Baneful Magick: A Closer Look at the Dark Side of the Craft

When people think of magick, they often picture healing crystals, protective charms, or love spells under the glow of the full moon. But there’s another side to magick—one that walks the shadowy edge of power and intention: baneful magick.

Often misunderstood and steeped in controversy, baneful magick refers to spellwork and rituals intended to cause harm, misfortune, or justice through spiritual means. From hexes and curses to binding and jinxing, this form of magick challenges the moral and ethical lines many practitioners draw in the craft. But like all things in the occult, it’s not black and white.

What Is Baneful Magick?

Baneful magick is any type of spell or working that aims to bring harm—whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or energetic—to another being. The word baneful itself comes from “bane,” meaning something that causes death or distress. Common forms of baneful magick include:

  • Curses: Long-term or permanent harm, often for revenge or punishment.
  • Hexes: Short-term misfortune, often used as a warning or lesson.
  • Bindings: Used to restrict someone from taking action, often to prevent further harm.
  • Jinxes: Minor annoyances or bad luck, generally less intense than a hex.

Though often lumped together, the intent and severity behind each of these vary widely. Some practitioners differentiate between defensive and offensive baneful workings—one being protective, the other aggressive.

Ethics and Intention: Walking the Line

Perhaps more than any other type of magick, baneful workings stir debate in the spiritual community. For some, baneful magick is a tool of justice—a way to fight back when mundane systems fail. For others, it’s a slippery slope that risks karmic backlash or moral compromise.

Some traditions, like Wicca, follow the “harm none” principle and avoid baneful magick altogether, believing in the Rule of Three—that whatever energy you send out returns threefold. Others, especially in folk or ancestral traditions, see baneful magick as a legitimate form of spiritual defense and retribution.

Ultimately, baneful magick invites a serious question: What responsibility comes with power?

Myths vs. Reality

Baneful magick has long been sensationalized in movies and media. While it’s easy to imagine a cloaked figure whispering curses by candlelight, the reality is far more nuanced. Most practitioners who use baneful magick don’t take it lightly. It often comes from a place of desperation, injustice, or deep emotion. And in many cases, the rituals are complex, requiring not just tools and ingredients, but also precise timing, emotional clarity, and energetic focus.

It’s also important to note: baneful magick doesn’t always “work” the way people expect. Spiritual workings are influenced by countless variables—energy, belief, timing, spiritual allies, and the free will of the target.

Caution, Not Fear

If you’re drawn to exploring baneful magick, it’s essential to proceed with caution and deep introspection. Ask yourself:

  • Is there another path toward resolution?
  • What outcome am I really seeking?
  • Am I prepared for the energetic consequences?
  • Is this magick being used for self-defense?

Baneful magick isn’t inherently evil—but it is serious. Like any tool, it depends on the hands that wield it and the heart that fuels it.

Final Thoughts

Baneful magick is a shadowed mirror that reflects the complexity of human emotion, justice, and power. For those who choose to walk this path, it demands honesty, accountability, and a willingness to face the darker parts of both the world and the self.

Whether you practice, avoid, or simply seek to understand it, baneful magick remains a potent reminder of the depth and diversity within modern witchcraft and spiritual traditions.

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Excellent article thankyou. May I add, having done a baneful knot spell, it’s incredibly draining, and requires up keep, though justified in doing it, over time it became a burden to me, so I released it. And, here’s the twist, upon releasing it, peace was made. :person_shrugging: So understand that how you will. Talk about paradox. :flushed_face::laughing:

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Very informative post - thank you, @SilverBear !

Although it’s nearly impossible to go through life without feeling that you were wronged, or justice wasn’t served, baneful magick isn’t anything I’d wish to explore.

Pretty sure it would lead to feelings of guilt, or some other negative emotion, on my part. Since I prefer to have positive thoughts and vibes in and around me, I don’t think it’s for me.

I’m here to learn, and this has been very helpful. I don’t think I’ve read anything about this before. Thank you again!

