Regional Lustration of the Living Report

Greetings all,

This last weekend I had the pleasure of attending two Lustrations of the Living, and this was really quite a wonderful thing! I was extraordinarily pleased to be able to take part in TWO Regional Lustrations of the Living in two different states in one weekend –a first for me and for the Correllian Tradition.

As you may know the Lustration of the Living was once held only by the Mother Temple, as a single global ceremony. Today, while the Lustration of the Ancestors continues to be held as a global ceremony facilitated by the Mother Temple at host Temples around the world, the Lustration of the Living has been opened to Regional observance, and can occur as many ceremonies in many locations held at the Temple level.

This year there will be a total of three Regional Lustrations. Two have already held, and a third will be held later this month. The first one was a Southeastern Regional Lustration, enacted on Friday, 7 September, at Children of Gaia Temple in association with Sacred Light of South Florida Temple, Sacred Sea Temple of Georgia, and Children of Lyr Witan Shrine. In addition to these Temples, High Priestess Rev. Holly Charland, Head of Mystic Ancient Circle Temple was also in attendance, making a total of five Temples from the region represented.

The second was a Midwestern Regional Lustration enacted on Sunday, 9 September, at PURE Sanctuary Temple in Danville, Illinois, in association with Trianna Temple of St. Louis.

The third Regional Lustration will be held at the Proto-Temple of Brigit in Granada, Spain, on Saturday 22 September. Watch for more announcements about that!

It was a weekend of firsts because both ceremonies were broadcast live –the first time a Lustration has ever been broadcast live. The Southeastern Regional Lustration was broadcast using Ustream live streaming technology. The Midwestern Regional Lustration was broadcast using Skype. Because of this many people who could not attend these events live were able to attend virtually. Through the wonders of technology I myself was able to appear physically at the Southeastern Lustration and via live video feed at the Midwestern Lustration.

This is a historic moment for Correllians and offers tremendous opportunity for the future! It is my hope that not only will Regional Lustrations of the Living proliferate in future years, but that many of these –as well as our Lustrations of the Ancestors- may be broadcast live allowing all who desire to take part.

In order to co-ordinate with PURE Sanctuary, and in deference to the hot Florida weather, the Southeastern Regional Lustration held the actual ceremony at the start of the weekend, on Friday evening. 

The ceremony featured Rev. John Grimes from Children of Lyr Shrine as Guardian, High Priestess Rev. Janice Christian of Children of Gaia Temple as Sonifer and Genovocator, High Priest Rev. Richard Keen of Sacred Light Temple of South Florida acted as Junovocator, Rite Lector, and Guardian of the East. Dedicant Jeff S acted as Southern Guardian, Rev. Chelly Battles acted as Western Guardian and Dedicant Denise Scott as Northern Guardian. Rev. Angela Newell Grimes, Maiden Priestess of Children of Gaia Temple and Head of Children of Lyr Witan Shrine acted as Rite Priestess along with Rev. John Grimes as Rite Priest. Rev. Mike Neal from Sacred Sea Temple and Head of Field and Forest Formal Shrine acted for the “First Elder”. Rt. Rev. Arch Priestess Stephanie Neal, Head of Sacred Sea Temple and a member of the Correllian Council of Elders acted for the “First Priestess” and I myself acted in my own role as First Priest.

Saturday featured workshops in Besom making, Ogham, and a meditation by Rev. Stephanie. After this followed a cookout, and then a concert. The concerts opening act were Bull and Sherry who offered a delightful performance. Then came the main act, Celtic Mayhem, who played three sets of music ranging from traditional Celtic music to contemporary pop to Renn Faire favorites. The concert closed with a touching tribute to the late Owain Phyfe.

On Sunday the Southeast Regional Lustration closed with another cookout and a pool party.

Video from the event will be coming to MagickTV soon.

The Midwest Regional Lustration began on Friday with a civil union ceremony for Kyle Kelly and John M Kelly, performed by Rt. Rev. Arch Priest Jason Highcorrell, Head of PURE Sanctuary Temple and an Elder of the Correllian Tradition.

The civil ceremony was followed by a baby shower for Rev. Dottie Levan Friday evening.

Saturday was spent in preparations and rehearsals, and then by initiations on Saturday evening. Congratulations to new High Priestess Rev. Jai “The Druid” Elliot and new Second Degree Rev. Dottie Levan.

On Sunday the Lustration ceremony was enacted by Rt. Rev. Jason and High Priestess Rev. Morningstar Mycroft, acting for the “First Priest” and “First Priestess”, with High Priestess Rev. Jai and Rev. Dottie taking on a number of roles. Rt. Rev. Arch Priestess Green Owl, Head of Trianna Temple and an Elder of the Correllian Tradition, acted for the “First Elder” for the ceremony. I myself was skyped in and placed on a 55” screen overlooking the sanctuary to cast the circle with Rev. Jason. Rev. Jason, Rev. Green Owl, and myself all offered Oracles during the ceremony. After the end of the ceremony people from both Regional Lustrations spent several minutes exchanging greetings and well wishes.

Unfortunately owing to technical difficulties there were some people who wished to join the ceremony via skype but were unable to do so. Rev. Jason wishes to extend his most sincere apologies to anyone who was not able to get in.

Following the ceremony was a cook-off and Temple feast.

The Midwest Regional Lustration of the Living closed with Rev. Jason and Rev. Green Owl making a pilgrimage to Under-the-Hill –the home of Tradition founder Caroline High Correll- which is located near PURE Sanctuary Temple. At Under-the-Hill the offerings from the ceremony were formally presented to the Ancestors on the land where many of them had physically lived their lives.

It was a wonderful weekend and we want to thank everyone who worked so hard to put these events on. You all have done an amazing job with both events! I also want to thank Rev. Jason and Rev. Rick for working out the technology for broadcasting the events in their separate ways. I am hopeful that this will become a standard feature of all future Lustrations, whether Regional or Global.

The final Regional Lustration of the Living scheduled for this season will be from the Proto-Temple of Brigit in Granada, Spain, and will be held on Saturday, 22 September. Watch for further announcements about this! It is wonderful to watch the Regional Lustrations expanding!

Thank you everyone and may the Blessings of the Ancestors be upon you all!

Rev. Don