The rule of three is a fundamental principle in Wicca, a modern pagan witchcraft tradition. It is also known as the Threefold Law. The rule states that whatever energy or action a person puts out into the world, whether positive or negative, will be returned to them threefold. This concept is based on the belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the idea that energy is constantly flowing and being exchanged. It is similar to the concept of karma in other spiritual traditions, where the consequences of one's actions are believed to come back to them in some way. In Wicca, practitioners strive to live in harmony with the natural world and to align their actions with ethical principles.
In Wicca, practitioners strive to live in harmony with the natural world and to align their actions with ethical principles. The rule of three serves as a reminder of the importance of personal responsibility and the potential consequences of one's choices. The rule of three is often interpreted as a cautionary guideline, encouraging Wiccans to think before they act and to consider the potential impact their actions may have on themselves and others.
The Threefold Law
I have discussed the Threefold Law in several previous articles but it’s never had its own post before. Most people get the wrong idea about the Threefold Law. It does not actually say that you get back threefold what you send out.
The so-called law of threefold return is actually a misinterpretation of Wiccan liturgy. It is not saying that there’s some cosmic law that means that what you send out will return threefold. The rule is actually telling witches to return good threefold when we receive good.
There’s an excellent article by Patti Wiginton on this topic at Learn Religions. As she points out, there are many versions and understandings of the Rule of Three.
The earliest of these (and the only one that I recognize) was written by Gerald Gardner; as Ms Wiginton writes:
An early incarnation of the Rule of Three appeared in Gerald Gardner’s novel, High Magic’s Aid, in the form of “Mark well, when thou receivest good, so equally art [thou] bound to return good threefold.”
There’s nothing in there about cosmic laws of karma bouncing back three times what you sent out.
It is true that whatever you cultivate in your life will generate more of the same around you: if you send out love and compassion and smile at people, you generally get the same response back; and if you send out negativity, you will get negativity in response.
I like the other suggestion offered by Ms Wiginton:
One of the most sensible interpretations of the Rule of Three is one that states, quite simply, that your actions affect you on three separate levels: physical, emotional, and spiritual. This means that before you act, you need to consider how your deeds will impact your body, your mind and your soul.
This is a genuinely useful understanding of the concept of threefold return, and might prevent people from using any form of magic lightly or without thinking about the consequences.
It appears that the source of the notion that whatever you send out will come back to you threefold was Monique Wilson, and this was popularised by Ray Buckland. That would explain why this understanding of the Rule of Three is very popular, or at least widespread, in North America.
The Threefold Law as an actual “law”, was an interpretation of Wiccan ideas and ritual, made by noted witch Monique Wilson (1923-1982) and further popularized by Raymond Buckland, in his books on Wicca. Prior to this innovation by Wilson and its subsequent inclusion in publications, Wiccan ideas of reciprocal ethics were far less defined and more often interpreted as a kind of general karma.
There is also no mention of the threefold law or the rule of three in the Ardanes (which are widely regarded as having been composed by Gardner in 1957 after a dispute with the rest of the coven, and therefore many people regard them as suspect, including me).
The actual threefold law tells us, “Mark well, when thou receivest good, so equally art [thou] bound to return good threefold.”
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this post, you might like my books.
I like the other suggestion offered by Ms Wiginton:
It serves as a reminder to act with integrity, kindness, and compassion. Some Wiccans believe that the rule of three operates on a spiritual or energetic level, while others interpret it more metaphorically or as a guideline for ethical behavior. Regardless of how it is understood, the rule of three serves as a moral compass for many Wiccans, guiding them in their interactions with others and the world around them. It is important to note that not all Wiccans adhere to the rule of three, and individual interpretations can vary. Some may view it as a personal belief or guideline rather than a universal law of the universe. At its core, the rule of three reflects a belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the responsibility we have for the energy we put out into the world..
Reviews for "The Cosmic Dance of Energy: Understanding the Rule of Three in Wiccan Magick"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Rule of Three Wicca". The plot was slow and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. I didn't feel any connection to them or their struggles. Additionally, the writing style was quite dry and lacked any sort of depth. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - While "Rule of Three Wicca" had an interesting premise, I felt that it fell short in its execution. The pacing was off, with too much time spent on insignificant details and not enough on the main storyline. The author also failed to fully develop the magical world, leaving many questions unanswered. The ending was abrupt and left me feeling unsatisfied. I appreciate the effort, but this book was just average for me.
3. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Rule of Three Wicca". The writing was weak, filled with clichés and inconsistent narration. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the characters. The plot lacked originality and seemed like a rehash of other popular fantasy novels. I was highly disappointed and would not recommend wasting your time on this book.