Hexed? How to Protect Yourself From Evil Magic

When I first began my study of curses in earnest—back when I was younger, before my hair had taken on that peculiar silvery tint for which my students so kindly blame my most recent spellwork—I discovered that far more people than we might expect are walking around with a subtle hex. It lingers quietly, the way a draft runs through an old house: barely noticed until the windows are shut tight.

I have been examining these things for decades now, and I can assure you that what many take for bad luck or perhaps the result of poor dietary choices is often nothing more than one’s own magical susceptibility being exploited by a minor but persistent enchantment. There is a certain kind of person, usually someone who has recently moved to a new home or changed their social circle quite substantially, who finds themselves suddenly unable to complete what they begin. A project starts with such promise and then languishes indefinitely; a relationship that promised much ends in confusion; a business venture that was so promising turns sour without any apparent cause.

The first thing you must understand is this: hexes are rarely dramatic. You need not wait for your house to shake or for strange lights to appear in the sky. Rather, consider whether anything has shifted subtly—something that might have been attributed to coincidence until now. A sudden aversion to certain places or people? A persistent sense of being watched? A recurring dream involving a particular object? These are often early signs, and they should not be dismissed lightly.

In my long experience with these matters, I have found that the most effective protective measures come from understanding your own magical constitution first. Some individuals are naturally more resistant to hexes than others; some require little protection at all. But even those who seem strong may find themselves vulnerable if their particular brand of magic has not been guarded properly in childhood.

I have prepared a selection of remedies and protections that I recommend to my students, which you might try yourself before committing to more dramatic measures:

An Amulet of Warding. This is the simplest form of protection, and it can be as plain or elaborate as your preference suggests. The key is intention rather than beauty; what matters is the magic embedded within the object rather than its outward appearance. I recommend choosing something that reminds you constantly of your purpose—something you wear every day without fail—and renewing the enchantment at regular intervals according to the moon’s cycle.

Warding Your Home. When a hex has taken root in one’s dwelling, it can be difficult to detect until it is quite advanced. Walk through each room with a candle and observe how the light behaves. Where the flame flickers without apparent cause, there may be hexes hidden within the walls themselves. Burn sage or rowan berries to cleanse them; burn sage and rowan together if you are especially ambitious about your protection.

A Personal Incantation. Every person should have a short phrase they repeat regularly, something that anchors their own magical presence against outside influence. Mine has been “Keep me true” for many years now; it may not seem like much to those who hear me muttering it in passing, but I consider the practice invaluable.

The Hex-Readings of Folklore. One might consult ancient texts on the matter, though these can be quite dense and require some understanding of the relevant magical schools before they make sense. For a simpler approach, one may observe certain folk traditions: hanging rowan in the windows; keeping salt near doors; wearing iron or silver at crucial times. These are not merely superstitions—folk tradition has always been a reliable source of wisdom where magic is concerned.

The Power of Will. Above all else, I maintain that your own will is perhaps the most powerful protection against hexes that exist. A person who knows their purpose and maintains it with some constancy cannot be easily cursed; they simply refuse to accept that they are so. This may sound arrogant but it has been my observation over many years: people often blame outside forces for what might easily have been within themselves all along.

So when you find yourself wondering whether something is wrong, begin by considering these things before reaching for more dramatic remedies. The hex-arts can be quite complex, and unnecessary treatments may make matters worse rather than better. But if after careful reflection you suspect that a true enchantment has taken root in your life—then seek the counsel of those who understand such matters. And do not let pride prevent you from accepting help; even the most powerful sorcerer requires assistance occasionally.

For further reading on these subjects, I recommend my own work “The Language of Curses” published a few years ago, along with several papers on hex-reading that have appeared in recent journals.