Witchcraft Ethics & the Law of Karma
Karma is understood in slightly different terms by different religions and cultures. The general idea is that every action we take, both conscious and unconscious, brings about an inevitable, and complimentary, result. The idea is that if you cause ill, you will receive a punishment of some sort. The converse is true for good deeds; do good, be good and good things will come to you. A bit oversimplified? Maybe, but the concept holds true.
Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Wicca, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, most, if not all, of the major religions have some form of this law, although they perceive the details differently. A common argument regarding the law of karma is that “bad things happen to good people.” This is where the religions begin to differ in their explanations.
Here are some important questions about karma, although the answer will vary by religious philosophy:
- How is karma enacted? Does a higher entity or deity hand down rewards and punishments, a force of nature, a universal law?
- When do your karmic payments and debts come due? In this life, in another incarnation, or a combination of the two? If it is in another life, or a combination, it does explain how some people of questionable ethics seem to experience windfall after windfall.
- Can good/bad karma be passed to future generations?
- What is the measurement of karma? Are the punishments and rewards equal to the action performed or are they magnified? The Wiccan Rede describes the threefold law. “Mind the threefold law ye should, three times bad and three times good.” So whatever energy you send out, good or bad, comes back to you triple strength.
What do the religions seem to agree on? Karma is unavoidable, with the possible exception of performing atonement.
So how do we apply this to witchcraft? Most witches practice some form of spellcraft. When one sets out to perform a spell they have a desire in mind. If they do not consider all the possible consequences and repercussions of that desire coming to fruition, they may experience a negative karmic return. Even if it is unintentional. Why? Not considering how your desire will affect others is selfish, selfishness is negative, thereby creating negative energy. And if your spell should succeed, fulfilling your desire, but at someone else’s expense? Even more negative energy has been created, all of which you have to pay for eventually.
*Just a side note on this subject. I personally believe, although others may disagree, that if one has made every effort to think of the consequences and missed one or two, that will either produce a lesser karmic whiplash or possibly none at all. If it is truly an honest mistake, I think even universal forces take that into consideration. But maybe that’s just me 
A good example of this in action is a love spell. Love spells are tricky, since most love spells are intended to interfere with the free will of another person. So if you plan to attempt a love spells, tread carefully. Stick to spells that strengthen an existing bond, help the two of you communicate better, understand each other better, or for whatever the inevitable result of the relationship is to resolve quickly. Use love spells as nudges, not bulldozers. If you cast a spell to make a married man leave his wife for you, you could be hurting him, his wife, any children he/they may have, the families of both spouses, and ultimately yourself. Remember, no matter how much you may want someone, it isn’t right to roll over every one just to get what you want. And if you have to do that, do you really want it anyway?
So how can we preserve our karma for the benefit of ourselves and others? Christians call it the Golden Rule, NeoPagans call it the Law of Return or Threefold Law. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, love your neighbor as yourself, harm ye none do what ye will. Give real consideration to your actions/words/spells, and the potential consequences of each. Lend a hand, help a stranger, give someone a kind word when they need it, and always ALWAYS consider the possible consequences of your spells.
*Personal tip: I like to add a line or two to the end of my spells asking that it bring no harm to myself or others. Just my little fail safe
~Anyanka
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I did a class on Ethics for a meetup group and found a lot of wonderful new books and essays have been posted on the topic. I came across an idea that the Rule of Three is actually the Law of Three Fold Return. A natural Law akin to the Law of Gravity, which will apply to you if you are aware of the Law or not. I must say that the class went rather luke warm as people tend to be hesitant to stop asking for all that they want and not just for what they really need.
I am very happy to see that you approached the topic here!
Nemaste
My daughter -law has been making comments to me that to try KARMA best dish served cold because we have been having alot of arguments over my son, so what is she meaning? does she have witchcraft on my son?Or has she fed him KARMA? .Please write back
Helen
Karma basically means that what you do comes back to you. In other words, if you do wonderful, positive things than wonderful and positive things will be attracted to you naturally. Conversely, if you do things that are mean or cruel to people, mean and seemingly cruel situations will naturally be attracted to you to balance out the negative things you have done. It isn’t witchcraft, it is a natural law of the universe used to maintain balance. Think of it as an extended version of the golden rule… do unto others as you would have them do unto you, because what you do unto others will be returned to you
http://14496days.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/healing-is-a-process/
Used this page in my blog, hope you don’t mind
Oh, I am 50 this year. I actually was told as a child about the “Salem Massachusetts witches” event in history and try to avoid any association with devil worship or witchcraft. The rough “selling your soul” to the devil to have your life end with your current life and give up any chance of afterlife. That selling your soul to the devil limits you to your current life where you will not have a soul due to selling it so you will never transcend into any type of after life. I don’t know if this is true or what philosophy came up with this. I really don’t understand the current HBO devil worship philosophy where people say they are “broad blanketed Christians” but yet they worship the devil. I am a “Johnny Appleseed Protestant Christian” where I believe that we are all God’s children and God does want the best for each of us. I really believe we all come into this world with God’s love and a purpose. If your “environment” turns you into a “devil worshiper” where you technically sell your soul so it is removed so you do not have the option for an after-life this is out of God’s control. In Abnormal Psychology we studied the “social affects” of Hitler’s reign of terror which brought on much “mass hysteria”. I believe witchcraft can bring on “mass hysteria” too. Your character becomes questioned with witchcraft. People wonder if you are playing a “trick” and if they should trust you. I guess witchcraft as in the Salem Massachusetts witch trials brought on “mass hysteria” where you become paranoid and stop trusting people. I believe in KARMA. I have a background in my business education of business statistics. What you put in your head–often is the result as in a “self-fulfilling” prophecy. Okay, so for example, Don’t FALL down the stairs. You focus on FALL or falling. Opposed to “Be CAREFUL on the stairs” where you think be cautious, slow, holding the railing. I had a weird experience with a former employer of going to every DIVERSITY Lunch-n-Learn. I bought little booklets from Scripture store about various religions. I went to events from ethnic groups like Oktoberfest and the Christmas markets. I went to many recreational events at arboretums about various ethnic group. Before you know it–people literally thought I was a foreign citizen as in German due to my talking about Bratwursts. Okay, so basically as in physical education class “what you focus on is often the outcome”. In volleyball, they say watch the ball. A self-fulfilling prophecy. What you have in your head–is often the outcome. GIGO (Garbage In and Garbage Out) or what you read, attend, or discuss with others is often what you end up with. A Self-Fulfilling prophecy so if you want others to think you are German just go to Oktoberfest every year and tell everyone about the wonderful bratwursts. Where you put your eyes (as in volleyball) is often where you go. Peer group is so important. I used to always say “Who is tugging on your ear?” as in who is putting these ideas in your head.
There is no right or wrong. People are all different. We are trying to save the Rain Forest to preserve all the natural species of plants to have options for new medicines. We are preserving all the animals on the Endangered Species List. I believe the idea is not to leave anyone out of the loop. We want different types and different people. A little bit of anything is it bad–I don’t know and I don’t have the answers.
However, there is a thing as a self-fulfilling prophecy as in what you put in your head or what you focus on is often the outcome. Everyday we wake up and have our lists of things we want to do or need to do. Seriously, watch what you put in your head or who you spend time with especially the percentage of your time. Be careful “Who is tugging on your ear?”. KARMA–How are you spending your time? Statistics or percentage of time is important. Don’t limit your options by going down the wrong path. But only you can decide how you spend your time or who influences you.
–From a “Johnny Appleseed Protestant Christian” Wishing you all God’s love and options