Why 3 X 3?

[shuvanilu]

I've heard so many spells ending: "...by the power of three times three, as I do will it, so mote it be." Obviously, I understand the last part, but why 3 times 3? Is it because of the magical significance of the number 9? I it referring to the three-fold law of return? Tradition? Is this a throw back from people who are obsessed tih "Charmed"? I usually don't tack that into my spells since it means nothing to me...If anyone knows the meaning of it, please fill me in! I keep seeing it everywhere...---shuvanilu

[KEishin]

Well, one reason is that nine is a Goddess number - Juno, Luna, Hecate, the nine Muses and Blodeuwedd for starters. There are a lot of occult references to the number as well - the Freemasons, Egyptian myth, nine levels of hell, square of Soloman, nine planets, off the top of my head.

3x3 is accepted numerology lore, but that particular phrase I never heard before Charmed came around.

[Elderbush]

It sounds cool. :)

[Ben Gruagach]

The phrase has been in use long before the show "Charmed" appeared on TV. I know I've used it myself for a long time, well before the show had premiered.

Three is considered to be a very magickal number in Celtic folklore, and multiplying it by three makes it extra potent.

It's very common for fiction writers to draw on real details and bits of folklore that people might be familiar with in order to flesh out their made-up worlds, and make them "more real" to the audience. Some people say that the best fiction is that which convinces you that it at least could be real. The popularity of "Charmed" is likely partially due to drawing on occult lore that at least some people are familiar with (or which comes across as "it could be real") which makes it easier for the audience to suspend disbelief for the show.

[domiobrien]

Three and nine and multiples thereof are very important in Celtic traditon-- three realms, three kindreds, nine wells, nine elements in the human body, nine elements in the universe, infants are 0-9, youth are 9-18, provisional adults are 18-27, full adults are 27-45, elders are 45 plus; nine is the number of sacredness; the ninth child is the holy one; the ninth person is the one of whom things are expected. Domi

[shuvanilu]

And magic circles are traditionally 9 ft in diameter. Just thought of that one. Thanks for the replies, everyone. i just like to KNOW what and why even minute little parts of ritual are there...it makes it have more meaning to me. Without really knowing the purpose of certain lines or movements, it all just feels plastic.---shuvanilu