You've been carrying something that doesn't belong to you—a lingering argument, a draining habit, a presence that leaves your skin prickling. Banishing spells are one of the most requested topics from new witches, and for good reason: they offer a tangible way to reclaim your space and energy. But here's what most beginner guides skip: timing is everything. The same spell cast under a waxing moon versus a waning moon can produce wildly different results. In this article, you'll learn five expert-backed banishing methods, each aligned with a specific lunar phase, complete with supply lists that won't break the bank. I've been practicing for over a decade, and I still use these techniques—they're foundational, not “beginner” in a dismissive sense. By the end, you'll know exactly which moon phase to use for what kind of banishing, how to adapt rituals with items from your kitchen, and why a $2 taper candle can be just as powerful as a $40 ritual tool.
Understanding Banishing vs. Binding vs. Cleansing
Before we dive into the methods, let's clear up a common confusion. Banishing is not the same as binding or cleansing, though beginners often mix them up. Banishing sends an energy, entity, or influence away from your space or life. Binding restricts something—it doesn't remove it, it just stops it from acting. Cleansing is a general reset, like washing a floor with salt water. For example, if you have a toxic work dynamic, a banishing spell would aim to remove that specific person's influence from your daily experience. A binding would prevent them from harming you further, but they'd still be around. Cleansing would just clear the residual negativity after the fact.
Historically, banishing practices appear in nearly every magical tradition. The Greek Magical Papyri include banishing rituals using sulfur and myrrh. In medieval European folk magic, banishing often involved burying objects at crossroads. The key difference between historical and modern approaches is accessibility—you don't need rare herbs or animal parts. A 2023 survey by the Pagan Research Collective found that 68% of modern witches use banishing spells at least once a year, and the most common items are candles (89%), salt (74%), and Incense (61%). You can find all three at a grocery store for under $15 total.
When choosing a banishing method, consider what you're removing. Is it a situation (like a bad habit), a person (with ethical caution), or a lingering emotion? Each target responds better to certain moon phases. The waning moon (from full to new) is your primary window—that's when energy decreases. The dark moon (the day before the new moon) is for deep, stubborn banishing. The full moon can amplify banishing if you need extra power, but it's less intuitive. I'll walk you through each phase with a specific technique.
Method 1: The Waning Moon Candle Banishing
This is the banishing spell I teach first because it's simple, visual, and uses items you probably already have. You'll need a black candle (or a white one if black isn't available—white works for any purpose), a small piece of paper, a pen, and a fire-safe dish. The waning moon phase is ideal because the decreasing moonlight mirrors the energy you're sending away. For timing, aim for the three days after the full moon—specifically the waning gibbous phase. If you miss that, the waning crescent works too, but avoid the last day before the new moon (that's for the dark moon method below).
Here's the step-by-step. On a waning moon evening, sit in a quiet space. Light the candle—I use the 4-inch black taper candles from Yaley, which cost about $8 for a pack of 12 at craft stores. Write on the paper what you want to banish. Be specific: “I banish the anxiety that comes before my Monday meetings” rather than “banish all bad energy.” Fold the paper away from you three times. Hold it in your hands and say aloud: “As this moon wanes, so does your hold on me. I release you to the dark.” Then burn the paper in the candle flame (use the fire-safe dish) and let it ash completely. Let the candle burn for at least 15 minutes—never leave it unattended. Afterwards, bury the ashes at a crossroads or in a potted plant you don't mind discarding.
Why this works: The black candle absorbs and neutralizes energy. Candle flames (around 1,400°C at the core) can symbolically transform matter from solid to gas, which aligns with the magical principle of transmutation. You don't need a special athame to inscribe the candle—a kitchen knife or even a toothpick works. I've used a bamboo skewer for years. The key is intention, not the tool's price tag.
Method 2: Dark Moon Salt and Water Banishing
For situations that feel sticky—like a persistent negative thought pattern or a space that never feels clean—the dark moon offers the most potent banishing energy. The dark moon is the 24-hour period before the new moon when the sky is completely dark. This is not a time for delicate work; it's for cutting ties. The salt and water method draws on ancient purification practices. You'll need sea salt (not table salt—table salt is iodized and lacks the crystalline structure for magical work; a 1-pound bag of Morton's sea salt costs about $3), a bowl of water (preferably rainwater or tap water left in moonlight for an hour), and a black cloth.
On the night of the dark moon, fill a bowl with 1 cup of water and add 3 tablespoons of sea salt. Stir clockwise with your finger. As you stir, visualize the unwanted energy dissolving. Then dip your hands into the water and imagine it washing away the attachment. If you're banishing from a space, sprinkle the salt water at each doorway—start at the front door and move clockwise. Use about 1/4 cup per doorway. Leave the bowl on your windowsill overnight. In the morning, pour the water down the drain (not on plants—salt kills them) and rinse the bowl with fresh water. Dispose of the remaining salt in the trash.
An affordable alternative: If you don't have sea salt, kosher salt works—Diamond Crystals kosher salt is about $5 for a 3-pound box. Avoid Himalayan pink salt for banishing; its high iron content is more associated with grounding and protection. The key measurement here is the 3:1 ratio of water to salt—that's what makes it a brine, which has been used for purification since at least 2,000 BCE in Egyptian rituals. You'll feel the shift immediately: the air will feel lighter, and your shoulders will drop.
Method 3: Full Moon Cord Cutting Ritual
The full moon is typically associated with manifestation, but it also amplifies any magical working—including banishing. Use this method when you need extra power, such as ending a long-term attachment to a job, a relationship, or a place. The cord cutting ritual is one of the most visually satisfying banishing spells. You'll need a 12-inch length of red or black cord (cotton or jute—available at craft stores for $2-3), a pair of sharp scissors (Fiskars are reliable at $10), and two small candles—one to represent you, one to represent the situation.
On the night of the full moon, set up your candles about 12 inches apart on a fire-safe surface. Tie the cord around the base of each candle so it forms a bridge. Light both candles. As they burn, speak your intention: “Under this full moon's light, I cut the tie that binds me to [situation]. I reclaim my energy.” Wait until the candles have burned for at least 10 minutes—long enough for the wax to pool. Then, with the scissors, cut the cord between the candles. Say “It is done.” Let the candles burn out completely. Bury the cut cord at a crossroads or in a compost bin (cotton is biodegradable).