THE CORRELLIAN LUSTRATION CEREMONY
LUSTRATION OF THE ANCESTORS SCRIPT
The Lustration of the Ancestors is a global ceremony held by the Correll Mother Temple and hosted by a single Temple or group of Temples who facilitate the physical ceremony. The Lustration of the Ancestors usually takes place in the Spring.
LUSTRATION OF THE LIVING SCRIPT
The Lustration of the Living is held on a Regional basis with any number of Temples holding Regional Lustrations for people in their areas. Any number of Regional Lustrations may occur in a given season, as any Correllian group with a Third Degree able to perform the Oracle may hold a Regional Lustration. Regional Lustrations are usually held in the fall months.
The Correllian Lustration ceremonies originated as ceremonies of Purification and Blessing performed by members of the High-Correll family. These ceremonies were much simpler and less formal than the modern Correllian Lustration, focusing primarily upon the Oracle of the Ancestors.
At the turn of the new century the Correllian Lustration ceremonies were converted into twice-yearly formal ceremonies having the character of a Correllian Festival. This was at the suggesting of retired Correllian High Priestess Lady Green Owl, who felt that a public invocation of the Blessing and protection of the Holy Ancestors would be beneficial to the members of the rapidly expanding Tradition.
The Lustration is sometimes also referred to as the “Elustration” or the “Illustration” ceremony, particularly by members of the Bitterwind lineage.
The Lustration ceremonies were first held in Vermilion County, Illinois, where Correllianism originates. For several years the public Lustrations continued to be limited to Illinois. Then for several more years the Lustration of the Ancestors remained in Illinois while the Lustration of the Living was held in different localities. Since year 10 Aq. the Lustration of the Living has been held as multiple Regional Lustrations in many localities. Currently it is our practice to host the Lustration of the Ancestors in Vermilion county every five years beginning in Year 19 Aq.
Most Correllian ceremonies do not feature detailed "scripts". The Lustrations are a notable exception to this rule, because participants in the ceremony come from many differing geographic areas and often have had no opportunity to practice beforehand.
None-the-less the script is regarded as a guideline, and the actual ceremony often diverges from it. The script as presented represents an ideal ceremony. Not every step seen in the script is always used in every Lustration, as each ceremony has a strongly individual flavor.
Below is a list of the roles in the Lustration ceremony:
LUSTRATION CELEBRANTS:
LUSTRATION OF THE ANCESTORS SCRIPT
The Lustration of the Ancestors is a global ceremony held by the Correll Mother Temple and hosted by a single Temple or group of Temples who facilitate the physical ceremony. The Lustration of the Ancestors usually takes place in the Spring.
LUSTRATION OF THE LIVING SCRIPT
The Lustration of the Living is held on a Regional basis with any number of Temples holding Regional Lustrations for people in their areas. Any number of Regional Lustrations may occur in a given season, as any Correllian group with a Third Degree able to perform the Oracle may hold a Regional Lustration. Regional Lustrations are usually held in the fall months.
The Correllian Lustration ceremonies originated as ceremonies of Purification and Blessing performed by members of the High-Correll family. These ceremonies were much simpler and less formal than the modern Correllian Lustration, focusing primarily upon the Oracle of the Ancestors.
At the turn of the new century the Correllian Lustration ceremonies were converted into twice-yearly formal ceremonies having the character of a Correllian Festival. This was at the suggesting of retired Correllian High Priestess Lady Green Owl, who felt that a public invocation of the Blessing and protection of the Holy Ancestors would be beneficial to the members of the rapidly expanding Tradition.
The Lustration is sometimes also referred to as the “Elustration” or the “Illustration” ceremony, particularly by members of the Bitterwind lineage.
The Lustration ceremonies were first held in Vermilion County, Illinois, where Correllianism originates. For several years the public Lustrations continued to be limited to Illinois. Then for several more years the Lustration of the Ancestors remained in Illinois while the Lustration of the Living was held in different localities. Since year 10 Aq. the Lustration of the Living has been held as multiple Regional Lustrations in many localities. Currently it is our practice to host the Lustration of the Ancestors in Vermilion county every five years beginning in Year 19 Aq.
Most Correllian ceremonies do not feature detailed "scripts". The Lustrations are a notable exception to this rule, because participants in the ceremony come from many differing geographic areas and often have had no opportunity to practice beforehand.
None-the-less the script is regarded as a guideline, and the actual ceremony often diverges from it. The script as presented represents an ideal ceremony. Not every step seen in the script is always used in every Lustration, as each ceremony has a strongly individual flavor.
