Deaf Pagan Crossroads
Don’t let the name scare you off!
whether you are deaf, hard of hearing, hearing…
Pagan, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish
or one of the many other religions of the world…
regardless of your background
or your spiritual path…
All Are Welcomed Here
Please feel free to read my posts and leave a comment if you so desire
A Deaf Pagan’s Journey
into
Deafhood
Spirituality
Earth-Based Faiths
the Goddess
and the
Many Aspects of Life
Deaf Pagan Crossroads is a blog site created by a Deaf Pagan, in order to explore and share her journey as she merges her identity as a Deaf individual with her spirituality as a practicing Pagan.
This site was established in November of 2006 by Virginia L. Beach, better known in the Pagan Community as Reverend Ocean – a Wiccan High Priestess and ordained Pagan Clergy from the Midwest of the USA. Ocean, who was born deaf, has been a member of the Deaf Community all of her adult life, and involved in the Pagan Community for nearly thirty years. Recently, as she became more and more involved with the “Blogosphere,” she saw blogging as serving a dual purpose: an opportunity to share her own experiences; and also to be a resource both for Deaf individuals wanting to learn more about the Pagan Path, and for Pagan individuals wanting to understand more about Deaf Culture.
Thus, Deaf Pagan Crossroads was born…a blog site where Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing individuals can come together to learn about and discuss various aspects of spirituality, with a special focus on Earth-Based Faiths. While most of Ocean’s posts here talk about the various aspects of Paganism, it is recognized and respected that there are many ways of enlightenment and many paths to the Divine. Thus all are welcomed here, as long as you come in the spirit of love, trust, and respect for others.
Why “Crossroads?” Because hopefully this site can serve as a crossroads – a crossroads can be defined as an intersection; a place where two or more roads meet; a place where different cultures meet. Indeed, that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads aspires to be…an intersection of Deafness and Paganism…a place where these two roads can meet and merger…a place where different cultures can come together to meet and learn about one another.
This is Deaf Pagan Crossroads. May you come in love and trust, harming none and respecting all. There is only one rule here – there are no rules, only personal responsibility… and everyone is expected to maintain their own responsibility – to themselves, to each other, and to the spirits.
Thus I welcome you, and I hope that you will come to visit often. Feel free to post comments to any of my blogs – in fact, I encourage you to “post long, and post often!” While it is not the intention of Deaf Pagan Crossroads to be a web community, an on-line coven, or an internet teaching program, I do hope I can provide a place for you to explore your own path, and gain support, encouragement, and guidance from others as you continue your journey.
Brightest Blessings,
~ Ocean
For more information or to contact Ocean directly, you can email her at
All posts and pages here copyright 2006 – 2010 by Virginia L. Beach
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!
may this website be the launching pad for a spiritual revolution within the deaf community. the need for a new conduit to “God” and a new outlook upon life is slowly becoming apparent in this hectic world of ours. huzzah!
Thank you for your kind words, Boris the Bear!
You’ve made some interesting comments that have gotten me thinking….
Is there a “spiritual revolution” happening within the Deaf Community? Is it needed? Why? What’s causing it?
Is this spiritual revolution limited solely to the Deaf Community, or are we seeing happening all over, in all different types of communities? Is society in general undergoing a spiritual revolution?
Is a new outlook upon life indeed becoming apparent…especially within the Deaf Community? I think about the recent Gallaudet Protest, and in fact I wrote about this from a spiritual perspective – and hope to get those articles posted up here in Deaf Pagan Crossroads soon for everyone to read.
Undoubtedly the Gallaudet Protest has led to a new outlook within the Deaf Community. Will such an outlook lead to new explorations of spirituality within the Deaf Community, as a way of trying to understand and deal with this “hectic world” of ours?
Hmmmm….interesting questions. I’d be curious to see what others have to say.
Comments, anyone???
I think a big step would be getting signs/vocabulary in place so spirituality can be accessible. Maybe it’s time to get serious about this.
Good point, Mist Raven. One of the things that I have often been approached about is the issue of Pagan Signs – do signs related to “Earth-Based Spirituality” exist, and if so…where and how can one learn them?
This is a topic that I do hope to discuss in the near future here in Deaf Pagan Crossroads. Undoubtedly, there is a need for some type of resource that Pagans can utilize for learning such sign vocabulary.
This isn’t to say there are no Pagan Signs – those within the Deaf Community have developed such signs to meet our needs when required. But you are right – they don’t normally show up in sign language books, or in ASL classes.
