Baneful magic is magic intended to do harm. This form of magic is not friendly, but when it is warranted, neither are the opponents.
Most rhetoric around baneful magic results in unnecessary gatekeeping and path shaming. Each time you consider baneful magic, it is important to fully evaluate the situation and your approach. Be prepared to engage in shadow work. You need to evaluate your personal motivations, and your goals. It is important to define the end terms of baneful magic.
If you have moral reservations about your spellwork, it is likely to turn out a mess. Common interpretations of the Law of Three create paranoia around baneful magic. Moral relativism allows us to accept diverse paths and create diverse and inclusive communities. If your personal moral compass forbids these things, you should not do them. We each have our own personal moral compass that we live by.
No matter how pure your intentions, it is the impact that will matter in the long run. You are responsible for the unforeseen consequences of ALL your spellwork, not just baneful magic. Baneful magic is the magical equivalent of punching someone in the face.
Important Note: I do not and will not refer to baneful magic as “black magic”, because that term is absolutely awash in racism and colonialist cultural genocide, and reinforces racist stereotypes. If you would like to better understand the connection between racism and the term “black magic”, I suggest reading Is the Term Black Magic Racist?
Read also: Interpreting Blood Dreams
The Four Levels of Baneful Magic
There are generally 4 levels of baneful magic:
- Jinxes
- Hexes
- Bindings
- Curses
Jinxes
A jinx is a small spell to bring bad luck. It could be as little as flipping someone off with intent and they stub their toe. This kind is mostly annoying and pretty harmless to everything except toes and the odd finger pinched in a door.
Hexes
Hexes are the next step up and it’s not a small step. The best way to describe them would be short term and weak curses. This would take a small spell. The consequences could be anything from being forgetful to anxiety to coming down with a small cold. These are meant to ruin someones day or maybe a week.
Bindings
A binding is a bigger spell. It’s the black sheep(pun intended) of baneful magic because a lot of witches who won’t use baneful will still bind. It does what it sounds like, it stops someone/thing from doing something(normally harmful). These spells normally have an end condition ie (this person will never find love until they atone for X). These can be pretty bad for the person being bound, but having an end condition makes them more constructive.
Curses
Curses are the heavy hitters. I wouldn’t curse anyone unless I wanted to wreck their shit. Curses take a major spell(most of the ones you see on Tumblr would actually fall under hexes or bindings). The effects can be ruining a relationship and all ones after, wrecking a career, destroying a friendship, major illness, etc…
Read also: Decoding Common Dreams
For curses, I don’t believe in the rule of 3(I’m not wiccan). But I would still protect myself to the gills before attempting one. Major magical workings move a lot of energy, and things can notice that. Also, a bit of stray energy latching onto you during the spell and you’ll quickly find you hexed yourself by mistake.
Как определить порчу, сглаз, проклятие
Ingredients and Tools for Baneful Magic
“What would I use for a curse?” Well, specifics would come with what you wanted to accomplish and what you have around, but I can give you very general things.
- Anything black will probably be good for baneful magic
- Unpleasant things
- Certain spirits can help you(not recommended for beginners do not sell your soul to curse your ex)
- Salt
- Graveyard Dirt(again not a beginner thing)
- Poppets are fun! evil cackle
- Spicy things, the hotter the better
- Things that smell like the garbage after a week(do not use actual garbage it’s a health hazard)
- You’re going to need a Taglock
- Nails
- Fire(don’t burn yourself or your house)
- Pretty much anything nasty
- Anything poisonous(DON’T POISON ANYTHING OR ANYONE)
There is a very short list that should give you an idea. Each spell would be pretty customized to what you wanted it to do.
Ethical Considerations
In general society, those debatable moral issues include things like morally based dietary choices, white lies and other minor deceptions, nudity, sexual promiscuity or kinks, pacifism, self-defense and activism, any actions covered under bodily autonomy like body modification or abortion, and much more.
Here's a summary table of the levels of baneful magic discussed:
Read also: Understanding Mercy as a Gift
| Level | Description | Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Jinxes | Small spell to bring bad luck. | Mostly annoying and harmless, like stubbing a toe. |
| Hexes | Short-term and weak curses. | Ruin someone's day or week, causing forgetfulness, anxiety, or a small cold. |
| Bindings | Stops someone/thing from doing something harmful. | Prevents harmful actions, often with an end condition for release. |
| Curses | Major spell intended to cause significant harm. | Can ruin relationships, careers, friendships, or cause major illness. |
And there you have it, a crash course in baneful magic. Do what you will, but don’t be stupid.