Banishing Spells

There’s often confusion over the difference between banishing spells and binding spells, however it’s crucial that you understand this difference.

It’s an important distinction. Although magic spells are typically used to manifest something or someone, quite often the reverse is needed. Something or someone needs to be sent packing quickly.

Banishing spells are traditionally timed to coincide with the waning moon, in the hopes that, just as the moon diminishes, so will the unwanted presence.

Also falling under the category of banishing spells are Avoidance Spells—those spells required when you wish to avoid contact, for instance with creditors or debt collectors. Banishing spells are used to prevent any unwelcome returns, too. However, you may wish to consider Protection Spells to reinforce, or in some circumstances replace, banishing spells.

Banishing People and Other Pests

Balloon Banishing

  1. Write the target of your spell’s name onto a slip of paper.
  2. Insert this paper into a balloon, either before or after blowing it up, whichever you find simpler.
  3. Take the balloon to an appropriate place and release it.

Banish Evil Spell

Sometimes it’s not clear what or who needs to be banished. There’s just a prevailing sense of evil that needs to be expelled. This spell is most effective during the Dark Moon. An iron hammer is required, as is a flat rock, and either a coffin nail or an old rusty nail.

  1. Hammer the nail against the rock. The goal is not to pierce the rock but merely to score it three times across the face. Visualize what you are dispelling while you hammer.
  2. Bury the stone far away.
  3. Carry the nail in a red mojo bag, together with some crossroads’ and/or graveyard dirt.

Banish Negative Energy

Occasionally what requires banishing is more ambiguous than unwanted guests, mean spirits, or vermin: burn chicory to banish negative emotions from the premises as well as negative energy, regardless of the source.

Banishing Powders

The art of the enchanted powder reaches its finest point with banishing spells. Various Banishing Powders exist, of varying intensity. Some are created from common kitchen ingredients, while others are mixed from more exotic components. Experiment and see which formula works most powerfully for you.

Remember that powders are intended as a subtle form of magic. There’s no need to leave a large suspicious pile; a discreet sprinkling is typically sufficient.

Any of the Banishing Powders below may be used to create a Banishing Oil.

Banishing Oil

  1. Grind the ingredients together to create a Banishing Powder (see below).
  2. Cover this powder with castor oil, shaking vigorously to distribute.
  3. If castor oil is too thick to flow adequately, dilute with jojoba oil.

Banishing Powder (1) Basic Banishing Powder

Black pepper

Cayenne powder

Cinnamon

Sea salt

Sulfur

Banishing Powder (2) Begone! Banishing Powder

Chopped bay laurel leaves

Black pepper

Cayenne pepper

Powdered hydrangea blossoms

Sea salt

Both formulas above are similar in intensity and may be used in the same manner:

The above Banishing Powders are made from what are more or less household ingredients, with maybe a little extra investment. Although not everyone keeps sulfur powder or powdered hydrangea as a kitchen staple, they are both easy, inexpensive items to purchase from an herbalist or spiritual supply store.

The following Banishing Powder has a more complex set of ingredients: obtaining them may take greater effort than the previous formulas. It is, however, considered a stronger, more defiant, and perhaps ultimately a more malevolent banishing agent.

If you enjoy working with figure candles, black devil candles are considered powerful banishing agents:

Black Devil Banishing Spell

  1. Hold a black devil candle in both your hands to charge it with your desire.
  2. Dress the candle with Banishing Oil and burn.

Botanical Banishing Spells

The following botanicals possess a banishing effect. Incorporate one or (ideally) a combination of them into banishing spells: angelica, asafetida, basil, bay laurel, citronella, cloves, cumin, devil’s bit, dragon’s blood, elder, fleabane, fumitory, garlic, heliotrope, horehound, juniper, lovage, mistletoe, mullein, mugwort, oleander, pepper (both black and hot chili/cayenne), yew.

Change or Else!

This banishing spell targets a trouble-maker. Unlike most banishing spells, which simply encourage the person to depart, this one offers another option. The target of the spell can either reform or else leave peacefully.

  1. Add essential oils of patchouli and vetiver to a blend of olive and castor oils.
  2. Rub this on the door-knobs of your target’s home.

