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Archive for the ‘Archives #5 Fire Walk With Me’ Category

Dancing the Maypole – A History of Beltane/May Day, part three

Posted in Archives #5 Fire Walk With Me, Art & Literature, Herbs, Irish/Celtic, Magick, Music, Nature, Paganism, Poetry/Prose, Ritual, Sabbats, Spirituality, Uncategorized, witchcraft on Tuesday May 1 2012 | 2 Comments »

No discussion of May Day or Beltaine would be complete without mentioning one of the iconic symbols of the day – the maypole.

There is no solid information to tell us exactly where or when the maypole originated. The English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who lived in the 1600’s, suggested that it dated back to the Roman worship of the god Priapus…who was of course well known for a certain part of his anatomy. This perception of the maypole has been endorsed by many over the years, including none other than Sigmund Freud himself; and it is even mentioned in the book Fanny Hill, an erotic novel first published in 1748. However, it must be mentioned that Hobbes was himself bitterly opposed to maypoles and to May Day merrymaking itself, and this may have influenced his erroneous statements. There is no historical evidence that maypoles were linked to Priapus or were ever viewed as a phallic symbol.

This begs the question…just where did maypoles come from, and what do they actually symbolize?

One suggestion is that they were linked to the northern European belief in a sacred tree which separated the human and divine worlds. Such a tree did and continues to exist within Germanic paganism – Yggdrasil, the World Tree upon which the god Odin sacrificed himself. It could also signify an Irminsul – a type of wooden pillar which is attested as playing an important role in the pagan practices of the Saxon people; of which the earliest descriptions refer to it as a tree trunk erected in the open air. The fact that maypoles seem to be predominately found in nations of the former Germanic tribes as well as the areas to which they migrated lends some credence to this fact – in the British Isles they were found in the English speaking areas that were infiltrated by the Anglo-Saxons…the Gaelic regions continued to focus on the fire festivals instead. However, once again there is no evidence to support this concept.

Yet another idea was that the maypole was the symbol of a fertility-giving tree spirit. While this could not be refuted by the data, neither could it be proved. A close study of May Day customs in various countries does not turn up any evidence of a belief in such a tree-dwelling spirit.

Thus most historians and anthropologists are left to conclude that the maypoles basically served a similar function to the gathering of green branches – a way of celebrating the onset of Summer and the growth of new vegetation, and of enjoying the sunny days and warmer weather. They were useful frameworks upon which garlands and other decorations could be hung, to form a focal point for celebration.

The existence of maypoles on continental Europe is recorded from the Pyrenees on the France/Spain border all the way to Scandinavia and further east to the Ural Mountains in Russia. We also see their use in England, but as mentioned earlier they were rarely found in the Gaelic-speaking areas of Ireland and Scotland, although we do find them mentioned in Welsh literature. In fact, one of the earliest documentations of a maypole is in a Welsh poem of the mid-fourteenth century, and they are mentioned at the end of the century once again by our friend Geoffrey Chaucer, as he describes the maypole that stood at Cornhill in London. So what we know is that the custom was well established in southern Britain by the 1400’s.

The poles were communal symbols, and their size and weight meant that erecting one was a group activity.  The problem with this was that the poles could become associated with group misbehavior, as evidenced by the May Day riots of London in 1517. As a result of these riots, the Cornhill maypole, which was one of the largest in the country, was never erected again. By their very nature, they had to be fashioned from valuable trees, and the owners of woods were not always consulted when their timber was removed: the earl of Huntingdon was furious to find that his estates had been the source of maypoles in 1603.

Along with these observances of misconduct, hostility towards maypoles was strong amongst the evangelical Protestants, who sought to reform not only the Church but society as a whole. It was in fact during the English Reformation movement that the Cornhill maypole was sawed into pieces and burned, after being denounced by a Protestant minister as being a “pagan idol.” Even though Elizabeth I, as previously mentioned, enjoyed the May Day festivities and was fond of the maypole, resistance to them intensified during her reign, with the result that maypoles were banned in much of England from around 1570 until about 1640; we did not start seeing a revival of them until 1660.

