response to pagan prompt
For the sake of terminology, for this musing, curses and negative prayers are defined as actions seeking for a deity to harm someone, the pursuit of justice, or preventative acts to avert harm or further harm. This topic of from pagan_prompt for the day January 27, 2009.
Are curses and/or negative prayers ever justified?
Hana: Yes. They aren't always justified, but sometimes they are.
Ame: As much as I don't like to, I agree. Far more often than I would like. Depends on the intent, the situation, and wording.
Hana: Sometimes Light has to be a Laserbeam...
If you feel they are justified, under what conditions would you conduct a curse or negative prayer? Have you ever conducted a curse or negative prayer (and if you feel like it - what was the situation)?
Hana: My thoughts on justified times... When family, friends, or self are threatened physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Also to prevent these actions, or in the case of theft. Example: “May the person who has done this have the same.” “May I never come to harm by this person.”
Ame: The problem in theft though is some are done because of an actual need, such as those that steal to feed their children. Such cases are better served with something positive so that such an action is not required... but you are right in that a good “kick” is best for those that won't change their ways or do it just because... And abuse or rape still always deserves a well-worked curse.
Dealing with this, both offensive and defensive procedures are best, both physically and magically. Obviously don't put oneself in situations that can result in being raped, mugged, abused (and that one's tricky, what looks ok at first can be a screen). Have wards and ask for protection of guardians and deities... and don't be afraid to fight. If you win the fight, there really isn't anything to ask for (except getting them stuck in jail) or otherwise get retribution for.
Of course, if say your significant other, child, or some other innocent is killed or otherwise harmed, a BIG curse is quite in order even if they do wind up behind bars.
Hana: My own blood to fuel it, candle flame for the focus, something written just for the occasion and perhaps at midnight... after a jab at the time of discovery.
Ame: But it's a waste of energy to stab without an intent
Hana: But there is an intent, justice and vengeance.
Ame: But then it is wild and anything can go wrong.
Hana: You think too much. There are times we are simply the weapon. We went over this over 10 years ago...
I have conducted “negative prayer” before. I won't talk about all instances, but at least one (won't say how many) dealt with a small child who wasn't receiving proper care from it's mother, regarding rapes, and another one (that was completely unjustified) was the result of a fight over a BOOK of all things. These aren't in any particular order, and there are other times, but mostly negative prayer, not an outright curse.
Well, rethinking... maybe two real full curses in my lifetime. One fighting over "The Witches Bible," which was when my dad first found out about my studies. It was an instinctual stab born from anger, of course the sort that everyone can do when riled enough. Later he was burned over on a fire. Came through alright because his crew had the burnover tents (AKA tater roasters) but that incident made me very careful. The second was placed in an effort to keep a particular person well away from me and my children.
If you feel curses or negative prayers are never justified what would you say to someone thinking of conducting a negative prayer or casting a curse on someone after being seriously harmed by someone?
Be careful what you ask for...