A friend of mine has gone through some hard times recently, and now that they are behind her she asked me if I had a ritual to help her let go of that painful period in her life.
I love the use of rituals in our lives. Rituals cause us to take pause, giving weight to things that are significant for us. They help our brain focus and pay attention, and they help us orient ourselves emotionally and spiritually.
Burning has long been used as a ritual of release, so today I’m going to show you a simple burning ritual for cleansing and releasing situations and relationships that have caused you pain.
Many years ago, after a particularly painful relationship breakup, my sister, a girlfriend and I went to the local park and had a ceremonial burning of old letters and photographs one afternoon. I used a great big cauldron from my kitchen and we sat around on the grass, sipping champagne and feeding paper into the fire. The flames were green and blue from all of the chemicals in the photographs. A little boy walked past with his mum and said exitedly, “Look Mum, real Witches.” That made my day, although let’s be clear – I am no witch – it was just a very Macbeth moment! On the downside, my cauldron was never the same again…
Burning Equipment – a large flame-proof pot or bowl, or an outdoor fireplace. Matches. Long tongs. Don’t use one of your good bowls or pots! Go to a second-hand store and find a big old saucepan or cauldron, or see if you have an old brass or metal bowl in the back of a cupboard. You could also use a barbeque pit or a campfire, or a terracotta pot. Be sensible about your burning. Burn outside, observing fire restrictions and keeping your fire away from anything that might catch alight.
Gathering Your Burning Fodder – Never burn in the heat of the moment! A calm, thoughtful and considered burning is much more powerful and effective. Begin by finding images, letters or other material related to the situation. Don’t burn any legal documents. Don’t burn anything out of spite. All you are looking for is material that can REPRESENT what you wish to release. For example, old photographs or letters, old newspaper clippings or advertising – anything that holds emotion for you and that you can afford to send up in flames. If you have no images or material, then sit down and write a letter to the person or persons involved, or a summary of what has gone wrong and what you wish to let go of.
The Ritual
You can burn alone, or you can burn with friends or loved ones. Choose what is appropriate to you.
Sit in front of your pot or burning space, hold the images/paper in your hands and just speak from the heart about what this represents to you and why you need to let this go. Finish with the words I release you. I am done.
Then burn that stuff to ashes! Feel the flames eating up and rendering that old energy into nothingness. Let it all go. That’s why we need to do this ritual outside, where the old energy can escape and be diffused on the wind. You don’t ever want to do this ritual INSIDE your home – you want that old energy gone!
Honour any emotions that come up for you, but allow the ritual to give you a sense of finality. When it’s cooled enough, dump your saucepan in the bin or keep it in the garage or garden at home for future burning needs. Celebrate the end of the Releasing Ritual with a beverage or some food – head out for a meal, or go home and have a cup of tea or a drink. Allow yourself reflection time, to recognise that you have closed the door on that part of your life.
In burning the past, you leave yourself free to claim a brighter future.
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I burnt a lot of my letters to my ex that I wrote while I was sad or hurting or trying to manifest him back into my life. One thing in the middle of it was that a small piece of paper that was not burnt came to me, it had his name. I threw it in the fire, that doesn’t mean bad luck for him does it?
hello, newbie here, what odes it mean if you burn something and it doesn’t burn?
Hi Lucia! Don’t see it as a bad sign. Be persistent in burning or rip the charred paper into little pieces and dispose of it. It’s the symbolism that counts and YOU are in control here so whatever you decide to do to the remaining paper will be fine. Nx
I want to share my story. I’ve had a few dreams lately haunting me over my ex girlfriend. A friend of mine suggested I have a burning ritual to purge any remaining energy, she said it always worked for her. I decided to burn some pictures and a frame that was a birthday present. Mind you I like to drive ideas home. So I waiting until tonight, which was a calm windless perfect night for a fire. I’ve had a stack of wood ready for a bonfire in the back yard for awhile now and this seemed the perfect way to burn out my demons.
I literally the fire tended to it for Abit until it was raging in glory but controlled in the for ring. I said my goodbye, made my peace and burnt the frame and pictures.
