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The concept of return shock represents an almost universally accepted truth, a theme extensively explored by many writings, better known as karma. That is why I will focus in this article on this concept in magic, since it is much more widely known in everyday life. My goal will rather be to demystify a bit and present a summary of the issues associated with this boomerang effect specific to occult practices. Let's go!
1. Introduction to return shock
1.1. Definition of return shock
For those less familiar, return shock refers to the repercussion on the initiator of a magical force that, in nature and intensity, exactly reflects what was emitted by them. Sorcerers practicing Black Magic are particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon, because although they willingly send out negative and destructive energies towards others, they seem less "inclined" to receive them in return.
Return shock is an unavoidable and universal law, difficult to avoid; at best, one can try to divert it. We will see that only the Initiated Magician can escape its activation, which will surely inspire "callings" for this High Magic. Thus, performing a healing ritual for someone will bring you an equivalent healing energy to that emitted; performing a curse ritual will return to you with similar negative energy, as if your actions circled the universe before coming back to you, highlighting the famous expression "the loop is closed." However, this process is not literal, but the result is the same. In other words: nothing ever remains without consequence.
Although associated here with magical arts, the return shock affects every moment of our existence. Harming others by thought, word, or deed inevitably exposes us to its effect. However, magicians have developed strategies and methods to deflect its impact. Thus, we observe "triangulation" rituals intended to redirect the shock towards plants or animals to be spared from it. Of course, the question of ethics and conscience necessarily arises.
And precisely, in an approach respecting all forms of life, some practitioners go as far as creating an ethereal replica of themselves onto which the shock can be redirected. Once the decoy is hit, the ethereal link connecting it to the original is broken, making the decoy the target affected by the shock. But this practice is complex and risky, often less so than making an innocent being bear the consequences, especially for the darkest Black Magic rituals and the harshest return shocks.
1.2. Distinction between backlash and karma
Deflecting the "boomerang" energy toward a living target offers the magician only a partial escape. Although this act reduces the direct impact on the practitioner, it generates a lesser echoing repercussion, but the negative karmic charge accumulated by such a gesture is considerable. Nevertheless, it is important to note a significant distinction between settling karma and settling backlash, two mechanisms governed by different principles and management.
| Backlash | Karma | |
| Current | Backlash is based on the idea that any energy sent into the universe, positive or negative, will return to the sender with equivalent force. | Karma describes a cosmic law of cause and effect where every action, good or bad, generates a force that will influence the individual’s future life, often interpreted as a cycle of rewards and punishments based on past actions. |
| Principle | Backlash manifests in the individual’s current life. It is a direct and proportional response to a specific magical action, occurring over a relatively short time frame. | Karma extends over multiple lives; the consequences of an action may not manifest immediately and can affect the soul’s future incarnations. This fits within a reincarnationist perspective where spiritual development and lessons learned are considered over long periods and many lives. |
| Purpose | Backlash serves as a warning or safeguard against the irresponsible use of magic. Every magical act must be undertaken with consideration and awareness of its potential consequences. | Karma aims at spiritual evolution and learning. Life’s challenges and blessings are seen as opportunities for growth and liberation from attachment and ignorance, ultimately leading to awakening or moksha (liberation). |
Thus, to revisit our previous example: if a magician deflects the wave of backlash (even though the impact will never be completely eliminated but only reduced), they also "feed" their karmic burden, which will demand payment later in this life or another.
Some black magicians, seeking to minimize the effects of backlash, form alliances. They aim to spread the burden of backlash onto the collective egregore rather than on individuals. However, one unshakable truth remains: no matter the strategies used to evade backlash, fully or partially, it invariably ends up finding its initiator, one way or another.
2. The Three Laws of Backlash
Acts, by their nature, constitute a form of complex energy. Engaging in an act, good or bad, mobilizes a network of thoughts, choices, and actions, leading to a final event and thus its consequences. This dynamic permeates the actor's aura, leaving a mark on the astral, etheric, and mental planes. This imprint generates a negative replica on these planes, ultimately targeting its initiator. A "magical" act, conscious of the principles governing these interactions, generates a much more significant impact, notably because it also acts on the Causal Plane, whose disturbance is far more serious than that of the Physical Plane.
This causality mechanism has been formalized in what is called the triple backlash. Contrary to what one might deduce, this notion does not mean that the impact of an act is tripled, but refers to the three fundamental laws, which are also the basis of the famous karma. But as we saw above, karma is a positive or negative energy that will follow the initiator in their future lives (called reincarnation). The backlash, on the other hand, only manifests during the lifetime in which the initial act took place, without following its author into future lives, although it can affect their entity in the Astral Plane, specific to magical practices.
2.1. The Law of Equivalent Restitution
The law of equivalent restitution is a universal principle stating that every action performed with selfless intent generates a reaction of the same nature in return. This means that benevolent acts without seeking personal reward are invariably compensated by the universe, creating a form of cosmic balance. Similarly, malicious acts, even if outwardly directed at others, reverberate back on their initiator in accordance with this law.
This restitution is not simply a mechanical transaction but reflects a profound truth about the interconnected nature of reality. Every act of generosity or malice is a thread woven into the fabric of existence, influencing the path of the individual as much as that of the global community. Therefore, acting with altruism and compassion invites positive responses from the universe, enriching the existence of the individual and those around them.