I agree – maybe it IS time to start getting serious about this!
I was just on a website I was referred to by one of my son’s teachers. It’s http://www.signpagan.org It’s BSL, though.
Thanks for the info, Mist Raven! This is a very interesting site indeed!
It does give me some ideas for a future project that perhaps people from Deaf Pagan Crossroads would like to work on…I certainly see how a similar site for ASL Pagan Signs would be beneficial.
However, at the risk of coming across sounding like an evil witch-bitch …I’m not sure we are quite ready to go there at this point. Deaf Pagan Crossroads is a very new site, and I’m still trying to get it built up and attract people to comment and discuss the various topics that are posted here.
I do understand that Earth-Based Signs is an important topic to you, and I agree it is something to focus on – in the future. We have to take it step by step. I think we need to start slow and then progress as more people get involved. A project like what signpagan demonstrates will require the efforts of a number of people, with various technical skills.
I do think we need to begin with a post that focuses on the topic of Pagan Signs…I will think about this over the weekend, and see if I can write up an article on such.
In the meantime, perhaps you want to take a look at the article I wrote titled “Out of the Broom Closet” – which you can find under “Recent Posts.” I noticed that you talked about being referred to the signpagan website by one of your son’s teachers…this suggests that you are “out of the broom closet” yourself, or at least did so with this individual. I would be curious to learn about your experiences in doing so – apparently it was accepted by this teacher, since she did provide you with the information on the signpagan site…
Thanks for posting your comments…and welcome to Deaf Pagan Crossroads!
Hi Virginia
I am wondering if we know each other cuz I know a deaf woman bearing the same name, but don’t know if it was you or not. I don’t see any contact information, so I hope you will contact me at mishkazena@aol.com
elizabeth
I love this site – lady bless and guide your feet!
I am not pagan, per se, but I am certainly fascinated by your beliefs and find its trappings very attractive as well as the underlying truths (which is common to all world religions) to be a source of insight.
Best of luck on your pagan journey.
May the Godess be with you.
Greetings. PaganSojourn linked to your blog and I just wanted to extend a warm welcome to the pagan blog world.
I really enjoyed reading through your blog. Although I am not deaf myself, I was a part of my deaf community for several years and am now considering taking some refresher courses in ASL for business purposes. You have a beautiful blog here. Thanks for posting!
-Little Heathen Fox
Merry Meet and Welcome to Deaf Pagan Crossroads, to everyone who has posted a comment here!
I have made contact with Elizabeth, and we were former classmates at Gallaudet…it was nice to meet up with someone from my college days and talk about where we’ve been and how far we’ve come since then.
Rainmound – thank you for your blessing, and hopefully the lady will keep me from stumbling along the path!
Wild Starry Skies – I have found those same underlying truths to be a source of insight for myself as well. May the Goddess be with you also.
Kitsune – Thanks for dropping in and saying hello! You are a great example of what I hope to achieve with this blog – the coming together of the deaf and hearing communities to share and learn from one another. Best of luck with your ASL classes, and I hope to see you here again!
Please feel free to come here at any time and read through the blogs, and share your comments.
Remember also that I’m always open to those who wish to consider writing a “guest blog” for this site, so feel free to contact me if you wish to do so.
Goddess Bless and Goddess Keep ~
Ocean
MM Ocean!
Great site! I’m not deaf, but I am Pagan. Feel free to stop by my blog.
BB
Great idea for a blog.
The last Pagan Federation Conference (UK) I went to was entirely signed (in BSL) as well as spoken, and the signer got a standing ovation at the end from the whole audience.
Hi, I am looking for a Deaf Pagan Ritual near Frederick, Md. Anyone have any ideas if there is one? I appreciate your help.
Blessed Be.
To White Tiger (and others):
There are no events that are specifically for Deaf Pagans that I am aware of anywhere in the country. Perhaps in the future such an event could be established – I’d certainly like to see it happen. Maybe this blog can be the “starting point” for seeing such occur.
There are Pagan events which occur around the country – I assume you are referring to gatherings or something similar. Some of these gatherings have provided interpreters, or may be willing to provide one if requested.
What you have to do is take the initiative to approach the coordinators of these events and ask that they provide you with the necessary accomodations – such as interpreters or CART services or whatever might be needed.
I will admit this may not always be easy, but it is the only way we can make things happen. If you don’t ask, you don’t receive.