The second that frame turned to Ash in this bonfire a gust of wind sprung up and spread the fire out into the yard.
The fire then took off rather quickly consuming dry grass up the hill towards the garage. I found myself with a hose and 2 buckets battling this raging brush fire. . .
I pulled out my phone and considered calling the fire Dept for assistance but quickly realized that I had to fight this fire on my own to complete the ritual.
After 20odd minutes of running around the garage up and down this hill with buckets of water (the hose only reached so far) I managed to get the fire under control.
I have never felt more satisfied and cleansed in my life. It was a perfect representation of that chaotic relationship.
😊✌️☮️
Good for you! This brought a smile to my face! (And I’m glad you didn’t burn your house down!)
Thank you So much for this 🙌
I recently burned a letter from an ex lover who caused me much pain and negative issues. I wrote a note with his name and what he did and what I wanted to let go of. Burning it was so cleansing and then I buried the ashes in the ground. Just needed to know I wasn’t crazy for feeling so much better 🙌❤️🙏🏻
You’re certainly not crazy. Better than taking a baseball bat to the SOB.
I’m so glad to find this! My 13 year old daughter suffers from severe school anxiety due to a bullying issue and also a huge abandonment issue from her ex-best friend of 6 years. All hit her at the same time and it has crippled her for almost a hear. She could barely make it in to school. Finally after therapy she was able to go and work through most of the school anxiety, but the abandonment is causing her such pain! I hope this will help her!
So the notes,letters must be burnt out side,to be carried off? Cause mine are ashes in my pot,just sitting there, so just making sure I have this right, to do it right burn It outside, ” I release you, I’m done” thanks for the help, I’m so tired of carring these feelings within, paranoid I don’t need,
Yes it is best to burn outside so that the energy is released there. Wishing you peace in your heart, Nicole xx
I watch it burn slowly in a pot on my wood stove,ashes to ashes dust to dust.my wording, after it’s burnt I squish it to make sure it done. Would ” I release you.im done” it makes a difference?I add more feelings on to my paper,stating what bothers me, with these old feelings I’m holding
Joyce, just trust your instincts and do what feels good for you xx
I am a spritual person more drawn to pagan. I was married for 18 years but now im very nearly divorced. Im in a new relationship & so much want to draw a line under the past so on all hallows eve i intend to burn the original marriage certificate & all court paperwork in the garden in a metal bucket i bought today as an end to the past & new beginnings
Having looked at the best day to do this i have now decided to change the day to Saturday the 29th of October. My reasons are because Saturdays are good days to perform this kind of ritual & also because the moon is waning almost dark which is an excellent combination 🙂
I have been carrying shame and betrayal I was raped at the age 13 I am now 61 for the past 10 years I have had daily horrible migraines and live in severe pain. I hope writing a letter and burning it will remove my pain. I’m at the end of my rope . If I could ask will some of you pray for me and my healing I need extra power I have tried everything and every doctor and no results. Thank you and bless all of you out there.
Joann, I am so sorry to hear of your continued pain. I will include you in my daily prayers and healing meditations. I also recommend metta or loving kindness meditation. It is proven to help with easing physical and emotional pain. A good book that might help is The Last Best Cure by Donna Jackson Nakazawa. I think that book will help a lot, actually. Sending you all my love, Nicole xx
Oh my God thank you so much for your help I will get the book you suggested I thank you with all my heart for your kindness and prayers Nicole.
Joann, there is no need for YOU to be ashamed. It was not YOU who perpetrated this cruel act upon your body and spirit. That said, bless you, Bless you, BLESS you! Also, have you ever heard of EMDR therapy? Look it up! Find a qualified, trusted therapist, and GO! With love from Lori
I have never heard of it but I will surely look into it. Lori I thank you so much for your kindness Bless you ! for your response it made me feel better.
