A cord cutting ritual is a simple way to let go of a connection that keeps pulling at you long after it should have loosened.
Maybe it's an old relationship you still replay at night, a friendship that ended badly or a habit you've outgrown but can't quite shake. Cord cutting gives that feeling a shape you can see and touch, and then lets you cut it.
Below you'll find what cord cutting is, when to do it, a full candle ritual, quieter methods and gentle aftercare. The moon is waning right now until the new moon on November 9, so this is a good week to try it.
What Is Cord Cutting?
Cord cutting is a ritual for releasing an energetic tie between you and a person, place, situation or memory. The idea behind it is that the bonds we form leave threads of attention and feeling running between us and the things we've been close to. Many are worth keeping. Some keep draining you long after things have ended.
In a cord cutting, you represent the tie with a physical cord, string or thread, then cut, burn or untie it with clear intention. It's a modern practice, popular in witchcraft and in energy work. The visualization side owes a lot to Phyllis Krystal, whose book Cutting the Ties That Bind describes picturing yourself and another person inside separate circles before releasing the bonds between you.
The physical side is much older in spirit. Witches have tied and untied knots in cords to hold and release magick for a very long time, and our introduction to knot magick covers that family of spells. A cord cutting is, in a sense, knot magick in reverse.
Cutting a cord is not cutting someone off
This is the part beginners often worry about. Cutting a cord doesn't erase a person from your life, curse them or make them forget you. You can still see your sister at holidays or work with a former partner. What you're releasing is the unhealthy pull: the guilt, the obsessive thinking, the old patterns that keep replaying. The love or respect that's genuinely yours to keep can stay.
Why Cord Cutting Fits a Wiccan Practice
Wicca follows the turning of the Wheel of the Year and the phases of the moon, and both are full of letting go. The waning moon is the Goddess drawing her light back in, which is why witches use it for banishing, release and clearing. In the dark half of the year, after Samhain, the God has gone into the underworld and the land rests. Releasing what you no longer need before the long nights of winter feels right.
Cord cutting is also a very kind spell, which matters if you follow the Wiccan Rede. You work only on your side of the connection. Nothing is sent to the other person, nothing binds them and nothing harms them. Many witches add the words "for the highest good of all" for exactly that reason.
When to Do a Cord Cutting (and When to Wait)
A cord cutting might help if you keep thinking about someone you've already said goodbye to, if you feel tired or low after contact with a certain person, if an old job or home still has a hold on you, or if you're ready to leave a habit behind.
It's worth waiting if you still want the relationship and hope it will change. Cutting a cord while part of you is holding on tightly tends to leave you feeling torn. Some witches do some shadow work or journaling first, so they're clear about exactly what they're releasing and why.
Timing
- Waning moon: the classic time for release. After this month's new moon on November 9, the next waning stretch runs from the full moon on November 24 to the new moon on December 9. Our moon calendar shows every phase.
- Dark moon: the day or two before the new moon, for a deep, quiet ending.
- Saturday: the day of Saturn, traditionally linked with endings, boundaries and banishing.
- Whenever you need it: if something is weighing on you today, don't wait weeks for the perfect date. Your intention matters more than the calendar.
Correspondences
- Cord or string: natural cotton, wool or hemp burns cleanly. Red is often used for emotional ties, black for absorbing negativity, and white for a gentle, neutral release.
- Candles: one candle for you and one for the other person or situation. White or a color you love for yourself, and black for what you're releasing. Our candle color meanings list other choices.
- Herbs: rosemary, bay, hyssop and lemon, all associated with purification and protection in Cunningham's herbal. See our guide to herbs for protection for more.
- Crystals: obsidian and black tourmaline for grounding and protection, and rose quartz afterward for self-love.
- Scissors or a small knife: clean, and kept for magickal use if you can.
- Salt: for purifying the space before you begin.
A Candle Cord Cutting Ritual
This is the best-known version. A string is tied between two candles and burned through as they melt down. It's simple, you can watch it work, and it's a good first step into practical spellwork. Set aside about an hour, since chime candles take a while to burn.
You will need:
- Two small chime or taper candles in sturdy heat-safe holders (one for you, one for the other person or situation)
- About 30 cm (12 inches) of natural cotton or wool string
- A heat-safe plate or tray to stand everything on
- A small dish of salt
- A sprig of rosemary or a bay leaf
- Scissors, a fireproof bowl and a glass of water nearby
- Something to carve the candles with, such as a pin or toothpick (optional)
Steps:
- Cleanse your space with salt, smoke or one of the spiritual cleansing methods you like. Sprinkle a little salt around the base of the tray.
- If you like, carve your name or initials into your candle and a word for what you're releasing into the other one.
- Stand the candles 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) apart on the tray. Tie one end of the string around the base of each candle so it stretches between them with a little slack.
