Witch School First Degree by Rev. Donald Lewis-Highcorrell © 2008
Llewellyn EAN 978-0-7387-1301-4 240 pages Paperback $19.95 (U.S.)
$22.95 (Canada)
I am from the "old guard" BTW branch of Wicca, so I was basically
unfamiliar
with the Correllian tradition. I hit a couple of stumbling blocks in the
Preface and Introduction, but nothing too serious. The first was the use
of
the term "Nativist" as equivalent of "Pagan," and the second was their
dating system (1579 Piscean is equivalent to 1979 C.E.). On a personal
level those simply strike me as unnecessary affectations, but they have
effect on the actual teachings, so they aren't a major concern.
Since the Correllian tradition, like many other systems of Wicca, is
structured around a three degree system, and since it is anticipated that
each degree will take a year (more or less) to complete, this book is
comprised of twelve lessons (one per month). If you work through the
lessons in an honest and focused manner, at the end of a year's study you
should be ready for initiation as a First Degree Correllian. How honest
you
are with yourself will determine how much you get out of your studies.
Each monthly lesson is composed of multiple parts consisting of the actual
lesson, exercises to develop your skill, a basic spell (for practical
experience), a deity (to expose you to the multiple facets of divinity), a
glossary (to explain words which may be unfamiliar), and study questions
(13
for each lesson).
I would strongly suggest that you obtain a notebook or two (depending upon
your personal preference) to house a handwritten copy of each lesson's
glossary (I know a computer and printer are more likely to produce a
crisp,
clear copy, but if you take the time to hand write it, you will remember
more of it) and you answers to the questions. And for your sake, don't
just
copy the relevant answer from the book. Think about it, and put the
answer
in your own words, in detail. The more effort you put into it, the more
benefit you will derive from it. It isn't about getting the "right"
answer.
It's about getting your answer. Your concept of deity (for example) most
likely won't be exactly the same as anyone else's. That doesn't matter.
You are expected to make these lessons a part of your life.
The lessons are extremely basic (after all, this is a "Wicca 101" book)
and
for that reason may be boring to more advanced students. They are,
however,
presented from an Aradian point-of-view, which is often neglected in
today's
community. There have been few mentions of their beliefs in general
circulation; fewer public exponents of the system; and even fewer
well-known
public personalities. All of this makes this book (and the upcoming ones
in
the series) a valuable addition to the public knowledge.
The lessons progress from extremely theoretical (the meaning of magic) to
the practical (basic energy work) to the very practical (herbs, stones,
oils
and incenses). Each of these lessons is carefully thought out and well
presented.
At the conclusion of the lessons is a little background on the Correllian
tradition and its evolution from a family-base (Scots-Cherokee) to a
public
organization, through a merger with the Aradian tradition in 1904. Beyond
that there is a "Self-Wiccaning" ("Dedication") ceremony which will grant
you member****p in the Outer Court of the tradition, as well as Correllian
versions of the Charge of the Goddess and the Charge of the God.
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