Deaf Pagan Crossroads

Where were you born?

I was born deaf to an all-hearing family in southern Indiana, on the banks of the Ohio River. I grew up going to hearing schools, and then attended Gallaudet College (now University) where I received my BA degree in Psychology. Since then I’ve been something of a gypsy, traveling around to different states. In fact, I’m now packing and preparing to move out to the West Coast (Note: Ocean has finalized the move and after spending a couple of months in the Bay Area, is now living and working in the Central California Valley.)

Were you raised in a Pagan home? If not, what inspired you to become a Pagan?

I wasn’t raised in a Pagan home, per se… but I do think I was raised in a home that kind of set the tone for my future decision to follow the Pagan Path. My mother was raised in a Catholic home, but was no longer practicing Catholicism by the time I was born, and I was never baptized in the church. My father came from a non-Catholic family and never attended church himself. I guess you could say I grew up in an agnostic home, if anything. My father was a “good ole country boy” who grew up with a love for the outdoors and nature, and so much of my childhood involved such – hiking, camping, gardening, etc. My Grandmother Beach was said to be a “witch,” although I’m not sure if she ever really used the term herself. However, she did practice folk magick, and used a lot of natural healing methods, etc. throughout her life. She was the family historian and she researched the family history way back to the 1500′s. Her writings do suggest that there was a “magickal” trend in the family tree, although I would be hesitant to say that I am a hereditary witch. Grandmother Beach died when I was very young, so I never learned anything from her.

I think a big influence in my decision to follow the Pagan Path is the fact that I come from a family of strong, independent, outspoken women who for the most part were “born before their time.” One of the things that attracted me to Paganism was its strong focus on women and on the Divine Feminine. That and its focus on nature… which was always another major presence in my life.

How long have you been Pagan and what path do you follow?

I began seriously studying and practicing the craft in 1981, when I moved to Madison, Wisconsin after college. Madison was a major center for Paganism back in those days; in large part due to the existence of Circle Sanctuary right outside of the city as well as its strong Women’s Community. I haven’t been back to Madison in years, but I believe that strong Pagan existence there continues to this day. I was dedicated to the Goddess in 1981, initiated in 1982, and then in 1983 I decided to begin the serious year and a day training, which culminated in my being ordained as a High Priestess in 1984. To the best of my knowledge, I am the first and possibly only Deaf woman to achieve the rank of High Priestess here in the United States. My training was predominately Wiccan, with some Shamanic influence. Over the years I have met many different teachers, learned about different paths and traditions, and broadened my interests, so that today I consider myself an “Eclectic Pagan.” Overall, I consider myself pretty ecumenical… I see aspects of various religious paths that I can agree with – Christianity, Judaism, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. etc. I think it’s up to each of us to make our own choices as to what path feels right to us. One size does not fit all.

What is your favorite holiday, and how do you celebrate it?

Hmmm… I don’t know if I have an actual favorite, to be honest. I think each of the eight Sabbats is special in its own unique way, and has something to teach me as part of its role in the ever changing Wheel of the Year. However, I am an October baby and Fall is my favorite time of the year, so I guess I would have to say that I do enjoy Samhain. I don’t do the trick-or-treating or costume thing though… I tend to spend Samhain relatively quietly, celebrating it in a more reverent way as a night for honoring the spirits of my ancestors and others who have passed beyond the veil. I do enjoy carving pumpkins, though. I’m also partial to Yule, particularly to all the different meanings and traditions associated with the Winter Solstice. I did a whole series on Yule for Deaf Pagan Crossroads last year, which was pretty well received.

Actually, I have done posts for all of the Sabbats at Deaf Pagan Crossroads – sometimes they involve writing up rituals, sometimes they involve explanations of the Sabbats, sometimes they’re just writings related to that particular holiday. They can be found by checking out the Sabbats under the “categories” list.

I don’t know that I have any “special” routine for celebrating the Sabbats. Sometimes I celebrate them in a group ritual, but more often I tend to celebrate them alone or with a small group of friends. Celebrating could include such things as drumming, chanting, invoking the spirits via sign language or non-verbally, and so forth. Usually there’s some mead drinking involved as well!