#threefold law

[sitting-1n-silence]

Was just chatting with a fellow occultist and they said something that totally slaps,

"While the threefold law might be bullshit, retaliation ain't"

-a fellow witch

[ravenlestrangewitch]

Why I Believe the Threefold Law is Utter Bullshit

There. I said it... however, I want to make it clear that if you believe in the Threefold Law, that is totally valid and your prerogative. But don't push that shit onto anyone else, mmmkay? Because when you do, you start sounding no better than Bible-thumpers who insist you’ll burn in hell if you don’t let Jebus into your heart. Sorry, but it's true. That said, for the unfamiliar, the Threefold Law is a Wiccan belief that whatever energy you put into the world—good or bad—returns to you three times over. It’s not some ancient universal law.... it’s a modern, Wiccan invention. It first shows up in mid-20th century Wiccan writing, popularised through the works of Gerald Gardner and later Doreen Valiente (who, by the way, wasn’t even technically a founder).

So why do I hate it?

Because it’s spiritual fear-mongering... another way to control new witches by making them afraid to experiment, curse, or work outside the “harm none” rule. And let’s be real, early Wicca carried plenty of misogyny, racism, and other problematic baggage I won’t unpack here.

My biggest issue, though? It defies basic physics.

The first law of thermodynamics states:

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.

Whether you're a scientist like I am or not, this is a law of physics... This is a scientific fact... it doesn’t require belief. The idea that you send out a spell and it somehow comes back to you three times stronger simply doesn’t add up.

A word on baneful magic...

In my 35+ years of practice, I’ve done my fair share of baneful work. But I don’t just wake up and choose violence for the fun of it, my spells have been warranted. If you hex someone purely for entertainment, yeah, you might face consequences. But in my belief, it won’t be some cosmic “threefold” payback, it’ll be life handing you your own lesson and hopefully you'll learn something to better yourself from that lesson.

Lastly... A quote from a witch I admire in the community... Robyn at @atiredwitch on Instagram:

Ethics in baneful magic is a scam invented by armchair magicians

Bottom line: If you believe in the Threefold Law, that’s fine. But don’t shove it down anyone’s throat. If you see someone asking for a baneful spell on Facebook and it triggers you, keep scrolling. You don’t have to turn every post into a sermon.

Yours witchfully,

A baneful witch 🖤

[witchblr-help-hotline]

WitchGPT, I need help!!

Is it true that if I curse someone, that comes back 3 fold? I have someone I want to curse, but the reason is because he's my abusive ex. I want to make it where he can never do what he did to me to other people.

But, I keep hearing about the "Three-Fold law" and how curses can come back and hurt you three times more. I'm already so hurt by this whole situation, that I don't want to risk anymore pain for myself.

Thank you in advance!

"WitchGPT" is so funny lol

My answer: The "Three-fold law" is a Wiccan concept, so if you aren't Wiccan you don't need to worry about it. As a non-Wiccan, I have cursed a few people in my time as a witch, and each time I have been met with zero "three-fold retribution". Just be smart and remember to practice safe spell casting!

I'm interested to see what other witches have to say!

[heirloom-moon]

My business class: the American Marketing Association ethics say Do No Harm

Me: Wicca for normies, got it

[traegorn]

There's a lot of debate among witches about the Threefold Law (I think? I mean the Law where whatever magic you cast, it will happen back at you three times as strong), which of course discourages cursing of any kind. I like using that as a challenge: like, damn that person was awful. What could I do about it/hope would happen to them? I bless that person. I hope they become a better person. I hope that they realise their faults, and that they can persevere to fix their mistakes and right their wrongdoings. (and I hope I can do that, too). I hoped to see a discussion about this, but I am not a witch and idk who else to ask to see a discussion like this.

The threefold law/law of return was a (possibly intentional) misinterpretation of a passage from Gardner's (fiction) novel High Magic's Aid created by Monique Wilson and popularized by folks like Raymond Buckland to make Wicca seem more palatable to the general public.

So I mean, do what you want. Sounds like you've come up with an interesting thought exercise for yourself. But also, if you aren't a witch (let alone a Wiccan), why were you worrying about it to begin with?

[dowsingfordivinity]

Myths about Wicca

Fantastic article by River Enodian from the Tea-Addicted Witch blog. A Tale of Two Wiccas: Tackling Misinformation Explains how eclectic Wicca and initiatory Wicca are two different things; discusses cultural appropriation in Wicca; looks at the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law; and explains Wicca’s relationship with Crowley, Thelema, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. I’ve tackled…

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[will-o-the-witch]

Would you say punishment or karma is a real thing?

I'm not Hindu so I can't really speak to karma as it's properly defined, but I'm guessing you mean more like a tit-for-tat cosmic balance type of concept? (Personal beliefs incoming.)

Obviously your actions have effects and consequences, but I don't put stock in the idea of universal moral punishment. Your environment/people are going to react naturally to your actions and behaviors, but I don't think there's a cosmic force actively judging your behaviors as "good" or "bad" and then doling out a proper amount of rewards/punishment. The Universe just is.

Besides, what standard would morality even be measured by? Your values? Somebody else's? People have drastically different opinions on moral behavior. It's comforting to imagine a world where those we don't like or who harm us always get their comeuppance and our own virtues always get rewarded eventually, but I just don't find it realistic.

Also, to tie up loose ends, this is a big part of why I'm completely fine with hexes and don't believe in Hell or the Threefold Law.

[luna-tormenta]

"In the lore, witches perform magic to help and to hurt. Although many mid-century writers on witchcraft claimed adherence to a "threefold law" or belief in a simplified form of karma that would return a casting to its sender, the lore tells another story. In our stories, witches use their own personal judgment when deciding how to employ their craft. This suggests that their basic moral stance is unique to the individual."

Folk Witchcraft A Guide to Lore, Land, and the Familiar Spirit for the Solitary Practitioner, by Roger J. Horne