Anastacia’s comment under “The Spirituality of Gallaudet” has gotten me thinking…
How ***do*** Deaf Pagans find one another???
The harsh reality is…it’s not easy.
I have been a Deaf Pagan for 25+ years – and for at least half of that time, I thought I was the ONLY Deaf Pagan on planet Earth. I never met any others.
Ohhh…I met plenty of Pagans – that was never a problem for me. Even when I was living in remote rural areas, I always seemed able to find others with similar spiritual beliefs.
But they were all hearing. Nice people…yes. I enjoyed their company on occasion, and particpated in rituals with them. But in spite of my above-average lipreading skills and my quite intelligible speech, there was still this part of me that felt left out…that still struggled to understand what they were saying when we all gathered at the campfire and passed the bottle of mead around.
Many Pagans do gather together in various ways – public rituals (usually held at the Sabbats), “Pagan Night Out” get-togethers at local restaurants, Pagan Pride Day events, etc. But of course…the problem for Deaf Pagans is that these gatherings rarely are accessible, thus they are seldom attended by Deaf Pagans. Not exactly the solution we are seeking.
Truthfully, I know only a handful of Deaf Pagans, and none of them live in my town. Most of them I met over the Internet. I haven’t seen any of them in real life for over a year, and the way we keep in touch nowadays is via emails, IM chats, and pagers.
Of course, in the big cities with large Deaf populations, your chances of finding other Deaf Pagans to socialize with are better. I’m sure there have to be a few Deaf Pagans living in the DC area, as well as New York City, Los Angeles, and perhaps even Boston or Chicago.
But how do you find them? Good question!
If you feel comfortable doing so, you might start with posting a message on a local e-mail group expressing your interest – many Deaf organizations do have Yahoo groups or whatever that you can post messages to. You might want to set up an “anonymous” email account for this, and use a special name…and be prepared for the possibility that people are going to gossip and speculate on who made that pagan post.
You might want to go to Pagan on-line groups and post a message saying you are Deaf and seeking others who are Deaf or know sign language. While you might not come across many other Deaf Pagans, you may find hearing individuals who know sign language – I know of a number of Pagan interpreters all over the country.
It is also my understanding that there are a few on-line groups and forums which focus on Deaf Pagans. I believe there is an egroup under the MSN groups known as Deaf Pagan Network, which could be a valuable resource for “hooking up” with other Deaf Pagans. There was a similar resource for Deaf Pagans in the United Kingdom, but it appears to have been taken off the web recently. If there are others, please feel free to leave a comment.
You might try going to Deaf events and striking up conversations with other Deaf people, and start keeping an eye out for those who seem to be a little more “open-minded”… even if they are not necessarily Pagan, they may at least be individuals who might make good friends for discussing various topics related to such. You might casually bring up such topics as tarot reading, astrology, nature, mythology, etc. and see who shows an interest.
AND…
You can post a comment here…underneath this blog.
Go ahead – feel free to introduce yourself! Tell us a little about yourself, and where you are from, etc. Let us know if you are looking to meet other Deaf Pagans – either in-person, or on-line.
Now, the one thing about comments on a blog site is that they are anonymous…which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Good in that they allow people to make comments and remain anonymous. Bad in that there is no way to contact you if someone should want to do so.
HOWEVER…as the Deaf Pagan Crossroads administrator, I do get everyone’s email address sent to me when they make a comment – that’s part of the WordPress program. If you do post a comment here, and indicate that you would like to meet with other Deaf Pagans, I will be happy to help “hook you up” with other folks who share your spiritual interests…with your permission, of course. No information is shared with others without your consent, and I will contact you before doing so.
In the meantime, I encourage everyone to visit Deaf Pagan Crossroads regularly…and to post comments to the various blogs! Don’t just read them…DISCUSS them! Talk about what you think, what you feel, what you practice, etc. The more people who leave comments, the more I can see that there ARE Deaf Pagans out there, and they are seeking information, resources, ways to meet, etc. Then I can begin working on finding ways to bring Deaf Pagans together…both on-line and in real-life.
So let’s begin now!
Post your comment…who are you? Are you Deaf? Are you Pagan? Are you both Deaf and Pagan? Are you looking to meet other Deaf Pagans? Are you a sign language interpreter who would be willing to interpret rituals, gatherings, etc. for any Deaf Pagans? Are you a sign language student who happens to be Pagan, and would love to meet Deaf individuals with whom you could practice your signs and discuss your spirituality?