Below is a list of the roles in the Lustration ceremony:
LUSTRATION CELEBRANTS:
GUARDIAN -The Guardian offers the ritual challenge and opens each segment of the ritual with a discourse on the symbolism of the magical tool associated with that section of the rite.
SONIFER -The Sonifer announces each course of the ritual with a ringing of bells. The part was originally created specifically for Rev. Reanna Marie, HP, of the Temple of the Enchanted Realm, and has since become a standard part of the ceremony. The term "Sonifer" comes from the Latin and means "One who brings sound (Son-)".
VOCIFER -The role of the Vocifer was created originally to be a kind of narrator, explaining certain aspects of the ritual which might not be obvious otherwise. This function was originally performed by the First Priesthood themselves, but became a separate part in order to allow more people to have speaking roles in the ceremony. The term "Vocifer" comes from the Latin and means "One who brings Voice (Vox)".
Left: Rev. Debbe Tompkins acts as Guardian during the Lustration of the Ancestors for Year 5 Aq.
SONIFER -The Sonifer announces each course of the ritual with a ringing of bells. The part was originally created specifically for Rev. Reanna Marie, HP, of the Temple of the Enchanted Realm, and has since become a standard part of the ceremony. The term "Sonifer" comes from the Latin and means "One who brings sound (Son-)".
VOCIFER -The role of the Vocifer was created originally to be a kind of narrator, explaining certain aspects of the ritual which might not be obvious otherwise. This function was originally performed by the First Priesthood themselves, but became a separate part in order to allow more people to have speaking roles in the ceremony. The term "Vocifer" comes from the Latin and means "One who brings Voice (Vox)".
Left: Rev. Debbe Tompkins acts as Guardian during the Lustration of the Ancestors for Year 5 Aq.
AQUIFER -The Aquifer is the person in ritual who cleanses the sacred space with salt and water. The term comes from the Latin and means "One who brings water (Aqua)".
LUCIFER -The Lucifer is the person in ritual who charges the sacred space with fire and air. The term comes from the Latin and means "One who brings light (Lux)". Lucifer was the Roman name of the planet Venus as the Morning Star, and is a title of the God, and is used as such in the Vangello delle Streghe.
LUCIFER -The Lucifer is the person in ritual who charges the sacred space with fire and air. The term comes from the Latin and means "One who brings light (Lux)". Lucifer was the Roman name of the planet Venus as the Morning Star, and is a title of the God, and is used as such in the Vangello delle Streghe.
Above: Katell Desormeaux and Matt Haecker, as Aquifer and Lucifer, salute the Altar during the Lustration of the Ancestors for Year 12 Aq.in Georgia
JUNEVOCATOR -The Junevocator is the Priest/ess who invokes the Higher Self (Juno) of the First Priestess at the opening of the ceremony. The term (Jun + Evocator) is loosely from the Latin and means "One who evokes the Juno".
GENEVOCTOR -The Genevocator is the Priest/ess who invokes the Higher Self (Genius) of the First Priest at the opening of the ceremony. The term (Gen + Evocator) is loosely from the Latin and means "One who evokes the Genius".
Above: Katell Desormeaux and Matt Haecker, as Aquifer and Lucifer, salute the Altar during the Lustration of the Ancestors for Year 12 Aq.in Georgia
JUNEVOCATOR -The Junevocator is the Priest/ess who invokes the Higher Self (Juno) of the First Priestess at the opening of the ceremony. The term (Jun + Evocator) is loosely from the Latin and means "One who evokes the Juno".
GENEVOCTOR -The Genevocator is the Priest/ess who invokes the Higher Self (Genius) of the First Priest at the opening of the ceremony. The term (Gen + Evocator) is loosely from the Latin and means "One who evokes the Genius".
Above: Quarter Guardians from the Lustration of the Living for Year 13 Aq., at Clan of Kheper Temple in Capetown South Africa. L to R: Rev. Morne Pretorius, Rev. Debbie Geary, Rev. Julia Cameron, and Sharleen Olivier.
EASTERN GUARDIAN -The Eastern Guardian represents the Airt of the East in the ceremony.
SOUTHERN GUARDIAN -The Southern Guardian represents the Airt of the South in the ceremony.
WESTERN GUARDIAN -The Western Guardian represents the Airt of the West in the ceremony.
NORTHERN GUARDIAN -The Northern Guardian represents the Airt of the North in the ceremony. to edit.
Rev. Elizabeth Hamilton and Tony Creager enact the Great Rite at the Lustration of the Ancestors for Year 9 Aq. in Salem, Massachusetts
RITE LECTOR -The Rite Lector delivers the opening portion of the Charge of the Goddess, leading into the Joint Charge.