I have a number of posts here that talk about creating greater accessibility for Deaf Pagans. You will find them by going to the “Categories” section of the sidebar menu at the right, and clicking on “Archives #1 Deafness and Accessibility.” There I have posts that talk about providing interpreters, etc.
As for Pagan events in the Frederick, MD area… I do know that Ecumenicon, which takes place in the DC/Baltimore area has traditionally provided interpreters for their weekend conference, which is coming up very soon on April 19 – 22. I would contact them ASAP…for more information check their website at http://ecumenicon.org/conference/details/
Another Pagan event in the Maryland area is Free Spirit, taking place June 12 – 17. I attended this event many years ago and they did provide interpreters for it. You might check to see if they will do so again. Their website URL is http://www.freespiritgathering.org/fsg/index.html
I know of no specific Deaf Pagan groups in your area, even though I know there is a large population of Deaf people living in the DC/MD/VA area. Perhaps if you did some networking, you could establish such a group?
I and my daughter are not hearing impaired but we are pagans who wish to be able to sign. Can anyone give me the signs for pagan words? I really want the sabbats, esabbats, Blessed Be and so on. an anyone help?
Kat
Greetings Kat,
First, I am sure you mean no harm by your statement but I would like to point out something. Ocean is Deaf, not “hearing impaired”.
I am a hearing Pagan myself and only have basic signing skills after a beginning sign language class and studying when time allows over the last several years. It takes a lot of study and continued practice to learn the language.
What do you mean by you “wish to be able to sign”? Do you want to learn ASL – the language itself, or just these signs you are referring to? And I am curious as to why? (i.e. would you like to learn how to communicate with the Deaf community in their language?) Have you looked into taking any sort of beginners sign language classes? It is rather difficult to be able to explain how to sign these Pagan terms if you are not familiar with the basic hand shapes of sign language or any of the vocabulary to begin with.
Blessings,
Crystal Dolphin
I have to agree with Crystal’s statements.
First of all, she is correct that “hearing impaired” is a term that is not used by the Deaf Community. Yes, I know that it’s the “politically correct” term that most of you have probably been taught. However, the Deaf Community does NOT like this term, and rarely if ever uses it. This is actually a term that was created by hearing people – not by the Deaf Community itself. If you research organizations representing the Deaf Community (such as state commissions, agencies, associations, etc.) you will notice that they say “Deaf” or “Deaf and Hard of Hearing.” This is the appropriate term to use. We are not impaired people. Yes, one could argue that our hearing is impaired, but this puts the focus on the pathological definition of deafness – the inability to hear normally…as opposed to the cultural definition of a community that has its own language, known as American Sign Language (ASL).
This is what we need to remember when we think about learning sign language…you are not just learning how to make words with your hands – you are learning a whole new language, with its own grammar and syntax. ASL is NOT English. It has its own structure, its own rules.
I often get statements from people saying how “they’ve always wanted to learn sign language.” That’s great, and I encourage anyone and everyone to learn…but as Crystal says, it requires a lot of work, study, and commitment. It also requires that you practice it, and use it…which means you have to get out there into the Deaf Community and actually COMMUNICATE with the folks who use it. When I see people gushing about how ASL is such a beautiful language and how much they would like to be able to sign, I am left wondering WHO they are planning to use it with, because oftentimes they don’t give me the impression they are ever intending to walk into the Deaf Club or spend any time in the company of Deaf individuals.
It’s sort of like learning Italian – if you don’t have any plans to go to Italy or to seek out Italian speaking people, then why are you learning the language to begin with? Yes, Italian is a beautiful language, but the whole point of learning any language should be to have some access to the culture itself. And since ASL is not a written language, but is entirely visual, you really do need to be around those who use it to really learn it and develop any expertise with it.
This brings up Crystal’s other point. ASL IS a manual – visual language… it’s not written. Therefore, it would be extremely difficult for me to explain how to make specific signs unless you already have a basic foundation to begin with. For example, I can say that the sign I use for “Pagan” is similar to the sign for religion…only it’s made with a P handshape rather than the R. But if you don’t know how to make that sign, then I’m going to have a hard time trying to explain it to you in a way that makes any sense. You really have to SEE it in order to comprehend it.
If in fact you are taking sign language classes now or you are an interpreter or whatever who has that basic knowledge of ASL and wanting to expand your vocabulary by learning the specific signs that are used to express Pagan concepts…great! Send me an email and I will do my best to explain the signs I use.