- Sit quietly for a few minutes. Breathe slowly and picture the tie between you and the person or situation. Notice how it feels, where it pulls and what you'd like to keep.
- Light your own candle first, then the other one. Say: I honor what was shared between us. I keep what is good and release what binds. This cord no longer holds me.
- Let the candles burn down until the flames reach the string and it burns through, or hold the middle of the string in the flame of your candle to burn it yourself. Drop the burning ends into the fireproof bowl.
- As the cord parts, say: The cord is cut, the tie is free. I wish you well, and I am me. For the highest good of all, so mote it be.
- Put the rosemary or bay on your side of the tray as a sign of protection and fresh starts. Let the candles burn down safely, or snuff them out once the string has parted.
Write the date, the moon phase and how you felt in your Book of Shadows. People often notice the difference over the following days, not in the moment.
Simpler Ways to Cut a Cord
You don't need candles to do this well. These quieter methods work beautifully, especially in shared homes or dorms where open flames aren't allowed.
- Scissors and string: hold a length of string, one end for you and one for what you're releasing. Speak your intention and cut it in the middle with clean scissors.
- Visualization: sit comfortably, picture the cord running from your body to the person or place, and imagine a beam of light or a pair of golden scissors cutting it. Breathing and grounding skills from our meditation and elements course make this much easier.
- Untying: tie a knot in a cord for each thing that binds you, then untie them one by one over several nights of the waning moon.
- Paper and water: write what you're releasing on a slip of paper, tear it into small pieces and let them dissolve in a bowl of water before pouring it away outside.
After the Ritual: Aftercare and Disposal
Cutting a cord can leave you tender for a day or two, a bit like the quiet after a big clean. Be gentle with yourself:
- Ground yourself: eat something hearty, drink water, walk outside or sit with your back against a tree.
- Cleanse: a warm shower with a little salt, or one of our spiritual baths with rosemary and lavender, helps the release settle.
- Fill the space: invite something good in, such as a small project or a self-love spell on the next waxing moon.
- Write it down: note how you feel over the next week. If the pull comes back, that's normal; some cords need cutting more than once.
What to do with the remains
When everything has cooled, gather the ash and string ends. Many witches bury them away from the home, at the roots of a tree, so the old tie returns to the earth. Wrapping them in paper and putting them out with the rubbish works just as well. Wash your hands and you're done.
A Few Safety Notes
- Fire: never leave burning candles or string unattended, keep long hair and sleeves tied back, and work on a heat-safe surface away from curtains and dried herbs.
- Pets and children: keep flames, string and crystals out of reach, and don't let pets near melted wax.
- Renters and shared homes: if candles aren't allowed, use the scissors, visualization or paper methods instead.
- Where you bury things: only on your own land, in a pot or with permission, and never leave wax or synthetic string outdoors.
- Ritual is not a replacement for real help: if a relationship involves abuse or you feel unsafe, please talk to someone you trust or a qualified professional as well. Magick works best alongside practical steps.
Final Thoughts
A cord cutting isn't about anger or pretending something never happened. It's a gentle, practical way to honor what a connection gave you and then take your energy back. With the waning moon and the dark half of the year settling in, this is a lovely time to clear the old threads and make room for what comes next.
Is there a cord you're ready to cut this season? Have you tried this ritual before? Tell us how it went in the comments.
Sources
Krystal, Phyllis. Cutting the Ties That Bind: Growing Up and Moving On. Weiser Books, 1993.
Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications, 1985.
Cunningham, Scott. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Llewellyn Publications, 1988.
Vanderbeck, Paige. Green Witchcraft. Rockridge Press, 2020.
Check out our other articles:
A Brief Introduction to Knot Magick
Shadow Work for Witches
Spiritual Cleansing
Moon Phases and Simple Rituals
See All Articles
Love this article? Share the magick with your friends and loved ones!
Cord Cutting FAQs
What is a cord cutting ritual?
A cord cutting ritual is a spell for releasing an unhealthy energetic tie to a person, place, situation or habit. You represent the tie with a string or cord and cut, burn or untie it with clear intention, often during the waning moon.
Does cord cutting remove someone from your life?
No. Cord cutting releases the draining pull of a connection, such as guilt, obsessive thoughts or old patterns. It does not harm the other person, bind them or make them forget you, and you can still see them.
When is the best time to do a cord cutting?
The waning moon, between the full moon and the new moon, is the traditional time for release. The dark moon and Saturdays are also popular, but you can do a cord cutting whenever you feel ready.
What do you do with the string after a cord cutting?
Once everything has cooled, bury the ash and string ends away from your home, such as at the roots of a tree, or wrap them in paper and put them out with the rubbish. Wash your hands and cleanse the tray afterward.
How long does a cord cutting take to work?
Many people feel lighter within a few days, but some ties take longer. If the pull returns, it is normal to repeat the ritual on another waning moon and to pair it with grounding, cleansing and journaling.
