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Whether there’s a bad spirit hanging around, a person that refuses to leave you alone, or a lingering feeling of negativity, sometimes it’s necessary just to get rid of something. This is where Wiccan spells of banishing come into play. These spells are considered one of the cornerstones of many Wiccan practices. In fact, some Wiccans believe that banishing is a skill that every new witch should cultivate.
Here are 6 things to know about Wiccan Spells of banishing:
Many banishing spells are inspired by other occult practices.
Banishing spells are defensive magick.
They aren’t always about repelling people or spirits.
Banishing spells don’t always work the first time
This type of spell is controversial.
There are different types of Wiccan banishing spells.
In this article, we’ll touch on six different things that you should know about Wiccan banishing spells. We’ll also discuss whenit’s the best time to cast a spell of banishing, and we’ll provide you with a few spells that you can try. Read on to learn more.
1. Many Banishing Spells Are Inspired by Other Occult Practices
Wicca is a fairly new religion. Established in the 1970s, this new-age neopagan community takes much of its inspiration from other occult practices and from folk magick and Western European traditions, in particular.
As we know, Wicca and witchcraft are two separate pursuits, but many Wiccansdo consider themselves to be witches too.
As The Craft has spread throughout the world, many practitioners adopt their own techniques, rituals, and spells from an even broader range of practices.
Binding Magick
Today, binding magick is used in Wicca for a number of purposes. It essentially “binds” a person, spirit, or negative energy to a specific result.
You may perform a binding spell if you wish to restrict someone from hurting you, themselves, or others. On the other hand, binding spells may also be used to attract. You can use a binding spell to secure a victory during an upcoming game or to draw someone or something to you.
Binding magick is not new or exclusive to Wicca, and it has been around longer than Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, Robert Buckland, and others. It’s an ancient practice that’s been around for thousands of years.
There’s plenty of evidence that binding magick has been a staple among many different traditions for millennia. For example, the discovery of a 2,000-year-old skeleton in Serbia included a set of tiny scrolls. The scrolls were held inside of ancient amulets and inscribed with Aramaic curses believed to be a part of ancient “binding magick.”
Considering that Wicca was first established in the 1970s, binding magick has been around long before Wicca was even thought of — before any of Wicca’s spiritual founders were even born!
Removing Unwanted Spirits, People, or Objects
Even the ancient Egyptians had handbooks of spells, including some for exorcising unwanted spirits, similar to the banishing spells used in Wicca today.
Today, the ancient Egyptian collection of rituals and incantations used to denounce a person, object, or entity are known as the Execration Texts.
Execration is defined as “the act of cursing or denouncing.” Ancient Egyptians would use a specific formula to ward off harmful entities, people, or objects before they had a chance to harm someone and banish said person, object, or spirit from returning. One method included inscribing statues and stone slabs with protective spells to banish snakes.
Jar Spells for Banishing
Join any Wiccan Facebook group, and you’ll find that the use of jar spells is popular among the community. Jar spells are an age-old practice used in folk magick rituals, including Voodoo, Hoodoo, and Southern Rootwork.
Variations exist for jar spells, but the practices originated in Africa and were particularly common in Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, and the Congo-Angola region. When enslaved Africans were brought to America against their will, they carried their traditions and practices with them. Over time, these practices and rituals evolved as other elements were incorporated, including indigenous botanical knowledge.
To get rid of someone, a practitioner can write the name of the person they wish to leave them alone (or the negative thought they can’t seem to shake). They stick the paper inside of a jar, and burn a candle on top. Once the candle has burned out and cooled completely, the practitioner breaks the jar or buries it.
2. Wiccan Banishing Spells Are Defensive Magick
Before performing a banishing spell, Wiccans typically cast a Circle to protect themselves and the area where the ritual occurs. In fact, you could even think of casting a Circle a banishing spell in a way, as it prevents unwanted energies and entities from entering the Circle.
This is precisely why many Wiccan practitioners believe that spells of banishing are a fundamental technique — it’s heavily associated with purification and is often used before consecration and invocation.