In the eighteenth century one could find maypoles dotting the English countryside, and descriptions from the 1700’s and early 1800’s suggests that their appearance and function had not changed much from the time of Elizabeth – they were still painted, still decorated with garlands, still a focal point for dancing, still the target of raids by rival villages, and still occasionally a source of friction with landowners upon whose property they had been cut without permission. Nonetheless, but the end of the 1700’s maypoles were in serious decline as young people turned to other forms of entertainment – such as dancing, singing, games, feasts, may wine and the making, displaying and sometimes selling of garlands. The last maypole within the city of London was removed in 1795. Some areas – particularly out in the countryside – continued the tradition up through the early 1800’s, but by 1840 the village maypole was far and few between.

By the late 1800’s, the maypole dance had shifted to become an activity primarily conducted by the schools, and thus confined mainly to children, particularly young girls…although they were sometimes also carried out by female students on college campuses. This tradition continued throughout the 1900’s and can even today some schools still hold May Day activities. Yours truly can remember being one of the lucky young ladies selected to dance around the may pole at her elementary school in southern Indiana forty years ago in 1972.

In some areas the maypole was replaced by a similar custom of carrying highly decorated sticks or hoops, covered with flowers, greenery and ribbons. This tradition was known as garlanding, and was often accompanied by dancing…what is commonly known in England as the Morris Dance. Similar customs of May Dances – sometimes accompanied by decorated sticks – can be found in other countries around Europe.

These are just some of the many traditions that have been documented as celebrations ushering in the beginning of Summer – there are many others that we don’t have time or space to go into. The important thing to remember is this was a time for people to get outdoors, enjoy the warmer weather, engage in merry-making with others, and to feast, dance, and play games freely.

Some of these celebrations have been adopted by modern-day Neo-Pagans, who see these festivals as an opportunity to return to ancient pre-Christian rites and rituals. Many Pagan groups celebrate Beltaine with bonfires, greenery, and dancing around the maypole. However, it must be understood that these Sabbat celebrations are in fact a modern day interpretation of those ancient customs, not necessarily a historical reconstruction of them. As such, the beliefs and practices of these Pagan groups and their celebrations owe as much to modern myth, romanticism and folklore as they do to anthropological evidence. Certainly they play an important part in the continuation of age-old rites, but they cannot and should not be viewed as necessarily being an accurate depiction of them.

Regardless, the celebration of Beltaine and May Day can seen as an opportunity for all of us to come out of our own darkness…to embrace the Light Half of the year, the return of the sun, and the greening of the planet. We can do our own dance of joy and delight in our own acts of love and pleasure.

As I was writing this post, I asked a good friend of mine who is herself a Pagan High Priestess what significant points she felt were most essential. Her response was:

Sex in the yard.

Hinge in the year.

Life force near unstoppable.

Sex in the yard.

Leaping fires is a good form of exercise.

As is sex in the yard.

Bright blessings, and may you have a wonderful Beltaine!

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Broken Arrows

Posted in Archives #5 Fire Walk With Me, Empowerment, Firewalking, Humor, Magick, Spirituality, witchcraft, Women on Monday September 7 2009 | 6 Comments »

A couple of years ago, I did a Motivational Training Workshop for DEAF, Inc. in Massachusetts. One of the participants in that workshop was my Spirit Sistah, Crystal Dolphin. While the main feature of that workshop was a firewalk, I also taught other exercises as well, including breaking boards with your bare hand, and snapping arrows with your throat. To read about Crystal’s experiences with this workshop, click here.

Recently Crystal sent me a funny message on my pager about an experience she had related to this workshop. I asked if she would write up something about it, and the result can be found below. Thanks Sis, for taking the time to share your story.

Enjoy!

~ Ocean

While preparing for a July 4th weekend camping trip in the White Mountains, I was running errands and picking up supplies on my day off from work.  Being in the area and having in my mind a recent discussion with my boyfriend on “the best” fishing lures, I decided to stop in Jerry’s Bait & Tackle.

crystal camping with mollie

Crystal camping with her canine companion, Mollie

I wandered in and began to look around.  There were two customers at the counter getting some questions answered by Jerry’s right hand man, who excused himself to ask if I needed help.  I smiled and responded, “That’s okay, thank you.  Take care of these gentlemen while I browse.  I may have a couple of questions after.”   Honestly, I had a question that had nothing to do with fishing, but I’ll explain that later.

