The Three-Fold Law is the belief and principle on which magick is used.
This law relates to the use of power and energy, for when used, power is
returned to the sender, three times the level it was sent out.
Used in relation with the ethos, "Do what thy wilt, though it harm
none" (as stated in the Wiccan Rede), witches take great care when
preparing and casting spells that no harm should come to others because of
it.
The nature of this three-fold return can perhaps be better understood
when considering the cause and effect principle of a spell. Let’s take an
example – someone comes to you in distress with a problem, you help by
sending out positive energy and the problem is successfully resolved. This
automatically makes you feel good about yourself and influences your
thoughts; thus your state of consciousness is altered. In turn your
thoughts stir the emotions, which has a physical effect in the body by
causing glandular secretions to enter into the blood stream. The resulting
state of mind and body lifts your spirit, which is what makes you feel
good. Thus with the act of a single good deed, you have been effected
three times, in mind, body, and spirit. This then is your three-fold
response to the return of positive energy. Now consider your response had
you sent out negative energy or something went drastically wrong?