Why Not WitchSchool? Part 1
Why Not WitchSchool? A Student's Perspective
Part 1


Several years ago, I ran into a 16-year-old child who demanded respect because he was a priest in an old Wiccan tradition. Such claims are nothing new, but this child had something that I had not seen before--certification from a "Witch school" that he had completed the first degree curriculum and was considered a priest of that tradition.(1)

Thus began my explorations into one of the world's largest online schools of witchcraft, the Correllian Nativist Church's "WitchSchool.com". I registered for their class work, and as of this date, have completed their first degree training program and more than a dozen additional classes from their site.

As I went through the material and the media relations campaign from their managing clergy, I was dismayed and troubled by much of the material that I uncovered.

I frequently get asked if I would recommend WitchSchool for someone aspiring to life as a Wiccan, and when I say that I would not, I get asked for specifics about why I would not recommend their program. This article is an attempt to compile many of my reasons why I personally do not recommend their program in specific and their tradition in general.

This is not to say that their program is entirely devoid of useful material for all people everywhere. What I am suggesting is that given the reservations that I have for their program and material, I cannot in good conscience recommend this as worth time or effort given the availability of quality material and teaching opportunities that are available in the world today. In addition, given the troubling nature of statements made by individuals in authority within the organization, I cannot ethically recommend affiliation with the WitchSchool organization or the Correllian tradition.

In this essay, I explore some of the reservations that I have about WitchSchool in three major areas: 1. Concerns regarding the history of the tradition and "quality control" for current members, 2. Questions regarding the quality and quantity of material used for the training of new initiates, 3. Reservations concerning the public face of WitchSchool, as presented through the CEO of WitchSchool, Ed Hubbard, his press releases, and his Witch Wars Defense Manual.

Tradition and Quality Control

Who are these Correllians anyhow?

Contrary to many jokes made at their expense over the years, the Correllian tradition does not claim the Star Wars universe as the inspiration for their name. Instead, the Correllians claim that their line descends from 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. . . .The founder of the Tradition is the blv. Orpheis Caroline High Correll. She is said to have founded the Tradition as an entity separate from her ancestry, on September 4, 1479 Pisces (1879 AD)."(2)

I tend to be very skeptical of the "ancient family tradition" claims, especially given that the material that their classes teach primarily comes from mid-to-late-twentieth-century published Neopagan information. In addition, I have not found any long-term members of the Chicago Pagan community who are willing to vouch for the Correllians prior to the 1990s, and certainly not as a well-established tradition. According to one source:

"I first met Mr. Lewis [Don Lewis, head of the Correllian line] in the late 1990s. 1997, I believe. He was running the so-called 'Holy City Temple' out of a small room in Albany Park, right down the street to the east of the last stop on the Ravenswood. There was no large group meeting there. There couldn't have been. Even with only three of us present at that meeting, the room was getting a little crowded. You could probably find the location of the old room in an old copy of 'the Pipes of Pan.' . . . That was six years after the alleged start of the temple. If there was a multitude of other members, we never saw them appear at Pagan's Night out at Konak's, or at the Pagan Coffeehouse at Yo Mama's (yes, that's its real name). Not for years. . . When Ed [Hubbard, CEO of WitchSchool] and Don go out to sell magic lessons, being able to talk about their years and years serving as high priest in this family tradition helps their business. How inconvenient for their sales pitch if those of us who were there in the community with them, as they began their rise really not so very long ago, are there to say 'Ed. Don. Get real. We knew you when you barely had a storefront, and no members of this famtrad you're talking about were ever to be seen.'"(3)

Being a relatively new tradition does not invalidate a tradition's merits outright. On the other hand, engaging in acts of accidental misrepresentation or omission (or outright dishonesty) does call into question the accuracy and legitimacy of the other teachings of the line.

Another issue of concern is whether or not the Correllian Nativist Church is Wiccan. According to their first degree book, they are a Wiccan tradition and do teach Wicca. "The Correllian Tradition is a synchretic and highly philosophical Tradition of Wicca, which stresses the inherent unity of all Pagan traditions and the synchronicity of all spiritual paths."(4) On the other hand, the Correllian tradition has a dubious claim about why they state they are Wiccan. According to their web site,

"Correllianism's claim to Wiccan status rests both upon Lady Orpheis' claimed Scottish Traditional lineage, and also upon her Aradian lineage, which she acquired in 1504 Pisces (1904 AD) through Lydia Beckett, a student of Charles Leland."(5)

In other words, the Correllian claim as a Wiccan tradition comes from supposed lineage back to an individual who was not Wiccan, nor claimed to be Wiccan. Not only would this claim not hold stock with hard traditionalists, it does not make logical sense, even to the casual seeker. Further questions are raised by the Correllian admission that prior to 1979, the tradition did not call itself Wiccan.