Be aware tho… there is no established vocabulary of Pagan signs – most Deaf people invent the signs that work for them. My sign for “Witch” might not necessarily be the same sign that another Deaf Pagan out in California might use. We are so spread out and isolated from one another, that we have never really been able to get together to discuss and develop a common vocabulary to express Pagan concepts in ASL.
But if you are just wanting to learn specific signs for Pagan words because you think “it looks pretty” or that it’s “really cool to be able to say these things in sign” then I’m sorry…but this isn’t the right place to ask.
As a Deaf person myself and a member of the Deaf Community, I have too much respect for the language and for the culture to insult either in such a way.
Blessings,
~ Ocean
Ocean,
I’ve been looking all over the site for your email address. I’m currently in school to become an interpreter. I am also pagan. I am wondering what signs you use. Can you please email me?
IrishRose
My email can actually be found at the end of the post above.
Nice blog!
Wow, we got a deaf witch! That’s so cool!
Little dancing tree spirit
I love that photo.
Michael
Hello Ocean,
I am a hearing student currently studying my advanced skills and Level 3 in the Uk, and i came across your site and I find it so… i cant describe the word (dont worry its good).
I am here to ask, would I be ok to use you and your website in my presentation I have to use for my assessment.
hope to hear from you soon
Flutterbye xxx
Hi,
Finally, it is nice to see deaf blogs who are into spiritually things. Myself, I am a practically buddhist beliefs and drawn into mind, body and soul. I have been drawn to buddhist since when I was a kid but didnt realize what does it means till when I turned out 15 years old. I started to learn about buddhist for awhile.. till about 1 1/2 years ago I started to do mediating, yoga and meet buddhist monks. It is so awesome….
It is cool to meet deaf people who have different beliefs and experinces. 🙂
In Gassho,
Kenipela
I’m very glad this Deaf Pagan website has set up the way I expected. I am a practice Buddhist, Hinduist, Yoga, Druidry and Wizardry. I’ve been a Pagan for over 14 years, but knew about Paganism for over 30 years.
Keep up with this website as we all need to gather together someday. Hopefully it will be called, “Pagan Deaf Expo.” Hmm, nice ring to it. LOL.
That’s good. Id like to know about other’s experinces with their pagan.
Peace,
z
I love that pic of the pine cones and I LOVE this site. Blessed be…
This is a GREAT blog!
I am Deaf and I’m Jewish. However, I haven’t practiced my religion that much while growing up. My family is very reformed.
However, I just started going to a church called, Unity on the River in Amesbury, MA and their pastor does not preach any sorts of religion belief. It’s all spiritual and it’s very similar to ACIM.
They believe that all paths are one pathway to God and Goddess. Which means that all religions share the same God. God and Goddess are our high power.
I’ll be coming to this blogsite more often to learn about spirituality. This is going to be very interesting and neat! 🙂
Undoubtedly of interest to you:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/charles_w_chuck_colson/2007/07/paganism_may_not_pass_religiou.html
The Three Step Salvation Plan
To Heal the Land ~
Although I will leave your comment up, I do want you to know that I do not believe in proselytization on this site. While all are welcomed, they are expected to come in a spirit of respect for other faiths and spiritual paths.
I am happy with my own faith and have no desire to engage in your Three Step Salvation Plan. It is pretty clear that your only reason for coming here and posting is an attempt to convert the readership to your belief system, and to demonstrate a not-so-subtle disapproval of the spiritual beliefs represented in this blog.
As I say, I will respect your right to your beliefs, but I ask that you do the same for me, and kindly refrain from any future posts of this nature.
Thank you.
What a nice site! I enjoyed reading most of the comments and felt this “home” to be very positive! I am deaf and aBuddhist myself, and I admire that there is a large network of Deaf Pagans out there. I have a friend that is a pagan (some one I just met recently) and without a doubt she is “in” here somewhere! smiles. Peace to you all! Tashi Delek!
I am very glad that I’ve found your site. Recently while talking to my niece who’s deaf, I was struck with the sudden urge to sign a ritual. I’ve only just begun to read your site, but I just wanted to thank you for it being here 🙂
I am very happy that I have found your site. hope I can find friends from here.
Hi Ocean, I am so glad that I have found your blog site!!! You are teaching me a lot!!! Thanks, ruth
u’r site is awesome….
dru
Love your site and your posts. It’s such a pleasure to visit here and bask in all the yummy words, visuals and energy.
