Mysterio delas Felipinas
Home Kulam Bati Tawas Barang Kublis Magica
The Leaders of a Group
The first you should know are the leaders. In Wicca, the traditional leaders are the High Priestess and High Priest. Tony Perez call the High Priestess as the Babae ( meaning woman in Tagalog) and the High Priest Lalaki (Man in Tagalog).
You can also utilize those names if you want. But I prefer the name Babaylan and Katalonan for the leaders.
Babaylan is the word used to denote the female priestesses and shamans in the old socities of the Philippines. In old times, the Babaylan was given much respect. Because before, the Filipinos were practicing a matriarchal religion, focusing on the Agricultural Goddess. But when the Spaniards came to dominate, they introduced their new religion and forced the natives to comply.
But until now, the old faith is still present in some Filipino groups, like the Ifugaos.
For the High priest, you can use the word Katalonan, which is also used to denote a holy man in the old days.
Each leader has a duty for the group:
The Babaylan is the earthly manisfestation of the Goddess inside the circle. She is in Kublis the Priestess of Ideale, goddess of agriculture. She stands in the left side of the altar. On her forehead is the Coronang Tres Lunas, the crown which shows her position as manifestation of Luna the Moon goddess. The three moons on her crown symbolizes her three aspects: Dalaga (Maiden), Ina (Mother) and Hukluban (Crone).
The Katalonan is the earthly part of the God during ceremonies. In Kublis, he is the priest of Bathala, god of the Sky. He stands in the right side of the altar and holds the Staff, symbolizing his aspect as the king of the Witches. He has on his heads the Corona ng Kalikasan, which shows his reign as king of animals and plants. His three aspects are: Binata (Youth), Ama (Father) and Paham (Sage).
