WITAN SHRINES

Above: Gathering in the store just prior to the Lustration ceremony Rev. Aine Massie, Rev. Mark Crewson, Rev. Darius Morningstar, and Rev. Kim Reffet share a moment with First Elder Lady Bitterwind (seated). Rev. Aine wears a Herald's tabard for her role as Vocifer while Rev. Kim wear's the tabard of her office as Elders' Herald
Rev. Darius Morningstar (of Sacred Arts Temple) acted as Temple Dancer, to the great pleasure of the ladies (and some of the men), beginning the raising of energy in the Temple space.
Above: Almost ready!! Having changed into their robes, participants anxiously await the stroke of noon and the beginning of the procession! Rev. Aine Massie (Head of Crystalline Star Temple) acted as Vocifer, reciting key passages of the ceremony. Rev. Reanna Marie (Head of Enchanted Realm Temple) acted as Sonifer, announcing each section of the ritual. Rev. Debbe Thompkins (Head of Heritage Shrine) ceremonially cleansed the Temple space with salt and water. Rev. Rodney Eclipse Dysinger (Co-Head of Heritage Shrine), ceremonially charged the Temple space with fire and air.
Above: Led by Rev. Casey Carraher, Head of Silver Weaver Witan Shrine in Kankakee, Illinois, the procession begins Rev. White Pixie Rose (of Sacred Arts Temple) acted as Genevocator, invoking the Higher Self of the First Priest. Rev. Mark Crewson (Head of Sacred Arts Temple) acted as Junovocator, invoking the Higher Self of Arch Priestess Ruthann, standing in place of First Priestess Lady Krystel.

Above: The procession winds around the building toward the side door which leads upstairs to the chambers set aside for the use of the Mother Temple. Visible are the Quarter Guardians with their Elemental Crowns, followed by Rev. Vera and Rev. Demorae Lady Krystel was able to join us for the ceremony, but restricted her role to that of Grand Oracle owing to the rigors of the ceremony. Right: Tradition First Priestess M. Rev. Krystel High-Correll with High Priestess Rev. Green Owl of Trianna Temple, in procession. Lady Green Owl, an accomplished Oracle in her own right, acted as assistant to Lady Krystel in the latter's capacity as Grand Oracle during the ceremony
Above: Led by Guardian Rev. Casey Carraher, the procession stops at the entrance to the Lustration chamber, guarded by Paladin Commander Rev. David Blanken-Webb and Paladin Paul who formed a ceremonial arch with their swords for the procession to enter through Lady Ruthann and I cast the circle using a unique double sword preferred for the occasion by Rev. Jason Mycroft.

