Warning: this ritual is a fire hazard! Perform this ritual in a fire-safe space. Do not conduct this ritual near anything flammable, keep away from fabrics, woods, flammable liquid, or anything that could spread fire quickly. Keep a jug of water nearby to extinguish fire if needed. 

What is cutting the cord?

The cord cutting ritual is an ancient ritual that symbolically eliminates negative energies and relationships from your life. The tie that binds us to toxicity, unhealthy habits and people, or even jobs and careers and projects  that no longer align with our life path can be exhausting energetically and can linger long after they have physically left our daily lives. The anxiety and stress that can come from not letting go can accumulate and sometimes performing a ritual of banishing that energy really helps. (If the  emotional tie is strong, this ritual may need to be done several times for tie to break)  You can cut the cord with another person or alone either seated or lying down. I am going to show you two different ways.  

What you will need

• Two candles (birthday candles are great for this)
• About a foot of cord/twine (you can buy this at any craft store) 
• A fireproof dish, plate, tile
• Water 
• Small glass food jar with a lid (an old food jar or even a baby food jar is fine) 
• scissors,
• Optional Sage, Bay leaves, journal and pen

Preparation – (optional)

I usually prepare by taking a salt bath or doing a salt scrub in the shower, wash my hair and remove all make up and fragrance. All the while I am cleansing, I focus on my intent and the cord I want to sever. I focus strongly that I am severing this connection with love, honour, and respect, and that I am releasing the person and/or situation from any bad feelings or karma. 

Write a Letter

Write a letter to the person or group that you want to be released from.  In the letter explain how has their toxicity and negativity has affected you? What resentments are you holding? Write down EVERYTHING that you need to let go. Write down your anger, your sadness, all the things you wish you could say directly to that person or event or thing. Let. It. Out. 

You can write this letter before lighting your candles or as your candles are burning. 

At the end of your letter, sign your name with:

With love I let you go

How To Cut The Cord

Ritual Preparation

1. Gather up your supplies and prepare yourself mentally. Make sure you are in a place where you will not be disturbed during the ritual. Open all the windows and doors, if possible, to let out all of the negativity you will be releasing.
2. You represent one candle and the other being the person or peoples or project you want to cut ties from.  Scrape your and their initial into the corresponding candles.
3. Tie the string and rope around two candles.   (If you are short of time – birthday candles  are perfect for this.) Don’t  Wrap it too tight that the candles will fall towards each other, but not so loose that the string falls to the bottom before burning. Make sure the wrap is half way down the candles. 
4. Place the candles in a flame proof dish, pulling them slightly taut so that the cord is not falling, and put a little water in the dish. If I use tea lights, I can do this with a simple saucer. If I use a taper, I will usually find a flat bottomed dish, like a small casserole dish. Again, you don’t have to be fancy. It is all about intent. I put enough water in the plate or dish to ensure the plate stays cool and to allow the water to absorb any negative energy. 
5. Now, again, set your intention by mediating for a bit on what you wish to do by focusing on severing the cords between you and who/whatever. Sometimes it helps to write these intentions down on paper which you will dispose of after the ritual. Say your intentions out aloud, Be sure to say this intention very firm and with confidence. Your confidence and projection is important because it will help your intention come to fruition. 

Light the Candles

1. Light the candles and watch the flames and cord burning. While you watch the candle burning, imagine and focus on the energetic cords being severed and the energy being released into the Universe with love. I have listed basic flame meanings below so you can gauge how the ritual is progressing. Take some time to focus on what you want to release from your life and set your intentions. Journaling is useful at this point.
2. As your candles burn down, it will reach the wrappings. Let it completely burn and you will start to see the energetic cord severing. 
3. Optional Step :When you’re ready, bind your feet together with the thread/string and say; “This is what blocks me from moving forward on my path.” The string represents the toxic cords that connect you to negativity. Next, bind your wrists together and say;”This is what keeps me from receiving all that I have been asking for.”Sit and meditate on toxic experiences from the past and allow the cords to absorb that energy.

Cutting The Cord

1. When you feel ready, cut the cords with scissors on both hands and feet. As you do this, you can say, “I release the ties that bind. I claim that which is mine. I move forward in light and freedom. So be it.”
2. Once the candles are burned down and the cord/twine is dissolved into ashes, dispose of the remnants including the water. To dispose of the water, the remnants of the candles, and the paper where you have written your intentions, gather them and place them in an airtight jar (an old food jar that you have saved and cleaned out is fine) store it in safe space. Bury it where it will not be disturbed away from you home. When you put the ashes and paper in the jar, focus your intent that spell is now “sealed” and cannot be broken. If, in the future, you discover that the jar has come unsealed or broken, simply redo the spell.  (f you’re in area were you don’t live near good dirt, make sure the threads are completely burnt to ashes and then flush them down the toilet.)

Final Steps

When you are done with your ritual, take time tocleanse yourself and your space. Take deep breaths, maybe carve time for yourself and do some self-care, an herbal bath with Epsom salts is a prime idea. Bask in relief and reclaim your power. 

One thing that is important to remember is this: energy cords have 2 ends – one on your end and the other end connected to something not within your control. Sometimes, the toxic thing or person that you are aiming to cut ties from combats the cord cutting process with very strong energy.

Basic Flame Meanings

• Tall, Strong flame: A tall, strong flame indicates the spell is working and is strong enough to push through any obstacles that might be there. 
• Low flame: A low flame can indicate that more work needs to be done for there to be satisfactory results.
• Short, Weak flame: A short and weak flame can indicate that your intentions are not clear or are not in your best interest; or for the greater good. If this happens, try meditating on what you are trying to accomplish and try the ritual again once you get clarity on what you are trying to accomplish. Think of the old Garth Brooks song, “Unanswered Prayers.” There’s truth there. 
• Steady flame: A steady flame is a positive indication that the spell is working in your favor. 
• Blue/Colored flame: A blue or colored flame other than orange and yellow can indicate the presence of a spirit, angel, or highly evolved entity.
• Dancing flame: A dancing flame indicates that the ritual will work, but there are still problems, most likely intent. You might need to repeat in a week or two. 
• Dual flame: A dual flame can indicate that another force, energy, spirit, or deity has joined the work and is a good sign that your work is working in your favor. 
• Flame self-extinguishes: This means that the work is done, a self-extinguishing flame is a great indication that your work went well.
• Quick burning, uneven: A quick burning that is uneven can indicate that you are not properly grounded before starting. Try again at a different time, if the results are the same, you need to recast another time. You also need to meditate on your intent. 
• 10. Quick burning, Even: A quick and even burning is a great indication that your spell worked, however a super quick and out of control burning indicates that you may need to re-evaluate your work. 
• Remember that your initial indications and insights always trump a basic meaning or explanation.

Trust your intuition and inner guidance.

With love D x