Breaking Curses: Real Methods vs Scams

By NICOLE LAU

Introduction: Are You Really Cursed?

"You have a curse on you. I can see it. For $500, I can remove it."

This is one of the oldest scams in the book—and it's still thriving. Fake psychics, fraudulent spiritual workers, and con artists prey on people's fears, diagnosing curses that don't exist and charging exorbitant fees to "remove" them.

But curses do exist in many spiritual traditions. So how do you tell the difference between a real curse and a scam? Between legitimate curse-breaking and exploitation? And if you are genuinely cursed, what actually works?

This guide examines curse-breaking from both angles: the real spiritual practices and the predatory scams, how to tell them apart, and how to protect yourself from both curses and curse-breaking frauds.

Understanding Curses

What Is a Curse?

A curse is directed negative energy, intention, or magic meant to cause harm to a specific person. It can range from mild ill-wishing to elaborate ritual work.

Types of Curses

• Hexes: Specific harmful spells
• Jinxes: Minor bad luck curses
• Evil eye: Harm from envious gaze
• Crossed conditions: Ongoing negative influence
• Generational curses: Affecting family lines
• Binding: Restricting someone's actions

How Common Are Real Curses?

Much less common than people think.

• Most "curses" are bad luck, mental health issues, or life circumstances
• Actual magical attack is relatively rare
• Requires skill, effort, and motivation
• Most people aren't important enough to curse (harsh but true)

The Curse-Breaking Scam

How It Works

Step 1: The Hook

• Unsolicited reading or "I sense something"
• Cold reading to gather information
• Vague statements that could apply to anyone
• "I see darkness around you"

Step 2: The Diagnosis

• "You have a curse/hex/evil eye"
• "Someone is working against you"
• "Dark energy surrounds you"
• Creates fear and urgency

Step 3: The Escalation

• "It's worse than I thought"
• "Multiple curses"
• "Generational curse"
• Increasing fear and desperation

Step 4: The Price

• Expensive "removal" services
• Often hundreds or thousands of dollars
• May require multiple sessions
• "Special materials" needed

Step 5: The Hook Continues

• "Curse is partially removed but..."
• "New curse appeared"
• "Need more work"
• Endless cycle of payments

Red Flags for Scams

• Unsolicited diagnosis: They tell you you're cursed without you asking
• Fear tactics: Creating panic and urgency
• High prices: Hundreds or thousands of dollars
• Escalation: "It's worse than I thought"
• Secrecy: Can't tell anyone or it won't work
• Guaranteed results: "100% guaranteed"
• Pressure: "Must act now" or "too late soon"
• No refunds: Money gone regardless of results
• Vague descriptions: Can't explain what curse or who cast it
• Endless sessions: Always needs more work

Common Scam Variations

The Egg Scam

• "Psychic" cracks egg, shows you the yolk
• "See? This darkness is the curse"
• Normal egg yolk presented as proof

The Candle Scam

• Sells you expensive "cursed" candle
• Candle burns strangely (because it's designed to)
• "Proof" of curse, needs more work

The Money Cleansing Scam

• "Your money is cursed"
• Give them your money to "cleanse"
• They keep it or swap for fake bills

The Generational Curse Scam

• "Your whole family is cursed"
• Explains any family problems
• Requires extensive (expensive) work

Real Curse Symptoms vs. Life Problems

Probably NOT a Curse

• General bad luck: Everyone has ups and downs
• Depression or anxiety: Mental health, not magic
• Consequences of your actions: Not a curse, just cause and effect
• Chronic illness: See a doctor, not a curse-breaker
• Relationship problems: Usually not magical
• Financial struggles: Capitalism, not curses

Possibly a Curse (If You Believe in Them)

• Sudden, dramatic change: After conflict with someone
• Specific, targeted problems: Not general bad luck
• Timing: Coincides with threat or conflict
• Unusual phenomena: Genuinely strange occurrences
• Intuition: Strong sense of magical attack
• Divination confirms: Multiple methods agree

First, Rule Out Mundane Causes

• Medical issues: See a doctor
• Mental health: See a therapist
• Practical problems: Address root causes
• Only after ruling out mundane explanations, consider magical ones

Legitimate Curse-Breaking Methods

Self-Help Methods (Free or Low-Cost)

1. Cleansing Bath

• Materials: Salt, herbs (hyssop, rue, etc.), prayers
• Method: Ritual bath with intention to remove negativity
• Frequency: Can repeat as needed
• Cost: Minimal

2. Smoke Cleansing

• Materials: Rosemary, mugwort, or other cleansing herbs (not white sage unless you're Indigenous)
• Method: Smoke yourself and space
• Intention: Removing negative energy
• Cost: Very low

3. Salt and Water

• Method: Salt water washes, floor washes, baths
• Simple and effective
• Traditional across cultures

