An Interview with
Lucille Reynolds

Witches Unite & the Correllian Tradition

Every single day (not mornings - I am not a morning person), I say to myself, “oh I am so happy and blessed”. I enjoy my family, my job, my friends, my spiritual path and my spiritual family. This may sound so clichéd to some, but it is true of how I feel. I feel so blessed because I have the support of my family, husband and kids.

Growing up with my parents was tough. My parents are Christians. My mother is a Reverend in the Anglican church. I have always been a Pagan. have never been a Christian, it just never felt right. I remember rebelling against Bible study as far back as my first year of school. I believe in the power of the Universe. I told them that. I firmly believed it and nobody was going to change my mind. I explained that I could see the sun, the moon and the stars. I could feel the power in the Universe. I could not see or feel the Christian God and his son Jesus.

My mother had to remove me from my first school after the first term. The nuns were horrified with my way of thinking. My mother was so embarrassed. She tried everything in her power to get me to believe and worship her Christian God. I got endless visits from priests and psychologists etc. My cousins were not allowed to be with me because my aunt believed I was the devil of the new generation.

When I was about 12 years old, my mother the Reverend decided that if I would not go to Sunday school, she would bring the Sunday school class to our house. We lived two houses away from the church. So every Sunday, the Sunday school kids and teachers would arrive at my house for lessons. I would either lock myself up in my room or argue my rights as a Pagan every Sunday.

As a child, my relationship with my parents was very strained and I truly believed that they did not like me. I was sent away to boarding school, which I loved. One off- weekend just before I was due to be driven back to boarding school, I sat my mother down and told her that I wanted and needed a letter from her stating that I could be excused from Religious Instruction at school. She just looked at me and never said a word. That evening, traveling back to boarding school I was ignored. While unpacking my cases, I found a letter written in her hand writing. I slowly opened it, she had written the letter I requested. I was so overwhelmed, I cried.

From that day onwards, I had a new respect for my mother. She finally accepted that Christianity is not my path. From that day onwards, our mother / daughter relationship grew.

I started my own Pagan movement in boarding school. Students were rebelling against religious instruction which later got me expelled. That and the fact that I also started a ‘mice epidemic’ at boarding school.

Through the years, my mother did extensive research into Paganism and Witchcraft. I now have her blessings and my Christian Reverend mother even collects Witchy things for me, educates the rest of the family and other priests alike. The pain and the fight for my spiritual path through my childhood and school years have been worth the freedom I am enjoying as an adult.

I would describe myself as a Wiccan. A Pagan is what I have always been and a Wiccan is what I have become. After being a solitary Pagan my whole life, I realized that I have an overwhelming interest and passion for Wicca and Witchcraft. I gravitate towards Wicca because I love ritual, robes, and the groups of people and "toys" of the craft. I did research over the net and I read books. I kept asking myself; where are these people? Where do I find them?

My will and intent was to connect with like minded people. Slowly but surely, I started meeting more and more Pagans, Witches and Wiccans. I realize that I never found any of them, they found me. "They" came to me and invited me to walk this path with them. I am forever grateful. I truly believe that we cross each others paths for a reason.

Some people are chariots who lead us to others and some people teach us valuable lessons which make us stronger and wiser. Some of these lessons manifest through conflict and struggle. This path is not for sissies. Each day is a lesson and each lesson has a reason.

My husband is a wonderful man who believes in the freedom of religion. He is a Christian but does not attend church. He loves to sit and chat amongst the Wiccan's and although it is not his path, he is a great supporter.

I have two daughters and a foster son. They have been educated and live the ways of both religions. An example at meal time, "Thank you for the food we are about to receive" - (Christian) then thanking the animal for its sacrifice - (Pagan.) I trust that one day they will choose the path that suits their needs as they will be able to make an unbiased decision. Many Christians have a serious problem with me enjoying and celebrating the Christian Christmas. I have been called a hypocrite. I believe that if someone invites me to be part of a special day in their life, it is an honour. My family and friends know I am not a Christian, but they also know that I will join in the celebration out of respect and love for them. I, in turn, feel greatly honoured when people from other paths join in the fun and celebrate our Sabbats and Esbats; our "special" days and events like Freedom day.

I have never denied my spiritual path. Socially, I wear my pentagram proudly. I want people to ask me about it because I want to educate them. I would never try to convert anyone because I believe this is a tough path and not suitable for the faint - hearted. Furthermore, as most of us have discovered, the Pagan/ Wiccan path found us.

People that I have met through various esoteric courses have become my spiritual family. Most of my spiritual family, I met on the very first Wicca course. We are still all together barring one and we have all remained good friends. Unity is very important to me. I get very attached to my friends and Spiritual family.