Let’s find each other!!!
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
Merry Meet!
My name is Ocean, and I am a Deaf Pagan living in Central Illinois. I have been practicing the Pagan Path for 25+ years. I am an ordained Wiccan Minister, and also a High Priestess…but I do not run a coven. I do have an on-line group that meets regularly to study various Pagan topics.
While I have had an interest in Paganism going back to my college days at Gallaudet, I did not begin to study it seriously until I moved to Wisconsin in the early 1980′s, and got involved with Pagan groups there. I then began a serious study of the Craft, leading to my initiation as a witch in 1982 and ordination as a High Priestess in 1984. Twenty years later, I’m still learning! I’ve attended a number of gatherings, conferences, and workshops where I have had the experience of meeting many other Witches and Pagans whom I have learned much from.
Although I have met many wonderful people over the years, I must admit that I only know a handful of Deaf Pagans. I am sure there are many more out there that I don’t know, and would love to meet!
So how about leaving a comment and introducing yourself?
Merry Meet,
I am also Wiccan, current High Priestess of my Coven. I am not deaf, but have a severely hard of hearing son. My sign language skills are not great at the moment although I am learning. It took my son a long time to come to terms with his deafness, so I didn’t get much practice. He prefers to sign now. I would like also like to be in contact with others of my, or similar, spirituality.
Blessed Be,
Mist Raven
Oh… I am Deaf. I have been pagan for fourteen years. Celtic Shamanism, drums, labyrinths and Celtic mythology have been main interests of mine. I used to be in a coven before I left for Colordo (college education goal.) The coven focused on Wicca and ecclentic paganism. I have been interested in herbalism, candlemaking and ‘silent ritual’ practice for years. I used to dabble in oil making but after one incident ended me up in hives and going into an hospital, I swore off oil making.
I hadn’t been able to do much celebration or participating in deaf or pagan events since Colorado is very limited. However I am moving back to Maryland/DC in summer and hope to get together again with pagan friends. (I used to live in Maryland for 8 years before I moved to CO ’04.)
Hello, I am deaf and a Wiccian. I thought I was alone on this earth for being so strongly tied to Wicca/Pagan and I am so Happy to find this site, and knowing now I am not only one. I have searched for Deaf friendly coven but havent been able to find one nearby. If You know any in Pa, or Md, Please let me know. I have studied Wicca and Pagan and all sort kinds for about 14 years. I am also a student at Witchschool.com which offers all kind of courses. I love the challenges and always learning new things everyday. I am more strongly an Goddess believer and is currently learning on herbalism which I use daily basis but more deeper in healing methods. I would love to have Wiccian and Pagan deaf friends that we can share and learn from others to build an strong spirituality connection.. Smile… Blessed you be. Fairyofhearts
Merry Meet,
I have not step out of my wizard’s chest, but I think it is best time to do so. I made my decision after I read your blog and noticed that I am not only one pagan living in Central Illinois.
I am deaf as stone. 32 years old man from RIT, not Gally, (Go RIT! sorry…)
Mind you, I am sort of new to all of this. You may said that I am “newbie” to wicca and paganism. I was thinking about joining WitchSchool.com as well and looking for some deaf pagans to help me out…
I have interests in Egypt Paganism, Roman, and Greek Mythology.
Ocean, are there any chance that we do know each other since we are living in same state. prehaps same town?
Blessed be!
Ray
you just gave me an idea if there isn’t a deaf pagan group in myspace I might as well start one
I was a member of the Pagan fellowship in Glens Falls, NY for 2 years before it has fell apart. Every time we have a pagan fellowship meetings and events (rituals, etc.) I had a frustrating time trying to follow what all these hearing people in the fellowship were saying and I couldn’t understand what they were saying. So, I did some research to find a pagan sign language interpreter. And I had found one! He came over to pagan fellowship and had interpreted for me and this has helps a lot! He’s the only pagan person that does know sign language (he’s a hearing person). So, I do not have any deaf/HOH pagans around here even tho there are some deaf people that live around here but they are not pagans. I very much would love to meet other deaf/HOH pagans and would like to find them. I’m from Hudson Falls, NY.
