Sefer Ha’mitzvos Ha’Katzar (The concise book of mitzvos) By the Chofetz Chaim

This book lists the Torah mitzvos that can be observed today

Second Section – the Negative Commandments

169. It is a negative commandment “do not cast charms or spells”

As it states in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:10-11, “it should not be found within you… a person who casts charms.” Casting charms means a person whispers words which are not a normal language and he charms a snake or a scorpion that it should not do harm. There are people who hold in their hands a key or rock or something similar while they are whispering. This is also forbidden. If a person holds anything in his hands or does an action while whispering, even if he only points with his finger or moves an object, then he is given lashes. It is forbidden Rabbinically if he does not do any action or if someone asks his to do a charm.

This applies in all places and at all times, for men and for women.