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You have to remember baneful magick like this…It can be used for self-defense. So if someone is attacking you physically you would do everything in your power to stop that.

If someone is attacking you spiritually you should also do everything you can to halt that as well…Return to Sender is baneful magick.

While you did not ‘start it’ you should do things to protect your own peace/space/spiritual wellness.

And I always say this at the end of every women’s group I run…Beware of organizations/people that proclaim their devotion to the light without embracing, bowing to the dark; for when they idealize half the world, they devalue the rest. Remember, you don’t always have to be positive. It’s OK and normal to feel ALL the things.

Light and Dark pull from the same well…you can’t have one without the other. Although I do my best to stay positive…there are times that I will whip out a Return to Sender or Freezer spell… :slight_smile: But, I do it in self-defense only…never out of anger or revenge. This is just how I practice.

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Thank you for this expanded explanation! I clearly didn’t give any consideration to the self-defense aspect of it. This seems to lower the temperature, so to speak.

A lot to think about here. Thank you for taking the time. :folded_hands:

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4 posts were split to a new topic: Binding Spell Recommendations?

Thank you for sharing this @SilverBear ! I walk on the darker side of magick. I also do lighter things but have done several freezer spells, divine Justice, and a few voodoo dolls. When doing hexes, curses or Justice spells I always take a few days to consider them rather than just throwing something out the instant I’ve been angered. Also when performing them, I always ask the spirit or god/goddess assisting me to provide the amount of Justice they feel is appropriate. I explain the situation to them in detail so they can decide what is appropriate punishment.

I would also like to point out that many light side workers consider divination as dark work. Spirit boards (ouija) are used to cross the veil and speak with those who have crossed. It is not at all like portrayed on tv or in movies. It can be scary at times, but a spirit is not going to jump out of your board and possess your body. It is quite enjoyable actually to learn from those on the other side.

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This is beautifully said :pray:

This is simply me speaking respectfully from my own, slightly different path, but I’d personally consider self-defense spells such as Return to Senders or Freezer Spells to fall into the Gray Magick category. Not “light” but not “dark/baneful”, either.

Then again, just as you’ve said, one spell could fall on a different part of the light/dark spectrum than someone else’s spell of the exact same type. At the end of the day, magick is a tool we wield - I believe that ethics are found in the intention of the caster :mage:

I second Tracy’s idea of using knot magick - it’s great for binding, be it energy or actions. There’s a freezer spell on the site specifically for stopping lies and gossip. Here it is:

A note that it’s not designed to target a specific person, but rather any lies and harmful gossip directed your way. It could, however, like all spells, be adapted to suit a particular situation.

If you’re short on ingredients, the Spells8 Virtual Altar has everything you’d need for this spell. You might consider casting it there! You could take a screenshot of the finished jar and save it on your computer to store it for as long as you need to :jar: :sparkles:

This is interesting to hear! I’m very biased about it, but for me, thinking divination is baneful would be along the same lines as saying it’s “evil” to check the weather forecast. There are plenty of folks using divination for self-improvement, healing, and other types of magick generally sorted into the “light/white magick” category. I guess it just boils down to different perceptions based on their different experiences, I suppose.


I’ve been working through some beliefs lately that examine the nature of “light” and “dark”, how they manifest in the universe, and how I define them in my own practice. This space is educational and appreciated! It’s helpful to hear everyone’s experiences and beliefs. Thank you for opening it up, @SilverBear :pray:

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Although I agree, I just don’t practice baneful magic.
But I don’t like black, or blood magic, it’s to close to death and my Karma needs
no more help to condemn me.
So, essentially do what you want, just don’t do harm. That’s how spite starts.
Be kind to one everyone, it might teach them a lesson.
Bless you,
Garnet

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I have had more than a few situations in my life that I would have used baneful magick if I had known about it. The thing is, and on reflection, every one of those resolved itself satisfactorily. Some by what I did and most by what others did to themselves.

At the moment, I can’t think of a situation that would cause me to do baneful magick now that I know that even tough situations can get resolved without it. Having said I wouldn’t use baneful magick, I am aware that it might be a recourse but the situation would have to be dire.

