​Lustration of the Ancestors

Watertown, Wisconsin, USA
April 18 - 20, Year 10 Aquarius

The Lustration altar.

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​Well, once again the Lustration of the Ancestors has come and gone –and wasn’t it a great weekend! This year’s Lustration of the Ancestors was held in Watertown Wisconsin and hosted by Northern Lakes Temple. The members of Northern Lakes did a great job with the event, which was held in a cozy park building near the banks of a lovely river.

Marcie, Alyssa, and Liz.

We are very grateful to all of the many people who attended, especially those who came such long distances to attend. Among the guests were Rev. Citrine from Australia; Rev. Diane Lavendowski HP, Rev. Terry Schall, Rev. Liz Hamilton, and Tony from Pennsylvania; Rev. Alyssa Maxon from New York; Terry Power from Canada; Rev. Dorothy 2Spirits Levan, Rev. Jason Highcorrell and Rev. Jai Elliott from Illinois; Rev. Green Owl from Missouri; Rev. Michael from Texas; Rev. Marcie Vonderwell-Hull from Ohio; and Rev. Litha from Minnesota. My son John also attended for the first time.

​We were also very honored to by joined by Adam, a seminarian from a Quaker seminary, who added a great deal by his presence.

Sadly several people who were expected were unable to attend at the last moment due to family tragedy. Rev. Freyatru from the United Kingdom had also been planning to attend but was prevented by the volcano.

​The event began Friday night with a stirring opening ceremony led by Rev. Pete Hertzberg HP, Head of Northern Lakes Temple. The ceremony included original music, and personified Elemental Dragons who presented specially made regalia to the Quarter Guardians who would serve in the actual Lustration ritual on Sunday.

After the opening ceremony our special guest, Rev. Selena Fox of Circle Sanctuary, delivered the keynote address. We were truly blessed to have this wonderful lady as our special guest! Lady Selena is among the foremost Pagan leaders in the world, and her publication – Circle Network News – has been extremely important in the development of the Pagan community in the Midwest United States.

The Yellow Dragon of the East, from the Lustration opening ceremony.

Rev. Don receives the sword

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​Next came a special presentation by the Correllian Witan. Terry Power of Celtic Cross Temple, speaking for the council, presented me with a magnificent ceremonial sword which they had commissioned to be made in Australia by Lord Badger of Path of Light. This sword will now become the Sword of the First Priest and will be passed down as a piece of hereditary regalia. I gratefully accepted this inspired gift on behalf of the office of First Priest, and look forward to using it for many years before it passes to my successor.

Saturday was a very busy day with a full slate of workshops beginning at 9 AM.

The first workshop was led by Lady Green Owl HP, who spoke on the “Responsibilities of the Higher Clergy”.

Next I spoke, offering a “Review of the Parliament of the World’s Religions”.

Next Marcie Vonderwell-Hull spoke on “Pagans and the Law”.

After lunch Lady Selena again spoke, this time giving a very informative talk on “Interfaith Networking”.

Terry Power spoke next on the subject of “Ethics”.

The day’s final speakers were Rev. Pete Hertzberg HP and Rev. J. Highcorrell HP, who spoke on “Creating and Maintaining Your Temple.”

Lady Selena speaks about Interfaith Working, a subject about which she is very passionate

After dinner came a meeting of those members of the Witan who were present. A variety of subjects were discussed which will be taken on to the full Witan in coming weeks, including the need for increased security safeguards in the Clergy Making Process including background checks, a Traditionwide policy for Temples dealing with young people, a new Clergy Handbook, the possibility of changes in or additions to our existing Degree system, and in general the ongoing need to keep up with the times and evolve. 

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​The Witan meeting was followed by the Temple Deeming. Groups up for Deeming included Circle of Atargatis Witan Shrine, Circle in the Oaks Witan Shrine, Sacred Fire Witan Shrine, and Wisdom House Witan Shrine.

Saturday evening ended with initiation ceremonies. New initiates included Second Degree Priestesses Rev. Jai Elliott of PURE Sanctuary, Rev. Citrine of Aurora Australis, First Degree Priesthood Rev. Michael, Rev. Hailey Litha Olson, Rev. Terry Schall, Rev. Dottie 2Spirits Levan.

Rev. Hailey and Rev. Citrine

Sunday began with the Lustration Rehearsal at 10 AM, followed by the actual Lustration ceremony at noon.

A group photo taken after Lustration shows many of those who took part in the ceremony along with Lady Selena.

