Rule of Three (Wiccan)
Encyclopedia
The Rule of Three is a religious tenet held by some Wicca
ns. 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.
The 'Rule of Three' is sometimes described as karma
by Wiccans, however this is not strictly accurate. Both concepts describe the process of cause and effect and often encourage the individual to act in a good way. However the concept of karma, according to the scriptures of Buddhism
, Hinduism
and other eastern belief systems, does not operate on a system of three-fold return. Furthermore, such belief systems do not contain the same concepts of 'good' and 'evil' that Wicca does.
According to John Coughlin the Law posits "a literal reward or punishment tied to one's actions, particularly when it comes to working magic".
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
." Some Wiccans believe that it is a modern innovation based on Christian
morality.
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 Christian
edict, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" , also called the "Golden Rule
."
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:
The first published reference to the Rule of Three as a general ethical principle may be from Raymond Buckland
, in a 1968 article for Beyond magazine. 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 and attributed to her grandmother Adriana Porter. The threefold rule is referenced often by the neo-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"
.
Wicca
Wicca , is a modern Pagan religious movement. Developing in England in the first half of the 20th century, Wicca was popularised in the 1950s and early 1960s by a Wiccan High Priest named Gerald Gardner, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft," and its adherents "the Wica."...
ns. 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.
The 'Rule of Three' is sometimes described as karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
by Wiccans, however this is not strictly accurate. Both concepts describe the process of cause and effect and often encourage the individual to act in a good way. However the concept of karma, according to the scriptures of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
and other eastern belief systems, does not operate on a system of three-fold return. Furthermore, such belief systems do not contain the same concepts of 'good' and 'evil' that Wicca does.
According to John Coughlin the Law posits "a literal reward or punishment tied to one's actions, particularly when it comes to working magic".
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
Wiccan Rede
The Wiccan Rede is a statement that provides the key moral system in the Neopagan religion of Wicca and other related Witchcraft-based faiths. A common form of the Rede is An it harm none, do what ye will....
." Some Wiccans believe that it is a modern innovation based on Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
morality.
The Rule of Three has been compared by Karl Lembke to other ethics of reciprocity
Ethic of reciprocity
The Golden Rule or ethic of reciprocity is a maxim, ethical code, or moralitythat essentially states either of the following:* : One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself....
, such as the concept of karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
in Dharmic religions and the Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
edict, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" , also called the "Golden Rule
Ethic of reciprocity
The Golden Rule or ethic of reciprocity is a maxim, ethical code, or moralitythat essentially states either of the following:* : One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself....
."
The Rule of Three has a possible prototype in a piece of Wiccan liturgy which first appeared in print in Gerald Gardner
Gerald Gardner
Gerald Brousseau Gardner , who sometimes used the craft name Scire, was an influential English Wiccan, as well as an amateur anthropologist and archaeologist, writer, weaponry expert and occultist. He was instrumental in bringing the Neopagan religion of Wicca to public attention in Britain and...
's 1949 novel High Magic's Aid:
The first published reference to the Rule of Three as a general ethical principle may be from Raymond Buckland
Raymond Buckland
Raymond Buckland , whose craft name is Robat, is an English American writer on the subject of Wicca and the occult, and a significant figure in the history of Wicca, of which he is a High Priest in both the Gardnerian and Seax traditions.According to his written works, primarily Witchcraft from the...
, in a 1968 article for Beyond magazine. The Rule of Three later features within a poem of 26 couplets titled "Rede of the Wiccae", published by Lady Gwen Thompson
Lady Gwen Thompson
Lady Gwen Thompson was the "public Craft name", or pseudonym of Witchcraft author Phyllis Thompson .In the 1980s, she altered her craft forename to "Gwynne"; Thompson is her final married surname....
in 1975 in Green Egg vol. 8, no. 69 and attributed to her grandmother Adriana Porter. The threefold rule is referenced often by the neo-Wiccans of the Clan Mackenzie in the S.M. Stirling Emberverse novels.
This rule was described by the Dutch metal band Nemesea
Nemesea
Nemesea is a Dutch female-fronted Symphonic metal band with pop and rock influences, formed in 2002 in Groningen. Their musical style has been compared to that of After Forever-Biography:...
, in the song "Threefold Law", from the album "Mana"
Mana (album)
Mana is the debut studio album by the Dutch Gothic metal band Nemesea..-Track listing:-External links:*...
.
External links
- Wren (2000), The Law of Three. Retrieved 8 December 2006.
- Coughlin, John J. (2001) The Three-Fold Law: Part of "The Evolution of Pagan Ethics". Retrieved 8 December 2006.