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Discussion
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I’m pretty sure it’s a Wiccan rule, but I’ve seen just witches use it, so I figured this was an appropriate place for it. What do you all think of it? I’ve seen some people say it’s dumb, because inevitably you can’t make a single action without someone getting hurt, but by that logic, you can’t do anything. You can’t buy groceries without possibly causing someone who really wanted that item to miss out on getting it, you can’t apply for a job because someone else may really need the job.
I agree with the rule, but I don’t think you have to be strict about it, like, no harmful magic unless that person really needs it, like a child rapist. I don’t think you should hex anyone willy nilly, but sometimes it’s kind of needed.
What do you all think? I’ve been curious about this for awhile, so any answers are helpful! Thank you for reading.
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What does everyone think of the “Harm none, do what ye will.” Rule?
updated 2 years, 3 months ago
2 Members
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My issue with these kinds of “rules” is that a lot of things you gain for yourself will be at another’s expense. If you do a job spell, and you get the job, it means someone else didn’t. If you do a spell to get an apartment, or a spot in a university, someone else doesn’t get those things. Does that make it wrong to do those spells?? Not in my book.
Actively trying to hurt people is obviously different but frankly, I also think there are situations where people deserve that too. 🤷🏼♀️
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I follow it, but to each his or her own.
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The Thelemic analogue “‘Do what thou wilt’ shall be the whole of the law” comes with the caveat that you don’t interfere in the Will of others. The belief is that if everyone moves with their Will, it works out so that no one interferes with anyone else. Everyone “moves like stars, seemlessly along their path” (Book of the Law).
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I read it as “don’t be a dick”. It still enables people to make the choices to catch these hands.
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I always got tangled up in the philosophical ramifications. Like what does harm mean in this context? For that matter, what is the context? Are we talking only in magic to do no harm or more along the lines of a broader thing? Is it even possible to do no harm? If every action can potentially do harm to something then should we then just do nothing? There dont seem to be any clear answers to these questions so I kind of just don’t bother with it. I figure if I want a moral code then the five precepts from Buddhism aren’t bad, plus they are pretty clear. But that’s just me. I don’t mind if someone else wants to follow the rede, it’s just not for me.
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I kind of agree with you. I believe in the rule but im not super strict on it. I dont do any malevolent magick, like curses or hexes, but if it really came to it i may do some kind of spell to get someone caught or given justice (like in your child rapist scenario).
I tend to go by the ‘Do no harm but take no shit’ interpretation, i wouldnt do someone direct harm and instead just protect myself and make sure you get what you deserve. TBH if someone starts shit with me in real life im more likely to just go off on them to their face than hex or curse them. Id rather they know that im pissed and can fight back if i need to, than for there to be bad events that they dont know are linked to me.
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For me personally its not something i follow, and that goes with 3-fold law which ive seen paired with it. While i do beleive in being kind to others no matter what, Im more the “do no harm but take no shit” kinda person, but once i do retaliate i make sure its completely fair and only what is deserved goes the person’s way. If anything makes it to where the person gets more than what they deserve in negative, then i just wont do anything and either wait till correct timing, or just give up on it. i take it as a sign of i dont have to do anything for them to get karma.
The only time that i will throw fairness out the window is for genuinely horrible people. (Ab*sers and such)
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I don’t think we should take anything to Its logical extreme.
An essential part of witchcraft is finding out what path works best for you. If you think this one works, then feel free to follow it, but ensure you’re doing it more out of intuition than guilt or fear of karma.
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I wouldn’t even work harmful magic on someone who “deserves” it. I don’t believe it’s my place in the universe to delegate punishment. Like someone else said, I would protect myself or someone else, but I trust karma to sort out evil doers. I don’t even work GOOD magic without someone’s permission.
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I’m of the opinion that causing harm means in a malicious sense. I personally don’t feel good doing stuff like that and believe me, I’ve been pissed and certainly feel like certain people should get their comeuppance. However, I prefer to focus on protecting myself versus fucking with other people. I don’t want to spend energy on that – feels like it would also give them or their actions more power. I also feel like I operate at a much lower vibrational level if I do things like that which screws with my ability to manifest what I want.
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I’m an abuse survivor, so rules like “harm none” and “love and light only” just doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve been forced to “harm” others simply to survive (I had to leave my mother/abuser even though it was extremely painful for her) and have a life of my own.
If your live struggles aren’t much worse then typical everyday stressors it’s a great rule, but that’s not my reality and never has been.
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Personally I feel it is toxic positivity and tells people not to seek justice for wrongs done against them bc “oh no I might hurt someone’s feelings”. It keeps people in a place of getting hit again and again by bullshit rather than standing up and protecting themselves by telling them if they do protect themselves, it’ll just come back in them. Reminds me of my abusive mother growing up always telling me if I tried to escape (eventually did with a DV agencies help), told anyone what was going on, talked back, etc my whole world would end and my life would be over, it feels like a manipulation to keep people nice, sweet, compliant and non confrontational. I do not follow this rule and do not like it one bit.
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Some people need to be harmed, If it comes back to me? so be it, i know the price of malice and i’m willing to pay it
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I think the people using the “well how can I buy food?” Criticism are taking it too litterly. Its essentially saying “don’t do anything to directly hurt anyone” which in this context is mostly referring to hexes and curses but also extends to violence and physical harm.
I still don’t agree with it though, I think it defangs you.
Like the simple fact is that there are people and institutions on earth that need to be and deserve to be violently destroyed
