Rule of Three (Wiccan)

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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). John J. Coughlin states that, " . . . there is a literal reward or punishment tied to one's actions, particularly when it comes to working magic," and that "there are many Wiccans, experienced and new alike, who view the Law of Return as an over-elaboration on the Wiccan Rede." 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" (Matthew 7:12), also called the "Golden Rule".^{[citation needed]}

One such writting of the law states - "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." Although the authenticity is of the text is questioned, the wording is of Middle-age english, and sums up the Rule of Three into a short but meaningful phrase.

The Rule of Three has its prototype in a piece of Wiccan liturgy which first appeared in print in Gerald Gardner's 1949 novel High Magic's Aid: "'Thou hast obeyed the Law. But mark well, when thou receivest good, so equally art bound to return good threefold.' (For this is the joke in witchcraft, the witch knows, though the initiate does not, that she will get three times what she gave, so she does not strike hard.)"^[1][2] During the next few decades, many other Wiccan religious leaders articulated some form of the Rule. 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.^[3]

Belief in the Rule of Three is not universal among Wiccans, some of whom believe that it is a modern innovation based on Christian morality.^[4][5]

The Rule of Three is mentioned in the popular Wiccan poem, "Rede of the Wiccae", written by Gwen Thomspon.^[6]

[edit] See also

• Wiccan Rede

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Gardner, Gerald (1949). High Magic's Aid. Pentacle Enterprises, p. 188. ISBN 1872189067. 
2. ^ Coughlin, John J. (2001) The Three-fold Law, part 3: Rise of the Three-fold Law
3. ^ Buckland, Raymond (October 1968). "I Live With a Witch". Beyond magazine'. 
4. ^ Spiro, Guy (September 2001). "A Conversation With Phyllis Curott", The Monthly Aspectarian.
5. ^ Lembke, Karl (2002), The Threefold Law. Retrieved 8 December 2006.
6. ^ The Rede of the Wiccae. Retrieved 8 December 2006.

[edit] External links

• Wren (200), 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.