As I continued with my browsing, I got that “I’m being watched” feeling and I looked up to find the man behind the counter, continuing his conversation with his customers, but with eyes fixed on me.  For a minute I speculated that he must have been thinking, “This gal goes fishing?”  I figured I didn’t look the type.  (Well, in actuality I don’t fish, but my sweetie does.)  I set back to looking for those “best lures”, which I didn’t find.  As I started back to the counter to ask about them, the man, still watching me, said in a slightly unsure tone, “I know you.”

I smiled and answered in a rather playful tone, “Do you?”  I never thought he would recognize me.  I had only visited the store once, three and a half years earlier after all, and I was not alone on that trip.

You could almost see the gears turning in his head as he was putting it together.  Then suddenly his eyes widened and he exclaimed,

“You’re one of them crazy ladies that breaks arrows with your neck and walks on fire!”

LMAO!

Ocean had traveled to Massachusetts in October of 2005 to conduct a fire-walk workshop at Peace Abbey in Sherborn.  Of course, being in my area this was a good time to visit with her Spirit Sistah, and put me to work helping her prepare for the workshop while we spent some time together.  One thing Ocean wanted to include in the workshop activities was snapping the arrow.  But this requires a specific type of arrow, which we were unable to find at any of the local sporting goods stores.  On the evening before the workshop, we had stopped at a local restaurant to meet with some friends for dinner and drinks.  Mentioning our dilemma, one acquaintance, who happens to enjoy hunting, piped up and told us we could find such arrows at Jerry’s Bait & Tackle.  On the way to the workshop the next day, there we stopped.  Well, two excited witches asking for a couple dozen arrows raised the eyebrows of the store’s owner and his staff.  Ocean explained what the arrows would be used for, and even offered a demonstration, to which the owner responded, “Um, no thank you, I’m certain I’m not insured for that!”

Snapping arrow

Snapping the arrow

Back to present day. Laughingly I said, “Well, that was going to be one of my questions.  Are you still the only sporting goods shop in the county that sells those arrows?  Because, mine’s broken!”  and I pulled out of my bag my broken arrow from that workshop.  He took it from my hands and stared at it, saying, “Woooow, you really did it?”  Then his eyes went right to my throat, looking for the scar he was sure would be there.  I asked if he wanted to see the bottoms of my feet too, because I did walk the fire as well.  No scars, really! He just shook his head and smiled saying, “you gals are nuts!”

Unable to contain their curiosity any longer, the confused customers asked, “What do they do???”  He answered that I had been in with my girlfriend a few years earlier for specific arrows, and that I had broken that arrow he was holding with my neck.  Obviously this didn’t clarify anything for them.  So he went and retrieved an arrow from a display, put the feathered end up against the wall and the point to his throat, holding it up this way, and explained, “They put it like this and walk into it until it breaks.  I don’t know how they do it.”  I said, “Well go ahead!  You’re halfway there.”  He stepped back and let the arrow drop into his hand, and said, “Oh, no, no, no.  It’s all yours,” and handed me the arrow.  I said playfully, knowing what the answer would be, “Oh, you want a demonstration this time?”

“Oh no!  No, thank you!  Jerry would kill me!”  He chuckled, “but you can take that and break it however you want. “

Well then, feeling l couldn’t leave without buying something, I said, “I’ll take two”, and paid for the second one and assured him I’d be back to visit sooner this time.  I took my broken arrow, my new arrows, said thank you, and left the store thinking I must give kudos to Jerry’s Bait & Tackle in Milford, MA for their excellent customer service, and the staff’s excellent memory.  I was amazed that I was recognized even without my “partner-in-crime”, over three years since our visit there.  Ocean and I must have made quite an impression!

I sent a quick text to Osh to share the story.  She got a kick out of it, and thought you all would too.  (So I’m finally getting round to it!  It’s been a busy summer!)