I happened acrossed this beautiful blog looking for a recipe for onion pie,which I found a very good recipe here on this site.Your words ring so true,I am of Native American Heritage,and found we have so much in common.this is a place where the heart can feel good.This is a place I will visit often.
Goddess Bless you
Angel
Hello Sister Beach:
I have seen this wonderful energy within this blog and yes, there is a spiritual revolution happening among the Deaf community right now.
The energies/light is summoning people from all walks of life and what made the Deaf involved?
The movie, “The Secret” has made an enormous impact on the Deaf’s thinking and they understand they have to take care of their spiritual issues themselves. They had those beliefs all their lives but living in a lie because of Christianity’s conditioning. The movie is a closet-opener for many Deaf people.
Traditional Christian churches are becoming questionable because they feed their people with opinions and conditioning answers. This is what deprives the Deaf from searching within and asking questions is healthy. Not every answer is in the book but within their hearts.
I have seen Jill Lestina’s web site, A Course in Miracles, Deaf Pagan.com, many others will sprout up as soon as they are ready. It is a very good thing it is happening now and this will help accelerate their awakenening/enlightenment process. Deaf people have two things that will make it happen, one is silence and second is visual consciousness.
I have been reading some of your comments and this is the correct attitude to present and I hope others will learn as an example of how to communicate with one another in a non-threatening manner. A lot of people have misconceptions about paganism because of various religious teachings.
Once Deaf people go beyond the fear of what others think of them will go so far and living a wonderful also joyful life.
Thank you for making this web site available because it is important for the seekers to find their teachers. When a student is ready and the teachers appears.
Peace and many blessings to you,
Stephen Hardy
Hello Ocean!
Just wanted to tell you that your blog is great and very insightful! 🙂 My hearing is ok altho Mum might beg to differ, and I don’t have any friends or family who are deaf (The closest would be my partner who listens to music too loudly and is more inattentive than deaf.). And that that is why when I came across your blog, it really gave me a different perspective on things.
I am a Sai devotee, currently living in Australia, for studies. In the Sai centre that I go to, we get together every week to sing devotional songs (also known as bhajans) to God in all His forms and glory. In our centre, there are 2 lovely ladies who are deaf, and despite that, they still come for bhajans. Although they don’t sing along, they tap along to the vibrations of the drums and clap along with us. They say that they can feel the vibrations of all our love and that’s what keeps them coming.
However, few of us know how to sign and so not many interact with the ladies much. So one day, we decided that something had to be done. We had to do more than just sing about love, and actually show these ladies that how much we actually love them. Hence, the Sai community where I live are now learning AusLang through CDs that were burned and distributed for free by one of our brothers to all who wanted to learn, and some even get together every now and then to practise with each other. Powerpoint slides with lyrics are also up more often (and soon-to-be, ALWAYS) so that everyone can read the words of the bhajans. Come November 23rd, which is our guru’s birthday, and the next big celebration that we will be having, we hope to celebrate our beloved Swami’s birthday in a more sign-friendly way, with translations of skits into all the languages that make up our community, be it English, Mandarin, Hindi or AusLang.
From reading your blog, I guess there are much more issues that come with being deaf than hearing people might ever guess. And honestly, I don’t know much about them and wouldn’t even try to comment. I just believe that everyone, hearing or not, would be alot happier if we just gave more thought to the simple truth that is: Love all, Serve all. Help ever, Hurt never.
Maybe I’m just idealistic, but maybe it just might work.
Thanks for your lovely posts and sharing them with all of us!
Hope you’re having a beautiful day! 😀
Thank you for your kind words, Vharunee, and for sharing with us the efforts that the Sai Centre is taking to make its services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing individuals. This is an excellent example of the concept of Equal Communication Access at work.
Yes, there are many more issues that come with being deaf than many people realize. While I realize that many people will never come to truly understand those issues, if my blog helps to educate more people and enlighten them to what it means to live as a Deaf person, then it will have served its purpose.
Thank you for visiting the Crossroads… please feel free to continue to share with us what is happening with your centre and all it is doing.
Blessings,
~ Ocean
Hi everyone, I am Deaf and a grad student in Oregon – originally from California. Born deaf, only one in my family, we all sign. Although my mother wanted all of us to attend church and be confirmed (Catholic), I never really got into it. Yet, there was ~something~ missing. Over the years, I’ve explored my beliefs and one thing that kept coming up was that my personal values were more earth-based which led me to the Wicca/Pagan Path. But, I couldn’t yet commit to starting on the Path. This fall term, I’ve been reading Joseph Campbell’s Power of Myth (fabulous book) and, along with an assignment to write about the nature of people – what we need to be happy, motivated, etc – it now feels right, no… ~essential~ to begin walking the Path. I believe that finding this site is a message from the Goddess that she is waiting for me.