Thank You,
Jo-Ann
Every little bit helps, Joann!
every prayer and every bit of advise keeps me going and renews my faith that there are still some caring and loving people in the world thanks Lori and Nicole for being part of that world . I have dealt with so many selfish, uncaring ,jealous evil people . I am truly a loving and caring person who does my best to love and help people and all I get is hurt and mistreated . I always try to find the good in everyone but I’m finding there aren’t too many that truly are genuine and have a good heart. I can see you now I have found some people who really do care and I thank you and others like you. Bless all of you that care about others and give them hope.
many loving thanks,
Jo-Ann
I feel much like you, Joann. I used to volunteer, but the last three experiences left me disgusted and discouraged. I won’t go into detail because I don’t have time and don’t want to think about it all anymore. So now, I just give money and pray. Plus, I get a lot of environmental- and animal-rights newsletters and such via e-mail and continue to write letters, make phone calls, and sign petitions. So I help however I can. I just will not join any more groups ever again!
I know what you mean I always give people the benefit of the doubt and my mistake is I think people think like me then you find out that they are not genuine at all. It makes me enjoy myself more being alone at least I can trust myself. I like this site because people seem to actually care and have compassion. It’s nice to find pleasant people.
From the heart,
Jo-Ann
Does anyone know who does good psychic readings over the phone? Maybe if some of my questions are answered I can move on with my life. I live on Long Island New York and I don’t know anyone that has psychic abilities.
Joann, your post moved me. I was searching about why we need to burn letters. Found this blog and your comment. Yesterday I admitted to a new friend about my rape at age 15 and how I had a late term abortion. Now I am reliving the regret and shame of it. It resurfaced as a psychic told me I had a karmic block due this. My friend suggested I search online for others who have experienced the same and I could find a lot of support and healing from it. So I found your post here unexpectedly. I do know of a great tarot reader who answers questions via email. I wouldn’t recommend any of the pychic’s I’ve used yet. They charge far too much. I am not sure if I can post here or not. I am not sure how to safely give you my email address. Maybe the blogger host here can provide it to you?
My daughter has just done a clearing burn on an ex-friend (done with love & integrity to finalize the relationship) and it burnt with a normal yellow/orange flame. With the same pen, paper and candles she then did one for her husband with the intent of clearing the air between them. This flame went crazy and burnt with a blue and green flame. I have used this ritual myself for many years to help myself and others remove negative energies around them and have never seen anything like she described. My sister had also done one on her behalf earlier in the afternoon and had difficulty burning for him too. Can you please help us understand what is happening?
Thank you so so so much. I am sure you are enjoying a bright and positive life. You such a caring and loving person to your friend and others to post this information. I was so confused I did not know what to do. You’re a SAVIOUR
Thank again,
I love what you did, but I have to say that even though you claim you are not a witch, what you are doing is a huge part of witchcraft. It’s all good though, it’s a beautiful sentiment.
I just sat down and wrote a letter to my ex a few hours ago and I want to burn it but I dont have a place to burn it outside only inside in my fireplace. Now with that said what if I take the ashes outside and let them be carried off by the wind?!
Can you possibly take the letter somewhere and burn it? Just take a ceramic bowl, lighter, and oven mitts with you. And possibly a stick to stir it all together. I’m not the author nor am I a professional, but I think outdoors is best. Pick a nearby park or woods. Just make sure you don’t leave hot flame or ashes and good luck!
Lori’s idea is terrific. But if you burned your letter inside already, yes, take the ashes outside. And be sure to gong or smudge or cleanse your house with white light. Wishing you a smooth journey forward and a life blessed with much love, Nicole xx
Setting fires around here is frowned upon unfortunately…..but this is a good idea though. I don’t want to do it inside at all….
Will this open a “portal” like the ooigie board? Like if i was to do this, i will be completely fine. No paranormal activity stuff round me right??
I wanna do it but im concerned and careful with my actions. xo
Thank you xx i have done this in the past but was unsure about burning photos. This has helped me xx 20 yrs ago i lost a child prem birth. After that myself and my partner at the time were never the same a lot of bad stuff happened after,drugs,drink and domestic abuse. I have done my healing. The partner also past away at the end of last yr, its over!
Tonight i am letting go of all the items i have regarding the baby and himself, as hard as i know its going to be. I know i shall feel better for it. Letting go is the hardest part. The 222 moon this evening is the right thing to do. it has made me the strong wise person i am today xx so thank you once again xx i shared and never cried xx much love to all xx
THANK you! I’m definitely going to do this … especially after grieving for 25 years, a relationship that completely ruined my life. I should’ve done this LONG ago!
