This post is not intended as curse/ill-intended spell shaming. This is for anyone who is uncomfortable using a curse for any reason. In my case, I don’t like to curse people I live with, and the deities I worship are very specific about when curses are appropriate, so I have to have alternatives on hand.
All associations are based on my personal practice and research.
I do not write my spells down when I create them (I am a fountain of bad witchy habits), so most spell links are from natural-magics lovely collection.
1. Cast a protection spell
The first step to handling someone you cannot curse should always be to increase your personal protections. If you can’t interrupt the flow of harm, you can build up your protections to at least make it less painful.
Runes: Elhaz (to protect and maintain dignity without a fight), Thurisaz (to resist/fight passively), Dagaz (to hold back darkness)
Spells:
2. Cast a ward
Protect your living space from them as well, particularly if they are likely to attempt to approach your home/room.
Runes: Inguz (the protection of the hearth), Dagaz
Spells:
- Ward of Protection
- Earth Protection Ward
- Threshold Protection Spell
- Hell Hath No Fury Protection Powder (A personal favorite)
- Four Gates Ward
FOR THE NEXT THREE SECTIONS: I tend to work by feel on the fly, so I had a hard time finding written spells to accomplish these tasks. I encourage writing your own, but linked spells to give you an idea of what you’re working toward.
3. Cast a spell of understanding/teaching
If you don’t feel right cursing them, making them understand what their actions have caused might be more your speed. It’s important to the healing process or creation of remorse.
Runes: Sowulo (stark illumination in the dark), Kenaz (the light shed upon new knowledge), Ansuz (the truth)
Spells:
4. Cast a spell of remembering
I especially like to have people who’ve harmed me consider their past, how much kinder they once were, and all of the good people they have left in the dust. I know such instances of rememberance make me more compassionate, and hope it has the same effect on them.
Runes: Gebo (gratitude/love for those that have helped you become who you are), Eihwaz (endings and beginnings, the doors of choice)
Spells:
5. Cast a spell to call their better traits forward
This is what I go for when nothing gentler works, and there is no way I can remove them from my life.
Runes: Mannaz (support from shared experiences), Berkana (rebirth/revitalization). If they come from a tradition of service or goodwill, Othala (inherited cultural wealth) could also work.
Spells:
I’m a big fan of sweetening spells when someone’s a jerk
The Carving Witch 