The ATC Tradition is based on English Traditional Wicca, and focused on providing service to the larger Wiccan and Pagan community, by offering the facilities, programs and services customarily available to the followers of more traditional or main line religious bodies. Because Wiccans were literally driven underground by the Inquisition and other persecutions, in modern times there were generally none of these things available to us, at least until the Aquarian Tabernacle Church was formed and began to provide them.
If you want to marry and have a wedding reception afterward, and you are let us say, a Protestant, you have merely to ask your minister to consecrate your union in the church chapel, and let you use the Parish Hall for the reception afterwards. It’s that simple. But what if you are Wiccan or Pagan? One could almost always find a Wiccan priestess or a priest, but did they have the authority from the state to sanctify a marriage? Probably not, for in all likelihood, our priestesses and priests did all in their power to avoid the notice of the state. And the Parish Hall? Are you serious?
The ATC has changed all of that now. The Church is a recognized, tax-exempt, non-profit religious church corporation that exists legally with the knowledge and blessing of the state and federal governments, who have given ATC the power to charter other congregations and grant this recognition to them, too. Our Clergy are recognized and have the power to sanctify marriages in all 50 states, as well as in Canada and Australia.
We celebrate the 8 Major Sabbats of Wicca, as well as the thirteen New and Full Moons in each year in the traditional way, by circling with each other in our MoonStone Circle, a ring of standing menhirs, set in a grove of stately old cedar trees to the rear of our church building, which houses our meeting and eating facilities, our extensive library, and our offices and religious printing facilities.
The ATC is open to all sincere seekers, and we encourage newcomers to come and join with us in celebration on the occasions when we hold services, both here and elsewhere, according to our schedule. We would be pleased to have you join us when next we meet in our forest grove to honor the Old Gods.
Will you come?
Call us at (360) 793-1945 for information, or call our recorded events line – PYE-WAKT just by dialing (360) 793-9258 or (360) PYE-WAKT, or email us at scribe(at)aquatabch.org or atcadmin(at)aquatabch.org.