I can see where there are ‘grey’ areas like Freezer Spells. In those uses, I would think the intent is the key to understand whether they are meant to harm (be baneful). ‘Do not harm.’ is a good motto for me.

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This is an awesome post and I thank you for it.

I personally don’t practice baneful magic because in performing magic we are creating/opening/directing energy networks or streams.

Those streams, even if it’s just in our minds, work both ways. So, once we’ve opened that stream, that energy can also flow back to us.

Evidence for this can be found in numerous texts, for example the story of St. Cyprian who was an extremely powerful sorcerer. He fell in love with and listed after a Christian women who wanted nothing to do with him. He used every dark spell he knew to compel her to come to him.

Nothing worked

It wasn’t only her religion that stopped it, but since she didn’t engage in negative behaviors herself there were no ‘open channels’ for like-negativity to enter.

So, basically it’s a Return to Sender effect created by the Sender themselves.

I more than understand those who feel comfortable with baneful magic but choose not to engage in it myself.

Blessings dear one :purple_heart:

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That’s an interesting way of putting it. So, then by that some thought process, do you believe that if you don’t practice baneful magic, then you can’t be affected by it if someone were to try and curse you?

I’m genuinely asking, not trying to criticize or pick your belief apart, just so I’m clear :sweat_smile: Sometimes when I ask questions like this, I’ve been told it comes across as criticism and rude, but I’m curious to hear how you believe it works.

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In my experience, the more you use, the more you are open to. Thus, if I try something new, someone can then use that as an open door to cause something to happen to me which wouldn’t have been possible before.

Not everything works that way. Some things can be forced upon others simply by implanting an idea and feeding it regularly. One can become brainwashed by repeated phrases, if one is unaware of or unable to protect oneself from the washer’s intentions.

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Not at all! Perfect question…
As an aside, as I’ve stated here on this forum in the past, I too have had people misunderstand my intentions with questions I’ve posed. So I completely understand :blush:

To clarify - it’s not just my belief. This is a relatively universal concept and is called in witchcraft (in various forms) The Law of ThreeFold Return and most believe in it.
It’s even in the Wiccan Rede itself - ‘An it hurts none, do as thou wilt’. The ThreeFold Return works with good and bad magic.

Many here have mentioned the same belief as it is backed by science and most religions. Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, etc, even LaVey Satanism, mention versions of ‘What comes around goes around’, ‘Do Unto Others,’ and Karma - meaning ‘You do it to someone else it gets done to you’. Scientifically, for example, underground explosions will reverberate and return to the source much louder or stronger than the original. This is literally how one can find the source. Another example is the infamous ‘Butterfly Effect’.

So, let’s say the Universal Lord ALLOWS someone else’s baneful magic to effect you, in that case now the baneful magic AND whatever effect it had on you returns to the sender THREEFOLD.
That’s the meaning behind, ‘Be careful what you wish for’ & ‘Those who live by the sword…’ This belief is pervasive in every culture simply because it’s true.

And there’s no counter spell to stop that ThreeFold Return because the original was done with intent and knowledge aforethought.

One person said this and it stuck with me, but I don’t know the original source, “Sometimes the Universe uses us to reveal other people”. I personally have found this to be true.

Blessings :purple_heart:

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Thankyou for the spell. I have done this one once before but with moving i can’t even remember seeing it in the freezer so it either melted or someone moved it??? I do have undecided feelings but when it comes to this particular case i do have very strong protective feelings and to be honest would do anything to stop it. Maybe i will start small and if i still feel the way i do i will expand my practice :heart:

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You’re welcome! Whatever spellwork you choose is right for you, I wish you good luck with it :heart:

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After I read the paper, I wanted to think about the subject. I was troubled and was queezy all day.
I feared I had said something I would later regret. I went back to my answer and felt relieved. I rarely second guess myself, but I’m glad I did. It’s not my place to judge, therefore I will abstain.
This entry isn’t meant for anyone, just dotting all my eyes and crossing all my "T’s.
Remember, you are blessed
Garnet

