Banishing Ritual

To remove something that has overstayed — a habit, an influence, a presence in your space.

Waning moon only. Never in the waxing half.

MoonMagicx Lunar Method™ phase: Waning Crescent.

• A black candle

• Rue, garlic or juniper

• Salt

• Paper and pen

• A heatproof bowl

Be precise about what you are banishing. Vague banishing tends to remove your own energy along with it. Never target a person's free will — target the pattern, the access, or your own participation.

Work at night, near an open window, bowl in front of you.

Light the candle. Say: 'This ends with me.'

1. Write what you are banishing as a behaviour or pattern, not a person.

2. Fold the paper away from you three times.

3. Sprinkle the herb and a little salt on it.

4. Burn it safely, or tear it into pieces and dispose of it outside your home.

5. Wash your hands and the bowl with cold water.

6. Sprinkle salt at your threshold and leave it overnight.

'What has overstayed, leave.

I withdraw my attention, my energy and my welcome.

The door closes behind you.'

Snuff the candle. Open the window for five minutes. Say: 'Gone.'

Follow with a cleansing and something nourishing. Banishing without aftercare tends to leave a flat, hollow feeling.

Ask what part of this you would have to stop feeding for it to stay gone.

• What am I still participating in?

• What need was this meeting?

• What replaces it?

Burn safely and ventilate. Rue is a skin irritant — handle dried and wash hands. Do not use banishing work in place of practical safety measures or professional support.