I was halfway home before I realized that I had forgotten all about asking about the lures for my boyfriend – ooops.  But that’s okay, we’ll have to make a habit of visiting there for such supplies.  We both prefer to support our local shop owners anyway.  And I’ll just have to go back, because my brand new arrows are broken!  ;)

Snapped Arrow

The broken arrow

One now sits on my boyfriend’s shelf in his bedroom.  He had found a nice private little spot in the mountains that he had wanted to take me to as he said it had a very “spiritual feeling”.  And that it did, and I just happened to have my arrows in my backpack. The other currently adorns my altar.  Evan claimed he never wants to see me do that again.  LOL  I guess we’re not going to get him to attend one of Ocean’s fire-walk workshops anytime soon.

WARNING

Please DO NOT attempt to do this exercise on your own.

Crystal has been trained by a certified Motivational Trainer.

Specific equipment and instructions are necessary

to do this exercise properly.

Attempting this exercise on your own could result in serious injury.

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Happy 25th Anniversary, Ocean!

Posted in Archives #1 Deafness and Accessibility, Archives #2 On Being Deaf and Pagan, Archives #3 A Deaf Pagan Shares, Archives #4 Pagan Thoughts and Writings, Archives #5 Fire Walk With Me, Creating Accessibility, Deaf/Hearing Relations, Deaf/Pagan Relations, Deafness, Empowerment, Equal Communication Access, Ethics, Firewalking, Humor, Interpreting, Magick, Nature, Paganism, Ritual, Sabbats, Sign Language, Spirituality, witchcraft, Women, Women's Spirituality on Sunday June 21 2009 | 13 Comments »

At the time of the Summer Solstice … June in the year of our Lady – 1984, I stood before the sacred altar and in the name of Ocean, took my vows as a High Priestess of Wicca, pledging to serve the Goddess and God to the best of my ability.

25 years ago…WOW. How the time flies! It’s been an interesting twenty-five years. It’s not been without its trials and tribulations – the Lady and the Lord can be compassionate, but they can also be cruel. They can and will kick your butt big time if they think you are dishonoring their name. I confess that I’ve had my rear end walloped on occasion. But just as often the Spirits have taken me into their loving arms; and given me the strength, the courage, and  the knowledge to journey down my own path… and helped me to discover the wisdom that comes from doing so.

I’ve participated in many a circle over those 25 years… led many a ritual… and met many a person I am proud to call friend.

I’m honored to bring some of those friends together today to share their thoughts and their memories.

I feel truly blessed.

~ Ocean

P.S. Y’all are invited to Ocean’s Anniversary Cyber-Party… click on the below link to join the celebration!

http://deafpagancrossroads.com/2009/06/21/oceans-anniversary-party/


Osh and Wolf

Ocean and Wolf Wind

The memory which for me stands out the most for Osh as a High Priestess is the strong concern for integrity, for the group, and for the path itself… and to apply those standards to herself first.  This in itself demonstrates a strong leadership ethic, for she wasn’t asking the group to follow where she wasn’t willing to go first.  This ability has allowed her to get through some pretty introspective and sometimes painful events.  But always she came from the Underworld reassembled with insight gained and the determination to apply what she learned to her life and role as a High Priestess.  The potential here of course is for healing both on a personal level and communal level as well.

~ Wolf Wind

The Kids and Osh

Ocean and the Wolf Pack

(Wolf Wind’s children – Jamie, Sarah, and Katie)

Dear Ocean,

It’s wonderful to be doing this – and I’m happy to contribute.

We’ve known each other only briefly, but my sense of you makes me look forward very much to an opportunity to expand our connection.

I have a special recollection of you on the beach at Kirby Cove – the expression on your face as you viewed the ocean, exchanging connection with the waves as you sought to write a word, and the waves accepting your writing as if hungry for your offering, scarcely allowing you to finish.  It was a wonderful bonding to witness, and I felt privileged to be there with you.

Signing and singing the loving ocean chant with you was deeply moving – a promise of relationship between ocean and Ocean being celebrated, its depth seeming beyond the “ordinary” contact between person and element.

