Beginner's Guide to Cord Cutting

Introduction: Severing Energetic Ties

Cord cutting is a powerful spiritual practice of severing energetic attachments between yourself and another person, situation, or pattern. These invisible cords drain your energy, keep you stuck in unhealthy dynamics, and prevent you from moving forward. Cord cutting doesn't mean you stop loving someone or erase memories—it means you reclaim your energy, establish healthy boundaries, and free yourself from toxic attachments. This practice is essential for healing, growth, and energetic sovereignty.

This comprehensive beginner's guide teaches you everything about cord cutting. You'll learn what energetic cords are and how they form, signs you need cord cutting, different cord cutting methods, step-by-step rituals, aftercare and protection, and when to seek additional help. By the end, you'll be able to perform cord cutting rituals safely and effectively.

What Are Energetic Cords?

Understanding Energy Cords

Energetic cords are:

• Invisible energy connections between people
• Formed through relationships and interactions
• Can be healthy or unhealthy
• Carry energy, emotions, and information
• Exist in the energetic/spiritual realm

How cords form:

• Through relationships (romantic, family, friends)
• Intense emotional experiences
• Trauma bonding
• Sexual intimacy (very strong cords)
• Long-term interactions
• Codependent dynamics

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Cords

Healthy cords:

• Allow energy to flow both ways
• Respect boundaries
• Support both people
• Can be released and reformed naturally
• Example: loving parent-child bond

Unhealthy cords:

• Drain your energy
• One-sided energy flow
• Keep you stuck in past
• Maintain toxic dynamics
• Prevent healing and growth
• Example: attachment to abusive ex

Signs You Need Cord Cutting

Emotional Signs

• Can't stop thinking about someone
• Feel drained after thinking of them
• Obsessive thoughts about past relationship
• Feeling their emotions as your own
• Unable to move on
• Repeating same relationship patterns
• Feeling controlled or manipulated

Physical Signs

• Chronic fatigue
• Pain in specific areas (often solar plexus, heart)
• Feeling heavy or weighed down
• Sleep disturbances
• Unexplained anxiety

Energetic Signs

• Feeling someone's presence when they're not there
• Sensing their emotions
• Dreams about the person frequently
• Synchronicities related to them
• Feeling pulled back to toxic situation

When to Cut Cords

Appropriate Times

Cut cords with:

• Toxic or abusive relationships (past or present)
• Ex-partners you can't move on from
• Codependent relationships
• Energy vampires
• Deceased loved ones (if attachment is unhealthy)
• Past versions of yourself
• Addictions or bad habits
• Traumatic situations or places

When NOT to Cut Cords

Don't cut cords:

• To manipulate someone's feelings
• To avoid dealing with your issues
• With healthy, supportive relationships
• As punishment or revenge
• Without understanding consequences

Note: Cutting cords with someone doesn't mean you can't have a relationship with them. It means releasing unhealthy attachment patterns.

Preparing for Cord Cutting

Emotional Preparation

• Be clear on why you're cutting cords
• Understand this is for your highest good
• Release any guilt
• Know you're not being cruel—you're healing
• Be ready to feel emotions

Spiritual Preparation

1. Ground and center thoroughly
2. Cleanse yourself and space
3. Cast protective circle
4. Call on guides or deities for support
5. Set clear intention

What You'll Need

Basic supplies:

• Two candles (one for you, one for other person)
• String, thread, or cord
• Scissors or knife
• Matches or lighter

Optional supplies:

• Black tourmaline or obsidian (protection)
• Sage or cleansing herbs
• Salt
• Paper and pen
• Photos (optional, not required)

Simple Cord Cutting Ritual

Step 1: Create Sacred Space

1. Cleanse space with smoke or sound
2. Cast circle for protection
3. Light protective incense
4. Ground and center deeply

Step 2: Set Up Candles

1. Place two candles on altar
2. One represents you (white or your color)
3. One represents other person (any color)
4. Space them apart
5. Tie string between the two candles

Step 3: Light Candles and State Intention

"I light this candle for myself, [your name].
I light this candle for [other person's name].
This cord represents the energetic attachment between us.
I now release this cord for my highest good and theirs."

