Pete Davis (pagan)

Pierre Claveloux Davis, also known as Pete Pathfinder (1937 – 2014),[1] was a religious figure in modern Paganism. He founded the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) in 1985, in Index, Washington, and served as its archpriest. He was also involved with several publications and related organizations. Davis advocated for Wicca and Paganism as an expert witness, and was part of a group of people who successfully petitioned for the pentacle to be available as a symbol used on U.S. veteran's headstones.

Early life

Davis was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1937 to a Catholic father and mother. On August 14, 1974, at the age of 37, he entered the Pagan world as a Wiccan initiate in the Dorpat tradition.[2] In 1976, he relocated to Index, Washington. In 1983, he was initiated into the New Wiccan Church (Kingstone) tradition in Seattle, Washington.[3]

Aquarian Tabernacle Church

Once established in Washington, Davis began work on creating an oasis for local Pagans on his property. On Samhain 1979, he established the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC), a Wiccan religious tradition.

By 1985, the ATC had an established liturgy and a circle of standing stones called Moonstone Circlea. in 1988, the church received IRS 501(c)(3) exemption status, which was elevated to an umbrella status in 1991.[2]

As archpriest of the ATC, Davis founded Panagyria magazine, Woolsten Steen Theological Seminary, Spring Mysteries Festival, Hecate's Sickle Festival, and Spiral Scouts International.[4]

Religious advocacy

In 1985, Davis was retained by the Washington State Attorney General as an expert witness in Wicca for a civil rights case brought by a Wiccan prisoner in federal court.[5]

In 1995, Davis became the first Wiccan elected president of the Interfaith Council of Washington. He served two terms.[6]

The advocacy work Davis is most known for is his involvement with the so-called "Veteran's Pentacle Quest." He, along with members of other Pagan organizations, petitioned the Veterans Administration for 10 years to add the pentacle as an option for veterans' headstones.[7]

Death

Davis died on October 31, 2014.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Public Memorial for Founder of ATC to be Held December 27". Prweb.com. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  2. ^ a b Guiley, Rosemary (2008). The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca - Rosemary Guiley. Infobase. ISBN 9781438126845. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  3. ^ "117 Historical Essay from our Seminary Students". Panegyria.com. Archived from the original on 2015-01-18. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  4. ^ Adler, Margot (3 October 2006). Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other ... - Margot Adler. Penguin. ISBN 9781101549766. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  5. ^ Rabinovitch, Shelley (2004). The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism - Shelley Rabinovitch, James Lewis. Citadel Press. ISBN 9780806524078. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  6. ^ Llewellyn. Llewellyn's 2010 Witches' Datebook - Llewellyn. Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 9780738706931. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  7. ^ "The Story of the Veteran Pentacle Quest". Circlesanctuary.org. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  8. ^ Greene, Heather (2014-11-02). "Pete Pathfinder Davis 1937-2014". The Wild Hunt. Retrieved 2017-09-01.