Hex vs Curse - Witchy Quick Tips
One of my biggest questions when learning about curses and hexes was: What's the difference? They seemed like the same thing to me, if I'm being honest.
So I looked it up!
First I found that there were a few sources that used them interchangeably. Using curse as a synonym for hex and vice versa.
Also note that many of the sources are not viewing curses and hexes from the lens of a witch, so they may often mention that there are always evil intentions involved. However, anyone who has done a hex or curse on an abuser or similar will tell you that "evil" was not coming from the side who had done the cursing.
Now that we have that cleared up, let's learn the difference between Hexes and Curses!
Definition: A baneful spell placed on someone or something.
Comes from the German word "Hexen", meaning witchcraft. (source)
May have shorter-lasting effects. At the longest it will die along with the being that's been hexed.
Only done by those who practice witchcraft (hence the root of the word) and are a specific type of spell.
Often less intense than a curse and will not often cause extreme or fatal damage to the one hexed.
Definition: An utterance or phrase invoking magic or supernatural powers to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something.
Comes from the Old English "Curs", meaning to pray that evil or harm befall someone; consignment of a person to an evil fate. (source)
Longer-lasting effects and can last for generations
More intense than a hex, often detrimental to the being cursed.
Can be even by those who don't practice witchcraft and are not specifically a type of spell.
I think they can be used fairly interchangeably, you could argue that a hex is just an intentional, less extreme curse. Or that a curse is just a more intense, longer-lasting hex.
Either way, in most daily-life situations you won't need to know the difference, so don't stress out too much about it.
Feel free to let me know if you disagree, I would love to hear what other people think about this topic!