Coffee Grounds Banishing Spell

The most effective way to perform the following spell is via subterfuge. Invite the target of your spell over to your home and serve fresh-brewed coffee. For maximum effectiveness, offer to read their coffee-grounds, turning over their cup. Then when they’ve left, immediately gather your spell materials.

  1. Gather the dirt from your target’s footprints or, alternatively, gather the dirt from under a chair in which they were the last person to sit.
  2. Combine this dirt with cayenne pepper, ground sassafras, and used coffee grounds. (The most potent coffee grounds are those from the target’s own cup.)
  3. Sprinkle this on the target’s front doorstep.

Foot Track Banishing

Traditional methods of spell disposal are not always possible any longer, for a variety of reasons, ranging from ecological to legal restrictions. In some cases, substitutions are easily made which will not adversely affect the desired outcome, but this is not always the case. The following is a very simple banishing spell, common to various parts of the world such as North Africa, the American South, and Romany-influenced Europe. The disposal of the ingredients effectively is the spell: sending your target’s footprints downstream causes the banishment. If it’s not possible to perform this spell exactly, then try another.

  1. Follow the target of your spell discreetly, observing their footprints.
  2. When you see a clear, distinct left print, dig it up in its entirety.
  3. Take it home in a bag, then transfer the dirt to a glass jar or bottle, being careful not to lose or spill any of it.
  4. Seal the bottle very tightly shut, adding a wax seal, if you like.
  5. Take this to running water flowing away from you.
  6. Turning your back on the water, throw the container over your left shoulder without looking, taking care not to hit anything you shouldn’t.
  7. Walk away without looking back once.

Four Thieves Banishing Spells

An excellent example of how magic travels and evolves, Four Thieves Vinegar arrived in New Orleans, brought by either French or Italian immigrants, who valued it for its illness-banishing properties. In New Orleans, another use was discovered: Four Thieves Vinegar is an excellent banishing agent for unwanted people. From New Orleans Voodoo, this use of Four Thieves entered the modern Wiccan and Pagan magickal community, many of whom are unfamiliar with its original use as a healing agent.

Four Thieves Banishing Spell

To avoid debt collectors or others in hot pursuit of you:

  1. Place their business card inside a shot glass.
  2. Fill the glass with Four Thieves Vinegar.
  3. Leave the glass standing in a discreet place as long as necessary.

If a business card does not exist or you cannot obtain one, make one up: write the target’s name on a business card-sized piece of paper and place this in the shot glass.

Four Thieves Nine Night Banishing Spell

An extra-strength banishing spell:

  1. Each night for nine consecutive nights (ideally timed with the waning moon but cast the spell as necessary) write the target of your spell’s name on brown paper, together with a brief, explicit message, something like “Go home!”
  2. Sprinkle one of the banishing powders over the paper.
  3. Add one of the target’s hairs, a nail clipping, or a thread from their clothing.
  4. Burn everything; place the ashes in a bottle of Four Thieves Vinegar.
  5. Following the ninth night, wrap the bottle tightly in black fabric, securing it with cord.
  6. Make nine knots in the cord reiterating your desire for banishment with each one.
  7. Throw this bottle into running water or a cemetery and return home via a circuitous route.

Four Thieves Quick Banishing Spell

This is a quick-fix version of the Four Thieves Nine Night spell above.

  1. Add some banishing powder (any one you like) to a bottle of Four Thieves Vinegar.
  2. Write the target of your spell’s name on brown paper and put it inside the bottle, too.
  3. Shake the bottle, then leave it upside down in the corner of your closet or behind your bed overnight.
  4. Wrap it in black fabric, securing with cord in which you tie nine knots, reiterating your wish for banishing with each one.
  5. Throw the bottle in a garbage can at a distance from your home and return via a circuitous route.

Garlic Banishing Spell

Hang a braid of twelve garlic heads over the door to banish jealous people and, by extension, the Evil Eye.

Get Lost and Far Away!

Lost and Away Powder has various uses, in addition to banishment. It’s also used to establish personal and psychic boundaries, as well as to prevent someone else from encroaching on these boundaries.

  1. Write your target’s name thirteen times on a square of paper.
  2. Sprinkle Lost and Away Powder on this paper.
  3. Fold the paper up, always folding away from you.
  4. Seal it with sealing wax, preferably red.
  5. Bury this paper but mark the spot.
  6. Leave it buried for thirteen days, watering daily with War Water.
  7. On the fourteenth day, dig it up and burn it.

