Correllian Nativist Tradition

The Correllian Nativist Tradition, which teaches Correllian Wicca, was founded by Blv. Orpheis Caroline High Correll, a practicing psychic, spiritual healer, and herbalist. She is said to have founded the Tradition as an entity separate from her ancestry, on September 4, 1479 Pisces (1879 AD). Lady Orpheis called the Tradition simply 'Nativist', and this would remain the Tradition’s primary designation until the appellation of the term “Correllian Nativist” in 1592 Pisces (1992 AD), or as it is now more commonly called; 'Correllian'. Lady Orpheis’ Nativism was a highly political and deeply syncretic form of Pagan universalism, which stressed that the world’s Native (Pagan) religions could only survive through united action against religious/cultural imperialism. The Correllian Nativist Tradition is based upon the teachings of members of the High-Correll family. The High-Correll family were descended from a line of Cherokee Didanvwisgi who intermarried with a line of Scottish Traditional Witches, whose descendants were further influenced by Aradian Witchcraft and by the Spiritualist Church. In creating Correllian Nativist Wicca, Orpheis Caroline drew upon her Native American heritage, as well as ideas of European Witchcraft, Spiritualism, and Hermetic thought. The Tradition has always had both a Matriarchal Head (in Cherokee the Agayv Gigagei) and what might be termed a Fraternal Head, from which the current offices of the Correllian tradition derive their form. The Matriarchal Head of the Tradition was usually the oldest woman, the Fraternal Head her brother or son.
"What is meant by Witchcraft in this connotation; is a relatively unorganized Pagan religious practice involving magic and spiritualism. In my writings I have always treated the term “Wicca” as synonymous with the word “Witchcraft” as defined above, because this is what I was taught, and has been common practice for many in the USA especially during the period when I was learning. Many people now use a much more limited definition of “Wicca”, confining the term to the Gardnero-Alexandrian Traditions: it is important to realize that this is not how the word “Wicca” is being used in these writings. The Correllian Tradition considers itself to be “Nativist” -a word roughly synonymous with “Pagan”. In 1579 Pisces (1979 AD) the Elders of the Tradition decided that it was a form of “Wicca” using the term as synonymous with “Witchcraft” as described above. Ultimately however we consider Correllianism to be something unto itself: “A lens through which all things may be seen.” Though influenced by the movements it has grown up among and at times identified with, the Correllian understanding of the Universe is ultimately simply Correllian." Groups which are not Gardnerian that still employ the word 'Wicca' to their practice are: Dianics, Gaists, Frostians, Circle, ATC (Aquarian Tabernacle Church), Cabots, among others.
Milestones
* The Correll Mother Temple in Danville, Illinois was founded on September 4, 1879. Blv. Orpheis Caroline High Correll would head the church until her death in 1940.
* The final revisions of the Correllian Degree lessons would be presented to the Tradition in 1598 Pisces (1998 AD).
* Under Lady Krystel and Chancellor Don's leadership (since 1979), the tradition sought to expand its outreach and began an ongoing educational program which resulted in the co-creation of the Internet-based Witch School with Ed Hubbard of Psychic Services Incorporated in 2001. The Witch School has since become an independent, multi-tradition entity.
Structure
Tradition Positions
* Chancellor - The chief executive officer of the Correllian Nativist Tradition, Paramount High Priest. These two following positions are also the Joint Heads of the Correllian Tradition, which form a diarchy.
* First Priestess - First Priestess is responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the Correllian Tradition and its connection with the Ancestors and the Divine. The initiation of all Priesthood, Temples and Orders ultimately derive authority from this sanctity.
* First Priest - First Priest is responsible for co-ordinating relations between Correllian Temples, and acts as chairperson for the Witan Council. The First Priest is responsible for the Tradition’s relations with other Wiccan and Pagan Traditions and is also responsible for maintaining the Tradition’s history, internal records, and its publications.
* First Elder - The First Elder of the Tradition is the principle advisor to the Tradition Heads, and to the Tradition as a whole.
* Council of Elders - Is an advisory body made up of the Officers of the Correllian Tradition. The Council of Elders might be described as the “cabinet” of the Tradition, being a council whose non-binding opinion is solicited to help shape Tradition-wide policy.
* First Director -The First Director is responsible for maintaining the Tradition’s legal standing and records and co-ordinating relations between the various Chief Directors of Temples.
* Witan Council - The Witan Council is made up of the Heads of all Correllian Temples, members of the Correllian Council of Elders, and the Officers and Heads of the Correllian Tradition. The Witan Council is an advisory body whose principle duty is to confirm the succession to the offices of First priestess and First Priest.
