Magick and ritual works to align us with Divine will and with our higher purpose. Harming others goes contrary to our higher purpose. Therefore, magick that aims to bring us closer to our own higher purpose will flow effortlessly, and magick that opposes our higher purpose will meet with resistance. Accordingly, if we work magick for something that is not in accord with our higher self, it would require more energy on our part, and is more likely to fail. Likewise, magick done contrary to the will of another will also meet with great resistance. Magick that seeks to change the will of another goes contrary to their higher purpose, and therefore would meet great resistance, and carry a higher chance of negative outcomes. (See: Karma)
These negative outcomes are guided by the “Three Fold Law”. The Threefold law states that whatever energy we send out into the world via thoughts, words, and deeds will return to us magnified three times. This isn’t a law, so much as an observation on the movement of energy. It’s based on the understanding that we live in an abundant, responsive universe, and also on the knowledge that we are inseparable from our magick. Our magick is an expression of our higher self, and the source is the limitless Divine energy of the universe. We don’t simply draw on this energy, we must embody this energy to direct it toward our goal. Therefore, we cannot separate ourselves from the consequences of our magick.
Based on this interplay of universal energy , we can see how everything we send out in the world generally returns to us magnified. The Universe responds to how and where we focus our energy, and returns it with abundance. If we focus our energy on aligning ourselves to our higher purpose, the universe responds with enthusiastic support. If we focus our energy on harming or restricting the will of another, we will find that negative energy returned to us magnified as well.
A general observation is that we attract what we focus on. If we view the world through the lens of pessimism, then we will draw those negative expectations into our lives. If we focus on positives, then we draw good energy into our lives. The Wiccan Rede reminds us to keep our energy and magick focused on the positives, and the Threefold law reminds us why this is so important. Together, they form a solid basis for making ethical decisions in the use of magick, and in life.
~Flame RavenHawk
April 5, 2003