The Aspen Tradition

On August 3, 2025, over fifty Texas House Democrats left the state to block a vote on a mid-decade redistricting plan. By crossing state lines, they denied the two-thirds quorum needed to pass the new maps—turning their absence into a powerful act of resistance. In Wiccan terms, they momentarily stepped outside the circle to protect the larger sacred space of fair representation.

Why This Matters to Wiccans and Voters Alike

Most map redraws happen only once every ten years, after the census. Texas updated its lines in 2021 and now Republicans are pushing a rare power grab mid-cycle—unheard-of since 2003. If approved, the plan adds five fiercely Republican seats, diluting the voices of Democrats and communities of color for the next decade.

Yes, every state gerrymanders to some degree. But this move:

• Bypasses established norms, breaking the unspoken pact that maps only shift post-census.
• Sets a dangerous precedent, inviting any majority party in any state to redraw the rules whenever it suits them.
• Affects everyday life—from school funding to infrastructure and healthcare—by shifting who holds real power in your district.

Wiccans believe in the Rede—“An it harm none, do what ye will.” Here, the fight isn’t just political theater; it’s “good trouble” born of necessity, a stand against structural harm and a call to protect our collective circle.

When and Why Democrats Will Return

Democrats plan their exit and re-entry with purpose:

• Maximize Delay: Let the 30-day special session lapse, forcing compromises or a costly new session.
• Build Momentum: Return after adjournment and once California’s counter-map is unveiled to strengthen federal court challenges.
• Avoid Extreme Penalties: Time the return to dodge fines, seat-vacating lawsuits, and public backlash.

They’ll step back onto the floor once the first special session gavels out sine die and California’s map is filed—then shift the fight to the courts with an unassailable legislative record.

Aligning with Wiccan Ethics: A Pilgrimage of Protection

This walkout mirrors a Wiccan pilgrimage or “underworld journey”—an intentional process grounded in protection, balance, and collective care. In such a journey you set the intention, cross the threshold, suffer trials and ordeals, receive guidance from spirit allies, and return with new vision.

1. Setting the Intention

• Protect vulnerable voices from a redistricting “spell” designed to silence them.
• Honor the Rede—“An it harm none, do what ye will”—by preventing structural harm to representation.
• Trust the Threefold Law that disciplined civil disobedience will yield fairness.

2. Crossing the Threshold (Liminal Exile)

• Leave the familiar chamber for sanctuary beyond the majority’s reach.
• Face fines and warrants as tests of resolve and clarity of purpose.

3. Trials and Ordeals

• Endure daily fines threatening party resources.
• Answer legal summons that demand accountability.
• Withstand public scrutiny to prove commitment to the Rede and collective well-being.

4. Receiving Guidance

• Rally civil-rights allies, invoking the spirit of the Voting Rights Act.
• Weave solidarity with national and state covens of reformers (e.g., California’s counter-map team).

5. Returning with Vision

• Re-enter the chamber with a renewed narrative of unity and resilience.
• Use legal challenges as “spells” in court, backed by the record of exile.
• Reset the floor’s energy to demand real negotiation—no more rubber-stamping partisan maps.

Rebutting “Poor Sports” Critiques

Protecting the circle is paramount. When representation itself is under threat, leaving is the highest form of care.

• Civil disobedience aligns with the Rede—no one’s voice is crushed, and no harm is done by pausing oppression.
• Quorum-breaking is a strategic re-casting of power—the only tool available to an outnumbered minority.

Beyond the Pilgrimage: Weaving a Lasting Spell of Justice

This action can spark enduring change:

• Catalyze quorum-requirement reforms in other states.
• Embed independent, community-driven redistricting commissions as protective wards.
• Inspire grassroots “spell circles” of civic engagement—town halls, phone banks, digital advocacy that uphold Wiccan values of inclusivity and balanced energy.

Concrete Calls to Action for Wiccans

Transform solidarity into “good trouble”:

• Rally Locally: Attend or host “anti-gerrymandering circles”—town-hall meetups where you visualize fair maps and strategize outreach.
• Amplify Stories: Share first-hand accounts on social platforms to humanize the stakes for marginalized communities.
• Support Legal Defenders: Donate to groups like the ACLU, Common Cause, and League of Women Voters challenging gerrymanders in court.
• Lobby for Transparency: Call your state legislators and governor to demand independent redistricting commissions and publicly available map-drawing processes.
• Prepare for 2026: Pledge to vote against any candidates who support partisan carve-ups of your sacred circle.

May we, as practitioners and citizens, remember that “good trouble”—like the Texas Democrats’ walkout—is a form of sacred protection. When our circle is under siege, stepping outside the norm can realign power with principle and restore balance to the Great Work.