Lustration of the Ancestors​

At the Witch School International
Pagans in Global Action Conference

At Salem's Bewitched statue.

​Greetings all,

As you know the Correllian Lustration of the Ancestors was held concurrently with the Witch School “Pagans in Global Action” conference on the weekend of April 17-19 in Salem, Massachusetts. We are very grateful to the Witch School Pagans in Global Action Conference for hosting the Correllian Lustration and making this wonderful weekend possible.

Among the oldest communities in the US, Salem features many historic buildings and has a long and remarkable history. Of course the most famous aspect of Salem’s history, and the one that brought us there, are the famous Witch Trials of 1692 AD / 1292 Pisces. In perhaps the most famous miscarriage of justice in North American history, numerous persons were imprisoned and nineteen were judicially murdered on charges that they practiced Witchcraft. The vast majority of these people had no connection to Witchcraft under any of its many definitions. 

View of Salem's ancient graveyard where some of those involved in the Salem Witch Hysteria are buried.

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​There is much evidence of the suffering of the accused Witches of 1692 throughout Salem including the monument the town has erected in their honor. Salem is also home to a huge tourist industry surrounding the idea of Witchcraft –of various definitions.

​Museums, plays, magical shops of every description cater to both real Witches and tourists who are fascinated with the idea of Witchcraft. Shops like “Hex” and “Bewitched in Salem” carry every variety of magical item, tool, and ingredient you could ask for including objects d’art of great beauty and sophistication. 

View of Salem's ancient graveyard where some of those involved in the Salem Witch Hysteria are buried.

​And of course Salem is also the town of Laurie Cabot, Head of the Cabot Tradition and one of the great mothers of our movement, and of the famous Gypsy Ravish. And of course Salem is also the site of the annual Festival of the Dead, a month long extravaganza of the psychic, spiritual, and magical arts.

So we were all very excited that the “Pagans in Global Action” conference and the Correllian Lustration were to be held in Salem.

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​Many of the attendees came a long way to be here in Salem. Of course Ed Highcorrell and I came from Illinois along with Rev. Virginia Powell, Rev. Reanna Marie, and Magick TV camera crew Tony Jenkins and Carrie. Rev. Green Owl came from Missouri. Rev. Jeanene Hammers came from Oregon. Rev. Stephanie Neal and her people came to us from Georgia, Rev. Diane Lavendoski and her people came to us from Pennsylvania, Rev. Pete Hertzberg and Rev. Aine Massie came from Wisconsin, Rev. Christina Dunn from Arkansas. Naudia Silverwind and her people came to us from Victoria, Canada, Rev. Freyatru came from Derby, UK –indeed there are too many people who made the trip to name them all, but it was wonderful to see each and every one!

Rev. Naudia Silverwind who came from Victoria, Canada

​The event was held in the beautiful Hawthorne Hotel, a Salem landmark.
We kicked off the event Friday evening with a reception in the Essex Room, where Salem business leader Christian Day spoke to us about the Salem community, and how Salem became a major tourist attraction focused on the idea of Witchcraft. Christian also spoke about the community’s varying reactions to Salem’s image as “Witch City”. Most notably Christian spoke about the ways in which media influences the image of the Witch, and how media can be interacted with to improve that image. 

Rev. Windy LaJoie and Rev. Christina Dunn prepare for ritual

​​The reception was followed by the Temple Deeming ceremony. Three Temples appeared for Deeming at this Lustration: Northern Lakes of Wisconsin under Rev. Pete Hertzberg, The Animal Shrine of Sothistar of the UK under Rev. Mehitabel, and Clan of Mafdet of South Africa under Rev. Raene Packery.

After the Temple Deeming a Croning/Saging ceremony was held at which a number of Crones and Sages were honored, including Rev. Windy LaJoie, Rev. Virginia Powell, Rev. Green Owl, and others.

​Saturday morning we met for breakfast, and then began our program of speakers. The presentations were divided into two tracks: advanced and beginning. 