INNER COURT - Clergy Positions
* Third Degree - High Priest/ess
* Second Degree - Priest/ess
* First Degree - Rev., Priest/ess
* Dedicant
OUTER COURT - General Membership
Tradition Structure
TEMPLES
* Temple - Correllian Temples are be established by charter, which may only be granted by the Heads of the Correllian Tradition through the Chancellor.
* Proto-Temple - A Proto-Temple is founded in the expectation of going on to become a full Temple.
SHRINES
* Witan Shrine - A Witan Shrine is founded in the expectation of going on to become a Proto-Temple. A Witan Shrine functions in the same manner as a Shrine, with the difference of being considered a formal body of the Tradition rather than a private function of the Shrine Keeper. Its focus is toward developing into a Temple.
* Formal Shrine - A Formal Shrine is basically the same as a Personal Shrine: a private worship center maintained by an individual Correllian Tradition member of either Inner or Outer Court. The difference is that a Formal Shrine is dedicated to a specific project, event, or program of a social or charitable nature which the Tradition endorses. A Formal shrine is created by Charter rather than recognition. To be granted a charter as a Formal Shrine a Shrine must meet these criteria;
** The Shrine must have been in existence as a recognized Shrine of the Correllian Tradition for a minimum of one year prior to applying for a charter as a Formal Shrine (three years is preferred).
** To be chartered as a Formal Shrine, a shrine must be associated with a charitable activity or ministerial outreach project of some sort, beyond the celebration of worship.
* Personal Shrine - A Personal Shrine is a personal expression of the Shrine Keeper's spirituality and may be undertaken by any Tradition member.
ORDERS
* Orders - Although regarded as an independent body, an Order is formed by a Charter from the Tradition, which may only be granted by the Heads of Tradition through the office of the Chancellor. An Order may be formed around the study and practice of any subject of interest. An Order commonly has a single Head who is responsible for organizing and facilitating it.
* Meritorious Orders - Membership in the Meritorious Orders is given to honor people who have distinguished themselves by exceptional acts of service to the Tradition, to Paganism as a whole, or to the world.
* Contemplative Orders - Contemplative Orders are focused on meditation and self-development. To this end these Contemplative Houses would be available to members of the Correllian Tradition for spiritual retreats whenever needed. In addition they could sponsor classes and workshops for Tradition members as well as the general public.
STRUCTURAL POSITIONS
* Temple Heads (Chief Director) - Temple Heads are established by charter. The first Head of a given Temple is considered the Founding Head of Temple. Subsequent Heads of Temple may be nominated by their predecessor or by the Temple’s Board of Directors, but must be recognizedby a charter of the Tradition. A Head of Temple must be a member of the High Priesthood.
* Board of Directors - Voting committee of the Temple for day-to-day decisions of the Temple.
* Joint Heads - Co-Head
* Acting Temple Head - One that is not yet Third Degree, but is Chartered Temple Keeper under Imperium of Third Degree sponsor.
* Proto-Temple Head - Chartered Keeper of Proto-Temple
* Witan Shrine Keeper - Keeper of a Witan Shrine must be a member of the Third Degree High Priesthood, or a person studying toward Third Degree and under the imperium of a Third Degree sponsor approved by the Council of Elders
Ancestors
* Blv. Orpheis Caroline High Correll - Founder (portrait)
* Blv. John Correll - Husband
* Blv. William High - Brother
* Blv. Dora High Correll - Daughter (portrait)
* Blv. Mable High Correll - Daughter (portrait)
* Blv. William High Correll- Son
* Blv. Rev. LaVeda Lewis-Highcorrell - Granddaughter (portrait)
* Blv. John Lewis - LaVeda's Husband
* Blv. Rev. Gloria High Correll - Mables Cousin
* Blv. Lewis High-Correll - Gloria's Husband
* Blv. Frank High Correll
Journalistic Publications
The Correllian Tradition has had two primary journalistic publications. The first publication called the Correllian Times started with its first issue in November 2006 and is currently being published monthly (as of July 2013). The name of the publication was changed to Pagan World Times as of March 2013 and is affiliated primarily with Witchschool at this point. The Correllian Herald is the other regular Correllian publication which released its first issue in June 2007. and is published on a weekly basis. The Correllian Herald remains exclusively tied to the Correllian Tradition, whereas the Pagan World Times does not. The Rt. Rev. Anna Rowe is currently the editor of the Correllian Herald and members of the Witchschool staff edit the Pagan World Times. Both publications have featured a variety of articles about Wicca, spells, magick, holidays, pagan events, Correllian announcements, book reviews and much more.

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