What Is Cord Cutting?
What does cord cutting do?
Cord cutting is a ritual that visualises the energetic ties between you and another person and symbolically severs them. It does not erase love or memories; it releases the pull that keeps you emotionally stuck, so your energy comes back to you.
Many witches perform cord cutting after a breakup, the end of a friendship or any relationship that left them drained. It works best when you are ready to let go, not in the first raw days.
Candle Cord Cutting Ritual
How to do a cord cutting ritual
20 to 30 minutes, ideally during a waning moon.
Cleanse and ground. Clear the space with incense and sit with your feet on the floor.
Set the candles. Place them a hand's width apart in the dish and tie the string loosely between them.
Name them. Assign one candle to yourself and one to the other person, and light both.
Speak your release. Say, “I release you. I am free. My energy is my own.”
Cut the cord. Cut the string in the middle with scissors, or let the flames burn through it safely while you watch.
Close. Snuff their candle first, then yours. Hold the obsidian to your heart and breathe until you feel settled.
Dispose of the other person's candle stub and string away from your home. Never leave flames unattended.
Mirror Release Spell
Place a small mirror on your altar with a black candle in front of it. Light the candle and look into the mirror while picturing the other person's energy leaving your space. Say, “I cut the ties that bind me. I am free. I am whole.” When the candle is finished, cover the mirror for three days before using it again. For more mirror work, see our mirror magic guide.
Journal Prompts for Healing
- What emotions am I ready to release?
- What did this relationship teach me about what I need?
- Where am I still giving my energy away?
- How can I show myself the care I wanted from them?
- What does the next version of me look like?
A Seven Day Plan After Cord Cutting
| Day | Practice |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Rest. Drink water, eat something nourishing, sleep early. |
| Day 2 | Cleanse your space: open windows, sweep and smoke cleanse. |
| Day 3 | Write one journal prompt in full. |
| Day 4 | Take a self love ritual bath with rose and salt. |
| Day 5 | Spend time in nature or with a trusted friend. |
| Day 6 | Light a pink candle and list three things you love about yourself. |
| Day 7 | Set one small intention for the month ahead. |
For the self love spell and bath recipes, see heartbreak healing magic.
Community and support
Healing is not only magical; it is also communal. Lean on friends and support circles, and if grief feels overwhelming, talk to a GP or counsellor. Ritual works best alongside real care.
Cord Cutting Questions Answered
How do you know if a cord cutting worked?
Most people notice they think about the person less, feel calmer when they do, and have more energy for their own life. It can take days or weeks, and some witches repeat the ritual at the next waning moon.
Can you do cord cutting on someone you still love?
Yes. Cord cutting releases unhealthy attachment, not love itself. Many people do it to stay kind to someone while no longer being pulled by them.
Does the other person feel a cord cutting?
Cord cutting is about your own energy and boundaries. It is not intended to affect the other person, which is part of what makes it an ethical spell.
Supplies for Release
Black candles, obsidian, cleansing tools and banishing supplies. Australian owned, shipping worldwide.
