What’s the difference between a hex and a curse?

A headless horseman made of ceramic, holding a pumpkin at his side as he rides a horse

Before you come see our Sleepy Hollow: Hex of the Headless Horseman, you may be wondering; what’s the difference between a hex and a curse? Can a jinx grow into a curse through further bewitchment? And what does cursing have to do with salty language? If you’re of a scholarly bent, you may even ponder the role Shakespeare played in bringing curses into the mainstream.

While we can’t answer all of these questions without a voodoo doll and an unwilling victim to demonstrate on, this handy graphic should orient you on basic witchy spell throwing terminology:

A Jinx is created with conscious or subconscious intention. The primary use is to bring bad luck. A hex is created with conscious intention and tools, with the primary use to inconvenience the target. A curse is created with conscious intention and tools; with the primary purpose to bring harm/illness/discomfort to an individual or their bloodline.
Basically: a jinx < a hex < a curse (in terms of severity)

Remember that if you come and see Children of the Night, your ticket stub will get you in the door to see Sleepy Hollow: Hex of the Headless Horseman (space permitting). We’ll also be selling tickets, so you don’t need to curse too loudly if you misplace your ticket stub.

You know, it may actually be a Headless Horseman candlestick. The size and shape of the neck (with a collar sticking up and out) suggests that it would easily hold a taper candle.
Is that a Headless Horseman *candlestick*??! Gasp! Courtesy of PirateJohnny on Flickr.com

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