Karma vs The Threefold Law: Do They Really Exist?

By NICOLE LAU

Introduction: The Magical Boomerang

"What you send out comes back to you threefold." This principle, known as the Threefold Law or Rule of Three, is one of the most commonly cited beliefs in modern witchcraft. Similarly, the concept of karma—that your actions create consequences that return to you—permeates New Age spirituality and popular culture.

But are these universal spiritual laws, or cultural beliefs that have been adopted and adapted? Do they actually exist as metaphysical principles, or are they useful ethical guidelines without literal truth?

This guide examines the origins, evidence, and debates surrounding the Threefold Law and karma, offering a critical, nuanced exploration of these controversial concepts.

The Threefold Law: Origins and Claims

What Is the Threefold Law?

The Threefold Law (also called the Rule of Three or Law of Return) is the belief that whatever energy, intention, or action you send out into the world returns to you three times over—whether positive or negative.

Common formulations:

• "Ever mind the Rule of Three, three times what thou givest returns to thee"
• "What you send out comes back threefold"
• "The energy you put out returns to you multiplied by three"

Historical Origins

Contrary to popular belief, the Threefold Law is not ancient. Its origins are surprisingly recent and specific:

Gerald Gardner and Wicca (1950s)

• The Threefold Law first appears in Gerald Gardner's writings about Wicca in the 1950s
• Gardner claimed it was part of ancient witch traditions, but no historical evidence supports this
• It appears to be Gardner's own creation or adaptation
• Early Wiccan texts present it as a teaching tool, not necessarily literal metaphysical law

Raymond Buckland's Popularization (1970s)

• Raymond Buckland, who brought Wicca to America, emphasized the Threefold Law in his teachings
• It became central to American Wicca and eclectic witchcraft
• The "threefold" aspect became increasingly literal in interpretation

New Age Adoption (1980s-present)

• The concept spread beyond Wicca into general New Age spirituality
• Often merged with Eastern concepts of karma (creating confusion)
• Became a popular ethical principle even among non-practitioners

The Problem: No Historical Precedent

Despite claims of ancient origins:

• No pre-20th century grimoires or magical texts mention the Threefold Law
• Traditional European folk magic doesn't include this principle
• Historical cunning folk and witches regularly performed curses without apparent threefold consequences
• The concept appears to be a modern invention, not an ancient truth

Karma: Origins and Misconceptions

What Is Karma (Actually)?

Karma is a concept from Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism) referring to the law of cause and effect across lifetimes.

Authentic Karma in Eastern Philosophy

Hindu Understanding

• Karma literally means "action" in Sanskrit
• It's the principle that actions create consequences across multiple lifetimes
• Karma is tied to reincarnation and the cycle of samsara (rebirth)
• Good karma leads to better rebirths; bad karma leads to worse ones
• The goal is to transcend karma entirely through moksha (liberation)

Buddhist Understanding

• Karma is intentional action and its consequences
• It operates across lifetimes within the cycle of rebirth
• Karma is not punishment or reward, but natural consequence
• The goal is to end the karmic cycle through enlightenment (nirvana)
• Karma is complex, not simple cause-and-effect

Western Misunderstanding of Karma

The way "karma" is used in Western spirituality often differs significantly from its original meaning:

Common Western Misconceptions

• Instant Karma: The belief that karma returns quickly ("karma's a bitch") rather than across lifetimes
• Cosmic Justice: Treating karma as a moral enforcement system rather than natural law
• Simplified Cause-Effect: "Do good, get good; do bad, get bad" ignores karma's complexity
• Removed from Reincarnation: Western karma often exists without belief in rebirth, which doesn't make sense in the original framework
• Victim-Blaming: "They deserved it because of karma" misuses the concept to justify suffering

Cultural Appropriation Concerns

• Taking "karma" out of its Hindu/Buddhist context and using it casually
• Stripping it of its philosophical depth and religious meaning
• Using it as a synonym for "cosmic revenge" rather than understanding its actual meaning
• Appropriating the term while ignoring or dismissing the cultures it comes from

