The "Threefold" rule?

Question

I have been visiting this site for many months now.
Yet, of all those I see who profess to know the ways of Witchcraft or Occult knowledge from other sources, I have still to find ONE person who actually knows the correct manner in which the rule of "threefold" works.

Obviously, the person to give me the right answer, or close to it, gets the points for their effort.

A hint to those who claim to know:
The belief that every action has a "threefold reaction", ie: any spell cast returns threefold, is incorrect.

Please explain in as much detail as you feel necessary, to allow me to fully understand the reasonings for your answer, thank you.

Answer 1

First off, being a witch, but not a Wiccan I find the threefold rule to be absolute silliness, but that's not your question.

The threefold rule means that it will affect you in three ways, physically, emotionally and spiritually. That's simplified, of course. It has absolutely nothing to do with karma which is a very different concept.

Answer 2

I think that everyone here has some good ideas! I don't know how it works and its nothing that can be proven if you take the idea of a spell being cast by the "3" points of the body then technically they are wrong there is a fourth the soul!! When you look at the thing about the dog there is more to that if the dog belonged to someone you have to account for their suffering too!
Why three i don't know but it is anything you do good or bad and the fact that when you get it back its more makes perfect sense because as soon as it leaves you it gets bigger and will always affect more than just who your aiming at!!!!!!

Answer 3

I do agree with the message written by jjdawg, about the explaination of the threefold reaction. Yes it is true that the threefold teaching is not of the old Witchcraft but a lesson learnt by the new generation of witches implemented for the benefit of new generation of witches, so as they will treat witchcraft and power with respect and not to abuse it .

The way I see it is that for a Spell to be cast, it must be cast from the 3 main points of every being. They are
1. the Mind,
2. the Body,
3. the heart.
That is why they say threefold. Because the spell is not just from your lips,its powers came from the three points.

When you cast a spell it must be thought of carefully(mind). The rituals and movements of the hand inaccordance to the spell and finally the heart,the passion to will such magic.

So for every spell one cast it affects the 3 points of our being. If you sent out a spell to harm another into the universe, it will be returned to thee what thou sent out. So if you are looking for love, you don't sent out a love spell to entice someone but you are to sent out a spell out into the universe, a spell to love all so when it is returned, all will love thee. And if all people love you, then the path to find that special person becomes easier.

Witches then confused that for every one spell they cast its power is three times back. This is where the confusion starts.

But this is merely what I had learnt from over the years in my craft. Plus being the descendants of witches does help me to draw on their wisdom and the mistakes that witches made in the past.

Pls note that I am not a Wiccan, but My family practice the craft,not of the occult mind you. We used our gifts to help people in need from those whom had blinded themselves to the point that they would will evil on others.

May you find the wisdom you seek and may the days ahead brings you closer to the answers you need.

Answer 4

The rule of three (also threefold law or law of return) is a common tenet in Wicca. It states that both the good and the evil that one creates in the world will be returned threefold (in joy or suffering). It is therefore seen as a pragmatic reason for ethical behaviour and compliance with the Wiccan Rede. In other religions, it is comparable to karma and the golden rule.
The rule of three was first described in print in an article by Raymond Buckland (see timeline for law of return concepts), and does not appear in the traditional Book of Shadows. Some Wiccans do not hold it as a tenet, and feel that it is a modern innovation based on Christian morality.
One example of how the rule may be stated is as follows:
Ever mind the Rule of Three
Three times what thou givest returns to thee
This lesson well, thou must learn
Thee only gets what thou dost earn!

Answer 5

Not a Wiccan, but I've had it explained to me in a manner that touches upon some of the other answers.

'Threefold' isn't a multiplier - ie, if you punch someone, you don't get punched three times in return. Rather, it refers to the three "spheres" where the effect will have an impact - mind, body, and spirit. Each of these "spheres" may be impacted by a different event, although a single event may cover all three as well.

Answer 6

i am sure that you will get lots of great answers, what can i do is only to give my opinion. In my opinion, the threefold rule is a metaphor and it doesn't mean that what you do will return three times to you. I think it is a triple reaction to your action and it represents three DIFFERENT things that will come as a reaction. For example you're driving your car and accidentally hit a dog,this is the action. The reaction will be the damage to you're car, the sufferance caused to the dog, and the sorrow that you feel. Nobody will punish you for doing something bad, you're punishing yourself for your actions. The three fold rule is a warning, you can compare it to the traffic light if you cross the street when it is red you might get killed.
This is my opinion.

Answer 7

The three fold law is also known as the law of Karma. It does not just relate to spells but all actions. It does not always work in in exact 3s but in fact is really just another way of saying the golden rule. Things can return indirectly. For me it is a reminder to try to be nice as I may need someone to be nice to me.

Though I have a question of how do you know exactly how the threefold law works? No one I know knows perfectly everything there is to know about magick, Wicca, witchcraft or any other subject.

Answer 8

It is just like the Eastern thought of Karma, but in Witchcraft. You know, you reap what you sow. The Threefold Law is related to everything, not just magick or ritual. It pertains to your actions, your words, your emotion, everything! If you are mean to someone who didn't deserve it (or did deserve it), it'll come back to you, whether it's next week or in 10 minutes!

Answer 9

Being less than intimately familiar with those religions, I will hazzard a guess that offensive actions will be returned to you threefold (in this life or the next).

I guess I'm really just waiting for "The Answer."

Answer 10

Basically the same as many other religions - do no harm. As far as I can work out it's kind of like karma. If you cause a person harm through your actions, well-intentioned or not, the effects come back to you three-fold.
You are free to do anything you please as long as it harms nobody:

"Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
An' it harm none,
Do what ye will.
Blessed Be to thee."

Which is actually pretty hard to do, when you think about it!