In the Sophia Room the advanced track began at 9 AM with Rev. Green Owl speaking about the application of advanced educational techniques to distance learning. 

The beginning track in the Skylark Room began with Rev. Don Lewis and Rev. Virginia Powell discussing “Living the Wiccan Life” –the application of Wiccan ideas and principles in daily living. 

Rev. Don Lewis and Rev. Virginia Powell

Rev. Pete Hertzberg and Rev. Aine Massie perform the handfasting of Dan and Alison after the Handfasting Workshop.

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​Next in the advanced track Rev. Jeanene Hammers discussed her experiences as an American Legion Chaplain.

At 11 AM Rev. Peter Hertzberg offered a workshop on handfasting, including handouts discussing marriage law in all fifty states. At 11:30 we celebrated the actual handfasting of special guests Dan and Alison Beaulieu –congratulations again Dan and Alison! 

​At noon we returned to the Essex Room for a very special luncheon. One of the Hawthorne Hotel’s more interesting historical features is that it was host to the cast of the famous television series “Bewitched” when the series was shooting a number of episodes in Salem. A special menu was created for Bewitched featuring “Witch-themed” dishes such as “Comet Cubes” (Baked Onions) and

“Jack-O-Lantern Beams” (Candied Carrots). This was the first time that the “Bewitched Menu” has been served in the thirty years since it was created, making this a very special luncheon indeed.

In addition to our special guests Angie Buchanan and Christian Day we were further honored by the presence of Pagan leader and civil rights activist Jerrie Hildebrandt at our luncheon

Dan and Alison Beaulieu celebrate the Great Rite at their handfasting. Rev. Christina Dunn acts as Herald for the ceremony, here holding the ceremonial book.

Rev. Angie Buchanan of the Executive Council for a Parliament of the Worlds Religions

​After lunch speakers continued: In the beginning track Rev. Don Lewis led a workshop on Basics of Ritual. In the advanced track Rev. Angie Buchanan, Executive Secretary of the Parliament of the World’s Religions spoke on the mission and vision of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, as well as her personal experiences in the Parliament. Lady Angie provided a rare glimpse into the highest circles of the interfaith movement, and valuable insight on why the interfaith movement is important to Pagans as well as the special challenges Pagans face in pursuing interfaith work.

We were deeply honored by the presence of Rev. Angie Buchanan and express our gratitude for her years of work on behalf of all Pagans. Lady Angie also graciously accepted Honorary High Priesthood in the Correllian Tradition and received a lavender stole.

​After Lady Angie, Rev. Stephanie Neal spoke about the Witch School Volunteer Guild and the good work that they are doing around the US and in several countries around the world. A striking series of display boards highlighted the work of numerous WSIVG chapters with photos and written descriptions of their projects. Clothing drives, book drives, highway clean-ups and many other good works were presented. Also highlighted was the new “Pagans Giving Freely” program which emphasizes volunteerism and good works at the most local level.

Rev. Stephanie Neal arranged project boards displaying the accomplishments of the Witch School Volunteer Guild.

Witch School CEO Ed Highcorrell

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​The final speaker of the day was Ed Highcorrell, CEO of Witch School International, who spoke about the many exciting developments going on at Witch School. One of the most exciting developments underway is the continuing development of the new WitchSchoolInternational.ning beta site which is being developed as a single portal through which all of Witch School’s exciting features can be easily accessed. The ning site will not replace the existing Witch School site, but rather augment it offering still more features to Witch School students.

​Saturday evening those members of the Witan Council who were present met in the Skylark Room. Then we proceeded to initiations, beginning with Third Degree and moving on to Second, First, and finally Outer Court Dedications. As usual, the initiation ceremony continued for several hours. We were very honored to have Rev. Angie Buchanan join us for part of this ceremony. 

Rev. Dominic Wetherell / Gothi Freyatru acts as Guardian for the ceremony.

