Hex the Patriarchy
A ritual of protection from the harms of unfair favoritism for maleness
This is a hex for the patriarchy that I wrote, which you can use to begin the process or continue the process of releasing yourself from the harms of the patriarchy. This is not intended to be associated with any particular witchcraft tradition, but is based on my experience of working with hundreds of clients on the essentials of releasing from the oppression of the patriarchy and my personal experience of magic and manifestation.
If you are doubtful about your ability to engage with magic or manifestation, you can read the spell and think about how to engage with these concepts safely. Then, start to notice how your actions and inactions impact the world around you. That is enough as a first step.
If you are curious or confident about your magic and manifestation powers, make this right and safe for you and those around you!
This is the handwritten text, and it is typed out below (scroll all the way down) for better accessibility:
Photo by me of the spell, which is typed below.
What is a hex? My personal definition of a hex is “A ritual spell of protection from active harm.” This is not necessarily the definition others use, and some use hexes to cause harm, which I believe to be contrary to the essential principles of witchcraft. People can turn anything into a weapon, though.
If you use a different definition of hex, you can keep that, but don’t come at me about my definition.
The primary principle of witchcraft is “an it harm none, do what ye will.” This contains within it personal sovereignty as an essential right and respect of the sovereignty of others as a guide for conduct.
One way to think about respecting the sovereignty of others is that a hex should avoid interfering with the karma of others. This is because any time you put your fingers into another person’s karmic cycle, you get karmic backsplash. The less you agree with someone else’s behavior, the less you should insert yourself into their karma.
What is the patriarchy? The patriarchy is a system of favoritism for fathers and first sons. Patriarchy as an economic concept that has fundamental anti-merit flaws and also has been warped into a number of cultural beliefs that unfairly favor men and maleness over other genders, such as rigid gender roles, infantilization of femininity, exceptionalism for upholders of patriarchy, forced birth policies, imposter syndrome, different body standards for men than other genders, stigmatization of emotion, and coercive silencing around abuse.
All of us enforce the patriarchy in one way or another in western society, unless we are actively working to unlearn the assumptions and undo our participation in the systems that uphold patriarchy. The harms from patriarchy also impact all of us, even those who appear to benefit from it. Perpetuating unfairness creates more unfairness. Likewise acting with courage creates more courage.
Patriarchy and masculinity are very different. Healthy masculinity does not ask for unfair favoritism.
Timing. You can hex the patriarchy anytime, but as I am writing this we are approaching the longest night in the northern hemisphere. There is a beautiful new moon in Sagittarius, and this feels, to me, like an auspicious time to bring nurturing, protective, and true energy to my engagement with harmful systems.
Night and the moon tend to be associated with the feminine principle, while day and the sun are associated with the masculine principle. Everyone has a spectrum of gender within them, not limited to masculine and feminine, and so when I say masculine and feminine I am not talking about men versus women.
Do not place a timing expectation on this spell.
Steps. These are the steps to safely conduct this spell. If you follow a witchcraft tradition, use your system for casting your circle as you would with any other spell. This is not meant to replace your tradition.
Write out the spell on a clean sheet of paper. Parchment paper (like resume paper) is recommended, and it is recommended to use non-recycled paper so that old writings don’t mingle with your writing.
Gather representations of the elements and any protective deities, spirits, and ancestors who help and support you. For example, a candle can represent fire; water in a cup (I recommend a cup with no writing) represents water; music or a feather can represent air; and a crystal, rock, or oil you love can represent earth. Don’t overthink this. The important part is your intention, not the technicalities. If you intend to burn the spell, also gather a cauldron, pot, or other fire-safe container to put the burning spell into.
Go to a quiet space where you will not be interrupted. Either cast a circle or imagine yourself inside of a protective energy bubble.
Once you have a clear picture in your mind of the protective bubble around you, say out loud or in your head, “I clear this space of all positive and negative energies that may do me harm.” Invite any supportive spirits, guides, or ancestors to be with you.
Light your candle if you have one (SAFELY! If you light a candle, make sure you are in a fire-safe space with a fire-safe container).
Say the spell out loud, or if it is not safe to do that in your space, read through it and say it in your head. If you wish to burn your spell, do that now. Otherwise, you can set it aside.
Put out the candle using your fingers or a candle snuffer. Do not use this candle for another spell, but you can still light it and burn it down, remembering this spell.
Say, “This circle is open and remains unbroken. I send it to the cosmos to do my bidding.”
Text of the spell:
I, [name], ask in the name of the Goddess and the God to be granted freedom from the oppression of patriarchy.
I ask that my community and I be protected from all those who would use positive or negative energies of patriarchy to cause harm. I ask that the positive or negative energies of patriarchal harm be returned to those who send them out, for the growth and thriving of all.
I ask for courage that my words and deeds align with fairness and equity for all genders, that I may correct patriarchal oppression when I see it, and that I rise to this challenge.
I ask for my eyes to be opened to any way I uphold the unfair advantages of maleness, so that I may return to balance.
I ask for my ears to be open to those who would reveal my blind spots about ways I uphold unfair advantages of maleness, so that I may return to balance.
I ask that the correction I make internally be reflected in my external environment.
I ask this be for the good of all, harming none.
In no way will this spell reverse or place upon me any curse.
So mote it be.
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UPDATE: I cast this spell on December 17, 2025, and this was quite a mellow, affirming experience for me. In the weeks after, I was confronted with the experience of using the male gaze and scrutiny against myself. In all, this has been a supportive experience for me.