Now, I don’t really believe in curses, but there are times it feels like there might be a curse or evil spirits surrounding me.  Like this past Friday. 

Now, I know that the idea of curses is ridiculous, but I do know a number of others in the blogosphere have been discussing the idea of being under curses.  I know that at one point during my study of religious history and culture I noticed a pattern in almost every tradition when dealing with curses and evil spirits:

• Bells or other percussion instruments, prayer, or chanting;
• Incense or smudge;
• Salt, holy water, or anointing oil – interchangeable.

These three elements seem to be in every tradition.  It doesn’t seem to matter where the tradition has come from, there is some piece of the above elements within them.

Now, there are some other traditions that I have run across that almost have a comical tendency to them when seen through modern eyes – do not take this as an aspersion to those who believe, but it does seem odd to think wearing one’s underwear inside out will repel the evil eye according to a Hungarian grandmother I knew once.

Some cultures believe that when you enter a home for the first time, you need to go through with one or all of the elements of repulsion as you walk through the house. 

Now, if you think you are really under attack, you need to anoint all your windows, doors, and vents with salt, holy water, or anointed oil.   This is to prevent the evil from returning, or, if already in place, from pulling in new energy.

But, in reality, for me, it is faith in Jesus Christ and the Salvation He brought that overrides the power of any curse – real or imagined.  This isn’t to say that faith is never tested, or that I never “lose” faith.  Rather, it is the knowledge that ultimately, whatever happens, He is, and always will be, with me.