Spell Ingredients Spells Witchcraft

Spell Remnants: How to Dispose of Your Ritual Remains

Weaving a spell can be complex. Sometimes you labor over a spell for weeks but once the spell is finished, you can’t decide what to do with the remains. There are a variety of ways to dispose of spell remnants and the meanings behind the disposal can vary depending on the spell itself, the deity you’re working with if any, and type of magick you practice.  Many people fear the disposal process for fear that, if done incorrectly, the spell won’t work. Here we’ll clear up some misconceptions and teach you how to dispose of your spell remains.

The First Things to Consider with Spell Remnants: What Kind of Spell Is It?

If you’ve cast a spell and it’s already manifested, you might be wondering how to dispose of the remnants. The first thing you should consider is this: was it a spell to attract something to you OR to dispel something away from you? If it’s the first, like a love spell or prosperity spell, consider keeping the remnants close at hand. For example, burying in the yard, garden or even at the bottom of a drawer. You can also re-use some of the spell remnants – things like crystals, tools, etc.

But if you are trying to eradicate something from your life, do you really want that spell’s energy lingering around you or your home? In these cases, it’s best to get rid of the spell in its entirety far away from your space. For example, if you’ve done a working to send someone far away…and that person is now gone, you’ll want to be rid of those spell remnants ASAP via trash (going out that day), a dumpster on the other side of town, if it’s flushable down the potty (never underestimate the power of a good FLUSH), burying at appropriate places OFF of your property, etc. You can learn more about the power of burying with certain dirts here.

Throwing Away Spell Remnants

While spell remnant disposal is an important issue, sometimes proper disposal isn’t possible. While not advised for most workings, tossing spell remnants into the garbage may be your only option. This is especially the case for folks who live in big cities with nowhere to bury spell remains. If you’re confined to the house due to illness, etc. If this is your only option for whatever reason, I would advise that you make an offering or petition as soon as you can to accommodate for improper disposal.

However, there is an aside to the ‘don’t throw it away’ rule. In cases where you have worked a banishment, return to sender, or a hex of any kind, finding a less than cleanly means of disposal is well advised. Meaning, if you feel the target or situation around the spell is “trash”, what better way to dispose of the spell and/or keep it working than throwing it away? Garbage dumps and port-a-potty’s make excellent disposal sites for those type of workings. Another great site of disposal for hexes are construction sites. This is because your working will not only be buried but will be ‘repeatedly hammered into the ground.’

WARNING: With any disposal of spell remnants, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, make sure that you have the proper authority to dispose of your remains. You do not want to risk civil and legal repercussions for trying to dispose of spell remnants on private property. 

Some candles and supplies can be re-used for other spells if appropriately cleansed first.

Can I re-use and recycle spell remnants?

Spell remnants may also, on occasion, be reused. For example, if you are working a spell with a vigil candle, the glass may be able to be cleansed, blessed, and reused for another working later. I also tend to re-use crystals and stones depending on the spell’s intention. When I choose to recycle spell craft items, I like to bury them in a bucket of salt for anywhere from 10-30 days depending on the working. Once they finish in the salt, I move them into a blessed rain or moon water bath for 3-5 days. Reusing any ingredients from a banishment, return-to-sender, or hex is ill-advised. Though I’ve seen practitioners keep a mirror SOLELY for the purposes of reversal (return to sender) spells. But they typically keep this mirror concealed in a black bag and cleanse it thoroughly between each working.

Spell Remnant Disposal with the Elements

Right. So now down to the nitty gritty. Just like we use the elements in our spell work, so too are they used for its disposal. The power of mother nature is incredible and shows us through spell workings her ability to construct and destruct. The elements don’t always provide the necessary means of disposal, and for that, we must use our creativity, intuition, and good sense.