4. Egg Cleansing (Limpia)

• Traditional method: Roll egg over body
• Crack into water: Read results
• Dispose properly
• Note: Do it yourself, don't pay someone to show you a normal egg

5. Return to Sender

• Mirror work: Reflect negativity back
• Reversal spells
• Caution: May escalate conflict

6. Cord Cutting

• Visualize: Energetic cords to person
• Cut them: Symbolically or with actual cutting motion
• Release: Let go of connection

7. Uncrossing Work

• Traditional Hoodoo: Uncrossing baths, candles, oils
• Specific formulas: Hyssop, rue, etc.
• Can learn and do yourself

When to Seek Professional Help

Legitimate Reasons

• Self-help methods haven't worked
• Situation is severe or dangerous
• You lack knowledge or confidence
• Need guidance and support
• Cultural practice requires trained practitioner

Finding Legitimate Practitioners

• Referrals: From trusted community members
• Reputation: Long-standing, positive reviews
• Reasonable prices: Not exploitative
• No fear tactics: Calm, professional approach
• Explains process: Transparent about methods
• Empowers you: Teaches you, doesn't create dependency

Reasonable Pricing

• Consultation: $50-150
• Cleansing work: $100-300
• Extensive work: $300-500
• Red flag: Thousands of dollars
• Note: Prices vary by region and practitioner experience

Protection and Prevention

Spiritual Hygiene

• Regular cleansing: Weekly or monthly
• Grounding: Stay connected to earth
• Shielding: Protective visualization
• Boundaries: Energetic and interpersonal

Protective Practices

• Protective amulets: Evil eye, pentacle, etc.
• Ward your space: Salt, symbols, intention
• Protective herbs: Rue, rosemary, garlic, etc.
• Prayers or mantras: Daily protection
• Strong personal energy: Healthy, grounded, confident

Lifestyle Factors

• Physical health: Harder to affect healthy people
• Mental health: Strong mind resists influence
• Positive relationships: Support system
• Avoid drama: Don't make enemies
• Don't advertise: Bragging about magic attracts challenges

The Psychology of Curses

Nocebo Effect

• Opposite of placebo: Belief in harm creates harm
• Powerful: Can cause real symptoms
• Self-fulfilling prophecy: Expecting bad things makes them more likely
• Breaking the belief breaks the curse

Confirmation Bias

• Once you believe you're cursed, you notice everything that goes wrong
• Ignore things that go right
• Normal bad luck becomes "proof"
• Creates cycle of belief

Anxiety and Stress

• Believing you're cursed creates stress
• Stress causes health problems, bad decisions
• Problems seem to confirm curse
• Cycle continues

When "Curses" Are Really Mental Health

Conditions That Can Seem Like Curses

• Depression: Everything feels dark and heavy
• Anxiety: Constant worry and bad feelings
• OCD: Intrusive thoughts about being cursed
• Paranoia: Feeling targeted or attacked
• Psychosis: Delusions of persecution

When to Seek Mental Health Care

• Symptoms interfere with daily life
• Persistent despite spiritual work
• Accompanied by other mental health symptoms
• Getting worse over time
• Suicidal thoughts

Both/And Approach

• Can address both spiritual and psychological
• Therapy + spiritual work
• Not either/or
• Holistic healing

Legal Protections

Fraud Laws

• Curse-breaking scams are illegal fraud
• Can report to authorities
• Consumer protection laws apply
• Document everything

How to Report

• Local police (fraud division)
• State attorney general
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Better Business Bureau
• Online review sites (warn others)

Getting Money Back

• Difficult but possible
• Credit card chargeback
• Small claims court
• Class action if multiple victims

Conclusion: Empowerment Over Fear

Curse-breaking is a real practice in many spiritual traditions. But it's also a common scam that preys on fear and vulnerability.

Key insights:

• Most "curses" aren't magical—rule out mundane causes first
• Scammers use fear tactics and charge exorbitant prices
• Real curse-breaking can be done yourself for free or low cost
• Legitimate practitioners exist but charge reasonable prices
• Protection and prevention are more important than curse-breaking
• Belief in curses can create their effects (nocebo)
• Mental health matters—some "curses" are psychological
• You have power—don't give it away to scammers

If you believe you're cursed, start with self-help methods. Cleanse yourself, protect yourself, ground yourself. Address mundane causes. Seek mental health care if needed. Only then, if problems persist, consider seeking a legitimate practitioner—and watch for red flags.

Don't let fear make you vulnerable to scammers. You are more powerful than any curse. And you don't need to pay thousands of dollars to break one.

The best protection against curses—and curse-breaking scams—is a strong, grounded, healthy you.

NICOLE LAU is a researcher and writer specializing in Western esotericism, Jungian psychology, and comparative mysticism. She is the author of the Western Esoteric Classics series and New Age Spirituality series.