A.C. Fisher Aldag lives in Michigan near the beautiful Big Lake with her husband David and their children. They practice a Cymri (Welsh, Celtic) folk magic tradition, and she also has a background in Alexandrian Wicca and Welsh Witchcraft. Blantant plug: Aldag and her family help to sponsor Kalamazoo Pagan Pride in September and the Midwest Pagan Council's Pan Pagan Festival every August, in northern Indiana. Her favorite Llewellyn authors are Raymond Buckland, Raven Grimassi, Dorothy Morrison, Amber K, and Edain McCoy.
Anyone can do magic. You don't have to be able to dance to raise energy. You
don't need an eagle's eyesight to have psychic visions. People with physical
handicaps are fully capable of performing ritual, casting spells, and
celebrating the holidays. Many elders and differently-abled folks have
wonderful experiences and talents to offer the Pagan community. Yet sometimes
we are not fully included in Pagan or Wiccan rituals. Some of us choose to
work solitary for that reason.
As more and more people discover Nature Spirituality, there is a growing need
for covens, groups, and festivals. Many popular books now focus on coven
practice - such as Edain McCoy's Spellworking for Covens and The Witch's
Coven and Amber K's Coven Craft. Working magic in a group can be a powerful
experience. Therefore, ritual leaders must take into account that some of
their new celebrants may be differently-abled.
Each year, I help to sponsor a large Pagan Pride event and a small regional
festival. I'm the secretary for a legal Pagan church, where I facilitate the
childrens' activities and co-teach a "Magic 101" course. I am also
visually impaired, a kidney patient, and have other physical challenges. That
is why I use the term "differently-abled." My abilities include
organizing, cooking, and begging occult stores to sponsor events ... and my
disabilities include not being able to drive a car or read small print.
Others may have different abilities or limitations. We are all
differently-abled.
At public rituals, I cannot dance in a spiral to raise energy or read the
song sheet. At festival, I don't go for a midnight stroll in the woods. I can
accept my own limitations, but there are some barriers to participation that
just are not acceptable! Everyone should have access to the potties, which is
why there are ramps and wheelchair-sized portable outhouses. Everyone should
have access to ritual, as well. A priest or priestess, or other Pagan leader,
would never intentionally exclude anyone who was sincere about celebrating a
sabbat or performing a magical ceremony, but unfortunately, people with
handicaps are sometimes unintentionally excluded.
For many years, I was terrified of walking the candle-lit labyrinth, certain
that I would catch myself on fire. Then last summer, my dear husband promised
to guide me through the pathways, assuring me that he wouldn't let me run
into anyone - or worse, step on one of the lighted candles. (You can just
imagine the headlines: "Witch burning at Pagan festival!") I trust
my husband with my life, but it still took a lot of encouragement for me to
set foot on a narrow path of a thousand flaming candles. Yet I'm so glad I
did! Walking the labyrinth was a deeply spiritual experience, a passage of
transformation. It also helped me to understand some of the needs that people
with disabilities might encounter during a ritual.
Here are some suggestions for Priest/esses, facilitators, and ritual leaders:
Physical Challenges
It may be very difficult for people with disabilities to attend worship
rites. However, physically challenged people often develop amazingly strong
psychic abilities. They are valuable members of any Pagan community.
Please ensure that the location of a ceremony has accessible parking,
entryways, and bathrooms. If the ritual is held in a private home, help may
be required to carry the handicapped person up stairs or into a dwelling. If
it is outdoors, they may need some assistance to get to the site. Please make
the individual aware of such limits ahead of time. Some people may feel
patronized, so offer to help, but do not insist. Be aware that elders and
other differently-abled people may need to sit down during circle. If someone
uses an appliance, such as a brace or crutch, they may not be able to stand
for long periods of time, kneel, or sit on the ground. They will not be able
to participate in dance or other physical techniques of raising energy,
especially if the ground is uneven. Wheelchair users will need a place to
"park." Some rituals require participants to remove any metal
objects before entering, which is impossible for those who use an appliance
or a pacemaker. People who do not have upper arm strength may not be able to
hold a chalice or drum.
To include elders and the differently-abled, provide chairs and a safe place
to park wheelchairs or scooters. Waive the no-metal requirement. Ask them to
help maintain the circle or other magical wards. They may help to raise
energy by playing a musical instrument, singing, chanting, intoning a
vibratory sound (such as "Om"), or by using visualization. Once
energy is raised, they can help to direct it to the proper source. Elders can
act as a summoner, gate-keeper, or guardian of a quarter. Physically
challenged people can also help to ground the power or magically protect
other celebrants. They may be able to help supervise children.