Hit the Road and Don’t Come Back Spell

  1. Fill your pockets with salt in anticipation of the person’s departure.
  2. Accompany the person as he or she departs, walking just a step behind to the edge of your property, discreetly sprinkling salt in their wake.
  3. When the person has gone and can no longer see you, take a broom and sweep the salt away, always sweeping away from your home or the area you wish protected from their presence.
  4. Simultaneously murmur your target’s name, alternately praying and petitioning that he does not return and commanding and compelling him never to return.

Variations on this spell suggest adding black and/or cayenne pepper to the salt.

Another mode of administering Banishing Powder is via a gift.

Out of My House Banishing Spell

The following spell is excellent for ridding your home of an unwanted guest, or perhaps even a family member who needs to depart. The spell presumes that you have access to the target’s clothing and personal items. Surely you’re doing their laundry? The more personal the items are, the more effective the spell.

  1. Construct a small doll using personal items belonging to your spell’s target.
  2. Write the target’s name on a small slip of paper. Cross over the name by writing an appropriate message, something like “Out of my house now!”
  3. Pin this to the doll like a name-tag.
  4. Soak the doll’s feet in one of the Banishing Oils. (Exodus Oil is particularly appropriate; however, use whichever resonates strongest for you.)
  5. Wrap the doll in dark fabric, folding away from you. Keep it in a safe place, anointing the feet daily and secretly telling the doll exactly what you’d like to tell the target of your spell.
  6. As soon as the banishment has been effected, destroy or dispose of the doll. Do not keep it in your home.

Purple Candle Banishing Spell

Burning a purple candle in the following spell indicates your power over the target of your spell. However, a black devil candle may be substituted if you prefer.

  1. Write the name(s) of those whom you wish to banish on a square of brown paper.
  2. Cover the name(s) with your own, effectively crossing the first name out.
  3. Chant:
    I cover you, I cross you
    I command you, I compel you
    [Name], child of [Name]. Get out of my house now!
  4. Dress a purple candle with Banishing Oil.
  5. Place the paper on a dish, beneath the purple candle.
  6. Burn the candle.

Adapt the chant to your particular situation.

Simple Cotton Ball Banishing Spell

Soak a cotton ball in Banishing Oil. Then slip it into your target’s pocket.

These Feet Were Meant For Moving Banishing Spell

Drizzle Banishing Oil over your target’s shoes. Alternatively, massaging the oil into their feet, if you can somehow manage this, can also produce desired effects.

Unwanted Guests Banishing Spell

Sprinkle tormentil under the bed to encourage unwanted guests to move on.

Banishing Bad Habits

Although these spells may be used to target any type of behavior, the term “bad habits” is often understood to refer euphemistically to dangerous and/or undesirable addictions. It may be necessary to combine several spells for maximum effect.

Amethyst Anti-Intoxication Spell

Legends surrounding the beautiful purple gemstone, amethyst, suggest that it may be used to prevent intoxication. This is not exactly true: if you’re really determined to get drunk, there isn’t a crystal in the world that will stop you, nor will drinking from a cup cut from amethyst, the original spell instructions, provide long-term obstruction. What amethysts can do for you is bolster attempts not to drink, whether this means drinking at all or merely to excess. Amethysts reinforce your personal determination and provide a measure of protection.

The amethyst is sacred to Dionysus, Spirit of Ecstasy and Intoxication. It is his power that one witnesses shining through the gemstone. Even gods of intoxication can sometimes be bad drunks, though, as the mythical history of the amethyst points out. Once upon a time, on a morning after, a long, long, time ago, Dionysus, suffering from a hang-over and headache, wished to avoid all company. Bothered by every sound, he announced that he would terminate the very next person to cross his path. Who should be passing through the woods at that moment but the lovely young nymph Amethyst, on her way with offerings to present at Artemis’ shrine? But before Dionysus could carry out his threat, Artemis stepped in and saved Amethyst by transforming her into a luminous clear crystal. Abashed and ashamed by his bad temper, Dionysus approached with a glass of wine. Pouring it over the now crystallized nymph, Amethyst turned her characteristic purple color. Dionysus swore that whenever he saw this gemstone in the future, he would become an ally in preventing the ill-effects associated with alcohol.

