The Aspen Tradition

In the Aspen Tradition of Wicca, we are taught to seek wisdom not in absolutes, but in the liminal spaces—between light and shadow, between certainty and doubt. As the world watches the escalating violence between Israel, Gaza, and Iran, I feel compelled to speak—not because I have all the answers, but because silence, too, is a choice. And silence often serves the aggressor, not the victim.

Wicca’s core ethic is simple: harm none. It is a call to live with compassion, restraint, and reverence for life. But it is not a call to moral paralysis. The world is not black and white. It is a tapestry of gray, woven with paradoxes—none more relevant than the paradox of tolerance: if we tolerate the intolerant, we risk allowing intolerance to destroy tolerance itself.

Iran’s regime has long funded groups like Hamas and Hezbollah—organizations that have committed acts of terror and called for the destruction of Israel. These are not abstract facts; they are part of a pattern of violence that has cost countless lives. And yet, I also recognize that the Iranian people are not their government. Many have risked everything to resist authoritarianism. I hold space for their courage.

I also acknowledge the suffering in Gaza. Civilians—especially children—are starving, displaced, and dying. The humanitarian crisis is real, and it demands compassion. But compassion does not require moral confusion. We can grieve for the innocent without excusing those who use them as shields. We can condemn war while recognizing that sometimes, tragically, force is used to prevent greater harm.

This is not about choosing sides. It is about choosing values. I believe in peace, but not peace at the cost of truth. I believe in tolerance, but not tolerance of hatred. I believe in justice, but not justice that is blind to context.

To those who feel overwhelmed or unsure: you are not alone. To those who disagree: I welcome your perspective. Wicca teaches us to question, to listen, and to grow. If I am wrong, I will learn. But I will not be silent.

Blessed be.