Allow service animals in circle. They are well-trained and will sit quietly
during the ceremony. Some service animals are also "familiars" and
help to store and channel energy. Raven Grimassi and D.J. Conway have both
written good books on animal familiars and their presence in circle. These
books may be helpful to those who have service animals such as a guide dog.
Ask before offering service animals any food, since they are not supposed to
play or eat while "working" or in harness. Mention their presence
to other celebrants, so that nobody accidentally steps on Fido's tail.
Visual impairment
No, we don't expect you to Braille the entire ritual. If a visually impaired
person has a speaking part and can see a printed page, large type is
appreciated. Discussing a chant or song ahead of time may be helpful. Please
be aware that visually impaired or blind covenors cannot dance on uneven
ground, and may need help during a procession or while entering ritual space.
Assign a "seeing-eye person" to assist them. Let the individual
grasp your arm, rather than leading them. Verbal cues such as, "Now we
are passing the chalice" help a great deal.
Remember all the blind "seers" in Greek and Norse mythology, and
ask the visually impaired person to help with divination work. Visually
impaired people are especially adept with clairvoyance, clairaudience and
presaging talents. However, they may not be able to scry or do readings by
conventional means, such as tarot cards. They can also feel, raise, channel
and direct magical power just as well as any other participant.
Hearing impairment
If the celebrant has some hearing loss, it might help to station them near
the priest/ess or ritual leader. If this is impossible, it might be helpful
to give them a written copy of the ceremony beforehand, so they can follow
along. Face the person as you speak to them. The Gods can understand sign
language, but the rest of us might need an interpreter or paper and pencil.
Hearing impaired people may not be able to chant or have a speaking role in a
ceremony. However, they can feel vibrations, so drumming and dancing are good
ways for celebrants to participate. Of course, hearing impaired people can
also do visualization work and raise energy. They may notice elementals or
other magical entities that others aren't aware of. A hearing-impaired person
may have the ability to communicate with spirit beings through direct thought
form.
Other physical challenges
People with special dietary needs, such as diabetics, may not be able to eat
sugary ritual cakes. Providing an organic, non-sugared bread may be an
option, or ask celebrants to bring their own. Pregnant ladies, those in
recovery programs, and young children can not have alcoholic beverages, so
provide juice or blessed water. Kidney patients may need to carry a plastic
water bottle with them.
Some people cannot be in the sun for long periods of time. Others may require
warmth to maintain body heat, so allow them to work robed, or wear a shawl or
poncho. Here in Michigan, where temperatures can reach 20 degrees below zero
Fahrenheit, celebrants often take a cue from Native people and wrap
themselves in colorful blankets. Some wear long underwear under ceremonial
garb.
People with allergies may not be able to tolerate smoke, including incense,
sage smudging, or wood smoke from a bonfire. Please station them upwind, and
ask first before you smudge anyone. Using a feather to invoke Air may be more
appropriate. Check with celebrants before anointing them with ritual oils.
Individuals with contagious conditions or compromised immune systems may
require separate cups, rather than sharing a communal ritual chalice.
It always helps to inform people of the overall scope of the ritual, and
outline all the steps, especially if they are "newbies." This helps
to make the ceremony a positive experience for everyone.
Here are some suggestions for people with disabilities:
Please inform the ritual leader of any special needs beforehand. This will
eliminate any surprises, and help them to prepare to accommodate you. There
are some situations that are just plain unavoidable - the field in a public
park might be the only place available to hold Pagan Pride Day. John and
Mary's bathroom might be too narrow for a wheelchair. Deal with it. They did
not choose that location just to exclude you. Next time they will know
better, and make an effort to include everyone. If they cannot, or will not,
there are other gatherings, other circles, and other groups who are more
accommodating. You might have to take a pass on one particular ritual, but
there are many others that you can attend.
Seek out ceremonies held in public buildings. Most of these places already
have handicapped accommodations. Some things might be surmountable - a piece
of plywood can be an impromptu wheelchair ramp, and the ceremony can be held
on the ground floor instead of in the attic if the group knows you are coming
to their ritual. Ask the Priest/ess or ceremony leader to seat you in a place
where you can see, hear, or help to direct the energy. Request a copy of the
ritual ahead of time. If the ceremony is in a Llewellyn book, you can
purchase it online and have it delivered to your door!