Bury Bad Habits Spell

Among the most famous hexing spells are those involving miniature-sized personalized coffins left on the spell target’s doorsteps. This coffin spell is traditionally as much an act of sheer intimidation as it is a magical spell, however it can be put to less malevolent uses. Use the little coffin spell below to lay issues to rest and, in particular, to bury addictions.

  1. Create a small coffin. You will need a little box. You can find one or make one, however the imagery should be very clear: there should be no ambiguity regarding the type of box. Inspiration, or a box itself, may be taken from Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) handicrafts.
  2. Paint the outside of the box black. Decorate with purple glitter glue if desired.
  3. Traditionally the box contains a small doll, which may or may not be personalized so that the identity of the target is clear. Consider how to personify your addiction.
  4. Accompany and reinforce this spell with intensive candle burning.
  5. The doll may be pierced with pins. Add candle stubs, leftover spell wax, graveyard dirt, asafetida, and banishing powder, especially Lost and Away Powder.
  6. Dress everything with Banishing Oil.

Traditionally the coffin is left on your target’s doorstep. Consider appropriate places to leave it, or bury the little coffin within a cemetery.

You may find just making the box therapeutic in itself. In which case, reserve the box for ritual use or destroy it.

Crystal Bad Habit Breaking Spell

Use double-terminated crystals to help break old habits and destructive patterns, and to heal addictions. Other beneficial stones include amethyst and kunzite, which interestingly contains lithium, used medicinally to treat depression and bi-polar syndromes.

Eucalyptus Banish Bad Habits Spell

The eucalyptus tree is believed to possess potent banishing properties. If you have a eucalyptus tree, it’s simple to make a decoction: place leaves, twigs, and loose bark into a pot and cover with water. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for an hour or more. Otherwise, you can create an infusion from dried eucalyptus, available from herbal supply stores. Pour boiling water over the botanicals and let them steep until the water cools.

Either way, strain out the botanicals and add the infusion to your bathwater, to destroy evil ties that bind, whether bad addictions, bad habits, or bad company.

Sometimes the condition that requires banishing isn’t yours. Perhaps someone else’s drinking is causing your life to be miserable. Spells have evolved to encourage others to stop drinking.

Get Someone Else to Quit Spell

This Pow-Wow technique is used for curing excessive alcohol intake by another, whether he or she wishes to be cured or not.

  1. Scrape the dirt out from under the target’s fingernails. (Probably best accomplished while they are in a stupor, unless you are in the general habit of providing a manicure.)
  2. Secretly add these scrapings to their favorite alcoholic beverage.
  3. When appropriate, serve them some. The person will happily drink this beverage. Allegedly the addition should remove future inclination to imbibe.

The modern grapefruit is a relatively new species, having apparently evolved in colonial Barbados. Interestingly this fruit which evolved in a place and time plagued by slavery is among the most potent botanicals for breaking personal shackles.

Grapefruit Quit Smoking Spell

A magical plan to stop smoking:

  1. Every time you crave a cigarette, have a grapefruit instead.
  2. Here’s the catch: you must cut and eat the grapefruit completely by hand. You cannot use a knife to cut it or use a spoon to eat it.
  3. Peel the grapefruit by hand, and then eat it segment by segment.

Magnolia Bark Spell

Drinking magnolia bark tea supposedly helps one quit smoking.

Onion Blossom Spell

Burn onion blossoms while making affirmations to help banish bad habits. This provides a magical cleansing effect too.

Banishing Problems and Situations

Although specific spells exist for many different situations, sometimes a problem doesn’t fall neatly into any one category. Perhaps no solution exists: the only possible positive outcome is for the entire situation to be eliminated or banished.

Rotten Apple Banishing Spell

  1. Cut an apple in half horizontally, so that the star in the center is exposed.
  2. Rub one half of the apple with a mint leaf while visualizing what needs to be banished.
  3. Put the two halves of the apple back together again.
  4. Stick a skewer through the pieces, so that they will remain joined.
  5. Tie the pieces securely together with black silk or satin ribbon.
  6. Bury the apple. Your problem should dissipate as the apple rots.

