Find out all about curses from what they are, to how to do a curse on someone, and how to break a curse. Most importantly, discover whether curses are real or just fairy tales.
The very threat of a curse is enough to terrify people. Some people live in fear of curses, while other people deny they even exist. Who is right? Join SpiritualBlossom to learn all about curses. Read a few curse stories and find out what a curse actually is. Find out how curses work, different types of curses, and how to tell if someone has put a curse on you. Discover how to break a curse- and answer the most important question of all: Are curses real? Read on to find out.
What is a Curse?
Meriam-Webster online defines a curse as “ A prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon one.” Dictionary.com says it is “ An evil that has been invoked upon one” and “The cause of evil, misfortune, or trouble.” A curse can be the formal magical operation used to inflict harm, or just wishing harm upon somebody. It also refers to the thing itself that will cause the harm it is designed to inflict. People, places, animals, or objects are believed to be able to be cursed.
The energy within the item or living being to be cursed, combines with the power of the one doing the curse, and a deity or spirit is often called upon to help make the curse potent. Some people believe that only evil spirits or demons aid with curses, but gods and goddesses of many religions have been asked for help with cursing. While a lot of today’s people see curses as forbidden, people in past times did not necessarily see it that way. Some people saw curses as legitimate ways to hurt people, especially if they believed those people had wronged them. Curses aren’t the only form of magic that can be worked. Read about everyday magic you can use here: Using Practical Magic in Everyday Life
Curse Stories
Throughout history people have done curses. Ancient Egyptians used curses as assurances their dead would be respected. The people of Jehovah used curses. In more modern times, the powerful Shawnee Prophet, whose rise to political power would influence American politics was said to sling a nasty curse that may have worked.
Ancient Egypt
“The Curse of the Pharaoh’s” also called “The Mummy’s Curse” is a curse nobody has been able to prove, but that people believe in anyways. Evidence of robberies at ancient pyramids, where royal burial sites were plundered by thieves has been recorded many times, but the “Mummy’s Curse “ is something that started being talked about in the 20th century. It is true that curses, warning people not to disturb tombs appear at such sites as the mastaba of Khentika Ikhekhi of the 6th century. This was designed to deter theft. However, it was the 1922 opening of King Tutankhamen’s tomb by Harold Carter that generated serious tales of tomb curses.
After the tomb was open, the first occurrence was when a worker caught a cobra eating his canary. Lord Carnarvon who funded the excavation died soon after. In 1925, Bruce Ingram visited the tomb and soon after his house burned down, and dealt with a flood after that. Eight of the 58 people present when the tomb was opened died within 12 years. It was also pointed out that most of the people present at the opening of the tomb went on to live long lives afterwards. Did the Ancient Egyptians exact curses on those who disturbed their dead? We may never know. Read about Samhain, an ancient holiday that venerates the dead here: All About Samhain
The Bible
Multiple curses are referenced in the Bible. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 lists a hefty slew of curses against those who would disobey Jehovah’s commandments. The possible curses as punishments included having a cursed kneading bowl, a curse upon their land, their flocks, and their crops, as well as curses upon their children. They would be cursed as they went in and out, and would be plagued with consumption, fever, mildew, the sword, and with scorching! Another man would lay with a man’s wife who displeased Jehovah and he would not be able to dwell in the very home he built!
The Curse of Tippecanoe
Tenskwatawa, also known as the Shawnee Prophet, and brother of Tecumseh believed strongly in magic and not only worked his own magic, but did some curses in his time. In 1811, his ill-fated attack on American forces ended badly for the prophet and his people, and they were defeated. Tenskwatawa slung a curse after his brother’s death against “The Great White Fathers” or American Presidents as a result.
In the years following the battle, from 1841 through 1963, 8 American presidents died in office. Four died of natural causes, and four were assassinated. Some people say it is just a coincidence, but the Shawnee Prophet was believed to be a very powerful holy man who at one time commanded the respect of countless indigenous people in America and was feared by the American government. Perhaps this curse is real, but perhaps it isn’t. The eight American Presidents who died in office may have known the answer to this mystery, and that answer is lost to time. The Shawnee Prophet was said to have astounding psychic abilities, but guess what? So do you! Find out how to develop your psychic abilities here: Developing Your Psychic Powers
How Do Curses Work?
How curses work depends on who you ask. Some people have a deeply held belief that curses don’t work unless you believe they do, and other people believe they work through sympathetic magic.
Belief
Some people say you have to believe in the magic of a curse, or it won’t work. This is said to be especially true when the person doing the cursing has their victim terrified. Some people believe converting to Christianity acts as magical protection, and belonging to Jesus after baptism into Christianity protects from every evil or magical influence. Some people say you can practice any religion you want but reject the influence of magic by simply believing you are immune to a curse. Other people say knowledge of a curse is necessary for it to work although other people say the secrecy of a curse will make it potent.