Evidence For the Threefold Law and Karma

Anecdotal Evidence

Many practitioners report experiences that seem to support these principles:

• "I cursed someone and then bad things happened to me"
• "I did a kindness spell and received unexpected blessings"
• "Every time I do negative magic, I get sick"

The problem with anecdotal evidence:

• Confirmation bias: We notice events that confirm our beliefs and ignore those that don't
• Correlation vs. causation: Bad things happen to everyone; attributing them to magic is interpretation
• Nocebo effect: Believing you'll experience backlash can create psychosomatic symptoms
• Selective memory: We remember dramatic confirmations and forget the many times nothing happened

Psychological Mechanisms

Some argue the Threefold Law works through psychological and social mechanisms:

• Guilt and Anxiety: Feeling guilty about harmful magic creates stress and negative outcomes
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Expecting backlash makes you interpret normal events as punishment
• Behavioral Changes: Doing harmful magic might make you act differently, creating negative social consequences
• Energy and Vibration: Focusing on negativity might attract more negativity through psychological priming

These mechanisms don't require literal metaphysical law—just human psychology.

Energetic Explanations

Some practitioners offer energetic models:

• Sending out negative energy depletes your own energy reserves
• You create an energetic link with your target that can transmit consequences back
• The universe naturally seeks balance, correcting energetic imbalances
• Your higher self or spirit guides create consequences to teach lessons

The problem: These are unfalsifiable claims—they can't be tested or disproven, making them matters of faith rather than demonstrable fact.

Evidence Against the Threefold Law and Karma

Historical Counter-Evidence

• Traditional Practitioners: Historical cunning folk, witches, and magical practitioners regularly performed curses without apparent threefold consequences
• Grimoire Traditions: Medieval and Renaissance grimoires include harmful magic with no warnings about karmic return
• Cultural Variation: Many magical traditions worldwide don't include concepts of automatic return or karma
• Successful Cursing: Historical records show people successfully cursing enemies without documented backlash

Logical Problems

The Multiplication Problem

• If everything returns threefold, where does the extra energy come from?
• If you send out 1 unit of negative energy and receive 3 back, who sent the other 2?
• This creates an infinite multiplication problem that doesn't make logical sense

The Justice Problem

• If karma or the Threefold Law were universal, why do harmful people often prosper?
• Why do good people suffer and bad people thrive?
• Observable reality doesn't support automatic cosmic justice

The Initiation Problem

• If someone harms you first, and you respond, do you get threefold return for defending yourself?
• Who started the cycle? How far back does it go?
• This creates infinite regress problems

Experiential Counter-Evidence

Many experienced practitioners report:

• Performing justified hexes with no negative consequences
• Doing positive magic without receiving threefold blessings
• Observing that consequences seem related to intention and context, not automatic return
• Finding that protection and cleansing prevent any "return," suggesting it's not a universal law

Alternative Perspectives

1. The Threefold Law as Ethical Guideline, Not Literal Law

Many practitioners view it as a teaching tool:

• It encourages ethical behavior and careful consideration
• It's a useful principle for beginners learning responsibility
• It's metaphorically true (your actions have consequences) even if not literally threefold
• It functions as a moral framework, not a physics-like law

2. Conditional Return Based on Intention and Justification

Some believe return depends on context:

• Unjustified harmful magic returns to you
• Justified defensive magic doesn't create backlash
• The universe (or your higher self) judges the ethics of your action
• Intention and context matter more than the action itself

3. Energetic Consequences Without Multiplication

• Actions have consequences, but not necessarily threefold
• Negative magic might deplete your energy or create entanglement
• The "return" is energetic imbalance, not cosmic punishment
• Proper cleansing and protection can prevent negative effects

4. Psychological and Social Consequences Only

• The "return" is guilt, anxiety, or social consequences
• There's no metaphysical mechanism, just human psychology
• The Threefold Law works because people believe it works (placebo/nocebo)
• It's a useful fiction that promotes ethical behavior