Step 4: Acknowledge the Connection

• Speak about the relationship
• Acknowledge what it taught you
• Express gratitude for lessons (if appropriate)
• Release any resentment or anger
• Forgive (yourself and them) if possible

Step 5: Cut the Cord

1. Hold scissors or knife
2. Take deep breath
3. Speak firmly: "I cut this cord. I release this attachment. I reclaim my energy. I am free."
4. Cut the string between candles
5. Feel the release
6. Visualize cord dissolving

Step 6: Seal Your Energy

1. Visualize white light filling where cord was
2. See yourself whole and complete
3. Speak: "I am sovereign. My energy is my own. I am protected and free."
4. Place protective crystal on solar plexus or heart

Step 7: Dispose of Cord

• Burn the cut string
• Bury ashes away from home
• Or throw in moving water
• Don't keep it

Step 8: Close Ritual

• Thank any guides or deities
• Close circle
• Ground thoroughly
• Cleanse yourself

Alternative Cord Cutting Methods

Visualization Method (No Tools)

1. Sit in meditation
2. Visualize yourself and other person
3. See cord connecting you (often at solar plexus or heart)
4. Notice what it looks like (color, thickness, texture)
5. Call in Archangel Michael or your guides
6. Visualize them cutting the cord with sword of light
7. See cord dissolving
8. Fill space with white light
9. Thank guides

Bathing Ritual

1. Prepare bath with salt and cleansing herbs
2. Light black candle
3. Enter bath with intention to release cords
4. Visualize cords dissolving in water
5. Soak for at least 20 minutes
6. Drain water, visualizing cords going down drain
7. Shower off with fresh water

Writing and Burning

1. Write letter to person
2. Express everything you need to say
3. State: "I release all cords between us"
4. Burn letter safely
5. Bury or scatter ashes
6. Cleanse yourself

Professional Energy Healing

• Reiki practitioner
• Energy healer
• Shamanic practitioner
• Good for deep or traumatic cords

Aftercare and Integration

Immediate Aftercare

Right after cord cutting:

• Ground thoroughly
• Drink water
• Eat something grounding
• Rest if needed
• Avoid contact with person (if possible)
• Protect your energy

Emotional Processing

You might feel:

• Relief and lightness
• Grief or sadness
• Anger surfacing
• Emptiness (temporary)
• Fatigue
• All of these are normal

Allow yourself to:

• Feel all emotions
• Cry if needed
• Journal
• Talk to trusted friend or therapist
• Be gentle with yourself

Ongoing Protection

• Shield daily
• Set strong boundaries
• Avoid re-engaging with person (if toxic)
• Notice if cords try to reform
• Cut again if needed

Preventing Cord Reformation

Why Cords Reform

• Continued contact with person
• Not maintaining boundaries
• Falling back into old patterns
• Not doing your healing work
• Codependency patterns

How to Prevent

• Maintain no contact (if appropriate)
• Set and enforce boundaries
• Do your inner work
• Shield regularly
• Notice when you're thinking of them obsessively
• Cut cords again if needed (it's okay!)

Healthy Boundaries

• Know your limits
• Communicate clearly
• Say no without guilt
• Protect your energy
• Choose yourself

Special Situations

Cutting Cords with Family

• Can cut unhealthy cords while maintaining relationship
• Releases toxic patterns, not the person
• Allows healthier dynamic to form
• May need to repeat
• Boundaries are essential

Cutting Cords with Deceased

• Releases unhealthy attachment
• Doesn't mean you stop loving them
• Allows both of you to move forward
• Frees their spirit and yours
• Can maintain healthy spiritual connection

Cutting Cords with Yourself

• Past versions of yourself
• Old identities or roles
• Trauma or painful memories
• Addictions or habits
• Powerful for transformation

Common Questions

Will the other person know I cut cords?

They might sense something shifted, but won't necessarily know what. Some people report the other person reaching out shortly after. Maintain boundaries.

Can I cut cords with someone I still see regularly?

Yes! You're cutting unhealthy attachment, not the relationship itself. This can actually improve the dynamic.

How often should I cut cords?

As needed. Some cords need cutting once, others reform and need repeated cutting until you've healed the pattern.

Is cord cutting permanent?

It can be, especially if you maintain boundaries and do your healing work. But cords can reform if you fall back into old patterns.

Can cord cutting harm the other person?

No. You're releasing attachment, not cursing them. It's actually for both people's highest good.

When to Seek Additional Help

Consider Professional Support If:

• Cords are related to severe trauma
• You feel overwhelmed by the process
• Cords keep reforming despite your efforts
• You're dealing with abuse or stalking
• You have mental health concerns
• You need additional healing support

Resources:

• Therapist or counselor
• Energy healer
• Spiritual counselor
• Support groups
• Crisis hotlines (if needed)

Conclusion: Reclaiming Your Energy

Cord cutting is a powerful act of self-love and sovereignty. By severing unhealthy energetic attachments, you reclaim your energy, establish boundaries, and free yourself to move forward. This practice doesn't erase love or memories—it releases toxic patterns and allows healing. Whether you're cutting cords with an ex, a family member, or a past version of yourself, you deserve to be free.

Approach cord cutting with intention, protect yourself throughout the process, and be gentle with yourself afterward. You are worthy of healthy relationships and energetic freedom.

May your cords be cut, your energy be reclaimed, and your sovereignty be honored!

Continue your healing journey with Shadow Work and Protection Magic.