We’ve all had those relationships or connections that leave a lingering weight—whether it’s an ex, a toxic friendship, or even a fleeting encounter that somehow stays in your energetic field. Trust me, we’ve all crashed out over someone we’ve only been out with once. It’s a classic experience. Maybe you feel drained after seeing someone, constantly think about someone you’ve let go of, or sense an unexplainable emotional tie to the past. If this sounds like you, you are not going crazy, but instead, you may be connected to this person by a spiritual cord.
What Are Spiritual Cords? In the spiritual and energetic healing world, cords are invisible energetic ties that connect us to people, places, and experiences. They form during intense emotional exchanges, love, conflict, trauma, and deep connection. While some cords are healthy and nurturing, others can be toxic, outdated, or no longer in alignment with our growth. Like everything, spiritual cords can either serve us greatly or hinder our journey. It’s important to stay in tune with your highest self to evaluate what people and relationships truly serve you.
Why Cord Cutting Matters When cords remain attached long after a relationship or situation has ended, they can hold us back. Oftentimes, they can also prevent us from having enough energy to give in relationships that truly benefit us.
You might feel:
Emotionally stuck or unable to move on Frequently triggered by someone from your past Spiritually or physically exhausted Repeating patterns you thought you healed Cord-cutting isn’t about erasing memories or denying the impact someone had on you. It’s about giving yourself the grace to move forward, even if you may not be 100% ready to completely move on. Remember, you can be generous with your energy, but no one (especially someone not in your life) is entitled to it, and you should always prioritize your well-being.
Signs You Might Need to Cut a Cord You're obsessively thinking about someone, even if they’re no longer in your life You feel anxiety or sadness when their name comes up You have physical symptoms (like stomach aches or tightness in your chest) when you see or think about them You feel like you’re “haunted” by a past relationship or trauma If any of that resonates, your intuition might nudge you to release what’s weighing you down. You are not meant to be burdened forever by the weight of these energetic cords. You are meant to have a happy and light-filled life. Sometimes, when we are dealing with the negative manifestations of energy in our lives, we can forget our worth and begin to tolerate behaviors and people that don’t truly serve us.
How to Cut Energetic Cords Cord cutting can be done spiritually, emotionally, or physically . There are two powerful ways to approach it: the first is a visualization-based ritual and the second is a physical ritual with two candles—choose what resonates for you.
Visualization-Based Cord Cutting Ritual 1. Ground Yourself Find a quiet space and set the mood for whatever feels right. Give yourself grace to find peace, even for just a few minutes. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Feel yourself connected to the earth.
2. Call In Protection Invite in any spiritual guides, ancestors, angels, or deities you work with . Whether you are religious, spiritual, etc, there are always energetic beings you can call to for support. Ask for their support in lovingly releasing what no longer serves.
3. Visualize the Cord Picture the cord between you and the person/situation you’re releasing. Notice where it’s attached in your body—your heart, your gut, your throat. Notice what feelings you get. Do you feel tighter in your chest? Do you feel your heart start to race? Paying attention to these physical symptoms can give you clarity on where the cord impacts you most.
4. Cut the Cord Imagine a beam of light or a spiritual tool (like a sword or scissors) severing the cord. As it detaches, send love and gratitude to the other person and return your energy to yourself. Remember, we receive what we put out into the Universe, so we recommend refraining from sending anyone negative energy so we don’t receive it in return.
5. Fill the Space Visualize golden light filling the place where the cord once was. Repeat affirmations like:
“I release what no longer serves me.” “I call my power back.” “I am free.” If these affirmations don’t resonate with you, try using the Manifest app to generate affirmations custom-tailored to your situation. The more personal the affirmations are, the more powerful they will be to you.
6. Close the Ritual Thank your guides. Blow out your candle. Drink water. Take a salt bath or cleanse your space if you feel called to. Gratitude is the most powerful emotion in the Universe, when we exercise it, we receive the benefits.
Physical Cord Cutting Ritual (With Two Candles) If you’re someone who connects deeply through visual and tactile practices, this version can be incredibly potent. Both are equally powerful, and it’s important to pick the ritual that you feel called to.
What You’ll Need:
Two candles (pillar or taper work well) A piece of string, twine, or thread A fireproof surface or dish Something to cut with (scissors, knife, or even burn the string in the middle) 1. Set the Scene Place the two candles a few inches apart. Tie the string between them, representing the energetic cord. One candle symbolizes you; the other symbolizes the person or situation you're releasing. You can choose a symbolic colored cord, for example, pink for love, red for passion, yellow for friendship, etc.
2. Light the Flames Light both candles and sit with their glow for a moment. Feel the connection, acknowledge the bond, the pain, the beauty, and the lessons. Watch how each candle is burning. Is one flickering and one steady? Pay attention to the behavior of each candle.
3. Speak Your Intention Say out loud or silently something like:“I honor what this connection has taught me. I now release it with love, grace, and peace. I call all my energy back to me.”
This is a powerful message because you are not sending any negativity, but you are just wishing for your energy to return to you.
4. Cut the Cord When you feel ready, cut or burn the string between the candles. Let the string fall. You might feel a shift immediately—or a deep stillness. That’s your energy returning home. If you have the patience, the cord will also burn on its own if you let it sit long enough.
5. Let the Candles Burn (Safely) Allow the candles to burn down for a while as a symbol of new light and freedom. Stay present, or journal as you witness the release unfold.
Aftercare: What to Expect After cord cutting, you might feel lighter, emotional, or even a little raw. That’s normal. Give yourself time to rest, reflect, and integrate. Take a salt bath , cleanse your aura, use Manifest: 24/7 Wellness , journal, or spend time in nature. If you feel very connected to meditations, try Daydream for endless, customized meditations. Whatever actions align with your highest self are those you should take after a cord-cutting ritual. Remember, if the person or emotion resurfaces, you’ve already done the work. You’re not the same version of yourself who was holding on, and you don’t owe the connection more of your energy.
Some cords are stubborn and might need more than one ritual. Trust the process. Each layer you shed brings you back to your truest self.
FAQs What is the Manifest App, and how does it support mental wellness? Manifest is a 24/7 wellness mobile app designed to help users improve their mental health through practices like guided manifesting and daily positive affirmations. It encourages you to set intentions, practice mindfulness, and reinforce a positive mindset daily. By integrating these self-care practices into your routine, the app is a supportive tool for overall mental wellness. (You can download Manifest in the Apple App Store to start your journey.)
How does manifesting help you? Manifesting can support personal growth and goal achievement by harnessing the power of focused attention, intention-setting, and positive visualization —concepts backed by psychological research. Additionally, the self-fulfilling prophecy and expectancy theory suggest that when individuals believe in a specific outcome and align their behaviors accordingly, they are more likely to take actions that make that outcome a reality. While manifesting isn’t magic , it can be a powerful tool to rewire your mindset, build confidence, and direct your energy toward intentional change.
