The Truth About the Threefold Law

And why it’s not universal

So, apparently 2025 is the year of “Wait, do witches actually believe in the threefold law?” I’ve been asked this enough times lately that I figured it was time to break it down—witch to witch-curious, or just plain curious.

Let’s start at the beginning (and no, not the ancient one). The threefold law—the idea that whatever energy you put out into the universe comes back to you three times as strong—is not some mystical relic pulled from the ruins of Atlantis. It was introduced in the mid-20th century by Gerald Gardner, the founder of modern Wicca.

Now, Wicca is a contemporary spiritual path inspired by pre-Christian paganism. Gardner wanted to give his newly public magical movement some structure—and some reassurance to outsiders. At a time when witchcraft was still being viewed with pitchforks and suspicion, the threefold law served as a kind of spiritual PR campaign. See? We’re not summoning plagues. We’re ethical!

But here’s where we zoom out a bit: not all witches are Wiccans, and in fact, most aren’t. The threefold law is a Wiccan moral framework, not a universal magical commandment. Many witches from different traditions don’t follow it at all.

Historically speaking, ancient societies didn’t operate on a “karma times three” basis. They believed in balance, not punishment. The Egyptians honored Ma’at—truth, harmony, order. When something disrupted that balance, they sought reparations, not revenge. Same for the Greeks. If someone got too arrogant (hubris, anyone?), the Fates might step in to knock them down a peg—not out of spite, but to restore the natural order.

So where does that leave us? Well… floating somewhere between personal ethics and cosmic accountability.

One of the most important things we can recognize is that magic isn’t good or bad. It’s a tool. A spell is like a chainsaw: it can build a home or level one. Even spells cast with love and light can ripple outward in ways you never intended. A job spell might mean someone else—someone who really needed it—didn’t get that same opportunity. A love spell might tamper with someone’s free will. Nothing exists in a vacuum.

I always say: every action, magical or mundane, sends ripples we may never see. That’s not meant to paralyze you into inaction, but to invite mindfulness and self-responsibility.

For me? Belief is my greatest tool. My practice is shaped by what I believe, not what someone told me I “should” believe. I don’t worry about karmic payback or universal scorekeeping. I focus on intention, ethics, and owning the consequences of my actions. If the threefold law helps someone live more mindfully? Wonderful. But if it doesn’t resonate with you, that doesn’t mean you’re practicing wrong. There’s no magical monolith here.

Witchcraft isn’t about conformity—it’s about conscious choice. Your practice is yours. My practice is mine. And that’s the beautiful, complicated, empowering truth of it.

Final Note:

So the next time someone throws the threefold law your way, you can kindly remind them that while it’s one path, it’s not the path. As always, walk your magic with intention and let your values be your compass.