I’ve been a Wiccan for 9 years now. My interest is Egyptian paganism and am a solitary practitioner. However, I would love to have few deaf pagans/wiccans to do rituals, learning the craft, practice Wicca together, and so on someday if they are interested. I am hoping to find deaf pagans/Wiccans in NY state area so that maybe few of us can get together and do pagan/wicca things together.
I, myself am Hard of Hearing, can speak well, and know English and ASL sign language. Never went to school for the deaf in all my life but have gone to hearing school for years and even in college. I never had any interpreter throughout school years until I started college when college provided me an interpreter. This had helped me a great deal in college!
Brightest Blessings and Blessed Be!
Debbie
Yup you are right there is a Deaf Pagan Network & I found it as part of MSN groups. I also joined the one in the UK but it is not in existence anymore so since I am American I will stay with the Deaf Pagan Network – but your site is very nice too!
I think part of the problem is that deaf people tend to stick together & not branch out into new ideas much. Deaf Church is a social event, and even if our beliefs are different religiously, we would not always attempt to find a group, knowing (or at least assuming) there would be no deaf people there. That’s why the internet, and sites like yours and Deaf Pagan Network, are so great. We are on common ground, everyone has to type to communicate so we don’t have communication problems as we do in real life.
Keep it up!
Gaena
Hi,
My name is Mahkah and I am a Deaf Pagan living in Frederick, Md. I am not a member of a coven because I was not able to find one nearby. I been studying pagan for several years. I am an ordained Minister thru Universal Life Monastery.
Hi Mahkah
If you want Pagan ministerial training the best place to go is Cherry Hill Seminary, which does distance learning courses on all aspects of ministry and which are accredited by a university (and I am sure they would make any face-to-face aspects of the course accessible).
Universal Life was only set up to take advantage of a loophole in US law which says that ordained ministers can perform weddings, but doesn’t specify who has to ordain them. The ULC does not offer training in counselling, ritual, or any of the things you would expect of a minister.
Anyway best wishes on your path.
Ray, there are plenty of sites where you can read about Wicca and Paganism for free before you need to pay for a course from WitchSchool. Much of the information offered by that site is pretty flaky and inaccurate, too.
Try the Pagan theologies wiki for starters.
Well said, Yvonne.
I have to be brutally honest here -
As a Pagan Elder myself and a Third Degree High Priest…
I would not recommend advertising yourself as being ordained through the Universal Life Church/Monastery.
Frankly, to many of us Pagan Elders, the ULC ordination is little more than a joke. Yes, it gives us the necessary certificate to perform legal marriages, although this has been contested in some states. You would be smart to investigate the laws in your own state.
But even if from a legal perspective such ordination does grant you the authority to officiate over a wedding/handfasting ceremony, it does little to demonstrate your true credentials as teacher, mentor, leader, and elder of The Craft.
For me to recognize an individual as a true clergy member, I would need to see some demonstration that s/he has actually achieved the level of knowledge, skill, experience, wisdom, understanding, sensitivity, leadership, and practice that such a title entails. If we really want to achieve creditability as a religion and spiritual path, then we should expect and demand no less.
People like Ocean, Yvonne, and Crystal Dolphin (and perhaps a few others whom I do not know so well) have paid their dues, and it shows in their writings, their comments, their blogs, etc.
I can personally attest to the fact that Ocean is one helluva High Priestess. I have had the honor to perform rituals with her, conduct workshops with her, celebrate Sabbats with her, and to both teach her and learn from her. She is a compassionate human being, a wonderful teacher, and true example of what one strives for when traveling the Pagan Path.
To become a Pagan Minister is a wonderful goal to strive for, but it requires a great deal of work and commitment. It is not something that can be achieved by sending away for a certificate through the internet.
You become an Elder through years of study, and only after being recognized as such by a jury of your peers.
I am honored to stand as such an individual alongside people like the ones I have mentioned above.
If you are of a Universalist (all religions are different perspectives on the same Mystery) persuasion, you may be interested to know that the Unitarian Universalists have a Pagan chapter in the US, and there’s a Unitarian earth-spirit network in the UK.
The UUs are also committed to accessibility. The UUs in Baltimore have an ASL signer, and so do some of their other groups.
Another UU group with Deaf facilities – Silver Spring, Maryland
Hey all I am a Deaf Asatruar living in subrban Baltimore. I have been Deaf for a long long, born deaf in left ear, HOH in right, hearing finally went out all the way.
I lipread and sign some,and I talk, a lot! Looking for new friends in the area, love to chat and meet people.