Here are some of the most common and easiest ways to dispose of spell remains:

Fire and Air: Burning spell remnants is a great way to dispose of things. Fire can burn spell remnants to ash to be carried by the winds out into the universe in swift fashion. This is a great way to dispose of remnants from candle and petition magick, dreams, sex magick, self and spirit workings. Fire pits, cauldrons, and stoves can all be used for disposal purposes. Some traditions advise against burning spell remnants as it can be symbolic of burning down your spell working or is only advised in a hex working. The thought behind this is burning sends away. If that is the case in your tradition, you would want to burn workings related to getting rid of something instead of calling it to you. 

Cauldrons can be used to burn spell remnants.
Use a cauldron to burn appropriate spell remnants.

Water: Releasing biodegradable spell remnants into natural waters like streams, creeks, and rivers is a great method of disposal for workings which involve healing, cleansing, fertility, protection (on occasion), and abundance. Water flows and washes, and so facilitates continuous empowerment of a spell upon its disposal. In some traditions, water is used to dispose of hexes. For example, if you work a hex that involves banishing someone, flushing spell remnants down the toilet symbolizes flushing them from your life. If you use water to dispose of your spell, make sure all ingredients are biodegradable, environmentally safe, and won’t clog your toilet!

Using Earth to Rid Spell Remnants

Earth: Burying spell remnants is another great method of disposal for workings of protection, prosperity, abundance, and success. These spells often work best when buried on your property or at a crossroads. The earth is strength, stability, and slow which aligns best with workings you want to work over the long term. To ensure that your working remains permanent, be sure to bury the spell remnants in a location where they won’t be dug up.

Certain spell remnants can be floated down a river or stream.

Burying Hex-Work

In some traditions burying spell remains is also good for certain types of hex work. However, hexes usually call for the burial process to be carried out at the crossroads or a graveyard. Intuition plays a great part in the burial of spell remains. In some cases, the burial is best placed at a location significant to your spell working. However, because we live in modern times and have a legal system to contend with, make sure that wherever you wish to bury your remains won’t get you in any legal troubles. Then you’ll have to do a spell to fix your spell and that’s just extra work!

Spell Remnants and Closure

Disposing of spell remnants is a ritual in and of itself that can bring empowerment and closure to a working. Whatever way you choose to dispose of your workings, be sure to consult the tradition of any magickal practice or deity you are working with regarding the spell to ensure the most favorable outcome. 

Read More by Allorah Rayne:

Spell Remnants: What To Do With Leftover spell Ingredients and Tools

About Allorah Rayne

Allorah Rayne is a practitioner of amnestic witchcraft and has been part of the online spiritual community since 2012. Her introduction to Tarot was the age of nine and she pursued more intensive learning at fifteen. Allorah is the founder of the Wayfaring Witch Â© where she offers occult readings, mentorship, and supplies. She is also the co-founder of Spread This, Witches!, a community centered divination organization. And co-host of Otherworldly Oracle Official Podcast and Mimir’s Well Podcast. You can contact Allorah at the following social media sites: Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, and YouTube or by E-mail at allorahrayne@gmail.com.

21 Comments

  1. Loonie

    February 20, 2023 at 6:47 pm

    My spell jar started leaking. I don’t remember what the purpose was for it, but it’s sealed with blue wax, and I think I added some water from icicles (which are not common in Texas but can happen in February) and the next night there was a big thunderstorm, so I mixed the two waters together (and even after 2 weeks, the city still hasn’t been able to pick up all of the branches and trees that fell during that time)…I can’t see the different ingredients but it was my first spell jar, and it needs to be disposed of. I doubt I could get the ingredients out since the water had expanded them all. Everything I have read says to EMPTY the ingredients properly, but I’m going to have to dispose of the entire thing. I have lots more ingredients than I did when I made this, and plenty of jars to replace it. Can I take it to a busy road and smash it or allow other cars to run over it? First I would have to separate myself from it, but is that pretty much the only option? I think I made it too powerful for the size of the jar and the intent, and it’s trying to make enough room for all the energy.