Banishing is important because entering the world of Wicca or witchcraft, in general, can be quite scary to new practitioners. Magick is unpredictable. It can put people in unfamiliar and uncertain situations. Therefore, learning to protect yourself as a new witch is considered a must-have first skill.
Nobody wants to wake up one day to find out that they’re on the “bad side” of another witch or being followed by a hostile entity. This is both distressing and confusing — and new Wiccans are often unsure how to get themselves out of such a situation.
Learning defensive magick to ensure your security and protection can increase your confidence as a witch and give you the skills that you need to handle any potential situation. You don’t have to stand around and take abuse from entities, people with bad energy, or even other witches. You can protect yourself — and you should.
Of course, if you follow the Wiccan Rede, you shouldn’t wish ill upon others or perform spells that could harm another. But defensive magick like banishing spells is meant to protect you and look out for yourself.
3. They Aren’t Always About Repelling People or Spirits
Hollywood and the media have contributed to the idea that Wiccan spells of banishing are always about keeping unwanted people or spirits away — but that’s not always the case. While it’s certainly possible to perform a banishing ritual to keep these entities from harming you, it’s not the only use for banishing magick.
Wiccan banishing spells are used to repel a number of things including:
Negative energy
Bad entities
Unhealthy influences
Addictions
Unwanted attention
Bad, toxic, or evil people
As mentioned in the previous section, it’s also used as a way to secure, purify, and protect a Circle prior to any spell or ritual.
No matter what it is that you’re banishing, the overall purpose is to take back control — to stop letting others, spirits, habits, or situations influence you in a negative way.
4. Banishing Spells Don’t Always Work the First Time
Nothing is promised, even when it comes to magick. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been practicing Wiccan magick — results are never guaranteed. There are far too many variables to consider, rules to understand, and things to keep in mind.
So, if your banishing spell doesn’t work, don’t get discouraged — look deep to figure out why and tweak your spell or ritual so that it works for you.
Here are some reasons why your banishing spell may not work and what you can do to try and make it more effective:
The situation is necessary. Sometimes, a certain feeling or person is necessary. Some people and situations teachus a lesson or help us recognize something within ourselves that needs attention or improvement. If you believe that may be the case, consider waiting it out for a while. Try to examine the situation more carefully to see if there’s something you’re missing or something you can learn despite your discomfort.
You’re not being specific enough. If you’re not totally sure exactly what it is that you want, then it’s impossible to be specific in your desires when you cast your banishing spell. Remember, when practicing magick, vagueness gets you nowhere. Try reflecting on what it is that you want, and next time, be more specific. Then when casting your banishing spell, maintain focus on this desire.
There’s not enough effort on your part. Intention is paramount to spellcasting, but effort is also required. You can’t take a thought and turn it into reality if you’re not working to meet the Universe halfway. If you’re banishing a person, try taking different routes to avoid them. For negative feelings, try journaling or meditation to rid yourself of intrusive thoughts. If a bad spirit follows you around, use protection spells in addition to spells of banishing.
The planning was poor. If you just jump right into a spell without any planning, it’s unlikely to work. Some practitioners spend days or weekson a single spell with careful planning according to the moon phase, day of the week, how they feel, and other factors. For more information on when to perform a banishing spell, see the section titled “When to Cast a Banishing Spell.”
You rushed through the spell. Spells require serious intention. The act is sacred and honors your internal desires so that you can connectwith those desires to achieve results. When performing a spell, don’t rush it — enjoy the process. Negativity, boredom, and stagnancy create a lull in energy. Next time, raise the energy higher for better results. Incorporate other magical items to increase energy, whether they be herbs, crystals, etc.
When casting a Wiccan spell of banishing, it’s important to do things properly. Know what you want and plan accordingly. Be specific about your desires, put in the effort, and take your time.
I highlyrecommend writing down your spells in your grimoire. Once the spell is complete, observe what happens — and write down your results. That way, you’ll give yourself the opportunity to revisit the spell later. From there on, you can tweak the spell based on what happened (or what didn’t happen) to achieve better results.
Don’t give up — continue until you find what works for you. Many times banishing is the result of trial and error.
5. This Type of Spell Is Controversial
The Wiccan Rede states, “An ye harm none, do what ye will,” and how the Rede is interpreted varies from practitioner to practitioner.
