WW - Curses

Here's an interesting Witches Weekly, on a topic that is one of the most controversial in the Pagan community: curses.

1. How do you feel about the subject of curses?

There's an old saying, "If a witch cannot hex, she cannot heal."  Some say it means if you don't know how to hex/curse, you cannot succeed at healing (even if you never actually perform a hex).  Some say it's a reminder that every action you take has an opposite action, or a balancing action.  And some say it simply means that if you do not have the will to focus & direct energy for either positive or negative means, your magical workings/spells are ineffectual in any case.

Personally, I think there's not a lot of subtext in the saying.  I think it means that if you cannot bring yourself to take action against someone (if and when it becomes truly needful), you do not have the power to take action for someone, either.  It's like good parenting: sometimes we have to discipline (or -- gasp! -- even punish) our children, in order for them to grow up as ethical & responsible people instead of boundless & selfish monsters.  A loving parent doesn't enjoy punishing, but certainly is aware that sometimes it's necessary.

But the consequences should never be underestimated or taken lightly. In this day & age, corporal punishment is highly suspect by many people, and you might find yourself under investigation by Children's Services if you give your defiant preschooler a solid swat on the ass in the grocery store.  Similarly, the repercussions of casting a curse/hex may be more serious or widespread than you ever could have imagined.
 
2. Is it possible to curse someone? How often do you think it happens?

Long ago, what we call "profanity" actually were curses -- which is why they're sometimes called "curse words."  To tell someone to "go to hell" was actually a curse upon their soul, and to many that was even worse than doing them physical violence.  Even if there was no mystical power behind the epithet, all words do have power to some extent, and so such curses were seen as very grave and serious acts.

As to the sort of curses which involve actual ritual and spell work, I'm sure it is quite possible to curse or hex someone.  I doubt it happens very often, in any case, since a well-wrought curse requires more planning, focus and effort than someone is normally capable of when they're incensed or otherwise emotionally distraught (and that's probably a good thing!).

3. What would make you believe that someone was working magic against you, and how would you handle the situation?

It would take a series of extremely blatant and serious mishaps in my life, which could not be otherwise explained, in order for me to believe that someone was working magic against me!  But if such a thing did come about, or if I knew that someone were directing a great deal of negativity toward me, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.  To some extent, you have to believe in a curse, or the power of the person casting the hex, in order for it to affect you significantly.  The best defense is a good offense, and an all-purpose protection spell is an excellent start (especially if you work it not only upon yourself and your loved ones, but also your home, car, and possibly even your place of employment).  Making a habit of developing (and reinforcing) good magical/psychic shields is a good idea in any case, and if you do the job right, it should protect you against any negative energies sent your way.  As a last resort, if you know for a fact that someone is cursing you, a binding against them from causing harm may be an option...but binding is almost a form of cursing, and also not to be taken lightly.  What goes around, comes around.