RITE PRIESTESS -The Rite Priestess delivers the Charge of the Goddess during the Joint Charge. The use of the Joint Charge in the Correllian Tradition was originated by Rev. Becci Penry, HP, Founding Head of the Temple of the PURE Sanctuary. Rev. Becci acted as Rite Priestess in the first several Lustrations.
RITE PRIEST -The Rite Priest delivers the Charge of the God during the Joint Charge.
OFFERTORY PRIESTHOOD -The Offertory Priesthood are exactly that, presenting offerings during the ceremony on behalf of the Tradition as a whole. Although the Offertory Priesthood are mentioned in the script as being two in number, in fact one may suffice and any number desired may be used.
CALIFERS-The Califers act to facilitate the Ritual Toast. The term "Califer" comes from the Latin and is the name for a Cupbearer, meaning "One who brings the Cup". The Califers were added as the number of attendees at the Lustrations grew, and it became necessary to find faster ways to pass out the ritual libation. Although the Califers in the script are specified as two, there can in fact be anywhere from one to four, or more, depending upon the size of the gathering.
Above: Lady Bitterwind, then First Elder
of the Correllian Tradition, kneels to receive the Blessing of the Ancestors through their Oracle, at the Lustration of the Living of Year 3 Aq.
ELDER’S HERALD -The Elders Herald acts to assist the First Elder in their role, in particular helping to carry the ritual implements used in the actual Lustration. In early public Lustrations the Elder's Herald was the actual full-time Herald to the First Elder. Later the role of "Elder's Herald" in the Lustration became a one-time pro-tem position appointed just for the ceremony. In a Regional Lustration this role acts as pro-tem Herald to the "Elder."
FIRST ELDER -Obviously enough the role of First Elder in the ceremony indicates the actual First Elder of the Correllian Tradition. In early public Lustrations the actual First Elder, then Lady Bitterwind, actually enacted this role on a regular basis. As the Lustrations came to be held in different geographic areas, and Lady Bitterwind's health declined, the role of "First Elder" became a person representing the actual First Elder. Today the current First Elder enacts the role in Lustrations she is able to attend, and others represent her when she cannot attend. In a Regional Lustration this role is replaced by the "Elder" who may be any Priest/ess that the Temple chooses to enact the role (unless the sitting First Elder is present).
FIRST ELDER -Obviously enough the role of First Elder in the ceremony indicates the actual First Elder of the Correllian Tradition. In early public Lustrations the actual First Elder, then Lady Bitterwind, actually enacted this role on a regular basis. As the Lustrations came to be held in different geographic areas, and Lady Bitterwind's health declined, the role of "First Elder" became a person representing the actual First Elder. Today the current First Elder enacts the role in Lustrations she is able to attend, and others represent her when she cannot attend. In a Regional Lustration this role is replaced by the "Elder" who may be any Priest/ess that the Temple chooses to enact the role (unless the sitting First Elder is present).
First Priest Rev. Donald Lewis-Highcorrell and First Priestess Rev. Krystel High-Correll prepare for the Blessing of the Lustral Water along with First Elder Rev. Virginia "Bitterwind" Smith and Elder's Herald Rev. Kim Reffett Anders, at the Lustration of the Ancestors for Year 5 Aq. at Selu Temple.
FIRST PRIEST -Obviously enough the role of First Priest in the ceremony indicates the actual First Priest of the Correllian Tradition. To date no other person than the actual First Priest had performed this role in a global Lustration. In a Regional Lustration this role is replaced by that of Chief Priest, who may be either the actual Chief Priest of the Temple, or another Priest chosen by the Temple (unless the sitting First Priest is present).
FIRST PRIESTESS -Obviously enough the role of First Priestess in the ceremony indicates the actual First Priestess of the Correllian Tradition. In early public Lustrations the role was actually enacted by the First Priestess, but soon the First Priestess' health made it necessary to often have other Priestesses take this role as representing the First Priestess. Today the actual First Priestess does normally enact this role in global Lustrations. In a Regional Lustration this role is replaced by that of Chief Priestess, who may be either the actual Chief Priestess of the Temple, or another Priestess chosen by the Temple (unless the sitting First Priestess is present).
FIRST PRIESTESS -Obviously enough the role of First Priestess in the ceremony indicates the actual First Priestess of the Correllian Tradition. In early public Lustrations the role was actually enacted by the First Priestess, but soon the First Priestess' health made it necessary to often have other Priestesses take this role as representing the First Priestess. Today the actual First Priestess does normally enact this role in global Lustrations. In a Regional Lustration this role is replaced by that of Chief Priestess, who may be either the actual Chief Priestess of the Temple, or another Priestess chosen by the Temple (unless the sitting First Priestess is present).