It’s hard for anyone to be prepared for being in California, and many things were not as you’d anticipated. It seems it’s been a bit like Inanna’s descent to the Underworld, in which every marker of identity, everything familiar and dependable, was stripped away, and a new form of being is in process of emerging.  Maybe it’s related to your role as a High Priestess here, bringing a new way of perceiving to many here in your new community. Maybe it’s related to a personal transformation, in which a poem from China foretells the story: “My barn having burned to the ground, I can now see the moon”.

That word in the sand – related to adventure, to courage, to surrender to the path – seems very apropos to the next 25 years as priestess!    I wonder what the ocean has in store for Ocean!

Thank you for coming!

~ Ginny Anderson

IMG_1601

Ocean – Winter Solstice of 2008

Ocean is…

Someone I consider to be a mentor, a friend, a mother figure, and a kindred spirit. She has helped me to search within myself for answers (not sure that she knows this!) She is kind and fierce, an advocate for just causes, and has a wit that is so funny! Having met her once in person for a brief few minutes, I find myself wishing for more! On this great anniversary, I wish her nothing but the best, and many, many more years of growing and learning!

~ Sunflowerwoman

Osh and witchling

Ocean with future High Priestess!

Picture yourself walking down a pier, seagulls flying overhead and hopping away as your feet make the old sea stained wood creak from the shifting of your weight…your hair is lightly tugging from your face as the beautiful salty air washes over you just like you can hear it wash across the sandy beach below. You stop at the end and look out, resting your palms on the rough railing. You’re speechless as your eyes roam over the horizon… never-ending but for the beautiful sun setting in the distance. The orange crimson color gives you a feeling of warmth and love as you watch it extend its color to the clouds, tainting them and even sparkling in the water. You too can feel it reaching out to you, wrapping its warmth around you like a protective embrace. You close your eyes, still listening to the crashing waves and feeling the heated breeze kissing your face. Your mind begins to drift to the ocean. How mysterious it is, for you don’t know all it holds, but as its waves crash along the beach it leaves treasures explaining a little bit more, opening up yet another one of her secrets. Soon you can see yourself standing on the beach, the waves reaching the tips of your toes. You can feel the sand began to eat away from under them as the waves grab for you, asking you to give a little like it has given to you. You think about wading into the water, the force of the waves crashing into your legs and you begin to realize how easily it could be to let the waves take you all, because why wouldn’t you want to be a part of the beautiful ocean, with all of her memories, with all the things she has seen and all the things that she knows. You open your eyes and find yourself standing deeper into the ocean, with your arms spread out as if to hug a friend in embrace. A soft tear begins to roll down your cheek as the breeze picks up, throwing your hair back almost as if she too is giving a hug, because that is what she would do.

This beautiful and loving woman has a heart of gold, an everlasting graceful soul, an untouchable amount of wisdom,  and is as mysterious and secretive as the deep blue ocean. Not only can her waters be calm, but they may turn rough and choppy as she follows her path and stands for what she believes in, bringing down any fleet of ships as necessary to allow for her voice to be heard… for truth to be known and righteousness done. But at the same time she is known for helping many pass through safely, even if it’s just a little gust of wind to keep the sails alive. I’ve always personally felt protected within her embrace, safe and loved. I’ve watched her continue to grow and I’ve listened to her tales and stories, taking in the large amount of wisdom she has to offer anyone who listens.

I remember a moment in my life that has always seemed to trouble me…when I was a child back in grade school. I had to come up with an essay for a competition. I had to pick a person who inspired me. My fellow peers chose Rosa Parks, M. L. King, baseball players, track stars, and singers. As hard as I racked my brain, I could not find a person that truly inspired me. To this day I don’t remember who I chose…but when I rethink that memory I’ve come realize that if this special person had been in my life at that moment, I knew who I would have picked. Ocean, Osh… Mum. You would have been that person I wrote about, you would have been my hero and you would have been the one who inspired me. You’re the only person who has ever truly inspired me, and I want to thank you for that. Congratulations on your Anniversary and hope you have a great Summer Solstice.