You may also name your problem by writing it on a slip of paper. Dip this paper into essential oil of mint and place between the apple halves, before rejoining them. However, by naming the problem on paper, you take the risk of further manifestation. Cast whichever version of the spell resonates for you.

Banish Spirits

Sometimes you need to make the spirits leave. Despite the emphasis on Summoning Spells placed in the classical medieval grimoires, the bigger problem is often how to force these spirits to leave once you’ve achieved your own purposes. A good reason for never dabbling in malevolent magic is that it is typically easier to summon than to banish. Exu Marabo, for instance, a powerful yet dangerous spirit, warns that once summoned, he can never be forced to leave.

In many cases, malevolent magic attracts the attention of equally malevolent spirits. Feeling at home, they move right in, regardless of your desires. Once present, bored and restless, they cause destruction and grief.

In general, banishing spirits is work for a shaman. The first choice in all situations would be to hire an effective, knowledgeable professional. That said, hiring a shaman isn’t an option for many people in most circumstances. When all action must be taken in your own hands, the following spells are reputed to be extremely potent.

Bamboo Banishing Spell

House spirits are supposed to be helpful; every once in a while a malevolent one turns up. This Korean spell helps banish unwanted house spirits.

Burn bamboo sticks. Allegedly the sound of bamboo’s popping knots scares house demons away.

Banishing Incense

The following incense formula allegedly drives away even the most powerful of evil spirits. The ingredients include:

Asafetida

Bay laurel leaves

Galbanum

Olive leaves

Rue

Saint John’s Wort

Salt

Sulfur

  1. Crumble all the ingredients.
  2. Blend them together, grind, powder, and burn on lit charcoal.

Banishment Bouquet

A bouquet of garlic blossoms and angelica flowers, tied up with red and blue ribbons, repels malicious spirits.

Bell, Book, and Candle

This phrase, the title of a popular play and film as well as the given name of numerous metaphysical stores, evolved from traditional Roman Catholic rites of exorcism and excommunication. This method of banishing malevolent spirits predates Christianity, however, and may be used as a framework for exorcists of any spiritual orientation. In order to effectively cast a banishing spell, you must be familiar and comfortable with your tools.

  1. The bell is the simplest part of the spell. Bells invoke the combined primal powers of male and female generative energy; the ringing of a metal bell disturb most malicious spirits. An iron bell will repel most negative entities.
  2. The book refers to sacred texts, the introduction of something so sacred that there is no room left for evil to co-exist in the space; hence it’s squeezed out. The key is to employ whatever fills you with sacred grace. These might be sacred texts, Gregorian chants, or gospel music, or may even derive from what might be perceived as profane sources: soul music, for instance.
  3. Not just any candle will do; the fragrance of beeswax allegedly repels evil. Alternatively rub candles with oils of benzoin and frankincense.

Botanical Spirit Banishing

The following plants allegedly make malevolent spirits feel unwelcome: juniper, maize corn, mugwort, Saint John’s Wort, vervain, wormwood, and yarrow. Keep living plants near your home or any area that needs protection, or hang these dried botanicals near doors and windows as amulets.

Disperse Evil Incense

Burn benzoin, frankincense, and juniper as a triple threat and triple protection: evil spirits cannot abide any of these fragrances, let alone the combination.

Exorcism Spells

Sometimes spirits attach themselves to an individual rather than merely haunting an area. The spirit may speak through the individual, refusing to leave. Encouraging or forcing them to leave is a shamanic technique. However, should you find yourself dealing with a case of possession without an exorcist in the neighborhood, the following spells may be attempted. In general, you will still need a ritual assistant to help achieve your magical goals.

Exorcism Spell (1)

  1. Use intensive cleansing methods to purify the area.
  2. In addition to whichever methods are employed, ring bells, cymbals, and sistra loudly.
  3. Invoke benevolent protective spirits, like Archangel Michael, Kwan Yin, and/or Isis.
  4. Draw up talismans of protection.
  5. Summon the demons, demanding that they come forward and depart.
  6. Observe for signs of departure. Dramatic spirits will let you know they’ve gone. Otherwise use divination techniques to determine whether your methods have been effective or, if not, what further action should be taken.
  7. If you’re sure they’ve departed, burn the talismans.
  8. Mix a teaspoon of the ashes into cooled boiled spring water. Have the person drink it.
  9. Close the ceremony.

