Karma is Sanskrit for "deed." In both Hinduism and Buddhism karma
includes an individual's physical and mental actions which determine
the consequences of the person's present life and sequential lives
through rebirth. Karma is based upon the phenomena of cause and
effect which denotes both action and reaction that extend through
many lifetimes.
There are three types of karma: "agent-karma" which is concerned with
the present cause and effect, and will influence future
lives; "prarabdha-karma" which had already been caused and is in the
process of being effected; and, "sanchita-karma" which has been
accumulated but has not yet been effected.
Karma is normally thought of as a term used by eastern religions such
as previously mentioned. But, in Plato's description of reincarnation
he too touches on the theme of karma when saying the soul tends to
become impure through bodily transmigrations. However, if the soul
retains its pure state and does good acts it will return to its
preexistent state, but if it continues to deteriorate by bad acts
through bodily transmigrations it will go to a place of eternal
damnation.
Karma is not mentioned in orthodox Christianity which holds the soul
works out its rewards or punishments in a single lifetime. The
closest mentioning of karma is the Biblical scripture: "...for
whatever a man sowest, that shall he reap." (Gal. 6:7)
One of the most modern understandings of karma comes from the
theosophical teachings on reincarnations. The many manifestations of
the body are small parts of the whole; like pages in a book. The
Monard, or Divine Spark, or the individual remains the same
throughout many reincarnations.
This individuality is from three higher worlds; the spiritual, the
intuitional and the higher mental. But for the individuality to widen
its experience and knowledge it must descend into the lower worlds of
lower mental and physical, and return to the higher worlds with the
knowledge it has learned. This seems impossible to do in one
lifetime, and must be repeated.
The objective of the individuality's journeys into the lower worlds
to gain knowledge is to perfect it to a perfect perfection in order
to enter the highest sphere of the heavenly world. Each time the
individuality perfects itself by a reincarnation in the lower worlds
it reaches a higher level of perfection in the higher worlds. But, if
the individuality does not perfect itself during an reincarnation it
must repeat the reincarnation again. Therefore, there are laws of
progress which govern the number of reincarnations which each
individuality must make. The more the individuality perfects itself
during each reincarnation, the fewer reincarnations it must make, and
vice verse. This is decreed by what, in theosophy, is called The
Evolution of Life Theory which states "that all shall attain
perfection by developing to the utmost their latent powers and
qualities, and each manifestation in the lower worlds is but one
short journey toward the goal."
The late American mystic Edgar Cayce relied much on karma in his
trace readings. He thought the effects of karma could be symbolic
instead of literal. Karma could be mitigated by the "law of grace"
which, for him, involved both a state of mind and a gift from God.
Cayce said physical deformities and illnesses arose because of karma
from past lives.
Most occultists and neo-Pagans believe in reincarnation so they
acknowledge the theory of karma. They, however, do not see it as a
punishment, but rather a just return. The neo-Pagan's interest is
mainly concerned with present karma.
There is what is called the Threefold Law of Return. Some claim that
if a witch does good, it will be returned in three times the measure.
The origination and verification of the law is debatable. There is
not much discussion of evil because witches, especially Wiccan
witches, say they have no desire to do evil. The reason why past and
future karma is rarely mentioned is that witchcraft is a nature
religion.
Most believe that at death, both the body and spirit returns to the
Mother Goddess, the Earth; where the spirit rests and then is reborn
again in a new body. A.G.H.
Sources:
Guiley, Rosemary Ellen.
The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft.
New York: Facts On File, 1989
[ISBN 0-8160-2268-2]
Shepard, Leslie A., ed.
Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, 3rd ed.
Detroit: Gale Research, Inc., 1991.
Guiley, Rosemary Ellen.
Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience.
New York: HarperCollins, 1991
[ISBN 0-06-250366-9]
Woodward, Mary Ann.
Edgar Cayce's Story of Karma.
New York: Coward-McCann, 1971.