  2. lara

    October 25, 2022 at 9:16 am

    I’m about to perform a spell on my husband (tomorrow night), who’s been abusive in all senses of the word for years. I want to make sure how/where to dispose of the remains, which will be four candles, two amethysts, garlic, a picture of him, myrrh incense, ginseng root, and some rice……the candles are not supposed to burn down thoroughly so I would need to chop them or? The picture? Same? And all else? Do i chop everything and put it in a jar and……? or??? If you could let me know urgently, that would be great! thank you in advance

  3. Deneene Krehlik

    April 5, 2021 at 7:45 am

    Someone did spell work in my yard near my house…apparently against me… and l left it there!… how do I dispose of it?… thank you!

    1. Deneene

      April 5, 2021 at 7:48 am

      I didn’t leave it there.. they left it there… lol..

  4. polly

    March 1, 2021 at 4:19 am

    hi i was wondering if you could tell me how to dispose of a tallisman i had made for me and my partner over 4 years ago …he was overseas and the tallisman was to bond us while he was away and him to be only attracted to me…it has 2 of our photos and binded by wax…i was thinking fire…but not sure…thanks polly

    1. kitty fields

      March 3, 2021 at 3:18 pm

      yes, start a fire and un-wax it as best you can while visualizing the two of you being set free from this bond. then throw the remnants in the fire. or you can alternatively bury it at a crossroads and don’t look back.

      1. J

        November 28, 2021 at 11:24 am

        what if it’s a talisman pendant that i want to destroy? i don’t think it will melt with fire. i want to be rid of what i manifested with the talisman and regret it now. what kind of ritual can i do if i cannot burn the object?

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    January 28, 2021 at 2:06 am

    […] If you feel like your jar spell didn’t work and you just want to start over completely, bury the remnants in the west of your property. Then clean and thoroughly cleanse your jar and lid to re-use, if you’d like. Read more about how to dispose of spell remnants here. […]

  6. Candria

    July 15, 2020 at 4:47 am

    I set an intention for to manifest a call/connection with a person, lit a white candle etc, today I burned and flushed the paper with our names in it down the toilet, did I banish or hex them accidentally?

    1. admin

      July 15, 2020 at 10:35 am

      I think if your intention was to connect, probably not. But if the spell doesn’t work in the way you planned, you’ll know why.

      1. Brianna Smith

        September 10, 2020 at 5:00 am

        Hi. So I buried remnants of spellwork I did, calling the triquetra to awaken my powers. It has been dug up by what I do not know. Will it need to be replaced or can it be buried somewhere more safe and be ok?

        1. admin

          September 12, 2020 at 1:26 pm

          You can bury it elsewhere.

  7. Anonymous

    April 23, 2020 at 5:23 pm

    If I dispose my wax two days after ritual, would there be any consequences?

    1. admin

      April 30, 2020 at 10:28 am

      It depends on how badly you need the spell to banish something from your life.

    2. Sarah

      September 17, 2020 at 6:38 pm

      I recently performed a ritual to repair a broken relationship. My items are sealed by wax in a tin. What is the best way to dispose of my tin and candle, or should I keep them together and bury them?

      1. admin

        September 19, 2020 at 1:31 pm

        If the spell has yielded results, bury them both together.

  8. Gillian

    March 26, 2020 at 8:59 am

    I’ve done a simple banishment ritual in the form of a wish and candle. I live in a housing estates with many apartment blocks. There are roads and junction areas and a small park. Is disposal of the banishment remnants at road junctions appropriate?

    1. admin

      March 26, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      It’s up to you. But in an urban or suburban area, I might just bury the remnants off my property OR simply take it to a dumpster off my property.

  9. Johnny

    November 5, 2019 at 1:06 am

    Your bio says that you are a practitioner of amnestic whitchcraft…. amnestic means that it pertains to amnesia……

    1. admin

      November 6, 2019 at 12:29 pm

      Allorah says “amnestic” means she’s practicing a craft that she’d forgotten but is in the process of remembering.

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    July 10, 2019 at 7:33 pm

    […] Spell Remnants: How to Dispose of Your Ritual Remains […]

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