Princess Trahlyta's Promise!

 The Song Of Trahlyta

 Pass not by, Stranger! 

Stop! 

Silently bare your head, 

drop a stone upon her grave, 

and make a wish straight from your heart. 

The Spirit of Eternal Youth and Happiness 

hovers near to grant the wishes 

of all who love the hills and valleys of

her native home.

Do you believe?

Do you believe in serendipity?

Ever throw a coin in a fountain and make a wish?

About 30 minutes North of my home, 

heading into the mountains of Georgia, 

one will pass through what is known as 

Stone Pile Gap.

Where two-lane highways converge, 

sets a small triangular island,

surrounded by asphalt and filled with stones.  

Without the presence of a 

Georgia State Historical Marker, 

one might drive right by.

 

"The rocks are the grave of a Cherokee who loved the forest and called the mountains of North Georgia home. Trahlyta, according to legend, lived on a mountain near her grave. She was told to walk along a path, drink from the spring and wish never to grow old by the "Mountain Medicine Man" or the Witch of Cedar Mountain, depending on which legend you believe. "You will become more beautiful with each sip" the voice told her. 

She followed the path and drank from the spring. Word of her beauty quickly spread. Desoto the explorer reportedly sent soldiers to investigate her "Fountain of Youth" as witnessed by a Spanish conquistador helmet which was found not far from the spring."

"The Cherokee warrior Wahsega, whom she rejected as a suitor, kidnapped her and took her west to his home. She begged and pleaded for her release, but Wahsega would not permit it. With each day her strength waned, her happiness gone, longing for her mountain forest.

Crying tears of pure gold as she lay dying, Trahlyta asked to be buried in the mountain paradise from which she had come. "Strangers, as they pass by, may drop a stone on my grave and they too shall be young and happy, as I once was." she said, 

"What they wish for shall be theirs!."

Growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta, 

 we would drive up to the 

North Georgia Mountains each fall 

to enjoy the changing leaves and beautiful views.  

And each year we would make my father stop 

so we could place a rock 

on Princess Trahlyta's grave for good luck!

I still visit her grave often 

and take my family and friends!

You never know what you might find 

placed among the rocks...

seashells...

crystals...

personalized notes and stones...

even an arrowhead bracelet 

and piece of quartz at the very top!

This tiny piece of land is a mystical, 

spiritual place.

Trahlyta's spirit is shared by all who stop...

all who leave a piece of themselves,

each stone or gift no matter the size,

all the hopes and wishes for good fortune,

left to protect her resting place.

It is said, that over the years, 

two different work crews 

from the state department of transportation 

tried to move the stones 

to re-direct the highways.  

Both times, 

there was an accident involving 

trucks or equipment 

which resulted in the death of a crewman.

Princess Trahlyta's resting place 

has been left alone ever since...

for passersby to pay their respects and 

benefit from her gift of  good fortune!

 

 As the new year begins,

may Trahlyta's fortune find you,

may your dreams become reality,

may your troubles be resolved,

and may your times of sadness, 

bring you humility and turn to joy!

Live your Authentic Life ~ Be the Real You!

Blessings~

Martha

Source:  CherokeeGold.net