I did this after midnight, burning the things left in my home ranging from personal belongings to gifts of someone who i was with and turned out to be a very negative force in my life. blaming me for anything and nothing, creating situations where there were none and making me apologise for things i never said or did. she went as far as putting a spell on me after the breakup to chain herself to me and causing me to keep thinking of her (sadly that backfires since i was constantly angry at her and someone broke the spell in record time)
i feel better now, it feels that anything that ever connected me to her is gone and i’ve broken this invisible chain she had me by
i said what i had to, burned the items then threw away the ashes along with the bowl. lit a candle in the living room and watched a movie while i ate.
this has helped me immensely, thank you
I did burn outside I talked to my the burning pictures and letter as if I was talking to him.my question is I flushed it down the toilet, was that ok,because I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders, I did this on new years eve.,I did sage myself and my home,I feel great! 😀
Yep, Christy, that will have been just fine. Wishing you a bright and happy new year. Bless xx
someone brought charm to my house to block my business and block everything i do by starving me from get any money from the time the charm was dropped or hang on my window in the night so please my question is what can i do spiritually to get rid of this spell or charm and what can i burn to release my self out of this bondage…?? please any useful advice will be appreciated.. thanks as i wait for your help through reply.
It is one night past the full moon (crone-full) and still light outside tonight. The clouds are dramatic rather like the way I feel. Fourteen years have been consumed by this woman who started out as a psychotherapist and before my eyes morphed into a lover–well almost–and that is a part of the problem. When I met her I was very lukewarm about her, wanting to seek someone else but with a shortage of therapists she was it. A few weeks into therapy I became very attached to her and instead of being a professional about this, she moved the “therapeutic” relationship along intimacy lines. In the background and unknown to me, was a divorce fomenting between her and her estranged husband. I was blindsided by it when it finally broke. When he left I was immediately (and uncomfortably) incorporated into the family which consisted of me and her and her 9 year-old daughter. She psychologically played the child against me and me against the child keeping us both unbalanced and anxious, never really able to trust each other or her. There were so any lies and nuances and double roles, all meant to keep me near while using my talents and emotions to move herself forward in her life. Yet I believed, perhaps this too was a psy-op, that we loved each other and would make a life of it when she finalized her divorce. We would focus on healing and helping her daughter over the hump. One day in May 2009, after a trip together, she got out of my car, yelled F**K you and threw a package of crackers at me, hitting me in the head. That was the last time I spoke with her. After much encouragement by my inner Self, I consulted another therapist and ultimately an attorney. The state where I live investigated my allegations and the investigator told me it was the worst psychotherapist-client abuse case she had seen in the 25 years of her job investigating licensure claims. Ultimately her license was revoked, a civil suit completed, and a move to another town. Just yesterday, when taking a new friend home from the cafe, I had reason to drive down the street where she lives (something I normally avoid). I was shocked to find her house vacant and up for sale. In an instant all the memories, good and bad flooded back on me. I have not been able to shake it, seeing images in dreams and waking. Thus, in search of an ending to this re-trauma I knew I needed to do something in a ritualized and conscious manner to finalize and be shed of this relationship. I have tried many times to talk about my experiences and have gone through several “light weight” therapists since, all who became afraid for their licenses as if I was some sort of pariah because of what happened. ‘Therapy’ became about them, not me, and useless to my healing. I have just muddled through for six years–until now. When I found this site and read the ritual and the many comments I began feeling like I was in good company and that I had invisible friends who are on my side as I work through this most recent experience. I will end now, still feeling your-all presence nearby, and head for the back yard and the last night of the three full moon nights. Many thanks for the work you put into this site. It has helped.
Rosie D
Have just found you the night of the blue moon,have had nearly 3 years of family pain from 3 children been pushed out of all.Will now do burning the past,thank you so much all made sense comes when you need it.capricorn with libra rising and capricorn moon. Marie.