Don't be too proud to ask for help. This is an excellent way to meet new
people! Teens and older children often feel honored to be able to assist you.
Bring a lawn chair if needed, and ask that cute guy or gal to help you carry
it to the circle. Request that parking be provided for you. We often place a
broom on a bucket across the driveway for "handicapped only." When
the celebrant arrives, they honk the horn, and someone can run out to move
the barricade. Ask the Priest/ess to assign you a helper. Tribal people made
it a habit to assist one another, and we Pagans base many of our traditions
on these customs. It does as much for the helper as for the person needing
assistance.
If you have special dietary needs, you may wish to bring your own food or
bottled water. Ask the priest/ess to place it on the altar, bless it with the
other ritual foods, and give it to you when the time is appropriate. You can
put your own water in a pretty chalice and keep it near you. If you are
allergic to smoke, oils, or other substances, warn the "smudger" or
other ritual assistant ahead of time.
If you use an appliance, you may have had this experience: magical energy is
rough on electrical energy! I am talking about wheelchair batteries, TENS
units, pacemakers, hearing-aid batteries, or other electrical devices. The
cone of power may drain your scooter's power. Bring along an electrical
extension cord, your power pack, and spare batteries, if needed. Some
electric wheelchairs can be jump-started from a car battery, but if not, make
sure there is an external power source at the location of the ritual. Public
parks and festival grounds may not have electricity available. If you need a
breathing machine, air conditioning in your motor home, or a recharger on
your wheelchair battery, being without electricity can spell disaster. Better
to enjoy the ceremony in the hotel or community center than to put yourself
in danger at an outdoor event.
For those who use appliances, be aware that metal, wood and some plastics can
augment magical energy. You may need to discharge excess power by channeling
it down through your appliance or prosthesis. Practice this technique alone
at home or in a small ritual or group of understanding covenors. It feels
much different than grounding through the bottom of your feet. Metal
appliances may also be an energy conductor. If the people around you start
acting "hyped," and the animals in the room start turning
backflips, you may be zapping them with excess energy channeled through your
crutches! Talismans or crystals attached to your appliance; runes or sigils
painted on a walking cane or brace; and herbal sachets can help to ground
excess energy. There are many Llewellyn books that have good tables of
correspondence for colors, stones, runes, Gods, days of the week, etc.
Hematite is a good "grounding" stone, and a dark green amulet bag
can effectively remove excessive energy. Shield and protect appliances just
as you would any other ritual tool, or your car and living space. Yes, you
might want to consecrate your wheelchair! The fairy Queen Mab had her
chariot, Aladdin had his flying carpet, Odin had Sleipnir the Horse ... your
conveyance can be just as magical.
Lastly, please remember that we are all differently-abled. We all have unique
talents and abilities to offer our communities and the Gods. You might not be
able to cavort wildly around the bonfire, but you may be able to channel the
energy raised by the drummers and dancers. Working magic, participating in
ritual, and honoring our own inner deity are valuable ways of contributing to
our spirituality. A good book to help you on your path is Spiritual Fitness
by Nancy Mramor. As the title suggests, this book can help to enhance your
personal well-being and spiritual awareness.
RECOMMENDED TITLES:
BOOK OF PAGAN RITUALS:
Part one of this book contains an introduction to Paganism and basic Pagan rituals, while part two contains advanced Pagan rituals.
RITUALS AS A PATH TO THE DIVINE (CASS):
A guided tour of Hindu ritual and practice, through conversation between the well-known physician and anthropologist Huyler.
RITUALS FOR LIFE:
Create your own sacred ceremonies for everything from seasons to rites of passage
PRACTICAL CANDLEBURNING RITUALS:
Perhaps the best-selling candle burning book of all time, this is the first book to bring candle magic up from the 19th century muddle to a clear and concise, modern Pagan book of "how to do it".
GODDESS SPIRITUALITY BOOK:
Rituals, holidays, and moon magic for both the enthusiastic beginner and seasoned practitioner.
WICCAN RITUALS AND BLESSINGS (CD):
A radiant collection of charms and spells, including a Handfasting ritual, on compact disk.
These title and others can be found at Isis Books & Gifts! With over
500 Wicca and Witchcraft book titles in stock, your sure to find one right
for you!
Click here to
receive a free 90-page catalog.
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