Last May 16 on the eve of Full Moon we have celebrated dedication and full moon ritual to welcome Mark Genesis Cheong to the outer court of the Correllian Nativist Tradition of Wicca. Its been a while since I do this ritual again and Mark’s entry to the Outer Court of the Tradition also means his dedication to the works of Luntiang Aghama in the Philippines. People might think that there is a contradiction between Luntiang Aghama and the Correllian Tradition towards the nature of our Organization, As Luntiang Aghama promotes Filipino Spirituality while the Correllian Tradition promotes Wicca. Well as Chief Priest and Founder of Luntiang Aghama as i should say that there is NO contradiction as we fully embrace the principles and teachings of the Correllian Tradition.
Correllian Tradition of Wicca was founded on Nativism as the Beloved Orphies Caroline High-Correll have advocated in her life as she stressed out the need for the world’s native religion to unite in the face of colonial Christianity. And this is also the effort of Luntiang Aghama in the Philippines as our country are Highly Colonized that even we have proclaimed our independence, the shackles and chain of Christianity still have bounded our country even our own constitution into their power.
During the Dedication ritual, we have invoked not only the Diwata, Engkanto and Anito but we also called upon the Spirits of the Revolutionary Babaylan who have fought for our Freedom. And they are the Great Babaylan of our race:
- Babaylang Karyapay
- Babaylang Tamblot
- Babaylang Pagali
- Babaylang Bangkaw
- Babaylang Kator Kuhon
- Babaylang Hibor Tasing
- Babaylang Bulaod
- Babaylang Tami-isan Kaunga-an
- Babaylang Tagbakan
- Babaylang Estrella Bangot Banwa
- Babaylang Dios Buhawi (Ponsiano Elofre)
- Babaylang Papa Isio (Dionisio Magbuelas)
- Katalonan Diego Magsanga
- Binabaylan Bae Ulang Udig (Paul Escubido Cabalfin)
We call upon the Spirits of these Babaylan so that they could be our guide and helper in order to manifest our desire not only to free our selves from the shackle and chains of Christianity but also to extend this Freedom to our fellow countrymen.
We as Filipino Correllian has important role to serve this goal in our country like what the oracle of the Correllian Tradition have foretold that as a member of the Correllian Tradition we are the Midwives and Caregiver of this Present Generation, we are the one who assist our World in giving Birth to the new Generation and as we deliver the new Generation in this world we are also the one who will guide and care for this Generation to the path of its destination.
Now the Question is, where are we going? Where this Journey will lead us to? If we do not free ourselves from the shackles and chains can we move? As Chief Priest of Luntiang Aghama, I feel the Limitations of these shackles and chains bringing us. People can see its power not only here in the Philippines but also in every corner of the World. One Example of this limitation of the shackles and chain are the Laws being made by our Law Makers, they could not pass a law both in Senate or House of Representative that concerns the Marriage of LGBTIQ+ people, as their marriage will violates Christian Doctrines.
So as when I seek accreditation for our Seminary in Hilot Academy of Binabaylan, our Curriculum on Traditional Diagnostic Health Care has been rejected because it has an element of Spirituality and even mention the laws coming from the Office of Exorcism under the Archdiocese of Manila.
Here even that we could practice our Faith, we could not promote it because these Giant Religion will disagree and not only will disagree but directly will forbid it.
This is the reason why i see people who practice witch craft could not fully embrace the Faith because the Roman Catholic and other Christian Church will forbid them. This is the same reason why we see people in the Philippines will only consider Wicca as a Life Style and not as a Way of Life. Because they are afraid if they get married the church will not accept them. When they have a Child they could not go to School because the child will have no Baptismal Certificate to show as Requirement and when they die, there will be no cemetery to allow them to burry because of the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.
On these reason, Luntiang Aghama is rising up as a Church that all of these fears be addressed. And I am Thankful for the Correllian Nativist Church of Wicca for standing Side-by-side with us in promoting Religious Freedom in our Country.
Dambana ng Luntiang Aghama 