Ancient Native American Curses: Myths and Reality

Native American curses refer to supernatural and negative spells or hexes placed upon individuals, communities, or objects by indigenous tribes in North America. These curses were believed to have the power to bring harm, misfortune, or even death to the cursed person or object. Native American tribes considered curses as a way to invoke justice and punish those who had committed grave offenses or crimes against their communities. Curses were often intended to ensure that the wrongdoer would face the consequences of their actions, and they were seen as a means of restoring balance and harmony within tribal life. The methods to cast curses varied across tribes, with each having their unique rituals and practices. Some curses were spoken aloud with specific words and phrases, while others involved the use of symbolic objects, such as animal parts, herbs, or ceremonial artifacts.

Some curses were spoken aloud with specific words and phrases, while others involved the use of symbolic objects, such as animal parts, herbs, or ceremonial artifacts. Some tribes also called upon spirit guides or deities to aid in the casting of curses. The effects of Native American curses were believed to be powerful and long-lasting.

The Witch's Broom

A very common trope in witchcraft-themed fictional narratives is the iconic Magic Broom, a magical object made from wood and straw to fly and serve as a vehicle for witches. Witches generally fly with the broom between their legs, although sometimes women fly sitting sideways with both legs together (some men do too, but so far I've seen more women riding the broom like this, like riding a horse in sidesaddle form). That said, I ask: What would it be like to ride a broom? Because the broom stays in the air (except when it goes up), but your body, according to the laws of physics, tends to go down. It's like sitting on the handrail of a ladder with your legs spread and the handrail between them. It shouldn't be very comfortable, especially for a man. Note: with no answers involving magic used on the witch or person who will ride the broom, the only magic allowed is the one that makes the broom fly and does not break under the weight of a human being on it. Also no saddles or anything that makes the broom more motorcycle-like, the point is a broom that is true to its broom design. My question is whether it would be comfortable, whether it would hurt, etc. Not about how riding a broom.

$\begingroup$ the practical witch might tend to use layered and padded underwear. which would also be useful to protect against the cold, rushing air at high speeds. as for how it would feel: try it for yourself by sitting on a fence. $\endgroup$

$\begingroup$ No an answer, but it probably is appropriate to point out that (patchy) historical evidence suggests that the besom's handle (or a similar rod) was used to apply hallucinogenic ointment to the mucosa of the vagina and/or anus for transdermal absorption. In other words, they did not actually fly, only believed that they did. (Thankfully that part has not made it into Harry Potter. ) $\endgroup$

$\begingroup$ I actually had to try riding a broomstick when I read this question. It is indeed very uncomfortable, especially in the gender-nonspecific parts (an educated guess tells me that female parts would suffer quite a bit, whereas my male parts weren't in contact with the broomstick). I also concluded that the flying magic should be supplemented with magic which prevents the broomstick from spinning sideways, lest you fall off. $\endgroup$

$\begingroup$ @gustafc thinking of bike saddles and tree branches, an unusually thick handle would be enough. Perhaps a magical enhancement of thickness both for strength and comfort, while it still looks thin and the weight isn't increased $\endgroup$

$\begingroup$ especially for a man? It could be more uncomfortable for women, because parts can't be pushed to one side - they are where they are, and I expect are no less sensitive (no empirical data). $\endgroup$

Those cursed often experienced a string of bad luck, illness, or even death. Furthermore, curses could affect not only individuals but also entire families or communities. It was believed that the curse would persist until proper restitution or redemption was made. Native American curses were taken seriously within tribal communities, and often steps were taken to break or counteract the curse. Tribal medicine men or spiritual leaders would perform rituals or ceremonies to remove the curse's effects. These rituals involved cleansing, prayer, and offerings to appease spirits or deities. While the belief in Native American curses may have diminished over time, they remain an integral part of many indigenous cultures and traditions. Today, these curses are often viewed as folklore or legends, but their significance in Native American history and culture cannot be denied..

Reviews for "Native American Curse Tales: Beware the Spirits"

1. Emma - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Nafive american cursd". The story felt disjointed and poorly developed, with characters that had little depth or motivation. The plot lacked coherence and the pacing was all over the place. I found myself struggling to stay engaged as the scenes jumped from one random event to another without any real connection. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted story with compelling characters.

2. John - 2/5 - "Nafive american cursd" had an interesting premise, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing style was overly simplistic and lacked the depth and complexity necessary to truly bring the story to life. The dialogue felt forced and the character interactions were often awkward and unrealistic. Additionally, the plot twists were predictable and cliché, leaving me feeling underwhelmed. Overall, I think there are better books in this genre that offer a more engaging and polished reading experience.

3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Nafive american cursd" based on the positive reviews I had read, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The story was full of inconsistencies and plot holes that ultimately detracted from my enjoyment. The pacing was slow, with long stretches of mundane activities that did not contribute to the overall plot. The characters were also underdeveloped and their actions often felt illogical or contradictory. In the end, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing I had chosen a different book to read.

Lost Treasures and Native American Curses