It is a truth universally acknowledged that if you mention cursing and hexing in a room full of Pagans, you're bound to get some lively discussion. Responses will range from OMG NOOOOOOO to HELLZ YES and everything in between.
A reader asks, "I'm new to studying about Paganism, and I'm looking at a lot of different forms of witchcraft. One thing I don't understand is that some people say it's never okay to hex or curse anyone, but a lot of times I read about curses and hexes in folklore and historical accounts. What if someone's hurting me? Can I protect myself? Am I allowed to curse them? I don't know how this works! Help!"
And of course much like everything else in modern witchcraft and Paganism, it's really going to depend on who you ask: Negative Magic - Is Cursing or Hexing Acceptable?
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A reader asks, "I'm new to studying about Paganism, and I'm looking at a lot of different forms of witchcraft. One thing I don't understand is that some people say it's never okay to hex or curse anyone, but a lot of times I read about curses and hexes in folklore and historical accounts. What if someone's hurting me? Can I protect myself? Am I allowed to curse them? I don't know how this works! Help!"
And of course much like everything else in modern witchcraft and Paganism, it's really going to depend on who you ask: Negative Magic - Is Cursing or Hexing Acceptable?
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook.
Magickal self-defense is all well and good…but what ever happened to just whuppin’ somebody’s ass?
Whuppin’ somebody’s arse is all well and good, but it is not a viable alternative for someone who is against violence. It could also put you in more trouble than just erecting a shield.
Besides it is much easier to use magikal self defense in the first place, to prevent an attack from reaching you. If someone does manage to get thru your shield you have an easier time knowing who it is, and how to deal with them in the future.
To answer a threat against and/or In protection of myself, my family, extended family, and property I will curse. I’ll also back it up by opening a can of ‘Whup-Ass’ in this realm as well as others.
I say it varies extremely. There is a difference between kicking someone ass because they threatened your life or something and doing the same thing just because you don’t like their hair color, eyes, skin, race, religion you’re bored etc… there are some Pagans out there that practice a Warrior role and that might be okay for them. It’s all about intent. To me it’s like saying “Since Xena kicked a lot of butt to protect so and so, that means she’s gonna get whatever she did back times three.” I don’t believe that. But hexes and curses are powerful things, and we should study them out of respect and to dissolve ignorance about them. Actually casting one is a whole other story.
Non-affiliated plug: check out The Witch’s Shield by Christopher Penczak. It was required reading during my first-degree training. It goes over a lot of magical self-defense techniques.
I’m, frankly, not 100% sure that I believe in magic all the time. I’m at a moment in my life where I’m less confident in it so behind the book idea, I’m not sure I have much to offer other than this: think carefully about what magic and magical defense means to you. That’s the opinion that should matter the most. Others can factor into your own decisions, but Paganism is about being empowered to understand your world in the way that makes sense to you and not necessarily in the way that was written down or explained to you by others.
Irony: commenting about a not being affiliated with an author and accidentially using an amazon affiliates link in your comment.
The following is the correct link to the book mentioned in my prior comment: The Witch’s Shield.
Blame Mercury retrograde, if that’s your thing