Post by MappaM on Aug 18, 2008 18:15:43 GMT -5
I have been asked recently, what is different between a hex, a curse and a binding. They qualify the use of these, by use within Wicca, where there is a pledge to harm none and that all three would come under that classification of doing harm.
I do believe in the Wicca teachings and also have a Shaman combination belief, a true eclectic with many other traditions thrown in for good measure, so let me give you my take on these three.
A curse although it can be specifically aimed, is a deterrent to doing something. In other words, if you do this, then an unpleasantness, is going to be your result. Yes these are usually bad things but curses are usually placed as protections to some other evil. This is the muddiest of the three because it takes an action to invoke the curse and is usually a well warned issue. i.e. Cursing all who enter the wrath of (pick an entity).
A hex is a specific negative action against a specific person. Here there is no doubt who the intended target would be or what the desired effects on that person would be. This deffinately would be doing harm and meaning it.
A binding is different even though it is the intent to limit the free will of others. Here we have a protection for the sake of ones self or others, from a specific person's action.
Now where does the Wicca Rede come into this and how are these things applied? I can give you my opinion. The Wicca practitioner has pledged to do harm to none within their will and the will of the Gods and Goddesses they invoke. It isn't that they can't do harm to others, it is that they won't. This is a big difference. Can't means that they are incapable of doing harm, won't, means that they go to great lengths to keep from harming others.
A few examples of these words with a Wicca.
1. Curse - A Wicca may curse something because they find harm in it. There is a warning to this, to show intent of the harm that could be if someone else proceeded. Although this is rare, and even rarer to call it a curse, the subconscious often instinctively puts out these types of warnings. Just the announcement that "I'm a Witch" in today's society is a warning to all, that because of the modern day misunderstandings of what a witch is, there will be consequences to messing with that person. And actually if you think about it, negative karma is the result of many a person who did not take heed to the warning.
2. Hex - Although the Wicca vows to not do harm, they could if they wanted. The Rede forbids action that brings negative action to another much like the laws of the land. Laws can be broken even within the Wicca community and they will not only bring about the intended negative action but will bring a negative karmic response to the hexer. Therefore the Wicca will try to always remain within the laws of their beliefs to accomplish their tasks. Example two people are going for the same job. You could hex the other person and get the job yourself or as the Wicca, you would send and accept energies to make yourself more successful than all others for that position.
3. Bindings - A binding is usually done of magiks that will limit the powers of others who practice magicks, in an attempt to keep them from harming themselves or other people. It sets a limitation on the workings of the person being bound so that, that person cannot do magiks that would affect others in an adverse way. The Rede allows for binding because it is a magickal limitation to the Wicca law preventing the karmic consequences.
Okay, I think I have explained my version of this issue although LOL I feel a bit like I've talked in circles. And hopefully I haven't forgotten something. Like I said I believe in the Rede because for me I think it has great benefit socially as well as karmicly.
Blessed Be My Friends and to those who think for themselves.
~MappaM~
I do believe in the Wicca teachings and also have a Shaman combination belief, a true eclectic with many other traditions thrown in for good measure, so let me give you my take on these three.
A curse although it can be specifically aimed, is a deterrent to doing something. In other words, if you do this, then an unpleasantness, is going to be your result. Yes these are usually bad things but curses are usually placed as protections to some other evil. This is the muddiest of the three because it takes an action to invoke the curse and is usually a well warned issue. i.e. Cursing all who enter the wrath of (pick an entity).
A hex is a specific negative action against a specific person. Here there is no doubt who the intended target would be or what the desired effects on that person would be. This deffinately would be doing harm and meaning it.
A binding is different even though it is the intent to limit the free will of others. Here we have a protection for the sake of ones self or others, from a specific person's action.
Now where does the Wicca Rede come into this and how are these things applied? I can give you my opinion. The Wicca practitioner has pledged to do harm to none within their will and the will of the Gods and Goddesses they invoke. It isn't that they can't do harm to others, it is that they won't. This is a big difference. Can't means that they are incapable of doing harm, won't, means that they go to great lengths to keep from harming others.
A few examples of these words with a Wicca.
1. Curse - A Wicca may curse something because they find harm in it. There is a warning to this, to show intent of the harm that could be if someone else proceeded. Although this is rare, and even rarer to call it a curse, the subconscious often instinctively puts out these types of warnings. Just the announcement that "I'm a Witch" in today's society is a warning to all, that because of the modern day misunderstandings of what a witch is, there will be consequences to messing with that person. And actually if you think about it, negative karma is the result of many a person who did not take heed to the warning.
2. Hex - Although the Wicca vows to not do harm, they could if they wanted. The Rede forbids action that brings negative action to another much like the laws of the land. Laws can be broken even within the Wicca community and they will not only bring about the intended negative action but will bring a negative karmic response to the hexer. Therefore the Wicca will try to always remain within the laws of their beliefs to accomplish their tasks. Example two people are going for the same job. You could hex the other person and get the job yourself or as the Wicca, you would send and accept energies to make yourself more successful than all others for that position.
3. Bindings - A binding is usually done of magiks that will limit the powers of others who practice magicks, in an attempt to keep them from harming themselves or other people. It sets a limitation on the workings of the person being bound so that, that person cannot do magiks that would affect others in an adverse way. The Rede allows for binding because it is a magickal limitation to the Wicca law preventing the karmic consequences.
Okay, I think I have explained my version of this issue although LOL I feel a bit like I've talked in circles. And hopefully I haven't forgotten something. Like I said I believe in the Rede because for me I think it has great benefit socially as well as karmicly.
Blessed Be My Friends and to those who think for themselves.
~MappaM~