5. Complete Rejection

Some practitioners reject the concept entirely:

• It's a modern invention with no historical or metaphysical basis
• Traditional witchcraft includes cursing without automatic return
• The universe is morally neutral; consequences come from human action, not cosmic law
• Believing in automatic return is spiritually disempowering

Cultural and Traditional Variations

Traditions That Don't Include Threefold Return

• Traditional Witchcraft: Many traditional witchcraft lines include cursing without threefold law
• Hoodoo/Rootwork: Includes both blessing and cursing work; no threefold law
• Ceremonial Magic: Grimoire traditions don't mention automatic return
• Folk Magic Worldwide: Most folk magic traditions lack this concept
• Chaos Magic: Explicitly rejects fixed magical laws in favor of pragmatism

Traditions With Consequence Concepts

• Wicca: Central to most Wiccan traditions (though interpretations vary)
• Dharmic Religions: Karma (but across lifetimes, not instant return)
• Some New Age Practices: Law of Attraction, manifestation principles
• Christian Mysticism: "Reap what you sow" (Galatians 6:7), but not threefold

Practical Implications for Practitioners

If You Believe in the Threefold Law

• It will likely function as a self-fulfilling prophecy through psychological mechanisms
• It provides a clear ethical framework for your practice
• You'll be cautious about harmful magic (which may be beneficial)
• You may experience guilt or anxiety that manifests as "return"

If You Don't Believe in the Threefold Law

• You still need an ethical framework—rejecting the Threefold Law doesn't mean "anything goes"
• Consider consequences through other lenses (social, psychological, energetic)
• You may feel more empowered to do defensive or justice magic
• You take full responsibility for your actions without cosmic enforcement

Developing Your Own Framework

Rather than accepting or rejecting wholesale, consider:

• What has your actual experience shown you?
• What ethical framework makes sense for your worldview?
• How do you understand magical consequences?
• What role does intention play in your practice?
• Are you using belief in return to avoid taking necessary magical action?

The Victim-Blaming Problem

Both karma and the Threefold Law can be misused to blame victims:

• "They must have bad karma to deserve that suffering"
• "If something bad happened to you, you must have sent out negative energy"
• "Everything happens for a reason" used to dismiss real harm

This is a serious ethical problem:

• It removes responsibility from perpetrators
• It adds spiritual shame to victims' suffering
• It misunderstands both karma and magical consequence
• It's spiritually abusive and should be rejected

The Middle Path: Nuanced Understanding

A mature approach might include:

• Actions have consequences (true), but not necessarily threefold or immediate
• Intention matters—justified defensive magic is different from petty cursing
• Psychological effects are real—guilt and anxiety create real consequences
• Energetic hygiene matters—cleansing and protection are important regardless of cosmic law
• Ethics are necessary—even without automatic return, you need moral principles
• Context is everything—blanket rules rarely capture the complexity of real situations

Conclusion: Belief, Experience, and Responsibility

Do the Threefold Law and karma really exist? The honest answer is: we don't know.

What we do know:

• The Threefold Law is a modern invention, not an ancient truth
• Western "karma" is often a misunderstanding of Eastern philosophy
• Anecdotal evidence is unreliable due to cognitive biases
• Many successful magical practitioners don't believe in automatic return
• Psychological and social consequences are real, regardless of metaphysical law

What matters most is not whether these principles are objectively true, but:

• What ethical framework guides your practice?
• How do you take responsibility for your magical actions?
• What has your genuine experience taught you?
• Are your beliefs empowering or limiting you?

You can practice ethical, powerful magic whether you believe in the Threefold Law or not. What you can't do is practice responsibly without some ethical framework and willingness to accept consequences for your actions.

The universe may or may not keep score. But you do. And that might be what matters most.

NICOLE LAU is a researcher and writer specializing in Western esotericism, Jungian psychology, and comparative mysticism. She is the author of the Western Esoteric Classics series and New Age Spirituality series.