Baneful Magick: Is It Ethical?

There are many different types of spells in witchcraft, but before diving into a specific category, it's important to understand what a spell even is. If you haven't already, read "What Is a Spell?" to gain a deeper understanding of what you're about to explore.

Baneful magick is a category of magick that houses spells such as banishings, cord cuttings, hexes, curses, and other forms of manifestation that typically bring a negative or destructive effect to a situation or person. Unlike healing spells or prosperity workings, baneful magick is often aimed at breaking bonds, removing harmful influences, or even actively retaliating against oppression.

“Why Would Someone Do This?”

You may ask, why would someone choose to practice baneful magick? While we cover this topic in much more depth in courses at The Aetherium Academy, we’ll break it down in a simple way—though the question itself is far from simple. Understanding the ethical implications of baneful magick requires examining not only the intent behind its use but also the circumstances in which it is employed.

For some, it’s undeniable that they perform baneful magick purely out of hatred, spite, or malice. But for those who practice responsibly, it is a tool of deep transformation and power. Used properly, it can serve as a form of protection, justice, or necessary destruction. While it shouldn't be your go-to form of manifestation, there are times when defending yourself or a vulnerable situation requires fighting with everything you’ve got.

Imagine escaping domestic abuse and casting a cord-cutting spell on your aggressor. Picture living under the reign of a tyrannical government and using your power to curse a dictator into their downfall. Consider a community bully, relentless in their harm, facing a porcelain reversal spell to reflect their cruelty back upon them. In these cases, baneful magick can be seen as a tool of war and defense rather than reckless aggression. As stated before, it shouldn't be your first resort, but a protection spell paired with a banishing spell can make for a potent duo of manifestation.

Historical Evidence of Baneful Magick Used by the Oppressed

Baneful magick is not a modern invention—it has been used for centuries by those seeking justice against oppressive forces. History is full of examples where magick was wielded as a weapon by those who had no other means to fight back.

The Witches Who Cursed Hitler – In 1941, a coven of witches in England gathered to perform a large-scale ritual with the intent of preventing Hitler’s invasion of Britain. They believed their magick could weaken the Nazi forces and contribute to their downfall.

Enslaved Populations in the U.S. – During slavery in America, African spiritual traditions such as Hoodoo and Rootwork were used by the enslaved to resist their oppressors. Curses were placed upon cruel slave masters, and protection spells were cast to aid in escape or survival. These practices were essential tools of resilience and rebellion.

Baneful Magick in Asian History – In Chinese history, Daoist sorcery and folk magic have long included baneful practices to drive out corruption. There are accounts of revolutionaries and monks using spells to curse corrupt officials, ensuring that justice was delivered even when the legal system failed.

So, Is Baneful Magick Ethical?

Ultimately, baneful magick is a tool like any other. A knife can be used to cut bread or to harm another person—its ethical implications depend on the circumstances and what is necessary in the moment. The same applies to magick. Ethics are not universal; they are shaped by culture, context, and personal values.

Ask yourself: Are you defending yourself or another vulnerable person? Are you seeking justice in a situation where all mundane methods have failed? Or are you acting out of personal resentment, fueled by unexamined emotions? Your answers will determine whether your use of baneful magick aligns with your ethical code.

At the end of the day, remember this:

Don’t surrender and lose what you have because of someone who’s not afraid to take it by force. Sometimes, you must act accordingly.