~ Love…your Goddess Daughter,

Muirin

pub cropped

Ocean and Crystal in Salem

About 9 years or so ago, I set off on a quest for information on accessibility for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at pagan events. I found so much more.  I found Ocean.

Ocean… over the years we’ve laughed together and cried together.  We’ve struggled through some tough times and several setbacks, but we’ve also learned and grown and forged the path forward together. We sometimes disagreed, but more often we seemed to share a brain.  From online pagan groups, to our real life visits including our wild witches’ day out on the town in Salem (I know, I haven’t forgotten about the flat tire!), a swimming pool ritual, a firewalking workshop (in the snow!), and a few bottles of mead… we’ve had some great times full of fun, and more than several special spiritual times. There are so many amazing moments that come to mind when I think of you that it’s impossible to pick one most memorable.  Through you I have learned not just about Deaf culture, communication and accessibility, but also more about Paganism, life, love, friendship, my spiritual path, and myself.

You have made a difference in my life in a way that no mere few words can describe, and you hold a permanent place in my heart.  I am a better and brighter witch because of you.  I am honored, and proud to call you friend,  Spirit Sister, and High Priestess.  Congratulations on 25 successful years!

~ Crystal Dolphin

Osh and Starhawk signing BS

Ocean teaching Starhawk the sign for “bullshit”

I found Ocean one day when I was searching for Deaf Pagans on the Internet. We immediately clicked. Ever since then we have been friends both via the net and in person. When I first met her, I had just discovered Wicca.

So she has been my mentor ever since. We have done online rituals together and even “IM tarot”. She helped me cleanse my house when I moved here. We went to two conferences together. I learned about what Wicca is about; how to do tarot without the books; about different incense, candles (we even made candles together), herbs, etcetera; how to conduct a ritual or do a spell; how to decorate and use my altar; what book is good and which author is fluffy or serious; about ethics; and so much more. My spirituality grew as years went by. Ocean helped me through most of the years and especially the beginning. She has become a good friend of mine and she’s important to me for that reason and as a mentor. She’s a funny person with a sharp tongue. She is one of the brightest people that I have ever met! I’m grateful and thank the Goddess that I met her!

~ D’Angel

Osh and Oberon

Ocean with a feline friend

My Dear Ocean,

As the Wheel once again turns to that point where the warmth of the Summer Solstice once again begins to bless us, you are about to experience a major milestone in your life.  You have done something that is special and rare.  You have survived 25 years of it.

<loving, yet slightly sarcastic smile… Hey!  You know me!  LOL>

However, much more awaits you.

<warm smile>

You were with us (physically) for a season.  I have no doubts that it was exactly as it was supposed to be.  I was recovering from a very drastic break with a (here unnamed) pagan group when you first met me.  Thanks for all the help you gave me in putting that all into perspective.  You were a major influence for me when it came to learning to become grounded and whole again.

When I needed to study, to deepen a connection that I had begun to doubt, you were there.  I learned from you.  You learned from me.  I gained a focus that I desperately needed and only one familiar with The Craft could provide. And that is very, very  good.  :)

When you showed me the example of the arrow at your throat, it reminded me of some very important things concerning the true nature of our fears, things that I had become all too complacent about. I will carry that lesson with me always. Thank you.

I admire many things about you – your love, courage, knowledge, wisdom and experience are uncommon. By the Lady and the Lord! May all of them continue to increase!

I have many pleasant memories of the things we did together.  I remember the day the two (uh hmmm…) “demons?” came to live with you (Karma and associate LOL).  I remember fondly the day when we drew the sacred waters of the Ohio with great reverence. I remember running to the local metaphysical shops (few here, admittedly) to see what we might find. I remember the meals we shared, the herbs and things we grew. I remember the rituals and sacred spaces we shared.

Oh yeah…  there was also the mead!  :P   mmmmMMmmmmmmMMMMM!  OH! Glorious MEAD!

Blessed Bees!

<semi-wicked grin…hehehe>

Lord and Lady Bless as you mark this special point in your journey.  I am honored we have been permitted to share some of it.

~ Hugs, Blessings and Much, Much Love!

