Pete Pathfinder Davis, who is the originator of the ATC Tradition of Wicca and has served two terms as the president of the Interfaith Council of Washington state, reports that the Sheriff's Department and the FBI have been investigating the incident and have obtained a confession from a woman who claims to have acted alone, though certain aspects of the desecration make it clear that she could not have acted alone and must have had the help of another person or persons yet unknown. The investigation is continuing.
Pete and Wende, his wife, live at the church property. They report that while the damage is extensive, the monetary losses are nothing compared to the loss of the sense of security, the peacefulness and serenity of the outdoor stone circle, and their sense of the rape of this 12-year old sacred site, which was constructed with the help of many pagans from near and far, laboring to raise the stones.
The next Diana's Bow New Moon service at the church is scheduled for May 10. Prior to the service, which starts in the early evening, there will be a clean-up of the damage to the site, and a cleansing and rededication of the area. Everyone is welcome to come that afternoon after 1 p.m. to assist with this healing process, especially any of those people who participated in the original stone-raising parties many years ago, including anyone who may have become distant from the ATC over the years. It is time we unite to overcome this sort of outrage.
The ATC's request to the U.S. Justice Department for an in-depth investigation of this sad occurrence is being supported by the Interfaith Council of Washington, the Church Council of Greater Seattle, the B'nai Brith Anti-Defamation League and the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment.
For more information, call Pete or Wende at the church at (360) 793-1945.
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