3, s4, s6, o18, o22, c17 Created: 03.26.2000        Updated: 12.16.2009