Blue Deer Center

A spiritual retreat center. Here, you embrace the sacred and awaken to the aliveness and presence of all beings. We are all children of God.

Blue Deer is a sacred place that invites you to step beyond the ordinary and into a space of stillness, healing, transformation, and awe. Authentic Wisdom Traditions

About Elders

"The teachings are for all, not just for Indians...The white people never wanted to learn before...Now they have a different understanding, and they do want to learn. The tradition is open to anyone who wants to learn. But who really wants to learn?"

—Don Jose Matsuwa, Huichol, 1989

The Non-Indigenous Connection with Indigenous People
You might be wondering what all these “white folks” are doing teaching at a Center that promotes the honoring and preservation of indigenous traditions. We understand the serious problem of cultural appropriation of indigenous practices, the theft of traditions that are not our own, for personal possession or to place feathers in our caps. As you will see from the stories of our elders and teachers, our work within a culture that lives mostly outside indigenous traditions follows a respectful approach to indigenous wisdom. It is not ours to take. We can request the sharing of that wisdom, but we must be prepared to hear and accept, “No” if an elder does not wish to share. We can ask to receive teachings, but we must be prepared to fulfill conditions of acceptance in exchange for those teachings. Many indigenous elders envision a reconnection with our non-traditional culture as a crucial step toward the survival of humanity in the world. They find themselves between two different worlds, with one foot in their indigenous homelands and the other in our western consumer culture. From this place, they have the advantage of being able to impart traditional wisdom to our non-traditional culture, and perhaps change our present course. Malidoma Somé, for example, was declared by his ancestors before birth to serve as just such a “bridge”. Others amongst our teachers, like Eliot Cowan (read a recent interview in Indian Country Today and a letter to the Huichol people in Sacred Fire Magazine) and Colin Campbell, were “called” into their work by the traditions they now practice. The creation of programs at the Blue Deer Center follows strict criteria in determining both the authenticity of the work to be offered, as well as the ongoing relationships the teachers maintain with their traditions. Only in this way, in complete respect and humility to the ancestral lineages of wisdom keepers, can we grow together in this work.

09/06/2025

The Amish Builders Will Begin Restoring the Foundation this Month - http://eepurl.com/jmr7XQ

09/03/2025

The Amish Builders Are Coming. Let's Walk This First Step Together.
- https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/barn-pavilion-4
Their presence carries more than skill. The Amish are masters of wood, time, and quiet care. They will begin restoring the original section of the Blue Deer barn—an act that marks the first physical step toward what so many have long felt in the field: a permanent Fire Pavilion. With your support we can begin the work of transforming this old barn into a beautiful Fire Pavilion. https://bluedeer.org/donate

08/28/2025

We Cleared the Barn —Now It’s Your Turn - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/barn-pavilion-2753162

08/25/2025

"The building will not withstand another winter" - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/barn-campaign-2753148

08/22/2025

Before another winter passes, we must act. - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/barn-campaign-2 Before another winter passes, we must act. https://bluedeer.org/donate

08/17/2025

Come to Blue Deer this Fall - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/2025-program-schedule-6-aug
Soften the walls of separation—between yourself, others, and the living sacred world around you. Through ceremonies, women's gathering, sacred fires, and the presence of nature, you will awaken to your natural connection with spirit and your innate interconnectedness of all things. Carry these gifts of connection home with you, weaving them into your daily life.

08/07/2025

Big News from Blue Deer
Our BIG BARN is now clean and ready for what’s next!

Soon, some of its wood will help create our new FIRE PAVILION
—a beautiful, lasting space for gathering, ceremony, healing, and connection.

This project is more than construction.
It’s sacred stewardship—
a way to honor the past and support what’s to come.

We can’t wait to share this journey with you. 🩵🦌

07/08/2025

Fire Speaks Registration Ends Tomorrow! - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/fire-speaks-1weekleft-2753069

07/02/2025

Last week to sign up for Fire Speaks
Fire Speaks at Blue Deer
Saturday, July 12, 2025
REGISTRATION DEADLINE JULY 9
You are invited to join us for a very special evening of ceremony. Through the conduit of Don David Wiley, the Spirit of Fire will share his wisdom and blessings with us. This is the chance of a lifetime to offer your burning questions directly to a divine spirit and open your heart to receive guidance and a new perspective on life. https://www.bluedeer.org/program/fire-speaks

06/29/2025

Rooted and Resilient: A Women's Retreat for these Times - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/2025-women-deadline-1
This is a quick reminder that the cost of this fall's Women's Retreat will increase from $965 to $1065 on Tuesday, July 1.

So if you already know you want to go, now is the best time to register!

This is a special opportunity to be in community with other women -- and to connect to the powerful medicine that only you can bring to the world.

https://www.bluedeer.org/program/women-retreat

06/24/2025

Spiritual Healing is an Antidote for our Times

When the noise of the world overwhelms your inner life…
Come to the Healing Intensive — and rediscover peace.

When fear grips your days and leaves you on edge…
Come to the Healing Intensive — and take a healing pause in nature

When old relationships end or new ones seek deeper roots…

https://www.bluedeer.org/program/healing-intensive

06/19/2025

Spiritual Help is Here for You! - https://mailchi.mp/bluedeer/2025-program-schedule-5-summer

Address

1155 County Highway 6
Margaretville, NY
12455

Telephone

+18455863225

Website

http://www.bluedeer.org/

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