Cause and Effect: Behind The Magic

Ah, the cause and effect principle. That age-old Hermetic truth that’s been around long before anyone started blaming Mercury retrograde for their problems. Simply put: every cause has an effect, and every effect has a cause. You can’t always see it, but rest assured, it’s there. Everything happens according to law, and nothing escapes the dance of causation. Even “chance” is just a convenient label for when we haven’t bothered to recognize the law at play. So, what does this mean for witches and magic? Well, let’s break it down in a way even a skeptic can understand.

In witchcraft, cause and effect is the underlying law behind everything. Every spell you cast, every ritual you perform, every thought you have—there’s a cause, and there will be an effect. If you send out positive energy, you’ll receive positive energy in return. Simple, right? And if you decide to throw a curse at someone, well, guess what? There’s an effect for that too. Not all outcomes are as immediate as you’d like, though—this is where things get a little tricky. Let’s be careful when talking about positive and negative. Here we’re talking about attitudes. Positive and negative, light and dark as applied to magic are not “good and evil” but the hermetic principle of polarities.

The principle of cause and effect isn’t just some woo-woo idea. It’s part of the very structure of the universe. So, if you’re wondering why your magic isn’t working or why things seem to be backfiring, look at the causes. This principle isn’t just about what you do; it’s about how you understand the connections between actions and results. And let’s be real, as witches, we love seeing those connections.

Cause and Effect: Karma, Baby

Let’s start with the concept of karma because that’s the juicy part of cause and effect. You’ve probably heard about karma and how it’s supposed to keep you in check. Well, surprise, surprise—karma is just cause and effect dressed in a cute spiritual outfit. The universe doesn’t need a morality committee to hand out rewards or punishments. Instead, it just follows the law of cause and effect: send out good energy, get good energy back. Send out bad energy? Well, you guessed it. Not exactly rocket science. That’s cursing and hexing because you’re a negative person, there is cursing and hexing for justice too. That is different.

I don’t necessarily subscribe to the “Threefold Law”, I shine more to East-Indian philosophy about Karma. They will tell you karma is simply the natural future unfolding based on your current character, behavior and choices. I have this conversation a lot at our metaphysical shop, come visit! Connect with us for more on Instagram, Facebook (Meta) or TikTok.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t just about intentions or wishing for something to happen. It’s about actions. You can’t just wish for good things to come your way if you’re constantly putting out bad energy or doing shady stuff. The universe doesn’t give a damn about your good intentions if your actions don’t match up. For witches, this is a big deal. You might think you’re casting a harmless spell, but the causes you set in motion could have effects that surprise you. This is especially true when you get all sneaky with your magic.

Want an example? Okay, let’s say you’ve decided to hex your ex. You’re all fired up, ready to send out some bad juju. But what you might not realize is that you’re setting up a whole new karmic cycle for yourself. That hex may not come back to bite you immediately, but sooner or later, you’ll feel the effects of that cause. And don’t even get me started on how quickly things can spiral out of control when you start playing with dark magic without understanding the bigger picture. But also understand, cursing and hexing is not necessarily evil, again, sometimes it’s about justice or protection. Your attitude and intentions have a lot to do with how your karma unfolds. Personally, I’m more about return-to-sender spells and protection work. You could call return-to-sender a curse or a hex, but it’s more like returning unwanted mail without opening it.

Effect and Causation in Divination

Now, let’s talk about how cause and effect plays a role in divination—like in tarot readings. As a witch, I’ve had my fair share of readings (both for myself and others), and if you haven’t noticed, there’s a pattern. Tarot doesn’t just tell you about your future—it shows you the effects of your past actions. Every card you pull? It’s an effect. But there’s always a deeper story behind it, a cause that set that effect in motion.

For example, let’s say you pull the Tower card. Terrifying, right? But before you get all dramatic about it, remember: the Tower isn’t just about destruction; it’s about the consequences of something that was already out of alignment. A foundation built on shaky ground always crumbles. The cause of the Tower’s fall was your poor decisions, lack of action, or refusal to face the truth. The effect? The inevitable collapse. And now, here you are, staring at the wreckage, trying to make sense of it all.

But here’s the kicker: tarot readings are all about recognizing the cause and effect at play in your life. You look at the spread, see the cards that represent the causes, and then the cards that represent the effects. If you’ve got a Death card next to the Wheel of Fortune, well, congratulations—you’ve just realized that major changes are coming your way, and they’ll likely be caused by decisions you made long ago. See, there’s no such thing as “chance” in the universe. It’s all connected, and when you start looking for those connections, you realize how everything is tied to cause and effect.

Expect the Unexpected: Magic and Unintended Consequences

Let’s talk about one of the trickiest parts of cause and effect in magic: unexpected outcomes. You know the ones. You do a spell with the best of intentions, but the results are… not what you expected. Maybe you were trying to manifest more money, but instead, you lost your job. Or you cast a protection spell, and then a whole bunch of people suddenly start avoiding you. What gives?

Well, that’s the nature of cause and effect. Sometimes, things need to be shaken up before the desired result can manifest. Or maybe, just maybe, your spell was a little too vague, and the universe decided to interpret it in the most literal way possible. You want more money? Sure, let’s just get rid of the job you hate so you can find better opportunities. It’s all cause and effect at play.

This is why witches are constantly reminding each other to be specific with their magic. If you don’t give the universe a clear cause, don’t be surprised if it dishes out an effect you didn’t bargain for. Think of magic like setting up a chain reaction. You light the match (the cause), and the spark travels down the line. If you didn’t account for everything, you might end up blowing up the whole thing (the effect). It’s a reminder that magic isn’t just about asking for what you want; it’s about understanding the consequences of your desires. I recommend meditation before casting a spell.

Conclusion: Nothing Escapes This Principle

In witchcraft, understanding the cause and effect principle is crucial. Every action you take has a reaction, whether you see it or not. Magic isn’t some whimsical force that operates independently of these laws—it’s deeply intertwined with them. Whether you’re casting spells, reading tarot, or just going about your day, you can bet that cause and effect is always in play.

So, next time you do a spell, remember: everything you do sends a ripple through the universe. The cause you set in motion today will inevitably lead to an effect tomorrow. And if you don’t like the outcome, well, take a good hard look at the cause. You can change the effects by adjusting the causes, and that’s where your true power lies.  And hey, if you’re still confused about how all this works, check out the main category page on How Witchcraft Works. Maybe it’ll give you a little more insight into how magic—and cause and effect—really operate in the witchy world.

The Seven Hermetic Principles: Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause & Effect (you’re on it already), Gender.