Exorcism Spell (2)

  1. Fill a new pot with freshly drawn water.
  2. Pour some olive oil over the water.
  3. Whisper Psalm 10 over this water nine times.
  4. Dip a new towel into this liquid to bathe the afflicted person.

Ginger Banishing Spell

It’s traditionally believed that low-level malevolent spirits can enter the body through food. This is the source of many fairy tales where evil is swallowed. Certain foods, such as ginger, guard against this as well as expelling any previously swallowed demons. Add it to food to expel and prevent demons.

Poltergeist Banishing: Fumitory/Earth Smoke

Burn Fumitory (Earth smoke) to banish poltergeists, demons, and any manner of malicious spirit. (This was the solution allegedly favored in the famed ninth-century geometric gardens of Saint Gall.)

Sage Banishing Spirits Spell

Burn sage—especially white sage—to rid an area of evil spirits and negative entities.

Sweet Spirit Oil Spell

This Sweet Spirit Oil is safe for use by most people and smells beautiful. Wearing it endows you with a personal protective aura. Evil spirits will allegedly leave you alone, even if they are lurking nearby.

Blend essential oils of frankincense and vetiver, together with honeysuckle absolute and rose attar into a base of sweet almond oil. Add the oil to bathwater before retiring for the night, or massage it onto the body, to keep malicious spirits far away from you.

Sweet Spirit Powder Spell

To repel evil spirits, while simultaneously beckoning benevolent, kind, protective ones:

  1. Grind the following botanicals together to produce a fine powder: frankincense, honeysuckle blossoms, roses, and vetiver roots.
  2. Sprinkle the powder onto lit charcoal and burn incessantly, until you’re convinced the danger is over.

Tree of Life Banishing Spell

Arbor vitae: the name given to this tree means “tree of life.” The smoke from its burning leaves allegedly disperses unwanted spirits and sends them packing.

Witch Balls

Witch balls are globes of iridescent colored glass. Place them around your home and property to disperse malicious spirits.

Banishing Vermin

No, not bad boyfriends. Try the regular banishing spells at the beginning of this section for them. Or look through the Love Spells for some tips on effectively ending relationships. These vermin are the little creepy crawly kinds that seem to possess magical resistance toward efforts to remove them.

Banishing Powders

The Hoodoo summoning powder called Drawing Powder should contain nothing more than powdered confectioner’s sugar. To demonstrate its powers of summoning, sprinkle sugar on the floor and watch ants and other bugs miraculously appear. Yet Drawing Powder is intended to summon people. Try the spell’s converse and see if this works on bugs, too. The various Banishing Powders are meant to banish people, just as Drawing Powder summons them: sprinkle Banishing Powder around your home to see if this works as well.

Eucalyptus Banishing Spell

Botanical methods of banishing may work, too. The scent and presence of eucalyptus allegedly repels cockroaches.

  1. Add essential oil of eucalyptus to a bowl of cool water.
  2. Soak a cloth in the water.
  3. Leave the cloth wherever you’d like to banish the roaches.

If this proves successful, add essential oil of eucalyptus to a spray bottle filled with water and spray wherever needed.

Khonsu’s Banishing Spell

The Egyptian lunar divinity Khonsu may be invoked to banish cockroaches.

  1. Hold a scarab in your left hand to charge it with your desire.
  2. Place it in the light of the Full Moon.
  3. Warm essential oil of frankincense in an aroma burner and tell Khonsu what you need.

Magic Chalk Anti-Ant Circles

Stores in New York’s Chinatown sometimes feature Magic Ant Repelling Chalk. The magic may be very effective, but the chalk is just plain chalk. Use white chalk to draw boundary lines and protective circles around your home. Allegedly the ants will not cross these boundary lines.

Valerian Rat Banishing

Allegedly valerian is what the Pied Piper of Hamelin used to lure the rats away from that besieged town. If reports are true, he carried the herb in his pocket. You may, however, wish to try burning it in a portable incense burner or censer. Create a magical path for the rats to follow. Rats, like cats, allegedly enjoy the fragrance and will follow it where it leads them.