Banishing is a foundational technique in practical magic used to remove negative energies, influences, or entities from your space or subconscious. Whether you're cleansing a physical area or dissolving internal patterns, mastering banishing enhances your energetic hygiene and grounding.
Understanding Banishing
Banishing is a versatile technique within magical practice designed to clear space of unwanted energies, influences, or entities. It serves both as a physical ritual and an energetic process to purify environments, objects, and even subconscious patterns. In my book Creating Magickal Entities, banishing is described as a method to dispel or dissolve subconscious manifestations that may hinder personal growth or spiritual progress. #
How Banishing Works
Banishing involves focused intention coupled with physical or energetic rituals. The process typically includes visualization, affirmations, symbolic actions, or tools such as incense and sigils to direct energy toward clearing. The act of banishing is not merely about removing what is unwanted but also about restoring balance and grounding oneself after energetic cleansing. #
Techniques and Methods
A common approach involves visualizing a cleansing light or energy flow that dissolves negativity. Physical methods include burning sage or incense, using symbolic tools like wands or swords, or performing specific gestures aligned with your intent. I emphasiz in Multi-Media Magic that banishing should be targeted; practitioners must specify what they intend to banish while consciously avoiding the removal of beneficial influences. #
Role in my Framework
In my framework, banishing complements other techniques such as invocation or evocation. It is a preparatory step to clear space before engaging in creations or communications with entities. This ensures that your magical environment remains clear, focused, and free of distractions, enhancing the effectiveness of subsequent practices. #
Cross-Tradition Context
Across different traditions, banishing manifests in diverse forms. From the banishing rituals of ceremonial magic to the simple clearing practices in shamanic traditions, the core concept remains consistent: removing unwanted energies to establish a safe and balanced space. My approach often integrates modern energy work with traditional principles, making banishing accessible and practical. #
Practical Notes for Practitioners
When performing a banishing, specificity is key. Clearly define what you are banishing and what you wish to retain. Use physical tools like incense or symbols to enhance focus. Regular practice helps maintain energetic hygiene, especially after intense magical workings or encounters. In Inner Alchemy: Energy Work and the Magic of the Body, I discuss how banishing can be used to release subconscious patterns that manifest through writing or behavior, helping you to consciously shape your internal field. #
Final Tips
Always ground yourself after a banishing ritual to reconnect with the physical world. Protect your space by sealing the cleared environment with a positive intention or blessing. Remember, banishing is not only about removal but also about creating space for positive energies to flourish. By using targeted banishing practices into your routine, you enhance your energetic resilience and maintain a clear, focused magical environment. Practice with awareness, and adapt methods to suit your personal and contextual needs.
A banishing can help you to let go of the subconscious manifestations that can occur via your writing.
— Taylor Ellwood, Inner Alchemy: Energy Work and the Magic of the Body
Banishing connects with other energetic techniques like space clearing and grounding. It forms a crucial part of the broader magical framework, helping practitioners maintain clarity and focus while engaging with entities, energies, or subconscious influences. Mastering banishing complements practices such as invocation, evocation, and space/time magic, creating a comprehensive approach to energetic management.
Source books: Inner Alchemy: Energy Work and the Magic of the Body, Multi-Media Magic, The Process of Magic, Creating Magickal Entities
Related in the library
- Cerontis — A space/time entity created to make the user aware of opportunities and expand awareness.
- Entity — Personified spirits or consciousnesses created or acknowledged by magicians for specific purposes.
- Miss Cleo — A persona or entity used to hone divination skills and tap into energy for knowledge.