From wikipedia:
The Rule of Three (also Three-fold Law or Law of Return) is a religious tenet held by some Wiccans. 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.[1][2]
According to John Coughlin the Law posits "a literal reward or punishment tied to one's actions, particularly when it comes to working magic".[3] 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."[3] Some Wiccans believe that it is a modern innovation based on Christian morality.[4][5]
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."
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:[6][7]
'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.)
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As seen above, wikipedia states the first emergence of the Law is in 1968, whereas in reality it has been around for quite sometime and is filtered through more religions/faiths than simply the wiccan or pagan traditions. Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam all have the same theory applied with regards to how one acts, or treats his/her fellow man. Basically..."you get what you put in" or "what goes around, comes around" or...."The Golden Rule!". In light of certain events, I am reminded by this very simple rule/philosophy to live by. Not so much as a reward mind you, but where it applies to Chaos Theory. If I pass on kindness to someone else, they may add to it, and pass it along. Then that person sends it to another, so on and so on. You virologists out there may dig that idea, actually lol.
At the same time though, it is not our responsibility to make this happen. In other words, if someone did a wrong to me, it does not excuse me to do the same in return. Nor is it a "turn the other cheek" thing, either. Do me wrong, and that's that. You shall not get another opportunity; one person has just about used up a lifetime of forgivenes already lol. Or, to be more specfic, when confronted about adultery, someone used to tell me that I could do it in return. My response: "Just because you did, it doesn't mean I have the right to do the same." Law of three in action, get it?
;)
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