Lady Belladonna LaVeau, the Archpriestess of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) spoke about ATC’s pandemic response to the pandemic.

She said “We respect each person’s personal beliefs, and we support natural medicine. However, I am a Navy Hospital Corpsman Veteran trained in emergency pandemic procedures. I also have COPD. So I take the pandemic very seriously.”

LaVeau said that the Great Mother, Demeter, had warned ATC “ that something was coming that would cause many deaths.” That warning included threats to the food supply. Demeter urged ATC to prepare. In 2018, LaVeau and Archpriest Dusty Dionne traveled among Pagan communities to share that warning. They didn’t expect a pandemic, “but we were ready.“

The ATC has encouraged its members to get vaccinated. ATC also took measures to protect its members. They offered online events, and encouraged isolating, social distancing, and masking. LaVeau said most members have been vaccinated.

LaVeau said, “Theologically, The Great Mother, Demeter, told us, through channeled messages, that the world had lost the rituals that She had taught us in the ancient city of Eleusis, that we were lacking compassion and respect for others. … She told us we were going to face a collective challenge that would realign our priorities. … She asked us to ensure that we live through this challenge because She will need us (Pagans) to help Her restore the balance after this is over. “

“Getting vaccinated is the only ethical choice,” LaVeau continued. She argued that the choice to reject getting vaccinated is a choice to risk killing others. She went on to say, “Not getting vaccinated because you don’t want people to tell you what to do with your body is a moot argument. The Government has already ruled on safety over personal choice, in all of our lives, many times. From seat belts to OSHA regulations.”

LaVeau urged everyone to get vaccinated. She said, “mRNA vaccines have been in research for over 5 decades and have been actively tested for 20 years. This is not about the safety of a vaccine anymore. Getting vaccinated is the safest choice for everyone ….”

LaVeau closed by saying, “Our world is in jeopardy because of our way of life. We must change our thinking from ‘me’ to ‘we’ and getting vaccinated is for everyone else as much as yourself. Protecting others is not our usual way of thinking, but it should be. We need to keep Pagans alive and then we need to get Pagans involved .… It is time for us to work together and get involved in politics and our communities. Get earth-centered values out there, and let’s replace our disposable lifestyle with a sustainable ethical way of living.”

Article part of "Covid Vaccination Recommendations in Pagan Groups" originally posted on the Wild Hunt's page.

Sean McShee and Manny Tejeda-Moreno were contributors to this article.