Once, twice, thrice

[Romolo]

When you wash your hands three times before a ritual, it goes like this: the first time you are still attached to other instances of handwashing (before a meal, when coming home in the evening). It feels mundane. You dry your hands. Then you wash them again. This second time, you manage to push through the first membrane. You become aware of the hand washing. You “remember yourself” (Gurdjieff), or in other words: you observe yourself. It may feel like a parody. You dry them off. By the third time, you unlock the action as it is supposed to be. Your breathing is now calmer. Your movements are not automatic, nor are they self-conscious. It feels like the first two attempts were needed to reach this version.

I noticed triple actions coming back in many stories and many grimoires. What are your experiences/habits?

 

[Asteriskos]

I was taught that you haven't "really read a book" until you've read it Three Times. That's basically proven true for me, especially with "good" occult and technical books! The occult is rife with instances of tripartite / triform examples. Three is a "sacred" number in more than one tradition and culture. Too many to get into here for me!