Cord Cutting

What Is A Cord Cutting?

Cord cutting rituals are known for removing an influence from your life and aligning you with the process of letting go. They can be used for letting go of toxic relationships of all kinds, to break negative cycles, or to break bad habits. You can even use the cord cutting process to turn it into a path-opening ritual by "cutting" away blockages holding you back on your desired path. The other benefit to a cord cutting ritual is that the intensity of the severance can be personalized and adjusted. One could use a cord cutting ritual to accept the loss of a loved one, cutting away the intensity of the pain while maintaining the connection in their heart to make way for healing. There are endless ways to utilize the ritualized process of letting go.

How To Prepare For A Cord Cutting

There are some things to consider before doing a cord cutting. The first step should be to assess the self. Are you ready to let go? Does your situation allow for you to be released of this influence, or should a different approach be taken first? Are you being honest with yourself about what it will take to maintain the results of this ritual?

Regardless of the complexity of your situation you should spend some time first reflecting on these questions. Journaling can be an effective way to explore this, as can readings or seeking the guidance of someone more experienced. It can also be beneficial to have an aftercare plan for yourself that accounts for the intensity of the situation you are cutting away.

To maintain the results of the ritual you will likely need to be ready to practice keeping healthy boundaries, surrendering control, and learning new coping skills to manage the transition. If you are ready, these factors can make it an incredibly healing experience.

How To Do A Cord Cutting

The ritual follows a very basic spell framework that is easily personalized as well as strengthened and layered. Some practitioners may find that they get easily distracted by extra steps or too many things going on in a ritual, while others may find that adding layers and all the additions to the process help deepen their connection to the task ahead. For me personally, setting up my space and the little details are a key part of connecting to the ritual so I know I have extra steps to take. Whether it is simplicity or the detailed steps that call to you - I have notes on the needed items, the process, and the why behind the suggestions that you may find helpful all written below.

Required Items

Two candles

For your candles I recommend chime/ritual candles, although birthday candles can be an option for those short on time. As for color, many people go with white, black, or colors that represent the person or task at hand. They can match or be two different colors, the options are endless. As long as one adequately represents you and the other is what/who you are cutting away, they will suit the ritual.

While the candles burn, the ritual is actively in progress. If you have completed the steps to the ritual and the twine has already burned - yet there is still a fair amount of burn left to go - be mindful to spend that time doing something that aligns with what you are setting out to do. For example if you are letting go of a toxic relationship and have an hour or so left on your candles after you have completed all the steps you could spend that time cleaning your home of any items that belong to them, watch a show or listen to songs that inspired you to let this go, or cleanse your space of their energy. If you are removing bad habits, spend that time doing things that contribute to your new life. You can meditate, do tasks, or whatever speaks to you as long as it is in alignment with the ritual until the flames go out. 
Keep this timing in mind when selecting the type of candle you want to use.

Twine/String

This will be representing your connection to the influence you are removing. I recommend twine made from natural fibers such as hemp or cotton, as synthetic fibers may be toxic to burn.

Fire Safety Items

It is crucial to practice basic fire safety. If you use candle holders, use holders specifically designed for the type of candles you are using. Regardless of whether you are using holders or not, have the ritual set up on a fire-safe surface to account for where the twine might fall when it catches on fire. Keep a safe way to extinguish the fire nearby, wax fires can be put out using baking soda.

Additional Items

These are some suggested additions to your cord cutting that can boost the results and provide a better experience.

Herb/Salt Mix

Combine some salt of your choice with an herb that signifies protection to you. This salt circle will be set around your candle to protect you from any potential negative energy as a response to the cutting. I recommend things like nettle, mint, rosemary, etc. This is not required but I highly recommend it, as we cannot always predict how outside influences may react to losing their power over you.

When it comes to placement of the salt barrier, that depends on what kind of cutting you are doing. For removing your attachments to a toxic person you no longer have a need to protect, the circle can be just around your candle. If you tend to experience a lot of interference during rituals or do not have a lot of basic protections set up in general, a circle around the whole thing may help (if both of those situations apply to you, a circle around the work space and a circle around your candle can work well). If you are ending a connection with someone you care for and have lasting attachments to them (like children etc.) putting the salt around both with a gentle herb like rose or lavender would be ideal for helping you energetically detach while keeping peace and care for all parties involved.

Bowl of Salt Water

The bowl of salt water can be used to catch any stray energy that could interfere with your work. You can also use it to dip your hands in after handling the opposing candle so that you "wash your hands" of that connection. Using it on your hands before and after the spell can also be a way to remove outside influences from coming into the work, and keeping the energy of the spell from lingering after you are done.

Anointing Oil

Making your own can be as simple as taking a carrier oil and infusing it with protective herbs, or adding essential oils to their proper dilution (always dilute essential oils). If this is not an option, just the plain oil works too if you would like to anoint it, and we do carry an oil in our Cord Cutting Kit if you wish to use one that has already been prepared. Always use a small amount if you use it to dress candles and take this into account when considering fire safety steps.

Other Details

There are some specific things that I find boost the results of any working. These tips are from my lived experience and the training I’ve received in Scandinavian folk magic, so some associations and practices may differ and it is recommended that you personalize it to what works for you. Some traditions have opposite associations for certain items and processes, so it is important to work with what will flow easily for you. This is just advice, not instruction.