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​Sunday morning we met in the Essex Room for the Lustration itself. Rev. Freyatru of Folkvang Shrine in the United Kingdom acted as Guardian. Rev. Reanna Marie HPS of Enchanted Realm Temple in Illinois acted as Sonifer. Rev. Aine Massie of Crystalline Star Temple in Wisconsin acted as Vocifer. Rev. Christina Dunn of Lady of Light Sister Circle in Arkansas cleansed the ritual space and Rev. Janie Nalles of Florida charged it. 

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​Rev. Stephanie Neal of Sacred Sea Temple in Georgia acted as Junovocator and Rev. Pete Hertzberg of Northern Lakes Temple acted as Genevocator. Rev. Michael Barry, Rev. Mandy Trentini, Rev. Amanda, and Rev. Michael Neal, all of Sacred Sea Temple Georgia, acted as Guardians of the Four Quarters. Rev. Diane Lavendoski, Rev. Liz Hamilton, and Tony Creager, all of Pennsylvania, acted as Rite Lector and Rite Priestess and Priest for the Joint Charge of Goddess and God / Great Rite. 

Rev. Liz Hamilton and Tony Creager enact the Great Rite

Rev. Karen Silva invokes the Ancestors as Elders' Herald

​​Rev. Virginia Powell of Selu Temple in Illinois stood in for the role of First Elder as she usually does at remote Lustrations, with Rev. Karen Silva acting as Elders’ Herald. Rev. Green Owl of Trianna Temple in Missouri stood in for the role of First Priestess.

As in previous years Elizabeth Bull kindly volunteered her services as deaf interpreter. 

It was a lovely ceremony and many thanks to all who took part!

​The Oracle for this Lustration was:

”The road stretches out before us, and we walk upon the road: Together: Hand in hand: Those who live in the world of spirit and those who live in the world of flesh. Open your hearts to us that we may aid you. Open your minds to us that we may teach you: even as we open our hearts and minds to you. We are one family: we are on Tradition: we are one world. We call to you, our children, in the name of that world: in the name of we who have gone before, and you who walk the road today. 

"It is a time when much needs to be done. The world requires healing. The world requires care. The world requires your hands and we call you to this. This is the time to do the work which we have called you to: which we have trained you for. There will not be a better time than now, for now is ALWAYS the time. And we say to you: as you go forth from this place go forth elated in the knowledge that you make a difference in your world. And if you do not do the work which is set before you: who else will do it better? 

"Embrace the work. Embrace the words of spirit. Heal the world and yourselves. Where you find disunity bring the hand of compassion. Where you find sickness bring the hand of healing. Where you find silence bring reverent words. And where you find chaos bring peace. This then is our message to you.”

Rev. Christina Dunn makes an offering to the Beloved Ancestors.

Rev. Green Owl joins Rev. Don Lewis in presiding over the Lustration ceremony.

​After the Lustration ceremony and the closing of the conference, a number of us toured the sites of Salem. I am sure we will long remember this lovely seaside town with its troubled past and vibrant future.  

It was wonderful to see so many people come out for the conference –to see old friends once again, and to meet new people for the first time. Thank you for coming everyone! I would also like to thank Lady Isis Rose for the copy of her book “Witch in the Neighborhood” –a lovely book about interacting positively in your community, and wholly in line with the “Pagans in Global Action” theme!

I would again like to thank the Witch School Pagans in Global Action Conference for hosting our Lustration activities.

​If you would like to see highlights from this years Lustration of the Ancestors including speakers Christian Day, Angie Buchanan, Stephanie Neal, the Handfasting Workshop and the Handfasting of Dan and Alison, as well as the highlights from the actual Lustration ceremony itself, you can see them at www.magicktv.com. Videos of these are also available from Witch School International at www.witchschool.com/pages/store-videos!

Blessings to all!

Rev. Don Lewis 
First Priest and Chancellor 
Correllian Tradition