In the realm of Wicca, the Rule of Three holds significant importance. This ethical principle, also known as the Law of Threefold Return, is a guiding force in Wiccan beliefs and practices. The Rule of Three suggests that whatever energy or action we put out into the universe, whether positive or negative, will be returned to us threefold. This concept of karma is not unique to Wicca and can be found in various spiritual and religious traditions. However, Wiccans place particular emphasis on this principle, as they believe in the interconnectedness of all things and the consequences of our actions. According to the Rule of Three, if we engage in acts of love, kindness, and generosity, this positive energy will come back to us three times over.
Not only that, there are countless numbers of Pagans who freely admit to having performed harmful or manipulative magic, and never having anything bad coming back upon them as a result. In some magical traditions, hexing and cursing is considered as routine as healing and protecting–and yet members of those traditions don't seem to receive negativity back upon them every single time.
No, but it could mean you ll show up at work, your boss will have heard about you bopping someone s schnoz, and now you re fired because your employer won t tolerate brawlers certainly this is a fate which could be, to some, considered three times worse than getting hit in the nose. Another school of thought interprets the Law of Three in a cosmic sense; what you do in this lifetime will be revisited upon you three times more intently in your NEXT life.
According to the Rule of Three, if we engage in acts of love, kindness, and generosity, this positive energy will come back to us three times over. Similarly, if we engage in negative acts, such as harming others or wishing ill upon them, the repercussions will also be magnified threefold. This principle serves as a moral compass for Wiccans, encouraging them to be mindful of their actions and the intentions behind them.
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
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Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.
It promotes the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and being aware of the energetic ripple effect it creates. By abiding by the Rule of Three, Wiccans strive to create a harmonious and balanced existence for themselves and those around them. They understand that the choices they make not only affect their own lives but also have a broader impact on the world. It is worth noting that the Rule of Three is not meant to be a form of punishment or a system of reward. Instead, it serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness and the ripple effect of our actions. It encourages individuals to practice empathy, compassion, and mindfulness, knowing that whatever energy we put out into the world will ultimately find its way back to us. In conclusion, the Rule of Three is a fundamental principle in Wicca that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the karmic consequences of our actions. By practicing love, kindness, and positivity, we can create a harmonious existence for ourselves and those around us. Similarly, negative actions will have amplified repercussions. It is a guiding force in Wiccan ethics, reminding practitioners to be mindful of the energy they emit into the world..
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