Fyre Draconis and MoonRose Nightingale

Drunk Osh

Ocean with the “Nectar of the Gods”…mead!

I’ve never met Ocean in person; however, I felt an instant kinship to her from the moment we met in a Pagan chat 2 years ago.   Ocean has this embracing energy that makes you feel empowered….as friend, teacher, colleague; her wisdom shines.  I feel blessed that my path has crossed the path of such an amazing woman.  Keep sharing, teaching and being all that you love…continue to shine!  Happy 25th, Lady Ocean!

~ Blessed Be,
Kimber

revamped headshot

Ocean with her former canine companion, Ayla

Ocean is the first Deaf Wiccan High Priestess I ever met… we first met at an Ecumenicon Conference 8 years ago.  She is the first Deaf Pagan friend I made, who inspired me to explore various earth-based faiths.  She has introduced me to various subject areas and also is a very strong advocate for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the Pagan Community.

Ocean was an advocate for Deaf Pagans who desired the opportunity to participate in events of their interests. In this leadership spirit, she inspired me to bring Equal Communication Access to Ecumenicon conferences by ensuring Deaf participants access to sign language interpreters at conference workshops. In addition to her skills and contribution, she was able to provide invaluable insight from a Deaf person’s perspective at conference which was invaluable to other Deaf attendees.

As years progressed, my desire to learn more was assisted by her intensive knowledge and resources.  She established first Deaf Pagan Network through online discussion group.   I have seen her encouraging Deaf and Hard of Hearing Pagans to develop analytical skills and thought processes through her online discussion groups.

Ocean has inspired us to seek out ways to expand our studies which can be achieved through sign language interpreters at any workshops or training in the Pagan Communities. She was also instrumental in my becoming the first Deaf male in Ecumenicon to graduate in their  apprentice certificate program.

Ocean has the unique ability to guide “virgin” Wiccans (including myself) in navigating the rituals and information of various paths.  Without her knowledge and wisdom, I would not have the depth and appreciation of many subject areas.

I can never forget how during a ritual at Ecumenicon I made a few mistakes.  Ocean had that unique skill of being able to turn an awkward situation into positive encouragement.  At the next workshop, which involved yet another ritual, I was given a task during the ritual which would probably make others nervous at their first attempt to conduct such a role.  With that ability, Ocean pushed me to step forward, proclaiming that I should be ”the sacrificial virgin” for the ritual, thus helping to ease my nervousness and ensure that I did not forget the procedure… so as to avoid any possible “correction” from the instructor.  This is one of many humorous moments she and I have shared.

In summation, I raise my “silver chalice” to you, Ocean… on the 25th anniversary of your ordination as High Priestess.

~ Blessed Be,

Dudley M. Cutshaw

Osh and Dudley

Ocean and Dudley

Ocean will make a fine addition to your coven… She is hard-working, knowledgeable, and witty.

~ Blessed Be,

Birch Shadow

Rosemary and Osh

Ocean with the late Rosemary Kooiman

(Rosemary and her husband Abe are buried in Arlington Cemetery, where they are amongst the first Pagans to receive a Pentacle on their headstones)

I remember my birthday in September of 2005. I attended a firewalk held in Seattle, Washington where I live, work, and teach. A firewalk taught by Virginia L. Beach, also known as “Ocean.” She is a gifted teacher and a truly beautiful individual. Oh, yes…she also happens to be Deaf. She is the first and only Deaf certified Firewalking Instructor in the USA. She had traveled to Seattle to teach us the lessons of the fire and how to walk over those hot coals. I thank her for the gifts she has brought to us on this day…beautiful gifts for my birthday. I must also thank her for the education that she gave me about how two people from very different worlds can come together because of a common act. Even though her world is without sound and mine is full of noise; even though she is a woman and I am a man…we are now brother and sister in spirit, because we have shared in the transformation of the fire. It has bestowed its gifts on us both, and although our experiences are unique, we share the conscious act of stepping into harm’s way, believing that no harm would come to us, and being a better person for it. As a teacher, I have come full circle from the day I shared my walk with my own teacher long ago. Ocean allowed me to share in that walk with my students. I embraced each of them as they came off the firebed. I held them as their feet were hosed off. I told each one of them I was proud of them. I am proud to be associated with people of this caliber. I am proud to connect with people who are this dedicated to a path that asks the impossible, and then teaches us that what is impossible at one end of a twelve foot path of burning coals is easy at the other end.

