The Threefold Law is a concept deeply ingrained in magical, witchcraft, and Wiccan circles. For those who've encountered any form of magickal practices, be it online or in books the Threefold Law is a familiar, yet often misunderstood concept.
Originating from the fiction writing of one of the pioneers of modern-day Wicca about 150 years ago, this idea has evolved into a core belief within the religion. But let's clarify some crucial points before delving further into the depths of this concept.
Wicca is, indeed, a religion, and it represents a form of witchcraft. However, it's vital to distinguish between the two. While Wicca embraces witchcraft as a religious form, witchcraft itself transcends Wicca, allowing individuals to practise as witches without identifying as Wiccans.
The Threefold Law, often linked to the notion of karma, is a central tenet of Wicca. According to this law, any magical action, whether positive, negative, or neutral, sets in motion a ripple effect, returning to the practitioner with threefold strength.
The notion of magical karma stems from the belief that magic embodies a potent concentration of will. In everyday life, ordinary actions have straightforward cause-and-effect outcomes. However, the Threefold Law posits that magic amplifies this process, resulting in threefold consequences.
The issue lies in the Threefold Law's origins. It emerged not as a timeless, universal principle but as a fictional concept in the novel "High Magic's Aid" by Gerald Gardner, a founder of modern Wicca. The actual passage states that if someone receives goodness, they're compelled to return it threefold—quite different from the contemporary interpretation.
So why should we question this ‘Law’, and how does it perpetuate oppression? For starters, religious teachings, including the Threefold Law, are human-made constructs. Though they might sometimes be valuable, they remain subjective. Moreover, adhering to these beliefs without scrutiny can be problematic. One major concern arises when individuals in dire situations seek magickal help to defend themselves from harm, only to be paralysed by fear of the supposed negative consequences. The belief that retaliatory magick will backfire has been ingrained so deeply in our collective understanding of magick that it often paralyses our ability to protect ourselves.
This fear then benefits the oppressors—those causing harm—because it restrains the oppressed from taking action to defend themselves. The Threefold Law, in this context, becomes a tool of oppression. It hinders our empowerment, preventing us from standing in our power when we need it most. This is why we always need to critically examine the origins of magickal doctrines and question who benefits from perpetuating them.
So now we need to foster a new understanding of the Threefold Law—one that aligns with our personal values and convictions. The original intent of the Threefold Law actually offers us a valuable insight. The original intent of the Law was that when blessed with success or privilege, it is our responsibility to recognise the role our privilege played and to use it to uplift others. With this perspective we can use magick to serve as a powerful tool for dismantling structural oppression and dismantling privilege.
The correct view of the Threefold Law empowers us to make choices aligned with our well-being and the greater good. As magickal practitioners, we can decide and discern when to employ magick as a potent tool for positive change. We can craft our magickal journey guided by our inner wisdom and compassion.
Let's explore why the fear around to Three Fold Law has been so deeply ingrained, even for those who don't identify as Wiccans or practitioners of magick. Fear plays a significant role here, the fear of repercussions, of having one's life turned upside down, and the fear of experiencing an unrelenting stream of misfortune.
The fear of magickal retribution has roots in Abrahamic religions, particularly in the Old Testament's portrayal of a vengeful and all-seeing deity. This fear has seeped into our collective consciousness, affecting our perceptions of justice and retribution. However, this idea of karma or the Threefold Law is fundamentally flawed when we observe the world around us, as injustice persists. If such cosmic justice truly existed, we wouldn't witness these imbalances.
We need to rethink and reject the notion of a predetermined cosmological law and instead focus on our inherent ability to respond. We can be instruments of justice. Magick is a means to empower the powerless, bringing balance and redressing wrongs.
As magical practitioners, we need to question any rules or beliefs we adhere to, even unconsciously. Does the belief in the Threefold Law ultimately serve justice, or does it perpetuate oppression? Once we understand this and challenge ourselves, we can align our magickal practices with our values and convictions.
By constantly questioning our actions, acknowledging our privilege, and using it to benefit those less fortunate, we can contribute to a world that is more just and equitable. Embracing our power as magickal practitioners enables us to become advocates for justice, actively contributing to a world where everyone can flourish.
Moving away from fear, we can embrace the potential for positive change that magick offers.
Through magick and the true original concept of the Three Fold Law, we reclaim our power.
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