Thank you, Ocean, for creating this site.
~Blessings
I’m an ASL student who has always had an affinity for the deaf community. I was in elementary school when deaf kids started to be mainstreamed and although I knew very little sign I remember having rich and full friendships. That experience left its mark on me and I’m now really excited to finally be learning ASL. I’m also a pagan and *so* happy to find your site, Ocean. Now, if the deaf community can just agree upon some pagan signs, I’d be set. LOL
Blessings to you & yours…
Jen
Hello 🙂
Congratulations on your One Year Blogging Anniversary!
I’ve popped over here a time or two and you have a wonderful place.
If someone wanted to investigate the Pagan path in depth…and in ‘real’ life, vs. virtual internet stuff (which I have done), what would you suggest? Where would be a good place to start? I walked away from Christianity about 6 years ago and have picked up this and that along the way from Paganism, Buddhism, Unity, Oneness, Native American spirituality, etc. I am very drawn to care and honoring the Earth and Her children. Perhaps I should explore paganism more indepth.
Thank you for such a warm welcome on your page to all of us. It’s what drew me in this morning.
Namaste,
Grace
Happy Solstice!
Sorry about your domain struggles– hope that straightens out soon. Happy Solstice!
Deaf Spiritual Revolution IS HAPPENING! SO EXCITING! Sorry about the outburst, but I had to share! I’m Meghan from VA (hearing/interpreter) and I’m a shamanic apprentice training in the Amazon in Peru.
We are having a DEAF SHAMANIC SPIRITUAL RETREAT working with the sacred vine, ayahuasca, this November in Peru! (www.infinitelightperu.com).
There is a growing spiritually-focused Deaf/ASL user community in the DC/VA/MD area (and the rest of the country!) As the consciousness shifts in humanity (which it is!) the Deaf World is not left out! More and more spiritually focused Deaf World people are finding each other and their role in this huge shift.
Personally, as an interpreter and shamanic apprentice, my role is to serve as a bridge to access for the Deaf Spiritual Leaders who are ready to come through. I know some of them in my area!
Anyway, I am so excited to find this page and all of these wonderful people…if anyone is interested in the retreat and/or would be willing to forward an email about it, please contact me at infinitelightperu@gmail.com.
Also, if anyone wants to set up another Deaf retreat to compliment the work with the shamans (for example a Deaf Pagan Ayahuasca Retreat) please let me know!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the plant, it serves as a doorway to the spirit world, where you clear, heal, and see WAYYYY beyond the “normal” physical. It IS the red pill in Matrix. Anyway, hope everyone is doing phenomenal and I hope to be in touch with you soon!
peace, love and light
Meghan
infinitelightperu@gmail.com
http://www.infinitelightperu.com
Greetings and Merry Meet! Your site was forwarded to me by an Elder within our group. OldeForest (our circle, founded in Chattanooga, TN) currently has one deaf member and we are really enjoying the opportunity to utilize sign language in our rituals and classes.
My mother is deaf, and though she reads lips, I had the opportunity to learn some sign language years ago. Since our deaf member joined the group, it’s been a crash course for myself and others to relearn (and learn more!) sign language, but we’re happy to say that we are meeting the challenge happily! All classes are taught in sign language, and all rituals are signed. While there are always things you learn as you go along, I am most appreciative of the contributions of our deaf member — she communicates so very well, is so honest about her needs and her desires. We work hard to ensure that every aspect of what we do can be adapted so that both hearing and non-hearing participants can join in. We are currently working on a dictionary of deaf pagan signs to be used when discussing class topics, rituals, and other things that are specific to paganism/Wicca/earth-centered spirituality.
I would really love to encourage anyone who can hear and knows someone who is deaf to learn sign language. It is a bridge into a beautiful world called “another person”. And if you’re deaf and interested in the Craft, don’t let your lack of “outer hearing” stop you! The Goddess speaks to us from WITHIN — if anything, you’ve got less “chatter” to obscure Her voice inside you! The Craft, its beauty, its wisdom is for everyone.
If anyone has questions regarding the opportunities and challenges presented by incorporating sign language into your work or work with the hearing-impaired, please drop me a line at nefersitara@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to share what the experience has taught me thusfar. It has been a wonderful journey so far! We are currently working on our website (www.oldeforest.org), so check there, too, for dates for open Sabbats and more information regarding pagan sign language as we get it posted.