Phrasing

It can be powerful to verbally create a "container" for the spell by announcing a beginning, middle, and end to it. This is done by saying things like "I am going to cast this for-" at the beginning of the spell, "I am casting this now for-" in the body of the spell, and "I have cast this, and so it is done" at the end. There is also an emphasis on comparison statements such as "like this, so too shall this." This helps communicate what each aspect is meant to represent and programs it in a way. It increases the strength of the ritual and minimizes unintended results through the specificity. 
A loose example would sound like this:

Stated as you begin: 

"This shall be cast so that I am free of this influence."

As you tie the twine around the candles: 

"Like the twine connects these two candles, so too shall it represent the connection that I am to release."

As you light the candles: 

"I am casting this now to be free of this influence. Like the flame begins the transformation of this candle, so too does this spell begin the release of this connection."

As the twine catches fire: 

"Like the flame has freed the candle of this twine, so too am I free from the influence of this connection."

When the candles have burned down: 

"Like the candles have now completed their journey, so too have I cast this fully. It is done."

Discarding

The leftover contents of a ritual can be confusing to deal with. Each ritual or spell will have different suggestions for what to do with the remains of a working, but as this is something you wish to leave behind it is not ideal to keep it near you. Excess wax can be thrown away, although I recommend an outside trash can that will be picked up soon or in a receptacle off your property. If you choose to use the bowl of water as a method for collecting stray energy, I recommend discarding it to the northernmost area you can reasonably go, and pour it out in a safe location. If you use salt, take some care to avoid plant life (I use a very small amount so that it does not kill anything). Any herbs or other organic material may be buried in the same place you pour the water for their energy to be recycled.

Timing

A good time to do cord cutting would be while the moon is waning. I also enjoy using the day or two before a new moon to clear old stuff away before the new cycle begins. Eclipses can be powerful for cord cuttings if you are experienced with working with eclipse energy. Sunset would be an excellent time of day as the sun "sets" on that connection. You could also look to more detailed astrology to pick the perfect time and day, but a cord cutting done on a random Tuesday is just fine too!

Interpretation

Cord cuttings can be interpreted to determine if there is anything you should know regarding your ritual working, any complications that may occur, how it will be received etc. This is a loose interpretation guide, as interpretations can vary. But first, a few mundane explanations for common occurrences to go along with the spiritual:

One candle burned way quicker/had a larger flame?

Mundane: If you choose just to anoint one of the candles with oil, that can make one burn faster than the other.
Spiritual: One party may be more ready than the other, or is heading towards burn out regarding the connection. Context will determine which.

The flames went crazy!

Mundane: Be sure to account for windows, fans, and drafts.
Spiritual: Can mean lots of stray energy, active energy, particularly energetic connection or lots to work through.

Large flame with lots of soot?

Mundane: The wicks were not trimmed before burning.
Spiritual: Blockages being cleared, a lot to work through, keep an eye out for obstacles and know that you might need to do a repeated ritual. 

Common Interpretations:

These are the outcomes I see people ask about more frequently. The interpretations are based on the context surrounding the situations I have observed, so your experience may vary. If in your work you have different experiences and interpretations you would intuitively go with, listen to your gut! A lot of the interpretation comes down to which candle did what, what did the twine do when the flame caught it, how evenly did things burn, and did the wax do anything interesting. If you are experimenting with scrying and meditation, note any symbols you see and feelings you get.

Steady Flame: Stable and consistent energy to work with.

Wild Flame: Depends on context, can mean lots of energy, inconsistent energy, lots of guidance, or interference. Another divination method may be necessary. 

Strange Bursts: Blockages removed, interference that was worked out if it returns to a normal flame, stray energy coming your way.

Twine Did Not Burn: You may need more work before you are ready for this spell, or something else is interfering if mundane explanations do not apply.

Twine Went up Quick and Even: The dissolution of the connection is needed for both sides, success, nothing too volatile expected.

Twine Wrapped Around: If the twine wrapped around your candle after it burned, you may not be fully ready to let go and you may undermine the spell. If it is still burning when it wraps around and melts your candle, you may need to watch for self sabotage (ex: doing a cord cutting for an ex but then stalking their social media later). If it wraps around the opposing candle, they or the influence may have a hard time letting go and you should be ready to keep your boundaries firm (in this case if yours burns evenly and stable you likely have nothing to worry about, but watch for the twine moving and hitting your candle or any interference). 

Final Thoughts

A cord cutting can be a healing experience that reveals a lot to you about where you are at in the process of letting go. It can be used as a divination technique, a spell, or both. It takes patience and practice, but the results can be powerful for those that are ready to transform. There are so many ways to do a cord cutting and many different ways to interpret it based off of background, tradition, and intuition. The important part of the ritual is your focus and commitment to it, and the rest will fall into place. If your ritual starts to indicate you won’t get the results you expected do not panic or become discouraged - it is often just a case of needing to reflect a little more before trying again. Occasionally something is just not meant to be let go of, and if this becomes the case know that it is okay to pivot your work to meet the underlying issue. Be patient with yourself and don’t forget to take some time for recovery afterwards.

Good luck!