Marie, I’m holding you in my prayers and meditations. Sending much love your way xo
I had written my “release” letter to a former friend and was looking for a burning ritual to make it final, in a more formal, symbolic way. It is below freezing right now, but I am going to get into some warm clothes, get some matches, and head out to the firepit in my backyard.
Thanks for sharing this post. It was exactly what I needed right now.
Thinking of you and sending love xx
Can I do this in my backyard or does it have to be off my property completely?
In your backyard is fine! Much love, Nicole xx
After a very very ugly Christmas Eve last week with my family, and so much uglies with my husband about the past three years, I am going to do this tomorrow night for my New Year! Its time to set it all afire and let it all go.
YES! This is something I’ve had to do, especially since clearing out my mother’s apartment, in addition to facing some of the more painful memories while doing so. We all need to permit ourselves to set our pain afire, and release what we’re carrying with the smoke as it wafts up and away from us.
Veggiewitch ♥
I love this post, Nicole! Once, a long time ago, following a horrible break-up, I took all my photos and letters to burn at the beach. And being a New York City beach (Coney Island), of course, I attracted the attention of the NYPD.
Two cops on dune buggies zoomed out and started yelling at me that no fires were allowed on the beach. So immediately I started crying and telling them about my crap ex-boyfriend and how I just wanted to get rid of this stuff in a final and cleansing way. One cop looked at the other, paused, and then just told me to make sure I dumped a bunch of wet sand on the pyre after I was done.
Tax dollars at work 🙂
Love!! Lol, really made me lol x
A friend and I, here in the United States wanted to farewell Saturn from our star sign of Libra. We had both felt the effects for the last three years and were happy when the planet finally left our on the fifth of October. Together we wrote a list of the things we were happy to see the end of and happily folded our little pieces of paper together. We burnt the offerings in little leaf rafts and sent them off on the shores of the bay in Sausalito. We celebrated afterwards with a drink and a hug. We were so glad to see the end of that planetary phase!
Thanks Nicole. I spent an uncomfortable time trying to sort out not only my problems but it felt like everyone elses as well. I’ve been writing about it 🙂 and have several blogs in draft ready to go. Today I read this – so timely! My blogs may still appear but I have the finishing touches to clear the negativity from my life, and who knows , perhaps there will be a flow on effect from my gratitude. As always you’ve hit the spot and I’m ‘cauldron’ hunting. 🙂 old camping supplies can be great substitutes. Bless<3
I love the use of burning away old hurts too. I was at a wedding two weeks ago taking photos and a little boy says to his mum as I walked past ” mummy mummy look at that beautiful dancing lady”. Makes my day as much as when someone calls me a witch. Yay for the little witch in all of us.. love n light. <3
Good Morning Nicole! Is there a particular time of the moon phase that is strongest for releasing old hurt and emotion. Do you know of any good resources in Australia that explain the moon phases and there powers? (sorry to go off topic, this post made me think of the moon for some reason). Arohanui Tammy
don’t know if you ever got a reply for this question but waning to new moon phase is always the best time to release anything – everything is energetic and symbolic on the spiritual level. Another good time is of course Samhain and in particular Lunar Samhain, the closest new moon to Samhain itself. This year in the UK it’s tomorrow night – am doing some kind of cauldron ritual with friends. Happy releasings 🙂
Thank you and many blessings 😊
One of the approved ways of disposing of a Koran is burning it, and letting the ashes go into a river. A friend gave me a beautiful book of handmade paper, and I wrote my poetry in it. Twelve years later, I realised that poetry carried a great deal of shame around my transsexuality, so I burned it over a stream, and let the ashes float away. Because of the fairly thick cover I could hold it as it burned. It had served its purpose.
At our midsummer camp, we have a burning ritual in the bonfire, anyone putting something in to represent the things gone. Last year I wrote the word “negativity” on a piece of paper and burned that. It was acknowledgment of a change rather than making a change.
I think it’s time for me to write a letter to a certain someone, to burn, as a final blessing and farewell to the past 12-months! I need let go now 🙂 … Life has been patiently waiting, and I have renewed my belief and trust that the universe will bring fabulous loving people and opportunities into my life xx happy brighter days ahead 🙂