Blessed Be!!!
Lady Nefersitara
HPS and Founder, OldeForest
Stumbling on this site is an absolutely incredible thing for me. My brother is profoundly deaf. My mom is proudly wiccan. I never would have thought anybody else in the entire world would have experience in these two things. I feel better knowing others have experience in balancing these two worlds.
Ocean,
I stumbled across this site while looking for images of tattoos with with the Triple Moon symbol. I started reading and my heart bursted with joy. I, myself, am not Deaf, but my BF is HOH. I originally started learning ASL in order to be able to communicate with her in noisy areas where she wouldn’t be able to hear me because of the backround noise. I found that I loved it and have continued with it. As a child I was on the spiritual path of Christianity. It wasn’t until later that I realized something was was missing from my life spiritually, it wasn’t until I found the pagan path that I realized what it was. I now am trying to explain my path to my BF but I haven’t been able to find the right signs to explain to her and her Deaf husband. I would love to see the signs that you use for this pagan path. Please email me when you can at:
irishfirewiccan7599@hotmail.com
Blessed Be!
Leona Phoenix (Tiena Ellis)
Hello! I’m not deaf, though I’ve had some contact with the Deaf community through intersections with the Disability community (I have cerabral palsy), I learned SEE as a kid in summer camp, and had two semesters of 100-level ASL at the State University of Stony Brook in 1992.
I consider myself a Polytheist-Pantheistic-Agnostic-Pagan.
I realized, the other day, that the sign language I had learned has been slowly drifting out of my brain, and so I began a search for ASL resources online. And it is through that that I found this blog.
I think this is quite fortuitous. Thanks for being here.
Ann
Thanks for stopping by, Ann!
Hope you enjoyed your visit to the Crossroads… feel free to come again!
Ocean! I found you! Many, many years ago I did henna on your ankle at Gaea Goddess Gathering. Wyrd Sistrs- Debbie and I- was and still is our merchant name. You taught me the sign for Goddess and it has an enormous impact on my dancing. After Deb passed away, I inherited most of her things. I created boxes for all the women who touched her life. They are not filled with pricey things, but things that she felt might touch the women she loved. I have a box for you. How do I get it to you? email me please. I can’t believe I found you after all this time. Guess I should have searched for deaf pagan sooner. lol. Blessings.
Tattoo lovers perceive their body as a canvas whereby the tattoo art form is to be engraved. Normally, women prefer little tattoo photos and designs with lucid colors.
Know what…I just actually was googling for Spiral Goddess and the mouse just hit the wrong listing and poof here I am! I love how Ocean described about people have the ‘equal access’. I truly believe that we all do. DPC is colourful and vivid personal blog!
You are not alone in this success. Look around you and there’s delight spreading as it does like a fairy dust.
BB
I just found out that the centre for Deaf Studies at the University of Bristol is under threat, and thought you would want to know about it and spread the word among the Deaf community.
http://www.savedeafstudies.org.uk/
Thank you so much for sharing this information! I will certainly pass it on to my Deaf friends and try to stay informed on the situation. I appreciate your letting me know, and please feel free to stay in touch.
Goddess bless and Goddess keep.
~ Ocean
I am so excited to find this site. I see that it has been here for a while but I am new to it. I am Deaf and Pagan and never knew another like me around. I have studied Wicca for 15 years (since junior school) and have been very much alone on my path. The language difference has made it very hard to join any groups I always feel “outside”. I an happy to read your posts and know I am not the only one. Thank you!
I don’t know you (obviously) but for some reason I feel like I need to tell you that it’s nice to know you are out there or here or wherever!! I am hearing and an interpreting student and not Christian but in a VERY Christian dominated city. It’s just nice to l know that you are out there, wherever you are. Goddess bless!
Loved your site. Just found it. I hold full moon dances and love the earth. Hope you well. Listening to moon cycles inside. Chloe
good to see you back; hope ca is treating you well.. I finally moved and loving my new pad.. keep in touch
I am a deaf witch. My name is Wolfhawk. I was born in RI and raised in Massachusetts. I used to be called “RAVEN, RUNNINGWOLF, LUGH” I decided “Wolfhawk” It’s my name that I decided for spiritual journey as well as living as human, LOL. It’s a hard journey. Witchcraft have been around for thousands of years. How did I get involved? Well, I watched “Betwitched” Voila! A witch, already. Nah. I was drawn to runes and kybalion and mystic christianity (eastern philosophy) first.
