Dictionary term
Karma
Direct answer
Karma is an Indian religious and philosophical concept of action and consequence, later simplified in popular culture as what comes back to a person.
Karma means action and its consequences, though traditions define it more deeply than payback.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Consciousness & Spiritual Psychology
- Also appears in
- Consciousness & Spiritual Psychology
- Aliases
- None listed
- Last updated
- 2026-07-15
Quick reference
- Use when
- Use Karma when explaining Indian religious concepts, moral causality, action, consequence, reincarnation, and modern misuse.
- Do not use it for
- Do not use karma to blame victims, explain suffering simplistically, or celebrate another person's pain.
- Reference category
- Consciousness & Spiritual Psychology
- Related terms
- Birth Chart, Zodiac, Transit
The story behind Karma
Karma is central in Indian traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, then entered Western spirituality and popular language through translation, Theosophy, yoga culture, and New Age thought.
Karma in spiritual tradition
Spiritually, Karma asks whether action is being taken seriously without losing compassion.
The Great Almanac frames Karma with educational restraint. Mystical or symbolic language may be meaningful, but it should not be exaggerated into certainty, panic, or permission to ignore ordinary responsibility.
Karma in the Bible
Christian readers should distinguish karma from grace, providence, judgment, repentance, forgiveness, and mercy.
Why Karma matters
Karma matters because popular usage often reduces it to revenge or cosmic punishment. In Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain contexts, karma is a complex moral and causal principle tied to action, intention, rebirth, and liberation.
Example in a reading: A page can say karma is not simply someone getting what they deserve immediately.
Interpretive caution: Do not use karma to blame victims, explain suffering simplistically, or celebrate another person's pain.
How Karma is used in a reading
Use Karma when explaining Indian religious concepts, moral causality, action, consequence, reincarnation, and modern misuse.
Where interpretation stops
Karma is shared here as an educational reference to support study, contemplation, and personal discernment. It is designed to inspire self-reflection but is never a substitute for professional medical, legal, financial, or personal advice. By treating mystical traditions as rich symbolic languages rather than absolute rules, we focus on fostering wisdom, clarity, and personal responsibility.
Safety note
Sources and editorial method
This concise reference separates established definitions from historical, symbolic, or interpretive claims. Entries without external references are presented as editorial summaries rather than primary-source scholarship.
The page starts with a direct definition, then separates use, example, caution, spiritual meaning, and historical context. For astrology, occult, demonology, curse, and spiritual warfare terms, the editorial rule is to explain the term without making fear-based, fatalistic, medical, legal, financial, or ritual-instruction claims.
Personalized next step
See how Karma connects to your own birth chart, numerology, spiritual timing, and personal almanac.
Cast your natal chartRelated terms
These related entries help place Karma inside a wider reference cluster instead of leaving it as a standalone keyword.