My career entails inter-personal contact with different denominations and people from all walks of life and religions. My path has never been questioned or discussed so I have never had to deal with conflict in the work place. If the topic of religion comes up and I am asked, I proudly explain my path. I say "explain" because it is the only way to educate the public. My spiritual path is not contradictory to the work I do; therefore it does not pose a problem in my career.

The first Wicca course I attended made the biggest impact on my spiritual path as I learnt the value of friendship. Looking back then, I would never have thought that the students (barring one who is no longer a Pagan) would become my spiritual family, my support and my friends. We were all so different, from different walks of life and age groups. Years later and still all together, that inspires me, especially when I see how everyone has grown spiritually. I often think back on how little we all knew about the path then compared to what we know and have achieved today.

After the first course, I moved forward in search of further studies and groups. I came across a group which represented the Correllian Tradition. I contacted the students from the first course and with great excitement; I explained that I had found a mentor. A mentor crazy and brave enough to take on a whole group of students! We all eagerly got started and involved with studying the Correllian 1st degree. The Correllian 1st degree was the best and most valuable year of study. I was impressed with the mentor, the study material and the Correllian structure. More valuable friendships were made and so the group was increasing in numbers and strength.

After the first year of Correllian 1st degree, our mentor sadly left the group as she needed her own time for personal growth. We were devastated. The thought of all the learning and rituals coming to an end and the friendships possibly falling apart, everyone going there own way, completely traumatized me.

Again, I started the great search for a new mentor. All we wanted was to continue our studies for Correllian 2nd degree. We were a big group and we all wanted to stay together as a group. The only Correllian mentor available at the time was solitary. After endless meetings, research, correspondence and dead ends, I came to the conclusion that we would have to represent ourselves. I believe things happen for a reason and later the reason became very clear to me. The research connected us with many Pagans, Mentors and group leaders' world wide.

We also met up with many solitary Pagan's and Pagans from other traditions that joined our group. They attended our workshops, became regulars and very much part of our Spiritual space. We had a few problems. We were a Correllian 1st degree group, with no mentor, no name, no 2nd degree study material because our Witch School site was not upgraded and then, we were wondering if we could remain Correllian if we had a new group of members from various traditions? One night over a couple of drinks, (not shooters) and much brain storming, Gail and I decided to call ourselves Witches Unite. Why? Because, we belonged to nobody, our group was made up of many Pagans/ Witches from different traditions, but all under one belief system - Paganism/ Wiccan.

So, "Witches Unite" was born. We had a group dedication and a party. We concentrated on Rituals and workshops. We invited the public and had wonderful turnouts. We soon realized that the people coming our way and joining our group had so much to offer in the form of divination, learning and healing.

The other wonderful and positive factor was that through all the correspondence and research, we got connected and acquainted with Davron from Astral Light USA. He responded to one of my many cries for help. He invited us to be registered as Outer Court members of The Temple of Astral Light. Wow!! There were two conditions attached to this arrangement, the first was that the whole group had to redo the Correllian 1st degree syllabus because our marks were not updated on Witch School and our mentor was not traceable. Secondly we needed a Group Leader who would be prepared to study Mentorship and Clergy. We voted for a leader at the next meeting and I was nominated by the group as the group leader. I was so honored! It has been hectic, as I needed to study and write each 2nd degree lesson on Witch School before I mentored the rest of the group. I knew that the task ahead would be difficult but rewarding. Davron's help and guidance was invaluable. The Correllian structure for learning and opportunities are endless.

"Witches Unite" has grown in members. We have 1st and 2nd degree students. We put a lot of time into our studies, workshops and Spirituality. To bring in the good old balance as well, we have a lot of parties. It is a nice time for new members to get to know us on a social level. We continuously invite other Traditions and groups to take part in activities and socials. We have been involved in many community projects, interviews, public rituals and articles. Our goal is to educate the public in Paganism / Wicca. We have plenty of exciting community events happening but all these events seem to take place at the same time. From now until March 2005 our calendar for community work is hectic.

We, the members of "Witches Unite" are always looking for ways to improve relationships between Pagan groups, therefore we are always prepared to plan/ assist or participate in events. It seems very peaceful at the moment. Relationships between traditions, leaders and mentors are improving. It feels really great to be able to phone a leader of another group and ask for advice if necessary. The support from all the other groups especially Arias (Temple Head of the House of Ouroborus) has been phenomenal. Raene has re-entered our lives and she supports us in workings and Rituals. Although she is not a member of Witches Unite, we will always consider her to be part of our Spiritual family.

Every single person, mentors, leaders, Witches, Wiccan's and Pagans who has entered my life and the lives of all the members and students of Witches Unite have provided us with great life lessons and growth. Thank You.

Contact the Reverend Lucille

Witches Unite