"In the meeting of the Council of Elders held at Candlemastide of 1579 Pisces (1979 AD) the Tradition formally described itself as 'Wiccan' for the first time. . ."(6)

At best, the "Wiccan" self-identification would have to date from 1979, not 75 years earlier as implied by the introductory material.

How Does Someone Become Correllian?

Many magickal traditions have systems in place to assess candidates for membership within their tradition. From an interview process, to face-to-face schooling, to spiritual and psychological assessments of an individual's character, most groups have guidelines in place to ensure that the tradition does not welcome people with psychotic or psychopathic behavior, predatory natures, or other potentially dangerous qualities into a place that should be a realm of safety and security for its members. Many initiatory traditions also hold the idea that a teacher is, to varying degrees, responsible for the behaviors and ethics of those that they initiate (i.e., holding one's measure).

Within the Correllian tradition, and specifically through WitchSchool.com, many of those safeguards appear to be limited or lacking entirely. Anyone can sign up for a class under a real or fictitious name and then proceed to become a Correllian, all without ever having face-to-face contact with any person from the Correllian tradition.

Once an individual has signed up for the first degree course work, they are then given a set of 12 lessons (plus an introduction) and a final exam. The lessons are relatively short essays on a wide range of sampler topics, followed by twenty-five multiple choice questions. If the individual copies the text of the lessons into a document and then uses the search function, they can pass the multiple choice tests very easily without ever reading the material. Most people with even a cursory background in Wicca 101 can pass the tests easily.

To become an outer court Correllian member and "recognized by the Tradition," an individual must complete two steps:

"1) Register with the Correllian Directorate so that we will know who you are and may confirm your formal recognition. [and] 2) Perform the Outer Court Dedication ceremony…You may perform the ceremony for yourself, or if you have access to other Outer Court Correllians or to initiated Correllian clergy, they can help you with it."(7)

The questions on the registration application, aside from general demographic information and questions about hobbies or Pagan group affiliation are:

"Do you agree to support and follow the beliefs and practices of the Correllian tradition regardless of your other teachings, beliefs, practices, or affiliations?" and "Are you wiling and able to maintain an active involvement with the Correllian tradition, and work collaboratively and cooperatively with other members of the Tradition and the Administration?" (8)

Thus, without any real-world contact with any member of the Correllian tradition, anyone can receive their first degree from WitchSchool and be a representative of that tradition. This is confirmed in their own words:

"Successful completion of the lessons entitles you to apply for initiation as a First Degree Priestess or Priest of the Correllian Tradition. The First Degree is the entry level of the Correllian clergy. . . . Applicants for initiation who have successfully completed the lessons are usually accepted as a matter of course. . ."(9)

Aside from the first degree program and a few sampler courses, the second degree program and most of the classes require paid membership for access.

One of the more unique human representatives of the Correllian tradition is Pope Princess Bedwetter Fluffernutter (Rev. Mikki Barry), Mistress of the Garden Gnomes of Festering Goo, head of the Shrine of the Sacred Chao (formerly the Shrine of the Flaming Asscroft), an official Correllian Witan shrine. In true Discordian style, the Shrine put up a web site with many unique interpretations of the Correllian material. For instance, on the shrine patches worn as part of the Correllian regalia:

"You can get your very own shrine patches if you are an actual member of the shrine. . . They're kinda like merit badges, but not really. Some people join shrines just to collect patches so they look really important. But that's ok, so long as you pay for em. . ." (10)

Or some of what this particular shrine says that the Correllians believe:

"The Correllians believe that evolution is not as good as intelligent design, but the Flying Spaghetti Monster is actually best. . . . The Threefold Law means that three Correllians must agree with you before you can be a Full Gainer. This differs from other Traditions in that they only give you a Half Gainer unless you have six who agree with you. . . . Explain the office of Chancellor of the Correllian Tradition. [Answer:] The chancellor has to have an office because he has so many vestments. He also has to be very strong in order to hold all of these vestments and walk in a straight line." (11)

Although individuals who understand the unique worldview of Discordianism can see why this material makes sense to a Discordian shrine, to the public at large this can make the Correllian tradition seem like a joke. The viewpoints of this particular Correllian shrine do not reflect the majority of Correllian members, however.

WitchSchool's Fishy Clergy

Because the Correllian tradition does not require an in-face meeting with individuals as part of the initiation process and ordination as clergy, there is no way for the Correllian tradition to maintain standards of who they initiate. Currently, the Correllian tradition has first degree clergy members that include at least one fish and a few dogs.(12) These are members in the same standing as anyone else who completes the first degree program. Yet, Ed Hubbard, CEO of WitchSchool has stated, "If you were investigating the Correllian tradition you would discover they have integrated record keeping and that they do this to create a clergy that is as ironclad as possible under American and International law."(13) I do not know of any other religion that ordains fish or dogs, however.