My mind expanded on varied of disciplines, traditions, philosophy.
I am studying Celtic tradition because of my family’s traditions in Ireland. Now, I am revisiting my old faith, Catholics into Mariology, rosary beads, prayers, etc. I learned that I am descended from the Micmac tribe in Canada. I am also descendent from France. I am gay married and I have many of what I have in me. Wicca expanded my knowledge and journey. It’s a hard one.
I can’t wait to learn more.
I was found by a coven run by hearing. HPs and HP found me. I was called, “Lugh” I left the coven by personal choice. I am practicing on my own. I do however discuss, post my comments, and share my life with fellow deaf pagans and witches. merry meet, everyone.
I have a dear friend who’s son is 13 and deaf. I am teaching some of the older childern of my friend, however I feel as though I am excluding the 13 yr old. I know very little signing, how ever I am eager to learn. Can you direct me towards a site that I might find pagan terms in signing?
It would warm my heart to be able to help this loving little guys , he so wants to learn.
Blessings to you and this wonderful site.
Crone val
First of all…
The vast majority of the signs you would need to know in order to effectively communicate with and teach this deaf boy can be learned in a regular sign language class. I would encourage you to take such a class. Check out your local community college or deaf agency to see if there are classes offered in your area.
I do not recommend trying to learn sign language off a website or from a book. Such resources can be helpful for developing vocabulary, but they cannot teach you the language. They will teach you signs…but not HOW to sign. For that you really need a class and a qualified instructor.
American Sign Language (ASL) is not merely “handtalk.” It is a language of its own, with its own syntax and grammar. It is a highly visual language, and requires interaction with those fluent in it to develop your own skills. You are fortunate that you do have an individual that you can actually interact with and practice your signing skills – this is important in developing both expressive and receptive skills.
As for learning pagan vocabulary, there are no truly established signs for pagan terminology. Deaf Pagans are scattered far and few between, and opportunities to come together as a community and develop an actual vocabulary of agreed-upon signs for expressing our spirituality are infrequent. Most Deaf Pagans develop their own signs, based on their own concepts of what the word means to them. For example, I have seen five different signs for the word “Goddess.”
The following posts might give you more food for thought:
https://deafpagancrossroads.com/2010/10/21/an-asl-sign-for-pagan/
https://deafpagancrossroads.com/2008/11/24/interview-with-the-deaf-witch-part-iii-pagan-sign-language/
my name is Daniel. I am a pagan and a sign language interpreter. I have recently become involved with a collaborative of ‘like minded’ interpreters who want to work together to provide equal access to those who are also ‘like minded’ such as readings, rituals, yoga, spiritual gatherings and classes. I stumbled upon you googling deaf/pagan in Maryland. I’d love to chat/email with you about how we can work together in exploring spirituality and earth based beliefs and gaining equal access to those who seek it. please contact me at daniel.johnson81@gmail.com. blessed be!
I’m so glad to have found your site 🙂 As a coda and now an interpreter, I’ve been looking for ways to combine deaf culture and paganism, particularly because I use ASL as my symbol set. I’ve offered my services to ConVocation if you ever find your way out there- would love to meet up 🙂 Also, any other interpreters or active members of the community who would like to work together, please feel free to contact me- either on my blog or at my email: kikiwanderer@gmail.com. It excites me so much to see that others have had the same ideas.
Ocean — you guided me into the magic of sign almost thirty years ago, even helping me translate some of my songs. I am so happy to see you working in the light. Illness prevents me from sign nowadays, but your teaching stays bright in my memory.
I remember you fondly, my friend…and have wondered where you are and what you’re doing these days. I hope time has treated you well and life has been good to you. Keep in touch!
Hi,
My name is John and I have a quick question about your blog! Could you please email me?
Thank you,
John
My email address can be found in the sidebar on the right of this blog. Contact me via email with your question and I will attempt to respond as my time allows.
Thank you.
I am a Wiccan, learning to sign and I am working with a professor to come up with a sign for Wicca besides finger spelling. Most people have suggested “magic””prayer” or “nature””prayer” but nature doesn’t have it’s own word, it’s usually separated into like tree and “magic””prayer” might not work because not all wiccans practice magic. Any ideas?
Hi I am deaf woman and my name is Zara Mary Gurganious. I would love to join this member because I am Wiccan and Shaman, and Egyptian.