Rule of Three (Wicca)
Template:Short description Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Sidebar/configuration' not found.
The Rule of Three (also Three-fold Law or Law of Return) is a religious tenet held by some Wiccans, Neo-Pagans and occultists. It states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times. Some subscribe to a variant of this law in which return is not necessarily threefold.[1][2]
According to occult author/researcher John Coughlin, the Law posits "a literal reward or punishment tied to one's actions, particularly when it comes to working magic".[3] The law is not a universal article of faith among Wiccans, and "there are many Wiccans, experienced and new alike, who view the Law of Return as an over-elaboration on the Wiccan Rede."[3] Some Wiccans believe that it is a modern innovation based on Christian morality.[4][5]
The Rule of Three has been compared by Karl Lembke to other ethics of reciprocity, such as the concept of karma in Dharmic religions and the Golden Rule.[6]
The Rule of Three has a possible prototype in a piece of Wiccan liturgy which first appeared in print in Gerald Gardner's 1949 novel High Magic's Aid:[7][8]
However, The Threefold Law as an actual "law", was an interpretation of Wiccan ideas and ritual, first publicised by noted witch Raymond Buckland, in his books on Wicca. Prior to this, Wiccan ideas of reciprocal ethics were far less defined and more often interpreted as a kind of general karma.[9]
Raymond Buckland made a reference to an ethical threefold law in a 1968 article for Beyond magazine.[10] The Rule of Three later features within a poem of 26 couplets titled "Rede of the Wiccae", published by Lady Gwen Thompson in 1975 in Green Egg vol. 8, no. 69[11] and attributed to her grandmother Adriana Porter.[12][13] The threefold rule is referenced often by the Wiccans of the Clan Mackenzie in the S.M. Stirling Emberverse novels.
This rule was described by the Dutch metal band Nemesea, in the song "Threefold Law", from the album Mana.
Notes
Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.MacMorgan-Douglas, Kaatryn (2007). All One Wicca: A study in the universal eclectic tradition of wicca (Tenth Anniversary ed.). Buffalo, NY: Covenstead Press. ISBN 978-0-615-15094-9.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Treleven, Amethyst (2008). Seeker's Guide to Learning Wicca: Training to First Degree for the Northern Hemisphere. Adelaide, South Australia: Oak & Mistletoe. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-9805818-2-9.
- ^ a b Coughlin, John J. (2001) The Three-fold Law Script error: No such module "webarchive"., on his website; updated edition published in his book Ethics and the Craft - The History, Evolution, and Practice of Wiccan Ethics (Waning Moon, 2015).
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Spiro, Guy (2001). "A Conversation With Phyllis Curott". The Monthly Aspectarian.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Lembke, Karl (2002), The Threefold Law Script error: No such module "webarchive".. Retrieved 8 December 2006.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Witchvox Article". Archived from the original on 2005-05-08. Retrieved 2005-05-08.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Gardner, Gerald (1949). High Magic's Aid. Pentacle Enterprises. p. 188. ISBN 1-872189-06-7.
{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) - ^ Coughlin, John J. (2001) The Three-fold Law, part 3: Rise of the Three-fold Law Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Adams, Luthaneal (2011). The Book of Mirrors. UK: Capall Bann. p. 218. ISBN 978-1-86163-325-5.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Buckland, Raymond (October 1968). "I Live With a Witch". Beyond Magazine.
- ^ The Rede of the Wiccae Script error: No such module "webarchive".. Retrieved 8 December 2006.
- ^ Theitic (2001). The New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches Script error: No such module "webarchive".. At The Witches' Voice. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ Lady Gwynne Script error: No such module "webarchive"., the New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches website. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
Further reading
- Coughlin, John J. (2001). The Three-Fold Law Script error: No such module "webarchive".: Part of "The Evolution of Pagan Ethics". Retrieved 8 December 2006.
- Wren (2000). The Law of Three Script error: No such module "webarchive".. Retrieved 8 December 2006.
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Navbox/configuration' not found.