Where's the Tolerance?

One term that repeatedly comes out in modern paganism is the emphasis on tolerance for other religions. The Correllian manifesto itself says "That people should not have to fear for themselves or their families, nor risk dissolution of their families, because of the intolerance of others in religious, philosophical, or moral matters."(14)

It would be assumed that a desire to have tolerance would manifest in tolerance for other religions, and especially traditions within the scope of paganism, but several comments made by the CEO of Witchschool.com show a lack of tolerance for other Pagans. In a discussion of "witch judges," Hubbard writes:

"This embodied authority [as a witch judge] is the core of British Traditionalist organizations, Gardnerian Groups, Alexandrian and Georgian Traditions. It is the central key authority of the Covenant of the Goddess, the biggest of all Witch Judging Organizations in the world" (15) He also states that the Covenant of the Goddess is "basically irrelevant in Chicago and the Heartland." (16)

By far, some of the most judgmental statements involve the Correllian view of Christianity, as put forward by WitchSchool's CEO. Ed Hubbard, who at one point appears to have become a disgruntled Christian, sees Christianity as a con game. "I battle daily with the pain and anguish of a Christian youth I came to realize that the priests knowingly lie to us, they know there isn't a returning day of Jesus or they would fear it more. It's a scam dating back over 1600 years."(17)

Within the tradition, the view of Christianity is somewhat softer, but still with disquieting undertones. "Some Pagans love to bash Christians. This is never a good idea--especially in front of Christians. For one thing, mainstream Christians are not our problem--radical rightwing Christians are."(18) The first degree material also says "we regard monotheism as an extremely primitive and limiting point of view."(19) Even with the softer veneer, an outright statement that religious tolerance is beneficial seems to be missing from the first- and second-degree materials.

Recruitment and Proselytization

Many Pagan paths stress the idea that one is called to the path, not recruited to it. The idea of recruitment and proselytization runs contrary to most codes of ethics. For those who are called to teach, especially, recruitment to become a teacher or elder is generally treated with disapproval. Yet, the Correllian organization has recently begun a drive to attract teachers to deal with new influxes of students. According to recent press releases:

"Witch School has set out the call for 10,000 more Wiccan teachers to help provide online and in person training for these newly awakened Wiccans." (20)

"If you ever thought about Wicca and asking what it is, you can take a free Wicca Course at WitchSchool.com. Witch School is the leading distance education system in Wiccan studies worldwide, and has now helped tens of thousands of people learn about Wicca and their own inner abilities. Maybe you will be one of those new teachers and not even aware of it yet." (21)

To me, these sound like infomercials that would be better suited for selling the newest kitchen gizmo instead of providing spiritual education. I am of the belief that the gods will provide whatever is needed, when it is needed. To send these press releases to thousands of private (and non-Pagan) businesses is, in my opinion, a form of proselytization.

For-Profit Teaching and Dollar Store Spells

Historically, many traditions from the previous generation or so held to a prohibition against accepting money in exchange for teaching the Craft. Times have changed, and many groups do accept donations or charge minimal fees for training expenses. The Correllian material states that it is acceptable to charge money for the teachings for profit.

"In the opinion of the Correllian Tradition, it is completely appropriate to charge a fee for a study group. . . .it might also possibly generate a small profit which you can spend as you see fit."(22)

For the tradition itself, funding comes from many sources including selling "Mini Spells" (spell kits consisting of a candle and a sheet of instructions about how to burn the candle for everything from love to wealth to hexes), a small online store to sell the Correllian "merit badges" and other tradition items, book sales (including many books obtained when the Correllian organization or someone affiliated with the Correllians purchased Eschaton Books),(23) and membership dues.

By far the most successful venture appears to be the Mini Spells. In the words of the Correllians:

"Witch School began distributing them in May of 2005. . . by year's end, more than 30,000 of these enchantments and invocations had been distributed, and 10,000 more in January of this year. . . . How do they work? It's simple. Remove them from the package, untie the hand-tied bow, read the spell, and light the candle."(24)

But can a tradition purchase real estate and operate a multinational business on selling candles alone? According to Hubbard, there is desire to expand the commercial side of the Correllian tradition. In 2005, Ed Hubbard was a guest on the short-lived Internet radio show "Haunts and Flaunts." During the show, he mentioned that he had recently been to Las Vegas for a Dollar Store expo to try and market the sale of the Mini Spells at dollar merchandisers around the country. (25) Is that the ideal future for WitchSchool's outreach, to sell witchcraft through dollar stores? In my opinion, this does nothing to help the public image of witchcraft, and further strengthens the image of witchcraft as a party trick or gimmick.(26)

References:

1. Some individuals who claim membership in the Correllian tradition state that minors are not able to receive clergy status. I have not yet found anything on their web sites or in their Outer Court handbook or first or second degree books to say either way about whether or not they will allow a minor to be a priest or priestess. Given that they have no reservations for a fish to be a priest, I do take it at face value that the individual in question, a minor, had been told at some point that he was a priest in the Correllian tradition. This also brings up an interesting issue regarding parental consent. Although the images do not appear in the online version, the first degree print volume has a great deal of artwork, and some of the artwork contains nudity. Whereas I do not feel this would be an issue for adults, this could be problematic in the future if a parent of a minor child decided to raise issue about a “witch school” providing their minor child with an instruction book on witchcraft that contains graphic R-rated artwork. I have been told that any parent(s) who complain to WitchSchool about their child’s participation can have their child’s account closed. How effective this is at keeping the child from re-enrolling is subject to debate, however.
2. http://www.correllian.com/history.htm (accessed July 4, 2006).
3. Reference removed pending approval from informant.
4. Lewis-Highcorrell, Don. Correllian Wicca: Lessons for the First Degree, Hoopeston, IL: Correllian Tradition (2005), 4. Available online at http://www.witchschool.com/free/Introduction/default.asp (accessed July 4, 2006).
5. http://www.correllian.com/history.htm (accessed July 4, 2006).
6. Rowe, Ann, April Legate, Donald J. Lewis, et al. The Outer Court Handbook, Hoopeston, IL: Correllian Tradition (2005), 53 (not available online).
7. Rowe, Legate, Lewis, et al. The Outer Court Handbook, 71 (not available online).
8. Rowe, Legate, Lewis, et al. The Outer Court Handbook, 72 Abbreviated version available online at http://www.correllian.com/application/OCM.asp (accessed July 4, 2006).
9. Lewis-Highcorrell. Lessons for the First Degree, 154 (not available online).
10. http://www.outercon.com/whatsnew.html (accessed July 4, 2006).
11. http://www.outercon.com/finalexam.html (accessed July 4, 2006).
12. Private correspondence with the author.
13. Hubbard, Ed. Witch Wars Defense Manual, Hoopeston, IL: WitchSchool (2005), 37 (not available online).
14. Correllian Manifesto, Article 16, point 2 Copy available online at http://www.buzzle.com/boards.asp?board=238&message=43918 (accessed July 4, 2006).
15. Hubbard, Witch Wars Defense Manual, 13 (not available online).
16. Hubbard, Witch Wars Defense Manual, 43 (not available online).
17. Hubbard, Witch Wars Defense Manual, 56 (not available online).
18. Lewis-Highcorrell, Donald. Wicca 201: Correllian Wicca Lessons for the Second Degree, Illinois: WitchSchool.com (2003), 149 (not available online).
19. Lewis-Highcorrell, Lessons for the First Degree, 19 Copy available at http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/firewriter78/cgi-bin/-_WitchSchool_com.htm
20. “Needed: 10,000 Wiccan Teachers by 2008,” http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/06/prweb398876.htm
21. “Seeking 10,000 Teachers of Witchcraft and Wicca Needed to Supply Global Shortage,” http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/06/prweb400016.htm
22. Lewis-Highcorrell, Donald. Correllian Ministry, Chicago, IL: Telepathic Media, Inc. (2003), 5 (not available online).
23. According to http://www.bandia.net/moonstone/RevCirc.html "Eschaton Books has folded again, but Ed Hubbard has bought up the entire Eschaton stock, and is selling the books through his, erm, 'witch school' site."
24. “Spell Casting Made Easy,” http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/02/prweb349389.htm
25. Haunts and Flaunts, July 2005 (radio show no longer available, originally aired through FearlessRadio.com).
26. When I was compiling this article, I was presented with many statements from individuals about financial questions regarding WitchSchool's (and other businesses that are somehow connected on an unofficial or semiofficial status) daily business practices. I am not an accountant or a tax attorney, so I have opted not to address those issues here. Should someone in the future decide to write an article about this topic and wish for me to include a link or citation to it, I will read the article and see if it bears mention.

Note: This is part one of a three-part essay. This essay and the other two sections are under a Creative Commons license as listed below. The essay may be reprinted without written permission from the author as long as the essay, references, and this notice are provided free of charge. All material quoted herein falls under Fair Use. Copies of the Correllian materials cited here can be purchased through the WitchSchool.com site. To maintain the integrity of the quoted material, all typographical errors in the quoted material have been faithfully reproduced. Special thanks to my anonymous source, a member of the Correllian clergy in good standing, for providing copies of the written materials cited in this document. About oaths: According to Don Lewis, Chancellor and First Priest of the Correllian Tradition, “We have always felt that spiritual information is to be shared.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5lu5bxEpM0) Thus, presentation of any of the material does not violate any oaths of secrecy, and I have never taken any oaths to the Correllian tradition at any time.


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