- Correllian Nativist Tradition
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Correllian Nativist Tradition, also known as Correllian Wicca, is a Wiccan tradition which was created by Orpheis Caroline High CorrellCarolin High Correll, an American practicing psychic, spiritual healer, and herbalist, in the early 20th century. She claimed descent from interracial relationships between Cherokee Didanvwisgi (medicine men) and Scottish traditional witches who were allegedly influenced by Aradian witchcraft and the Spiritualist Church; launching the tradition at what is now known as Correll Mother Temple in Danville, Illinois on September 4, 1879, she would head the church until her death in 1940.
While not known internally as a "Wiccan" tradition until the 1990s (Orpheis Caroline initially called it a "Nativist" tradition, but the tradition would become increasingly affiliated with the Wiccan current in the 1970s under its third first priestess, LaVeda High-Correll), it adopted the trend toward eclecticism and universalism which would later typify most of the early Wiccan traditions.
Contents
Recent history
In 2006, an acrimonious split resulted in two sects of the tradition[1] - Correllian Nativist Church International (headed by Chancellor Davron Michaels) and Correll Mother Temple (headed by Krystel High-Correll and Chancellor Don Lewis High-Correll and based in Danville). The CNCI has since declined, and its web domain is now parked by its ISP.
Under Krystel and 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 which is separately co-managed by Don Lewis High-Correll and Hubbard.
Correll Mother Temple
Correllian Wicca is differentiated from many other traditions by its tendency toward an hierarchical structure of governance, with the main branch being governed by a first priestess and first priest who are descended from the founder.
The Correll Mother Temple (based in Danville, but ultimately governed by the Correllian Chancellery in Salem, Massachusetts USA and maintains governance over a variety of temples, witan shrines, proto-temples and formal shrines, with numerous personal shrines and study groups being managed by lay members. Heads of temples, witan shrines, proto-temples and formal shrines usually constitute most of the membership of the Witan Council, which advises and votes on matters pertaining to the entire tradition.
Controversy
Skepticism abounds regarding the claim of the CNT to being a "family tradition", or "famtrad", of witchcraft and Wicca, as well as its claim to a longer history than most other traditions of Wicca.
References
External links
Categories:- Wiccan traditions
- Religion in Illinois
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