Apparently, some Etsy Witches know how to curse...

In the last few days, a curious headline made its way across the witchy corners of the internet: “Apparently, some Etsy Witches know how to curse...” (yes, with that wide-eyed emoji attached). This little spark lit up Reddit’s r/WitchesVsPatriarchy with nearly 5,000 upvotes and more than 270 comments in just two days. Clearly, this touched a collective nerve in the witchcraft and pagan communities—and beyond.

For those outside the magical current, this story might sound like a quirky internet tidbit: sellers on Etsy offering curses or hexes, and people’s divided reactions to it. But within our community, it’s more than just a novelty headline. It stirs deep questions about what witchcraft means today, how it is shared (or sold), and what role ethics and personal responsibility play in our practice.

As a green witch who has spent many hours wandering forest trails, I’ve learned that every root, every mycelium thread, is connected. And when one of us in the magical community stirs up energy—whether through a healing charm or a curse—that energy ripples outward. This headline isn’t just gossip. It’s an invitation for us to reflect.

What Actually Happened

The original post (you can peek at it here) pointed out that some Etsy sellers openly advertise cursing and hexing services. Some are subtle about it; others are brazenly clear. The Reddit comments revealed a spectrum of reactions:

• Amusement — Many users laughed at the idea of buying a curse the way one might order handmade soap.

• Skepticism — Some doubted whether such services “work” at all, suggesting it’s just creative marketing.

• Concern — Others worried about the ethics of selling harmful magic, or about people dabbling without understanding the consequences.

This blend of curiosity, humor, and unease is what gave the post its viral energy. It sits right at the crossroads of modern consumerism and ancient spiritual practices.

Why It Matters to Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans

For our community, this isn’t just about Etsy listings. It taps into a larger conversation that’s been alive for centuries: the ethics of magic.

In Wicca, the Rede’s well-known guidance—“An it harm none, do what ye will”—discourages hexing and cursing outright. Many modern pagans lean toward similar ethical frameworks, preferring healing, protection, and empowerment over harm. Yet, witchcraft as a whole has never been monolithic. Traditional folk magic, hoodoo, and other paths include baneful workings as part of their heritage.

When a seller offers a curse online, it collapses these nuanced traditions into a single “click to purchase” transaction. That can be troubling for two reasons:

1. It commodifies energy. Selling spellwork like a product risks reducing sacred practice into consumer goods.

2. It oversimplifies ethics. It makes witchcraft look like a quick tool for revenge rather than a deeply personal, spiritual practice rooted in relationship—with self, community, and the natural world.

As someone who believes we are woven into the great tapestry of the earth, I feel that each spell is like a seed planted. If we plant poison, it doesn’t just affect the intended target—it seeps into the soil we all share.

My Reflection: What the Forest Teaches Us

Not long ago, while walking through a cedar grove after a rainstorm, I noticed how the moss soaked up water from a single fallen branch. It reminded me that nothing in the forest is isolated; nourishment and decay alike flow outward. Our magical actions are no different.

That’s why I tread carefully with the energies I raise. While I don’t judge witches who practice cursing—it is part of some lineages—I personally align with nurturing and protective magick. For me, it feels more harmonious with the vegan, compassionate path I’ve chosen: to honor life, not diminish it.

Yet this headline is also a reminder: witchcraft is alive, diverse, and refuses to be boxed into any single definition. And maybe that diversity, even when it jars us, is part of its beauty.

Takeaways for Fellow Seekers

So, what can we learn from this viral moment?

• Discernment is key. If you’re exploring witchcraft or pagan practices, remember that not every offering you see online represents the whole community. Ask yourself: does this align with your values?

• Know your ethics. Whether you lean toward the Wiccan Rede, folk traditions, or your own path, get clear on what feels right for you before dabbling in baneful magick.

• Practice mindful magic. Think of each spell like planting in a shared garden. What do you want to grow there—for yourself, and for others?

• Community matters. Headlines like this often fuel stereotypes. It’s up to us to model the wisdom, diversity, and depth of modern witchcraft.

Conclusion

This little Etsy headline may fade quickly in the fast scroll of the internet, but the questions it raises will remain. As witches, wiccans, and pagans, we’re called to reflect: What energies are we putting into the world? What seeds are we planting?

Personally, I’ll keep tending to the quiet magick of herbs, the healing of moonlit waters, and the wisdom of the soil beneath my feet. But I also honor that our community holds many paths, and this diversity is part of our strength.

So, dear seekers, let’s use this viral moment not as judgment, but as dialogue. What aspects of modern witchcraft interest you most? How do you navigate the ethics of your practice? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s weave this conversation into our collective book of shadows.

✨ Remember: transformation begins within, but its ripples extend far beyond.