Solitary Priestess/Priest
If you are a Solitary First Degree Correllian Priestess or Priest Always, regardless of circumstances, a Correllian Cleric is expected to put forward their best effort and to aspire to fulfill the highest ideals of Correllian belief.
We do not expect you always to succeed in this –but we do expect you always to try.
As a solitary Correllian Priestess or Priest you must always do your best to act from your Higher Self. This means acting always from love, not from fear. It is your responsibility to be honorable and fair in your dealings, to avoid gossip or dishonesty, to refrain from judgmentalism or vindictiveness. Above all you have a responsibility to always continue to grow and learn, to improve yourself and expand your consciousness –for this is the heart of the Clerical calling.
Always you must live up to the Wiccan Rede to the best of your ability: “Do As You Will, But Harm None.” Your individual freedom is guaranteed to you by the Divinity within you. So too is your individual responsibility.
Remember that all acts come back to you. Always ask yourself “When I am on the receiving end of this action, will I feel I am being harmed?” Understand however what is meant by “Harm.” It is the position of the Correllian Tradition as defined by its Tradition Heads that when we say “Harm None” we are referring to acts of gratuitous, unprovoked, or avoidable damage. This is in keeping with the traditional meaning of the word “harm,” for we agree with the American Congress of Witches that the Wiccan Rede must not be subject to interpretation –and therefore must be understood in the common and ordinary meaning of its words.
An act of self-defense, or in defense of another, is not “harm.” The punishment of wrongdoing in accordance with the social contract of law is not harm, so long as the law is just. Nor is a fair fight between equals who, knowing their circumstances and potential consequences, willing enter into conflict of their own accord and in accordance with accepted social custom.
The Correllian Tradition believes strongly that acts of wrongdoing, such as violent crime or forced missionization, should be opposed and if possible, prevented, and that to prevent such wrongdoing when possible is completely in keeping with the Wiccan Rede.
Temple Priestess and Priest
If you are a First-Degree Priestess or Priest attached to a Correllian Temple(s), all of the same things which are expected of a solitary Cleric are also expected of you. In addition, it is incumbent upon you to fulfill an active role in your Temple commensurate with your abilities and with the Temple’s requirements.
As Temple Clergy of the First Degree, you must attend your Temple’s rituals and events and strive to take an active part in them. Your Temple will most likely have a minimum number of ceremonies which it will require you to attend, but however few or many may be required you should try to attend as many Temple events as possible.
You should be active in ritual and take an active part in Temple events. Show your support for your Temple by your presence, but also by your willingness to take part and do what is needed. Do not hesitate to give your time and energy to the Temple, for the Temple needs these if it is to prosper and endure.
Likewise, a Temple may ask for dues from its Clergy, to help in the running of the Temple and its activities. The creation and maintenance of an active Temple is neither easy nor inexpensive. A Temple cannot be truly active without funds. Therefore, if you are asked for dues, give them gladly in recognition of the Temple’s projects, and make donations when you can so that the Temple may thrive and grow.
To be Temple Clergy is a very special calling. It takes much time and energy, and great dedication. It can also offer great rewards. Remember that if the execution of your Temple duties should become too much for you, you may withdraw to the Temples Outer Court or pursue a solitary practice, without losing your status as a First-Degree Priestess or Priest.
Closing
In Closing Your career as Correllian Clergy offers you many opportunities and possible directions. How you wish to pursue it is wholly in your own hands. Whether as a solitary Cleric to enrich your own life and strengthen your connection to Spirit, or as Temple Clergy serving a community, or moving toward the High Priesthood to serve the Correllian Tradition as a whole, your path is your own to choose.
Choose it with our blessings!
M Rev. Alyssa Maxon-Kemp
First Priestess Regent of the Correllian Tradition
Rev. Phoenix Coffin-Williams
First Priest Regent of the Correllian Tradition