Sympathetic Magic
Sympathetic is magic that works by creating a link between the person you want to work magic on, and this is typically done with an object. The “Voodoo Doll” also known as a poppet is a famous example of this. Nail clippings, hair trimmings, or a personal belonging of somebody holds their lifeforce, and possessing something like this will create a magical link. Any harm inflicted upon something that has discarded body parts or a personal belonging is believed to inflict the same harm upon the person it belongs to. Some people say you don’t need a belonging. You just need to write their name on the poppet or tell the poppet it has the name of the person intended to be cursed.A photograph of someone is used as a poppet as well. Interestingly, the same use of Sympathetic Magic is believed to be powerful in blessings and protection magic. Read about different types of magic here: Different Types of Magic
Kinds of Curses
If curses are real, how do they manifest? Aside from the curses like those powerful holy people are said to throw when they are crossed, curses in everyday life are easy to use- but the ugly truth is, the most common forms of curses are done on the mundane level. The self-fulfilling prophecy and negative affirmations are malevolent curses we work on ourselves, sometimes without even knowing it. Other people can impose generational curses on us, and abuse and manipulation work as curses.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Self-fulfilling prophecies are when our own expectations cause us to act in ways that make those things come true. Lack of self-confidence while you are dating is a perfect example of that. If you believe that you are unattractive and will never find anybody to settle down and marry, that doesn't automatically mean that you are an unattractive person. It just means that your lack of confidence will repel people who might have otherwise been interested in you. Likewise, confidence helps draw lovers.
Generational Curses
Generational curses are ugly things that we learn from our family. Poor spending habits and substance abuse are an excellent example of that. Dysfunctional relationships in your family can cause you to have dysfunctional relationships as an adult. The great thing about generational curses is that they can be broken if you want to. Unfortunately, a lot of people are completely unaware that they are functioning in toxic ways that they learned from their families, because these toxic lifestyle may be the only thing that they know. Breaking a generational curse starts with the decision to live your life differently than the way that toxic family members taught you to. It takes time and a lot of work, but you can do it. Is your dysfunctional family worth the trouble? Find out here: Are Relationships with Your Relatives Worth It?
Negative Affirmations
Negative affirmations are the opposite of positive affirmations. What we tell ourselves becomes what we believe. If we tell ourselves bad things, that's what we believe. So if you tell yourself that you will never have the life you want, that doesn't mean that it's impossible to have those things. It just means that you will train yourself to believe it so you won't even try. This is a nasty curse that we work on ourselves.
Abuse
On the mundane level, one of the most malevolent curses that can be worked on someone is abuse. Abuse as anything done to inflict harm on someone and that can include physical violence, depriving someone of their physical aids which is called neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, and mental abuse. If you tell your child that they are ugly often enough, they will begin to believe it and you will have cursed them with low self-esteem. Abse victims quite often don't know that they're being abused but when they discover that they are, they can work with counselors and community protection to break the cycle of abuse. Abuse is traumatic but you can heal from it. Find out how here: Healing Form Past Traumas
Manipulation
Perhaps it's fair to say that manipulation it's just another kind of abuse, but it deserves its own discussion. Manipulation is a form of abuse that unfairly controls or influences people often through dishonesty to achieve a goal that only benefits the manipulator. This can be done through gradually brainwashing someone to believe something such as and worthiness for higher pay. So, instead of finding a job that gives them the pay that they deserve, an employee will believe that they don't qualify for more pay and they will stay in a dead-end low paying job instead.
Am I Cursed?
There are multiple ways to discover whether you have fallen under somebody's curse or not, but the easiest way to do so is to objectively look at the way that you're being treated by others and how you're speaking to yourself. If you are using self fulfilling prophecies or negative affirmations, you are cursing yourself and should stop. If you are continuing a family tradition of toxic dysfunction, that's a generational curse and you can break it. If you are an abuse victim, or are being manipulated by someone you can utilize the power of saying the word “No” and break their hold over you.
However, curses worked supernaturally aren't always that easy to discover. If you feel negative energy surrounding you, sit quietly in meditation and scan your psychic body looking for any signs of a dark influence which would have originated outside of yourself. Is there someone who practices dark magic who is angry with you? Perhaps they have sent you some negative energy. One way to discern malevolent energy or a curse is through a lemon spell.
Take a fresh lemon and pierce it through the center. Thread a piece of red yarn through it and tie it securely and then hang the lemon up outside somewhere. The lemon should start to dry out. If black mold seems to grow on it, some people believe it's a sign of a curse. Other people say that a whole lemon could decay regardless of whether you're cursed or not, and they use only a slice of lemon for this spell.
Breaking Curses
The easiest way to break a curse is to discover where it came from. That is easy to do if somebody decides to reveal that they have put a curse on you. All you have to do is visually focus on grabbing the energy from the curse and throwing it back in the direction from which it came. Sometimes people keep their curse work silent, but you can sense negative energy. Use the same technique and just send the malevolent energy away. You can speak aloud to the curse, telling it, “You are not welcome here” or you can call on your higher power to bless you with only good energy.
Are Curses Real?
Some people believe that supernatural curses don't exist, but other people say they know of situations where they have either been cursed or have witnessed a curse. You will have to decide for yourself whether or not you believe in the power of a supernatural curse. However, on the mundane level curses operate every day through self fulfilling prophecies, negative affirmations, and various forms of manipulation and abuse. Breaking a curse can be just as easy as using the word “ No” or stepping away from an abusive loved one. Curses are real, but so are blessings and you have the power to bless yourself more than anyone else could ever curse you.
Are you under someone’s spell? To learn about breaking a generational curse or how to use positive affirmations, reach out and get a reading started today!
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for The Green Egg Magazine and PaganPages.Org emag.