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I’ve followed this discussion with immense interest. Thankyou everyone for all your views on this. I personally work in both the dark and light, it kind of fits with the Norse pantheon which embraces both the forces of order and chaos. For example in Odin’s Havamal a few verses speak of how to handle treachery. Here’s one:

The Havamal 46 reads:*

This same friend, if you mistrust him, and suspect him to be false in his words:
You should talk with him, laugh with him, but repay just what he gives you

In verse 45 the latter part states:

And repay his treachery with your own

Baneful I’m afraid is a part of the Norse witches path, so I’m prepared to use it as a last resort but also to defend myself if it’s thrown in my direction. That’s where mastering the runes comes in. :flushed_face::grin:

Having used baneful spells as a means of last resort protection, I’ve always invoked the assistance of the chaos deities and their energies. The interesting thing I’ve found with baneful and chaos, especially when involving runes into the spell, is that the runes read you. The threefold law/karma isn’t really an issue as the runes have already seen and set my intention, as have the deities of chaos.

Yes, sometimes we’re dealing with difficult forces that don’t always respond to peace or reason, and the continued negative energy can wear one out.

I discussed this with my rune teacher recently about intention in runic magic and karma, under the Norse system this is seen via the runes, so if you are malicious in your intent with the baneful spells, the runes will pick this up and you will receive a backlash, if however, the need for justice and protection is all you desire and this is your only method, the runes will also pick up on this and provide you with the protection throughout the duration of the spell.

Interesting point. This did happen with the curse I used, the curse revealed to them where they were being manipulated aswell in a negative way, releasing them from a bad influence.

Also something I’ve noticed when working this type of magic, with the runes in particular, is that after awhile you get alot of signs from Tyr (the god of justice/truth and war). It’s almost as if he’s watching how things play out and telling you when it’s time to let go. I had strong visions from him when I did the curse in the other post linked above, he’s the one who directed me to work with a different deity and release it all.

Chaos is an interesting energy to work and live in, as are the gods that rule over that energy :flushed_face: strange outcomes. :partying_face:

There’s a great saying I found on a site somewhere:
May Odin give you wisdom
May Thor protect you
May Loki deal with your enemies

@SilverBear Thankyou for your wonderful posts.

Skal :clinking_beer_mugs::green_heart:

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That’s very interesting – thank you for explaining the way that you see it!

I think for me, it just hasn’t been my experience that the threefold law is something that exists for me to believe in. Of course, I’m not trying to invalidate anyone else’s beliefs. It’s just not something that I have found to be true for myself and my practice. But I can definitely see how it plays a large role in your practice and the practice of everyone else who follows the threefold law and the Wiccan Rede. So thank you again, so much, for explaining what you mean and how that all plays together!

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Forgive me for offering this?

I see the Threefold Law like a game of pool. I hit the cue ball. It hits the yellow stripe into the pocket… Ideally. If my concentration or aim is slightly off, the yellow stripe might go astray and miss the pocket. Then it’s the other person’s turn. If I’m really off, the yellow stripe may hit the 8 ball into a pocket, and I’ll lose the game. This is pure physics in action. My intention is to get my striped balls into pockets before my partner in the game gets their solid colored balls into pockets. Missing is just making the game take longer or giving the other person the chance to win the game.

If I want to win the game, but I don’t shoot straight, my 3x3 is a failed shot or a lost game. On the other hand, if my hand is steady and my eye is clear, my 3x3 is winning the game and the celebration afterward.

It is extremely rare, though not impossible, for the cue ball to be shot, hit another ball into a pocket, and return to its original position or crawl up the cue stick to hit me in the face, which seems to be the expectation of some who don’t believe in cause and effect or 3x3. Cause: the cue stick hits the white ball. Effect: the ball moves in the opposite direction (away from the cue stick) with the equal speed of the stick less the energy used to roll on the table. The return is in the intent and aiming talent of holder of the stick.

Believe what you will. This is just how I see it.

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