Rev. Terry Power HP of Celtic Cross Temple served as the Guardian. Rev. Alyssa Maxon of Tabula Rasa Shrine acted as Sonifer. The Vocifer was Rev. Aine Massie HP of Crystalline Star Temple. Adam, our Quaker guest, acted as Aquifer while Rev. Pete Hertzberg HP of Northern Lakes Temple acted as Lucifer. Rev. Jai Elliott of PURE Sanctuary Temple acted as both Junovacator and Genovacator. The Quarter Guardians were enacted by Rev. Michael of Sacred Fire in the East, Rev. Terry Schall of Spiritual Manifestation in the South, Rev. Elizabeth Hamilton of Dancers of Shakti Temple in the West, and Rev. Diane Lavendowski, HP, of Spiritual Manifestation in the North. The Great Rite and Joint Charge were enacted by Rev. Citrine of Aurora Australis as Rite Lector, Rev. Jason Highcorrell HP and Rev. Jai Elliott, both of PURE Sanctuary Temple, as Rite Priest and Priestess. Offertory Priestesses –Rev. Marcie Vonderwell-Hull and Rev. Dorothy Levan served as the Offertory Priestesses, and also as Califers during the toast. Rev. Jason Highcorrell HP of PURE Sanctuary acted for the First Elder with Rev. Pete Hertzberg HP of Northern Lakes as Elder’s Herald, and Rev. Green Owl HP of Trianna Temple acted for the First Priestess. Lady Selena Fox honored us with a special blessing.

Lady Selena offers a special blessing during the Lustration of the Ancestors

​​As always the high point of the ceremony was the Oracle of the Ancestors, during which the Ancestors give their message to the Tradition and their blessing is channeled into the Lustral Water. This year’s Oracle was:

Lady Green Owl of Trianna invokes the Beloved Ancestors to give their message through Rev. Don, First Priest and Grand Oracle the of Correllian Tradition.

​“We come to you on this day in love. And we say to you that as a Tradition we must join hands together and be one Circle of love. One Family. One Voice. The times are difficult which are coming –for all worlds. Yet the path is clear –if you walk it! Walk forward unafraid and fear not the chimeras, which line the path, but keep your eye always upon the light ahead –and all will flow with ease. But be distracted to either side and you may lose your way. Therefore join hands as One Tradition, One Family, One Voice! And move forward as One, that all may advance. You will find –as we have said- the gate is open! You will find –as we have said- the time is now! You will find –as we have said- the power is flowing! It is time to do the work! It is time to move in the world! It is time! From your heart in this moment call forth your Highest Self. Walk with your Highest Self and know that all will be well! This is our message to you –beloved children, beloved siblings, beloved all!” 

​As is our custom we gave a number of awards to recognize the hard work of our people. These included:

Order of the Copper Athame -Rev. Joe Burton HP
Order of the Golden Wand -Jessica Gilliam
Order of the Iron Pentacle -Rev. Raene Packery HP and Rev. Michael Joffrion
Order of the Thurible –Rev. Stephanie Neal, HP

Congratulations to all of our award winners! Your efforts are much appreciated!

Sigils of Circle of Atargatis, Circle in the Oaks, Wisdom House, and Sacred Fire

​The results of the Temple Deeming were thus: The Witan Shrine of the Circle in the Oaks, headed by Rev. Bruce Richards, is advanced to Proto-Temple standing. The Witan Shrine of the Wisdom House, headed by Rev. Liomsa, is advanced to Proto-Temple standing. The Witan Shrine Circle of Atargatis, headed by Rev. Sande Smith, is advanced to Proto-Temple standing. The Witan Shrine of Sacred Fire, headed by Rev. Michael, is advanced to full Temple standing.

Congratulations to all of our successful Deeming candidates!

​​The final event of the weekend was a handfasting! Congratulations to Chris and Joshua, and may you have every happiness!

It was a truly lovely weekend, and much enjoyed by all present! Next years Lustration of the Ancestors will be hosted by Sacred Flame Temple in Fort Worth, Texas –I hope we will see many of you there!

Rev. Alyssa Maxon, Rev. Terry Power HP, and Rev. Elizabeth Hamilton

Rev. Don during a quiet moment on Saturday

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​This year for the first time the Lustration of the Living will be held locally in many places. Instead of a single message brought through by the Grand Oracle of the Tradition, many messages will be brought through by members of the High Priesthood. These oracular messages will then be gathered together in a central Hall of Prophecy. Watch for upcoming announcements about where your local Lustration may be being held!

Blessings to all!

Rev. Don Lewis
First Priest and Chancellor
Correllian Nativist Tradition