There is a lot of controversial discussion and argument about this topic of hexes. I frequently get asked whether it is okay to hex and how is the rule of three applied? Many pagans and witches argue that We are wild beings who stand outside boundaries and constraints of society. Others claim that the rule of three does not apply to them. And many others claim that they don’t care what anyone else thinks and they’re going to do what they want. Standing outside of social norms means we put our spiritual health first and foremost, we live by the sun and the moon and the cycles of nature, we are not bogged down by a sheeple mentality nor do we allow ourselves to be repressed or have social norms dictated to us that require us to undermine our natural connections or conform to norms that oppress our wildness and require us to compromise our soul. It doesn’t mean that we take our spiritual gifts and connections and cause harm and wreak havoc just because we have the ability to.

My response to the question of whether or not it’s okay to put a hex or curse on someone always comes back to the subject of respect. What respect do you have for yourself and others? It may sound counterintuitive, because many witches claim that they want to hex someone because they need protection or someone has been disrespectful to them in some way. In working magic intent is paramount and the most important aspect of magic-which is an extension of our own spiritual practice. To think otherwise is fallacy.

In reality as witches our spiritual practice, our beliefs, our experiences in relation to the realms around us as well as our connection and understanding to the natural world do set us apart and require that we stand outside of the boundaries of society. This knowledge and connection is rooted in the past but changes and grows as we are recycled and reborn. Though just like any other human the level of experience, connection, recall, finesse, capability, spiritual, emotional and intellectual intelligence varies from individual witch to individual witch. We are on a plane of existence that creates more for us based on our output. This is where the law of three and karma is based and is not so simple as to say that when you put something out you will receive it three times back. It’s not retaliatory or tit for tat. However nobody escapes that basic universal law.

In my own life RESPECT for myself and the natural world around me are one of the pillars of my foundation and a particular element that informs all aspects of my spiritual practice and intent with which I live my life. It also provides a very strong guide for myself. Respect for myself is an aspect of personal power. Respect I show to others is not dependent upon the situation or how others treat me, but an extension of my own personal power. Through the element of respect you also inform others how they are going to treat you and it aids in setting up your own personal boundaries. This means you stand in your own personal power and don’t succumb to a victim mindset or become reactionary and fearful. It is never an intelligent move to work magic from from that place. Unfortunately that is the place from which the majority of hexes are worked.

That being said we are all works in progress and I can’t claim to have gotten this 100% correct in my youth. My Scotch-Irish ancestry lends itself to a fiery trigger temper. To believe hexes or banishing someone can safely be done and with no consequences because a person doesn’t believe in the law of three or because they don’t care what others think is juvenile and immature. The sacred laws governing the universe apply to everyone, whether a witch believes in them or not. The axiom that in order to cure one must know how to curse is true; as curing frequently requires dismantling the cause. However cursing and hexing with the intent to harm another has consequences. Hexes are generally an emergency stop-gap measure and not one to be worked lightly. I think many of us have been in a position where we would have felt much better to react in a frustrating or fearful moment. This is where intelligence comes in….being able to take a pause, take a step back and look at a situation objectively and from all sides allows one to work magic from a different perspective. That is not to say that should a dire need for protecting my family or my home arise that I would not take action. I can truthfully say I’ve never placed a curse on anyone. (Not like I haven’t felt like it). I’ve only ever a handful of times felt the call to perform a hex/jinx and I chose to send that to situations for the most part, not people.

I credit self-respect for slowing my broom ride and getting out ahead of situations, for caring about the health of my spirit and the respect for the connection I have to the greater spirit at large for not letting people and situations get the best of me.

To all my classy witch and pagan brethren…..I raise a chalice to you! Blessed be!