​Lustration of the Living

​Rossville, Illinois, USA
August 29-31

Rev. Robert deMaille of Spiral Light Shrine presents a ceremonial candle to Tradition Chancellor Rev. Don and retired First Priestess Lady Krystel at the Selv Temple Corn Feast on Lustration weekend. Photo courtesy of Rev. Alyssa Maxon

​The Lustration of the Living was held in Rossville, Illinois, on the weekend of 29-31 August. It is my great pleasure to say that this was among the most positive Lustrations we have ever held. Not only was the event good for the attendees, but the attitude of the local community was strikingly positive and accepting. Local news media covered the event and presented it not as a point of controversy but as a normal part of the regional Labor Day weekend festivities comparable to the Sweet Corn Festival in Hoopeston or the Rossville Sidewalk Sale Days. This is a tremendous step forward in how people perceive us locally as Wiccans. After years of controversy in Hoopeston we seem to have attained normalcy in Rossville. 

​As always people came from all over for Lustration. Our local Correllian community was joined for the event by guests from Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, and New York.

In addition to the Mother Temple and local Temples Selu and Enchanted Realm/PURE Sanctuary, many Correllian Temples and Shrines were represented including Circle of Friends, Crystalline Star, Hooded Crone and Lady of Light. Sacred Sea Temple and Spiral Light Shrine sent major delegations including numerous members.

Rev. Alyssa Maxon, D.J., and Beth of Spiral Light pose with the "Paganmobile" en route from Connecticut to the Lustration. Photo courtesy of Rev. Alyssa Maxon.

The Friday Evening Drum Circle. Photo courtesy of Lady Green Owl.

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​Although people began arriving as early as Friday the 23rd, the first activities of Lustration weekend did not begin until Friday the 29th. That evening we all gathered for a drum circle at the home of Rev. Reanna Marie, HP, Head of Enchanted Realm Temple. The drum circle was open to the public and did in fact include at least one member of the public. During the drum circle, which lasted from 6 till 10 PM, a special birthday celebration was held for retired First Priestess Lady Krystel and Rev. Virginia Powell, HP, Head of Selv Temple and Elder’s Herald. 

Saturday morning many of us attended the annual Sweet Corn Parade in Hoopeston. The Sweet Corn Parade is a major event in the region featuring floats, marching bands, clown, the obligatory politicians, and of course Beauty Queens.

...Beauty Queens? Yes, Beauty Queens. Hoopeston is home to the annual Miss Sweetheart Pageant which draws contestants from across the US, who also  appear in the Sweet Corn Parade the next day.

Miss Hoopeston on her float in the Sweet Corn Parade. Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

Rev. Don confers with Rev. Karla Summers, HP, and MaryAnn Kaufmann during the Corn Feast in Hoopeston. Photo courtesy of Rev. Alyssa Maxon.

​After the parade Selv Temple hosted a special Corn Feast featuring corn-based dishes and other classic Midwestern American food. The Feast was also open to the public. 

We believe strongly that as a modern world religion it is very important that we interface with the public and let people know who we are and what we are about. We have suffered a certain amount of prejudice as a result of this policy, but we have also overcome a great deal of prejudice because of this policy. 

​Following the Corn Feast Rev. Robert deMaille of Spiral Light Shrine shared with us several power point presentations which Spiral Light uses in its work with members of the military, a major focus of the Shrine. 

These presentations were beautiful and well-presented. Rev. deMaille explained to us all the special needs of the highly competitive east coast community, where polished presentations like these are of special importance.

Rev. Aine Massie HP, Rick of Lady of Light Temple, Rev. Debbe Tompkins HP, and Rev. Don during the Corn Feast. Photo courtesy of Rev. Alyssa Maxon.

Rev. Robert deMaille demonstrates Spiral Light's power point presentations after the Corn Feast. Photo courtesy of Rev. Alyssa Maxon.

