The Nature of Karma

(Chapter 8)

In Alchemy, a double ourobouros (two serpents swallowing one another) signifies volatility and the potential for change. It also signifies the balance of our upper and lower natures. It looks very much like the number eight, which is the number of responsibility, karma and positive change. The Pythagoreans considered the number eight to signify justice. Karma is a principle that enacts the justice of the cosmos. Karma is synonymous with the law of cause and effect.
      Eight holds the possibility of regeneration and resurrection. It represents the prospect for positive change in our lives through the ability to apply ideas and effort effectively. In 8, we can resolve our thoughts and feelings related to the past and truly come into the present moment where all the magic is.
     The DNA double helix looks somewhat like the numeral eight. Spiraling around itself, the DNA holds the genetic coding for physical organisms. It keeps track of everything that has been, and paves the way for everything that will be. Similarly, on a metaphysical level, the akashic records keep track of everything that has ever been and ever will be. The akashic records are not a set of books in some library in the sky. They are contained within the collective knowledge of all creation as a field of consciousness.  They can be likened to DNA of the soul beyond time.
     Newton’s third law of motion states: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction,” While Newton likely did not intend to describe karma through the third law of motion, we can use that law as a useful analogy to understand the nature of karma. Simplified, the law of karma states that no matter what you do, it will come back to you at some time or another. We are all inextricably linked with our environment. There is a dynamic relationship between the self and that which surrounds it.
      The Laws of karma and Newton’s law of motion do seem to differ in some fundamental ways. For example, the effect that occurs is not always exactly opposite to the cause. Often, karma acts more like a loop that repeats the same pattern over and over again until we get the lesson and move on. Nor is karma always equal between its cause and effect. Once someone is able to apply consciousness and get the lesson, the effect is exponentially lessened. Conversely, sometimes we can apply small amounts of effort combined with a positive intent, and reap large rewards.
Through karmic law’s natural feedback system, the original action can find completion. This is true for both negative and positive actions. When we cause harm, harm returns to us. When we perform good actions, we create karmic merit, and move ahead spiritually.
      One of the pitfalls with this particular law is that the karmic wheel can sometimes be like a merry (or not-so-merry) go round that we don’t know how to get off. For example, if someone hurts you in some way, and then you hurt that person in return, that person gets angry, and then seeks retribution again. This pattern repeats in a cyclical fashion for many lifetimes. It includes many other people, who get hurt on the sidelines as result of the original conflict. These people, in turn, hurt others, who also return the hurt.
As you can see, karma can expand exponentially. This tendency to respond with reaction instead of constructive interaction is one reason things have gotten so nutty on this planet.