2.2. The Law of Analogical Complementarity
The law of analogical complementarity, mentioned in the famous maxim from the alchemical text The Emerald Tablet « That which is above is like that which is below », reveals a fundamental and universal symmetry between the different levels of existence. According to this law, every manifestation in the universe, whether material or immaterial, has a "reflection" on another plane of existence. Thus, events, actions, thoughts, words, and emotions are not isolated but interconnected.
According to this principle, every energetic dynamic generated in the universe naturally creates a counterpart, an equivalent but opposite dynamic, forming a perfect balance. This means that everything initiated, whether a gesture of love or an act of anger, not only finds its mirror but also its complement, thus contributing to overall harmony or global imbalance depending on the nature of the initial act.
2.3. The law of systematic reaction
The law of systematic reaction, often summarized by the principle of cause and effect, states that every action in the universe generates a reaction of equivalent intensity. This concept, fundamental to understanding the dynamics of universal interactions, suggests that no act, whatever its nature, goes without response or consequence. Every gesture, thought, or word is thus seen as a catalyst triggering a chain of reactions that, although sometimes imperceptible, are inevitable and infallible in their application.
This law reminds us that we are active participants in the fabric of destiny, where every choice we make has the power to shape our future reality. Thus, an act of kindness can generate a wave of goodwill, just as a harsh word can provoke negative repercussions.
2.4. The exception of the initiatory magician
You know, a law is only truly valid if it has an exception. The exemption from backlash for the Initiatory Magician illustrates the purpose of this type of magic, as it aims for illumination and spiritual liberation. Unlike other forms of magic that can be practiced for personal gain, selfish desires, or material manipulations, Initiatory Magic aims for inner transformation, spiritual elevation, and harmony with cosmic principles. It therefore falls outside the scope of backlash, since the initial acts are detached from the individual and cannot therefore rebound. Note, however, that it is, like Draconic Magic, a branch of High Magic, making it one of the most demanding.
I will have the opportunity to present Initiatory Magic in a dedicated file, and for now, I will close this exception.
3. The law of karma
It would be incomplete to discuss backlash without talking about the principles of karma. The law of karma, often misunderstood as an equal and fair restitution, is actually a principle marked by formidable violence and complexity. The principle of reincarnation, linked to karma especially in Asian beliefs, raises the question of fairness in paying for mistakes from forgotten past lives, which can lead to an endless cycle of suffering.
3.1. The lives of karma
Paradoxically, it is not the malicious act itself that triggers the payment of karma, but rather the maturity of karma and the feeling of guilt, whether conscious or not. Thus, even after atoning for their faults, if guilt persists, the cycle of suffering continues, trapping certain souls in repetitive negative karma. These individuals, carrying their burden from life to life, contribute to the perpetuation of these psychic "hells" both in the astral and in physical incarnation. This pursuit is ultimately cruel and can even be perceived as the evil eye if it follows the individual through several lives, when the initial act is completely forgotten. This vicious circle can only be broken by internal awareness or by a transformation into a "karma agent," who, by making others pay their own karma, freeze their own.
3.2. The two phases of karma
For those who commit evil without feeling guilt, they seem to escape the payment of their karma, experiencing no torment as long as they maintain this carefreeness. We have all experienced situations where it feels like some malicious people can continue at will without facing consequences. But it is important to distinguish two phases in karma: its generation and its payment, the first being fueled by the individual's actions.
However, it is only when these individuals aspire to improve themselves that the payment of karma becomes due. They then shift from being agents of karma to victims, suffering the consequences inflicted by those they previously wronged and who refuse to perpetuate the suffering by seeking revenge. In other words, karma demands its payment when the victim of an act decides to free themselves from it.
This system can be seen as a manifestation of "divine justice," where the evil committed serves only to settle the karma of someone who, at some point, chose not to make others pay theirs.
3.3. Residual karma
Karma, while being a foundation governing the destiny of souls, also generates so-called residual karma, which could be summarized as a risk of collateral victim. It is crucial to understand that every thought, word, gesture, or emotion is a source of potential karma, whose nature can be negative, positive, or neutral. The key to escaping the grip of this universal principle lies in self-mastery.
Although it may seem complex, self-mastery is essential and normal. It involves controlling our reactions and behaviors in various situations, a skill generally acquired through education. However, in our world, internal self-mastery is not always taught, allowing a self-centered attitude and indifference toward others to prevail.
The absence of residual karma, achieved through a transformation of thoughts and self-control, would put an end to the possibility of magical attacks, evil cults, and great calamities. Regarding "good" karma, it would gradually disappear as humanity evolves toward inner harmony aligned with the laws of the Universe, along with its easily obtained rewards. This path toward fairness and the removal of obstacles would allow the emergence of an inner strength and willpower capable of overcoming all challenges, thus reflecting the benevolent perfection of the divine plan in all circumstances.
4. In conclusion
The concept of backlash, explored through the lens of magic and spirituality, thus reminds us of the fundamental importance of awareness and responsibility in all our actions. This principle, emphasizing that every energy we put out into the universe returns to us in one way or another, serves as an ethical safeguard and an incentive to act with integrity and compassion. Whether we consider backlash within the framework of specific magical practice or as a manifestation of the universal principle of karma, the lesson is clear: what we do will always have a consequence, immediate, tomorrow, or the day after. It is therefore up to you to practice with full awareness of what this may cause.
[bloctwist]