Above: As the Guardian cleanses the space, Rev. Darius Morningstar dances, building energy to help the cleansing of the Temple before the ritual begins Rev. Jason Mycroft (of Selu Temple) acted as Guardian of the East. Dedicant Alex Linares (of Selu Temple) acted as Guardian of the South. Rev. Stargazer (of Selu Temple) acted as Guardian of the West. Rev. Virginia Powell (of Selu Temple) acted as Guardian of the North. Together with Lady Ruthann and myself they took part in the Invocation of the Seventy Gods which opens the ceremony. Right: Rev. Darius Morningstar dances. Although the Lustrations do usually feature Temple dancing during the cleansing of the sacred space, this is the first time that the lead Temple dancer has been male. The majority of our Temple dancers have been young ladies and children. Rev. Darius did very well, and this was an interesting change.
Above: The procession waits at the entryway and watches the dance!
First Elder Lady Bitterwind and her Herald Rev. Kim Reffet (Former Head of PURE Sanctuary Temple) now brought forth the Book of the Living to be Blessed. Then it was time for the Great Rite. Rev. Dotty Demorae Sweeting (Head of Spiral Goddess Witan Shrine) acted as Rite Lector. Rev. Janet Schmidt (Head of Thousand Mirrors Temple) and Rev. Rick Schmidt (of Thousand Mirrors Temple) performed the Joint Charge. Right: Rev. Casey Carraher as ritual Guardian kneels and prays as the procession enters. The prayer helps to attune to Deity and colors the energy of the sacred space. The Guardians prayer: "Darkness: Light. Herself: Himself. Oneself: Forever"
Above: The procession ends as Arch Priestess Lady Ruthann and First Priest Lord Don salute the altar. Now the prayer of the Guardian will cease and the ritual will begin. Now Rev. Vera Lynn Athenia Holman (Head of Alexandria Witan Shrine) came forward to act as the Ancestors’ Lector, explaining the nature of our connection to the Ancestors. Elders’ Herald Rev. Kim Reffet then invoked the Ancestors.
Above: Arch Priestess Lady Ruthann and First Priest Lord Don invoke the universal nature of the Goddess and the God, concluding the ritual invocation of the Seventy Gods representing all the Earth.
Rev. Joy Fry and Dedicant Brandi (of Heritage Shrine) acted as Offertory Priestesses, Rev. Joy offering a bouquet of peonies and Brandi offering incense to the Beloved Ones, her baby Brooklyne on her hip reminding us of the continuity of life. Right: The Quarter Guardians dance symbolizing the Oneness of all Creation. The Quarter Guardians are: East, Rev. Jason Mycroft, Chancellor's Herald (in herald's tabard): South, Alex Linares: West, Rev. Stargazer: and North Rev. Virginia Powell (in white tabard)
	Now First Priestess Lady Krystel, acting as Grand Oracle of Tradition, came forward. Lady Green Owl (Head of Trianna Temple) assisted Lady Krystel as Oracle. The Beloved Ancestors were invoked to deliver their message through the Oracle. This Lustration’s oracle was quite exciting. It spoke of the changes occurring in the Tradition: it addressed the geographical split between the Chancellery located in central Illinois and the Directorate located in western New York: it addressed the idea of a permanent Headquarters for the Mother Temple, and the high level psychic and spiritual work which will be done there. It was most inspirational. Left: Arch Priestess Lady Bitterwind brandishes the Book of the Living. This book, which is Blessed during every Lustration, contains the names of all Correllians living or in Spirit. When the Book is Blessed all those whose names are recorded in it are symbolically Blessed as well. The Book is handmade, written entirely in the Correllian Alphabet, and illuminated with various artworks
When the ceremony was completed the results of the Deeming were announced: each of the four Shrines which had been Deemed were judged ready for Temple status. Rev. Vera and Rev. Dotty were called forward and honored as new Temple Heads. Rev. Virginia Powell was also called forward and named as the new Head of Selu Temple. Then Rev. Davron Michaels was called forward and formally called to join the Correllian Council of Elders as a member. Congratulations to all of the new Temples and to our newest Elder! Right: Rev. Rick Schmidt (L) and Rev. Janet Schmidt (R) of Thousand Mirrors Temple act as Rite Priest and Rite Priestess, conjoining Swords and Chalice. Rev. Demorae of Spiral Goddess Witan Shrine acts as Rite Lector
	It had also been intended to announce the new Witan Herald at this time, but the decision was not made for another two days: the new Witan Herald is Rev. Tsitra Kent of Heilen Shrine. As Witan Herald, Rev. Kent will work to co-ordinate communications between the Tradition and its many Temples and Shrines. Congratulations to Rev. Kent! Right: Rev. Don invokes the Ancestors into First Priestess Lady Krystel so that she may give the Oracle. Correllianism places great emphasis on the Ancestors and on the practice of Oracular work. The Lustration ceremonies grew out of rites aimed at seeking the Blessing of and messages from the Ancestors
Above: The Blessing of the Lustral water. The Lustral water, taken from the sacred Vermilion river by the Priestesses of Enchanted Realm Temple, is proffered in an antique art glass cauldron, held by Elders' Herald Rev. Kim Reffet (former Head of PURE Sanctuary Temple). Grand Oracle Lady Krystel, still channeling the energy of the Beloved Ancestors, prepares to bring through Their Blessing. Between her hands Lady Krystel holds the sacred stone she uses to help transmit the Blessing to the water, which will then be transmitted by sympathetic magic from the water to Correllians everywhere
Finally we can also announce the new Deemstress of Applications who will co-ordinate all Outer Court and Clerical applications: Rev. Cassandra Michaels, Co-Head of Astral Light Temple has been chosen from among a number of candidates to fill this post. Rev. Cassandra has a proven record of accomplishment in the Correllian Tradition. Among other things Rev. Cassandra’s efforts have been vital in the building of Astral Light Temple, and in the establishment of its physical facilities. Rev. Cassandra has helped the Tradition in other many ways as well including assisting us with legal situations. Congratulations to Rev. Cassandra!	Above: Rev. Don congratulates Rev. Demorae and Rev. Vera after announcing that their Witan Shrines have been Deemed ready for full Temple status
The final announcements made were about the location for the next three Lustrations: the Fall Lustration is to be held at the Temple of Astral Light in Albany, New York: next Spring’s Lustration is to be held in the Washington, DC, area and hosted by Sacred Arts Temple: the Lustration for Fall of Year 6 will be held in the Ohio area, hosted by Heritage Shrine.