This is part V in Sheri Barker’s ongoing series about the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in her home community, the Swannanoa River Valley of Western North Carolina.
As I write this, it has been 122 days since Helene. The Wheel of the Year has turned from just past the autumn equinox to nearly Imbolc, the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. In another week or so, I anticipate the appearance of purple dead nettle all around the land surrounding Bear Path Cottage, a bit of bright color among the browns and greens of winter. I usually celebrate the appearance of this plant as a harbinger of spring. Bees love it and rely on the early-season flowers as a food source. I harvest small amounts to feed my chickens and dry for culinary and medicinal uses. It is a sweet reminder of life to come.
This year, however, I will look for the purple and green leaves with purple blooms as a sign that the land is healing from the trauma of the wind and waters that came with Helene and the energetic storms and trauma that followed. In my spirit and mind, the willingness and ability of this little ecosystem to renew itself after experiencing such hardship is connected to the survival and healing of the surrounding lands, flora, and fauna.
Taking it a step further, if the land and land spirits or landvættir do that work, I am hopefully confident that, in time, they and their kindred will support the community-building efforts made by people dedicated to improving the lives of everyone in this ancient river valley.
The destruction and chaos wrought by Helene stirred a fire in the spirits of many people who live here. Whether it burns low or high, a passionate, steadfast flame empowers their devotion to this valley and her people. I am honored to stand with a few who hold it as a sacred obligation.
The storm did not merely open the curtains into the world of under-served populations, poverty, and social and economic inequities. It tore them down and obliterated them, washing them downriver or leaving them buried in mud and debris piles. Then, each new wave of trauma and disaster – the housing crisis, issues with FEMA and other agencies, propane and supply shortages, the encroachment of white Christian Nationalist groups, grifters and con artists, different types of extremists, rain, winter weather, politics, and the erratic, threatening, criminal actions of the new administration – made the view more clear.
Anyone in a disaster zone who cannot see the truth about how their neighbors are suffering is refusing to open their eyes and look. I must also acknowledge that I have encountered a sad number of people who do know the truth and do not care. There are Nazis and fascists everywhere, even embedded in the work of recovery and long-term planning. Their presence compels me to work harder and speak the truth more loudly. Knowing they are here allows me to guard against them.
For years, other Pagans and I have encouraged people to build connections, grow their community, and weave webs of people who will sustain each other in times of crisis. That has been happening in some areas, but one of the things Helene did here was kickstart that process among the people I mentioned earlier. There are several examples of these beautiful heart-spun webs in this area, but I will focus on the one I know best.
Mary, Kym, and Beth at Swannonna Communities Together [Carmen Ybarra]
I first became familiar with Beth Trigg because of her posts on social media after Helene. Her words were fierce and sorrowful, and she shared images and videos of neighborhoods that had been destroyed or were gone. She wrote beautiful, painful pieces from her heart, and I remember thinking, “I need to meet this woman.”
Weeks went by while small hubs focused on their work and eventually began to reach out to others. Connections were made; some hubs closed as community needs and resources shifted.
Through Beth, I connected and deepened relations with more like-minded, kindred spirits and organizations. That includes intelligent, compassionate, bright people like Carmen Ybarra, Kym Maisch, Summer Whelan, Zoe Dadian, Martine Van Velden, Tamiko Ambrose, Marisol Jiminez, Tepayac Mountain Sanctuary, Bounty & Soul, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Marcia Shoop, Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, Terri Dolan, John Piper Watters, Greg Kilpatrick, Rebecca MacNeice, Jamie Wade, Sand Hill Kitchen, Food Connection, Kelly’s Kitchen, and so many others including Beth’s sister, Mary Etheridge-Trigg.
Writing those names feels like a summoning of the power committed to raising the quality of life for the people who live in this valley. Each of these has some affiliation with or has offered support to the non-profit Swannanoa Communities Together (SCT), which the Sisters Trigg formed in November. They also opened a community center building in the bones of an old hair salon. Let me tell you, that place holds some good energy.
The first time I visited the SCT Center was the day Pisgah Legal Services brought their Justice Bus and what seemed like 1,000 lawyers to help people with legal questions regarding FEMA, housing status, landlord/tenant issues, immigration issues, etc. The building was packed with chairs, temporary desks, and people in a freshly painted big open space. A hot chili dinner with cornbread was being served outside for anyone who wanted to eat. It was a beautiful scene and everything this 1960s baby thought a community center was supposed to be. This center has a soul vibe of its own.
That day, I knew without a doubt where I needed to spend my time as a volunteer. Since then, I have watched SCT’s core crew weaves the community web into a safety net for residents of the Swannanoa Valley. Through fundraising and grants, they can offer emergency assistance for shelter to some families and individuals who fall through the cracks of FEMA funding and procedural challenges. People often ask if these things are true, and here is the answer: yes, there are still people living in the woods, in cars, in tents, and in substandard housing in western North Carolina. We see it everyday.
Through sheer grit and determination, SCT has also partnered with other community agencies to stop evictions from happening. (Side note: There is no valid, decent, acceptable reason that government officials have not put an eviction moratorium in place. This community was in a housing crisis before Helene, and now it is almost impossible to find affordable housing. Come on, Governor Josh Stein. You have been a good guy in my books for a long time – please fix this!)
Community firewood [Beth Trigg]
Those community partnerships, volunteers, and donations have fed our neighbors and kept them warm. Beautiful handstitched quilts, emotional support chickens, warm socks, and hats crocheted by one very sweet lady are part of the magic of the love that flows in and out the doors of the Center. SCT’s famed Flying Squad has delivered propane, tanks, gasoline, meals, and other supplies to community members in need.
The Center has had a community pantry since November. Recently, they received a donation of freezers and a refrigerator, and the community web keeps those stocked with fresh food like meat, cheese, milk, eggs, ready-made meals, and produce.
Among the community partnerships being fostered is one with the land spirits and Elementals. Offerings are made, blessings spoken. This is a beautiful thing.
I cannot think of many things more pagan than a community center that opens its doors to welcome all its neighbors. It is a place of safety and hope, working to build a compassionate, inclusive, loving future.
May you never hunger. May you never thirst.
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