Some people think curses are easy, a candle and some shit talking later, bam. They’ll wait for word on anything bad to happen to the target, and in their head, curse confirmed. Success. The downfall of the wrongdoer is inevitable. Right.
This isnt to say that their curse didnt have any effect. Bad news could very well be an indication that you DID do something. This explanation is to show why “I tried to kill Stacy with a mean DUME hex, and she’s only getting divorced” happens. Amongst other things.
It isn’t just super easy to manifest stuff in our plane. The energy has to gain sufficient mass to BE let alone be noticed or have an effect. The amount of energy an individual can produce is widely varied, and dependent upon the operator. Occultists in particular vary depending on what they’re doing. (Energy, qi, prana, spiritual power, whatever you want to call it)
At normal, everyday, you’ve got a certain level or amount of energy that you maintain. This is what you, normal, naturally work with. Everyone’s got their personal baseline. When we start practicing, we end up modifying that energy. Consciously or unconsciously, we build up energy to be expressed when we have a ritual, or a practice later, or are on guard. When, on some level, we know we will need more than usual. This can be compounded with normal healthy lifestyle stuff, but it does build gradually as one practices more and more.
Spellcraft is taking some of that energy, and molding it with purpose, intent. And then releasing it. What is tricky for some about this, is what that energy can be shaped to kind of depends on how much of that energy you have.
Another way of phrasing this would be calling it an equivalent exchange. This is key. To gain something, something of equal or greater value must be given. Not an unfamiliar term or idea for most people, but fundamental to be understood before understanding a lot of other stuff, curses included. I havent forgotten the main point, but we’ve gotta build to it.
To produce a desired effect, enough energy to facilitate this effect must be given. But there are no rules stating where this energy must come from, you just need to get it, mold it, use it. This is where enchantment, spirits, and internal alchemy come into play.
One could work on themselves, stocking up and increasing personal reserves to be used at whim. One could ask a spirit for aid, usually they’ll be producing the energy needed for the effect and helping mold it. One could create a vessel, and store excess energy in it consistently to be used. One could bind a smaller spirit to be killed and used. Or, one could do all of the above. This is one of the biggest parts of occultism I see skipped or simply glossed over. It’s a fundamental concept, that is necessary for more advanced workings.
Cursing is somewhat rare nowadays. Most people dont even practice, let alone have enough energy to have an effect. The most effective curses are usually fulfilled via imbuing an object with the curse, getting your target to accept the object, and then the energy from the object bleeds out into the intended effect. More advanced curses will have one bind a mean spirit to the object and then it will wreak havoc. Same principle as the first method.
The other effective curses, are direct contact. The only thing between the curse and the target is the space in which it manifests. In other words, you mold whatever energy into your curse, and slap it on the person, in person, in front of you. Or onto a representation of them, or what was part of them. This is why so many curses state to use a person’s name, picture, their hair or nails or anything you can get your hands on to have them as close to in front of you as possible.
This, is a little more dangerous. Equivalent exchange is the rule, but the specifics of it vary, as there isnt anything safeguarding what is ‘equivalent’. It is difficult to gauge how much energy is needed to be able to mold the energy in a specific way, and then how much is needed to manifest it. One can be angry enough to throw the curse at someone in front of them. It can be molded and formed once a level of competency has been reached. But the molding of the energy changes the price. So, roughly speaking, to take a life, a life’s worth of energy must be used. If you are working the curse directly, and without planning, help, or any foresight, the cost could probably be higher than you anticipate, and thus the energy to kill is taken from your own life.
Now, a good number of spirits have enough energy of their own to kill someone. What I see forgotten often, and on this forum in particular, is the price. Hitmen dont work for free, and I think that statement works almost universally, regardless of the hitman. Energy is power to the spirits. Why would they expend it on something for someone else?
Maybe they really like you. Maybe they have so much they want to flex it a little. Maybe they’ll do it to gain something more. Spirits have their own rules, sometimes you sign a contract just by speaking to one. Or by having them do you a favor, you now owe them one. There are spirits and people close enough to certain spirits where help and energy is given freely between the two, but if you’re getting a hitman you dont know to kill or maim someone for you, and you dont think there’s any price to be paid, you’re gonna be sorry later. Even if you are somewhat familiar, there will probably be a price. Do not assume.
Thats the main article. A few other thoughts of mine regarding hexes are below
-Most who desire to curse cannot do so. This is a very good thing. If you’re not willing to hurt someone with your own hands, you shouldnt be willing to curse. Sometimes we feel powerless and want to prove we’re not. This isnt the best way to do that. It’s too taxing to be pulled off by a novice, and if you’re adept enough to actually do it, then I assume you’re wise enough to know what’s worth actually going through the effort to curse for.
-If you need to read another person’s ‘spell’ and do that, you probably shouldnt be messing around with curses.
-Someone being mean at work doesnt mean kill them or wreck their shit. It means you need to problem solve or work on your confrontation skills. Occult practice doesnt negate what you lack in the normal world, work on yourself and grow stronger on all fronts. If you’re ballsy enough to curse someone, you should be ballsy enough to have a direct confrontation.
-Everyone has their reasons. Instead of typing an essay on why you are justified in cursing someone, do some research and practice until you CAN curse someone. By that time, what you were salty about in the beginning wont even matter. If it does still matter… make your move.