While spells of protection and banishing are considered fundamental for security as a witch, some Wiccans feel that others use banishment for manipulative purposes. They claim that certain banishing or binding spells infringe upon the free will of others.
It’s up to each individual practitioner and their coven to decide whether or not banishing spells against others have a place in their practice.
Before performing a Wiccan spell for banishing, observe the situation thoroughly. Consider the potential consequences. Consider the “what ifs” and reflect on how each outcome would feel from a moral and ethical standpoint. If you have any doubts or negative feelings about the matter, it’s best to steer clear until you’re more secure in your views and beliefs.
Is it wrong to prevent an individual from harming themselves or others? It’s tough to say, and each situation is different. You’re the only person who can decide if particular banishing spells are acceptable, moral, or ethical based on your beliefs and practices.
Not all Wiccans believe the same things. The Rede means different things to different people, so it’s not anyone’s place to say what a Wiccan practitioner can or cannot do.
6. There Are Different Methods for Banishing Spells
Wiccan banishing spells are not all the same. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to perform a banishing spell, from binding to freezer jars.
Which spiritual method or technique you use to cast your spell will depend on how comfortable you are with spellcasting and what you’re trying to achieve.
Do you want someone to leave you alone forever? Use a “burn” banishing spell.
Maybe you just want a person to chill out a little bit. Try a freezer jar spell.
Need to rid yourself of negative thoughts? Work with the elements.
There’s a banishing spell for nearly every circumstance.
Toward the end of this article, we’ll cover different spells of banishing that you can try. Each of these spells is based on a different situation. You can use them as a baseline for your banishing rituals and tweak them to your individual situation.
However, before we dive into the actual spells, let’s talk about the best time to cast a banishing spell.
When To Cast a Banishing Spell
Performing a banishing spell when you’re angry, depressed, or feeling down could negatively impact your spell. It could potentially lead to unintentional harm to the target or yourself. Remember that what you want is to remove something from your life, nothurt another living being in the process.
Before casting a Wiccan spell of banishing, plan everything out. I highly recommend planning spells and rituals according to moon phases, days of the week, and on days when you’re feeling well in all aspects– physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Moon Phases
The waxing moon phase (from the New Moon to the Full Moon) is best for manifestation, whereas the waning moon phase (from the Full Moon to the New Moon) is best for releasing old habits or unwanted energies. Therefore, a banishing spell is best performed during a waning moon or on the night of the New Moon.
Days of the Week
Each day of the week is associated with a different planet, and each planet has its own properties. I’ll briefly outline each day of the week, its ruling planet, and properties so that you can best decide which day is best for your banishing spell.
Sunday (The Sun/Leo/Fire) – The beginning of the week is the day of healing, hope, creativity, vitality, and success. If using this day to cast your banishing spell, implement herbs and incense such as cloves, frankincense, or sunflower.
Monday (The Moon/Cancer/Water) – Intuition, dreams, femininity, family, and home come into play on what seems to be the least favorite day of the week (at least for many). Monday is best for casting spells regarding emotional situations. Use jasmine, moonwort, white rose, or camphor.
Tuesday (Mars/Aries/Scorpio/Fire/Water) – If you feel that action, passion, goals, destiny, strength, and courage relate to whatever it is that you want to banish, then Tuesday is the day for you. This high-energy day is best for spells relating to career, exercise, meetings, and sexuality. Implement patchouli, pepper, garlic, pine, or roses.
Wednesday (Mercury/Chiron/Gemini/Virgo/Air/Earth) – Banishing spells relating to communication should be cast on Wednesday. Whether it’s writing, speaking, or even singing, communicative activities are at the forefront here. Utilize cinnamon, sweet pea, ferns, or dill.
Thursday (Jupiter/Pisces/Sagittarius/Water/Fire) – Jupiter is a strong planet that signifies abundance, so Thursday is an excellent time for banishing related to business and legal matters. Use nutmeg, cedar, pine, and oak for Thursday rituals or spells.