~ Paul Stephens

“I Am a Firewalker” (reprinted with permission)

Ocean and terps

Ocean at firewalk with interpreters Andres and Charlie

Dear Ocean,

Last spring we went to PantheaCon in San Jose. I was glad to have you at this conference because I could ask you about diverse Pagan things such as values, beliefs and worships. I felt Osh…as if you were a guide, teacher and storyteller. It was a wonderful opportunity to have someone like you show the Pagan world and its perspectives in ASL.

Also we participated in the same class and I saw Ocean create a sacred place remarkably. It truly was amazing to be involved in that kind of spiritual holy celebration. I can see that Osh is a free spirit in any place.

~ Tanja Bierschneider

The Wrench

Ocean getting ready for an outdoor ritual

I have a very special memory which I fondly recall of an outdoor ritual I once did with Ocean…

Using some good-sized rocks, we created our Sacred Circle and set up the four Watchtowers – Air at the East, Fire at the South, Water at the West, and Earth at the North. Upon the rock for each of these corners, we placed a small candle of the appropriate color. Then Ocean and I began the ritual… starting with casting the circle, invoking the elements, and inviting the Goddess and God.

We had just finished doing this when into the circle trotted the friendly neighborhood dog. He walked over to the rock at the Western corner (representing Water), lifted a leg, and took a long piss… putting out the candle in the process.

We all stood around speechless, watching this canine doing his thing… not quite knowing what to say.

Then Osh, with her customary famous wit, broke the silence. Staring at this mangy mongrel, she quipped

“Thanks a helluva lot, dog… if you had to give your own personal invocation to the spirits, at least you had the good sense to do it in the West.”

~ With loving blessings on your 25th Anniversary,

Hawk

cropped osh in salem

Ocean at the Witch Trials Memorial Park in Salem, Massachusetts

Ocean ~

There are no words to truly express what you’ve done for me… and what you’ve been to me. A teacher, a mentor, a friend. I can truly say that everything I have learned about Paganism and Earth-Based Spirituality I have learned through you. You’ve taught with a gentleness and yet a firmness that is honest and realistic – never holding back; always willing to provide criticism as well as compliments. You’ve taught me to discover the answers for myself… for as the Goddess says “if that which you seek you find not within, surely you shall never find it without.”

Although we are gathered here at the Crossroads to honor you on the Silver Anniversary of your ordination as a High Priestess…

you honor us with your presence.

Blessings,

~ FireSpirit

ocean

Ocean at 30

ocean in feathers

Ocean at 40

Gin FOG pic

Ocean at 50

cropped osh dance

Osh still rocking!



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Stonehaven Fireball Festival – Celebrating New Year’s Eve

Posted in Archives #4 Pagan Thoughts and Writings, Archives #5 Fire Walk With Me, Firewalking, Irish/Celtic, Paganism, Ritual, Sabbats, Spirituality, The Yule Series on Monday December 31 2007 | 6 Comments »

Be sure to check out the videos at the end of this post to actually see these fireballs in motion!

In Scotland New Year’s Eve is known as Hogmanay, and various Scottish villages celebrate it in different ways. In Stonehaven, a small village in the northeastern part of Scotland, the new year is welcomed in through the Stonehaven Fireball Festival – an annual tradition in which homemade balls of flammable materials are lit and swung around one’s head and body while parading down the streets. Since this event takes place at night, it makes quite a spectacular vision, with the flaming orbs circling around. Indeed, thousands of people flock to Stonehaven to watch this display.

I’m not sure of the exact history of this festival, but it does appear the custom goes back over one hundred years.

For more information about the Stonehaven Fireball Festival, check out the website at

They even have a webcam so you can watch the event on your computer!

Below are some videos of various length showing the Stonehaven Fireball Festival, so you can get an idea of this event. Notice that some of the participants are dressed in traditional Scottish kilts!

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