The Deemsters' Court. L to R: Rev. Reanna Marie, HP, Rev. Don Lewis, HP, and Rev. Karla Summers, HP. Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

​We then assembled to Hesychia House for the Temple Deeming. Rev. Reanna Marie, HP, and Rev. Karla Summers, HP, of Circle of Friends Shrine, joined the Chancellor as Co-Deemsters for the ceremony.

Rev. Virginia Powell, HP, represented Rev. Silver Moonblossom for the deeming of Serenity Witan Shrine of County Durham UK.

Rev. Stephanie Neal, HP, represented Rev. Lee Fluhr of Hall of the Ancestors Witan Shrine of Maryland, USA.

​And Spiral Light Witan Shrine of Groton, Connecticut, USA, was represented at the deeming by a deputation of its members headed by Shrine Head Rev. Alyssa Maxon and Co-Head Robert deMaille. 

As is our custom each group ceremonially presented their answers to the Deeming questions, with final results to be announced during the Lustration itself.

Elizabeth Bull of Spiral Light Shrine prepares to address the Deemsters' Court. Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

Rev. Don with the delegation from Sacred Sea Temple, L to R Samantha, Rev. Michael Barry, Rev. Michael Neal, and Rev. Stephanie Neal HP. Photo courtesy of Rev. Stephanie Neal.

​After the Temple Deeming Saturdays activities concluded with initiations.

Rev. Gwen Cromwell of Pure Sanctuary received her Third Degree initiation.

Rev. Michael Barry, Rev. Michael Neal, and Rev. Michael Poole received their First Degree initiations in our first ever all-Michael initiation ceremony.

Samantha of Sacred Sea made her dedication.

Congratulations to all of the Initiates and Dedicants! 

​Sunday morning we gathered for the Lustration ceremony at Hesychia House. The last several weeks had seen a flurry of activity as the grounds were prepared for the ceremony with the clearing away of bushes and undergrowth and the removal of an ornamental pool and fountain that had seen better days. The altar was set up within the shelter of a natural circle of trees, which shaded the proceedings against the August heat and sun. 

Preparing the Hesychia grounds for the Lustration ceremony. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Maxon.

​As always the Lustration ceremony was open to the public and a few non-Correllians did indeed join us, as well as a few spectators around the Hesychia grounds. Also, for the first time ever the Lustration was covered by the local media, with a news crew from WICD Channel 15 being present. [The resulting story by reporter Checkey Beckford is among the most positive news reports we have ever been featured in] 

Invoking the "Seventy Gods". Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

​Rev. Green Owl, HP, Head of Trianna Temple, and Rev. CJ Cromwell, HP, of Pure Sanctuary handled technical logistics for the ceremony. The script for the Lustration of the Living can be seen HERE

Elizabeth Bull of Spiral Light opened the ceremony with a special Besom Cleansing rite. Rev. Robert deMaille of Spiral Light served as Guardian for the ceremony. Rev. Aine Massie, HP, Head of Crystalline Star Temple, and Rev. Reanna Marie, HP, Head of Enchanted Realm Temple, took their accustomed roles as Vocifer and Sonifer. 

Lady Bitterwind brings forth the Book of Life to be Blessed. Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

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​M. Rev. Don Lewis, HP, First Priest and Chancellor of Tradition, led the ceremony. Rev. Windy LaJoie, HP, of Hooded Crone Shrine, took the role of Lead Priestess, while Rev. Virginia Powell, HP, Head of Selv Temple, acted as Elder’s herald assisting First Elder Arch Priestess Virginia “Bitterwind” Smith.

Samantha and Rev. Michael Barry of Sacred Sea Temple acted as Aquifer and Lucifer respectively.

Rev. Alyssa Maxon of Spiral Light and Rev. Karla Summers HP of Circle of Friends Shrine, acted as Genevocator and Junovocator. 

Lady Bitterwind displays the Book of Life. Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

A view across the width of the circle. Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

​Beth, DJ, and Elizabeth Bull, all of Spiral Light, acted as Guardians of the East, South, and West respectively. Rev. Christina Dunn, Head of Lady Of Light Temple, acted as Guardian of the North. 

