History is rife with wars between nations and tyrannical rulers.
In ancient Egypt, for example, the priests of the temples would
historically curse the enemies of the state by doing the following: They would inscribe execration texts on objects like figurines or pottery, listing the names of enemies, including foreign rulers or rebellious leaders. These objects were then ritually destroyed, symbolizing the defeat or neutralization of those individuals.
This practice was a form of sympathetic magick, where the symbolic act
of breaking or burying the inscribed objects was believed to have
real-world effects on the targets. It was often employed during times
of political conflict or unrest to protect the pharaoh and the state
from perceived threats. It could also be employed to protect the people.
A sample ritual, constructed from historical records, might go
something like this:
First – the object is prepared. A figurine or clay vessel would be
crafted to represent the target. These objects were often shaped like
bound prisoners to symbolize the subjugation of the enemy. The name of
the individual(s) being cursed, along with any identifying details,
would be inscribed on the object. Sometimes, curses or invocations
were written in red ink to symbolize destruction and chaos.
Second – the ritual would begin with prayers and chants to invoke the gods and protective spirits. Heka, the god of magick, was often called upon to empower the ritual. Gods like Isis, Bes, and Wadjet could be invoked for protection for the magician to make sure the magick didn’t backfire and hit the magus. The practitioner would recite execration texts, denounce the target and call for their downfall. These texts were formulaic and designed to ensure the target’s defeat.
For example: When I say that Egyptian texts for execration magick were
“formulaic,” I mean they followed a structured and repetitive pattern.
The texts often included specific phrases, invocations, and symbolic
actions designed to achieve their purpose. The formulaic nature
ensured consistency and precision, which were crucial in magical
practices. It also reflected the Egyptians’ belief in the power of
words and rituals to influence the physical and spiritual world.
Next – the figurine or vessel would be ritually destroyed—broken,
smashed, or burned. This act symbolized the physical and spiritual
destruction of the target. Afterward, the fragments were often buried
in specific locations, such as cemeteries or ritual sites, to ensure
the curse’s permanence.
As usual, offerings might be made to the gods to strengthen the
ritual’s efficacy. These could include food, drink, or incense.
Finally – protective measures such as drawing circles or using
amulets, were employed to safeguard the practitioner from any
backlash.
I have some thoughts about this particular ritual that I thought I
would share.
- Any witch/magician/priest could easily modify and use this ritual. Heck, even people who aren’t practitioners could use a ritual like this to let their anger out.
- You could easily make your own figurines out of self drying or oven bake clay, and visualize the target and what you want to happen to them as you make the figure. That said, I can’t imagine why you couldn’t use ANY clay vessel regardless of shape. Also, glass is made from sand, so it’s still considered earthenware. You could easily use an old vase if you wanted. Just spend a few minutes with the vase or pottery, holding it in your hands and visualizing it as a symbol of your target(s). That will help solidify the INTENT behind the magick. You might also choose to tape or glue printed pictures of the target to the vessel. That could prove cathartic as you smash and burn, then bury the vessel, or what’s left of it anyway.
- Alternative Daemonic spirits for a ritual such as this might include Delepitoré or Hecate, who are good substitutes for Heka. Perhaps spirits like Lucifuge Rofocal or Focalor to protect yourself from any repercussions of the magick. Of course, I’ve always held the belief that if you have no regrets and you’re willing to accept all consequences for your magick that there’s no need to protect yourself.
- You can write your own prayers and invocations. They don’t need to come from a special book or tradition. They’re actually more powerful coming from YOU.
- Be sure to wear safety glasses as you smash the vessel and practice fire safety if you burn it.
- You could use a black Sharpie if you wanted. Or a red one. Whatever you have at hand.
- For the Wiccans who might be reading this, remember the rede has more than 8 words and does allow for execration magick in self-defense.
I hope you found the information in this post informative and useful. Happy execrating.