Friday (Venus/Freya/Libra/Taurus/Air/Earth) – Friday is all about love, beauty, sex, fertility, and friendship. If performing a banishing spell on Friday, ensure that you’re casting the spell under a waning or New Moon. Spells cast on Friday during a Full Moon or waxing moon may have the opposite effect you intend them to due to the focus on partnership. Use ivy, sage, birch, or apple in your spellcasting.
Saturday (Saturn/Capricorn/Aquarius/Earth/Air) – The stoic, disciplined, and often majorly serious Saturn is about protection, self-discipline, duty, responsibility, binding, and manifestation. Saturday is best used for career-related matters or those relating to willpower. Consider using ivy, oak, myrrh, and hemlock during your spell.
Wiccan Banishing Spells To Try
Now that you’ve learned more about Wiccan spells of banishing, let’s dive into some spells. Each of these spells may be used as a basic guideline — you may change them, implement other objects, and adjust them however you deem fit.
Write them down in your grimoire or book of shadows, and remember to record the results afterward as well!
Get Rid of an Unwanted Spirit
Unwanted spirits can be scary, especially if you don’t know what to expect. However, getting rid of them isn’t as challenging as one might think.
In fact, one of the easiest ways to get rid of a spirit that’s hanging around is to tell it to leave! It’s really that simple! After casting your Circle, be firm in your desires and tell the spirit to go. You might say, “This is not your space. I demand that you leave.” If the spirit isn’t particularly negative or harmful, just a nuisance, you could offer a blessing or well-wishes.
Elemental Banishing
Utilizing the various elements is an effective way to banish a person, thought pattern, habit, spirit, or whatever it is that you’re trying to get rid of.
Fire – Use fire for purification, cleansing, and removing an unwanted person from your life. Write down what or who it is that’s harming (or attempting to harm) you. Burn around the edges of the paper and let the wind carry away the paper and the ashes.
Water – If it’s negative thoughts that you wish to banish, consider a purification ritual using consecrated water. Using a stone, write down the thought. Drop it into a cup of consecrated water to “purify” the thought and prevent it from bothering you anymore.
Earth – Salt represents Earth in many traditions and has been used for millennia to dispel unwanted energies. Sprinkle it around your doors and windows to ward off unwanted spirits or energies. Alternatively, you could write the name of the person, intrusive thought, or negative habit on a sheet of paper and then bury it in the Earth on a New Moon.
Air – Write the name of whatever it is that you wish to banish on a leaf, and then release it on a windy day under a waning or New Moon. Let the wind carry it off, far away from you. Alternatively, you may burn incense and imagine the smoke as the negative person, spirit, or thought, rising and dissipating, no longer there to harm or bother you.
You can use the elements in different ways besides what’s listed above. It’s all about what works and feels right to you.
Binding
If demanding that the spirit, person, or unwanted energy leave you alone doesn’t do the trick, you may consider a binding spell.
Write down what you wish to banish and imagine exactly what it is that you want to happen. Some ideas include:
Make Karen stop bothering me at work.
Stop Jason from calling me all the time.
Remove intrusive thoughts from my mind.
Get some sort of “link” to the person or thought that you want to banish. For thoughts, it could be as simple as writing the thought on a sheet of paper. People are a little more difficult — you might grab a piece of paper that they wrote on, a pen that they’ve used, or an object that they’ve given you.
Choose your method. To stop someone from spreading rumors about you, consider tongue-binding. To stop someone from harming themselves or others, create a poppet and tie it up while envisioning the person no longer hurting anyone. There are multiple binding spells out there, so find what works for you.
Make Someone Leave You Alone
Is there someone in your life who refuses to leave you alone — or someone that you cannot seem to avoid no matter what you do? Well, try this banishing spell.
Write the person’s name down. It’s best to do this on all-natural parchment paper for best results, but any paper should do in a pinch. Alternatively, you could write in on a leaf.
Using a black candle, burn around the edges of the paper. While burning the paper, envision what it is that you’re burning away — particularly, the negative energy that the person has towards you. Burn as much as you can, leaving only their name.
Visit the place where you regularly see the person. Dig a small hole in the area and bury the burnt sheet of paper. If you’re unable to bury the paper, you may tear it up while again envisioning the negative feelings vanishing and then let the wind carry it off.
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