Try contacting the local authorites first if this person has threatend you physically.
It's good that you know the risks, but you should also know that it takes a very skilled person to casta curse upon another. If you are not experienced enough, chances are it could come back to you.
I would try everything else first, and magic last. In these sorts of situations, magic should be a last resort.
If you understand magick then it's fine. You're dealing with energy, with a curse you focus your hatred instead of your love, that's all. Yes, they can backfire but all spells could backfire. Like with all spells [but especially curses] have a good reason to cast. This would lessen the odds of it backfire [unless you cast it wrong]
Using evil for good does not make sense to me. How can hate make love? I would find another way, even mundane first. Threats like that can be dangerous and life threatening. Get the authorities involved. (just my advice)
I agree that your very first step should be to contact the local law enforcement and report this person, particularly since he attached you with a knife.
But if you wish to also do some magic then Instead of cursing this person (which could result in unpleasant consequences for you) why don't you simply cast a protection spell on those who you think he might harm? There are any number of ways to go about casting such a spell.
Alternatively, you could cast a binding on the person to prevent them from doing harm. Binding would seem appropriate given the situation you describe and is less likely to rebound than a curse might be. But it still pays to be cautious with bindings. If you don't know much about magic and how it works a binding can tie you to the person as well as stopping his actions.
I have been practicing magic now for some 30 years and I have never used a curse. Not that I wouldn't if I felt it was truly justified, but because I have found better ways to deal with situations than through cursing.
Since your profile indicates that you are a "beginner" I would suggest sticking with magical workings that are less apt to have outcomes you neither foresee nor desire. So I would suggest mundane action with protection spells, then binding if necessary, and cursing last of all.
As a Traditional Witch, devoid of any belief in any law of return, I encourage you to go for it. Especially in a situation wherein such action is deserved. If you are going to do it though, you need to be aware that working with the darkness can change a person. I speak from personal experience. It's important as any magical practitioner, to recognize that light snd dark together ate needed for balance, but the darkness has a very strong allure to it. Honestly, throwing a hex is easy, and is what I suggest. A curse is much darker, much more powerful, and potentially lethal.
Cliff notes version. Do it, do it well, meditate to balance yourself, and release any belief that it will come back to you, because I can promise you when such actions are deserved, the world goes along with it. Potentially even adding to it.
this is really a threat... call local authorities, magick might not work (backfire) and your chances are greater there for the safety of the elder. however binding and protection is smart too.
From my little experience I think you must have a good reason and engough hatred for a curse.Also,a good reason is necessary.
Personally,I don't believe in karma,three fold law or another things like that.I cursed once someone and nothing came back.However you are the only which can choose to believe in karma or not.
I suggest after you put a curse on someone to try to "forget" about it and don't be very excited to the results .