Rev. Debbe Tompkins, HP, Head of the Order of Hesychia, acted as Lector for the Great Rite while Rev. Stephanie Neal, HP, Head of Sacred Sea Temple, and Rev. Mike Neal of Sacred Sea enacted the Great Rite.

Rev. Virginia Powell, HP, joined the Chancellor in bringing through the Oracle of the Ancestors, which said:  

“A beginning is coming : A change is coming: May we all be fair: In love and trust and in obedience: May we all be blessed: …Behold the further words of the Ancestors : As this year progresses into the next: We shall see the coming of the tide upon the shore: And with it the riches of the sea: We shall see the bounty of the Great Work laid before us: And the task which is laid upon each of us: Is how we shall react to the very success: Which comes from our efforts: Which shall bring forth the best in us and the worst in us: And unto you the Ancestors say: Draw forth from yourselves the best: That the best may multiply upon the earth: And that the good things which come to you now : Will continue to come from 
one day to the next”

Rev. Don delivers the Oracle. Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

Rev. Robert deMaille assists with the Toast. Photo courtesy of Magick TV

​After this followed the toast. As is our custom the toast was accompanied by a musical presentation: Rev. Gwen Cromwell, HP, of Pure Sanctuary, sang the Lustration Anthem.

We then announced the Temple Deeming results, which were:

Serenity Witan Shrine is advanced to the status of Proto-Temple.

Hall of the Ancestors Witan Shrine is advanced to the status of Proto-Temple.

Spiral Light Witan Shrine is advanced to the status of Proto-Temple.

In addition the Deemsters have established the Temple of Healing and the Living Stones Memorial Temple, which have formerly existed as Formal Shrines. 

​​Awards were then presented for excellence. This cycle we honored the following people for their service:

Order of the Golden Wand: Elizabeth Bull, Rev. Anna Rowe, Rev. Lee Fluhr, and Rev. Mary Keller

Order of the Silver Chalice: Rev. Mary Keller

Order of the Iron Pentacle: Rev Darlene Moon Masque Mystique, Rev. Anna Rowe

Order of the Thurible: Rev, Moonleaf 

The sigil of the Order of Tsalv (pronounced roughly as "Chah-lee" "Chah-loo")

​Beyond these we made one final, extraordinary award. In addition to our Service Orders which honor members in each Lustration cycle, the Tradition also has three Meritorious Orders which are only presented for outstanding actions. These are the Order of Orpheus recognizing outstanding service to the Correllian Tradition: The Order of the Round Table recognizing outstanding service to the Pagan community: and the Order of Tsalv recognizing outstanding service to the cause of peace in the world.

​At this Lustration it was our great pleasure to award the Order of Tsalv to Rev. Robert DeMaille for his service as a 9/11 rescue worker. The 9/11 tragedy is a horror which neither America nor the world will ever forget. Nor can the world ever forget the heroic efforts of rescue workers like Rev. Robert who risked their lives for the sake of others both during and after that fateful day. 

The Tradition is proud to extend this rare honor to Rev. Robert with our thanks for his selfless actions, as well as to state our heartfelt thanks to all of those rescue workers and others who extended themselves despite danger, grief, and hardship for the sake of others in the wake of the Great Tragedy of 9/11. May you be blessed.

Rev. Robert deMaille of Spiral Light.

Giving thanks. Photo courtesy of Magick TV.

​We then gave thanks and adjourned to the after-Lustration feast.

After the feast Lady Krystel held a Spirit Message circle in which she and Janice Romack, a Friend of the Tradition of more than twenty years standing, gave spirit messages to participants.

Thus ended the Lustration of the Living for Year 08 Aquarius. We want to thank everyone who took part and hope to see you all again next year!

The next Lustration will be the Lustration of the Ancestors to be held in Salem, Massachusetts, on the weekend of April 17-19. To learn more about this event or to register click HERE