To Part Ways with a Member who Wishes to Leave a Coven or Hive
This ritual commemorates the voluntary departure of a member from the Hollow, dissolving any spiritual, energetic, or magical bonds between the individual and the group. It honors the work that has been shared and grants the departing member freedom from any lingering obligations, magical or mundane.
Gather in a place of power if possible (ideally the same location in which the member was initiated) or in any space agreed upon for ritual. Prepare the area with the following:
A black or red cord
A bowl of spring water infused with rosemary
Two candles: one representing the departing member, and one for the Hollow
A container of soil or salt
A pair of shears, scissors, or a knife
A piece of parchment with the departing memberβs name, along with any ties or roles they wish to release
Incense in a suitable, fire-safe container[1]
The Hollow gathers in a circle, forming an intentional opening in the direction the member will exit. If desired, align this opening with the directional west, which is associated with endings, transitions, and transformation.
At the center of the circle, place and light the two candles, with the parchment set between them. Light the incense. A moment of silence is held, during which the ritual leader may ring a bell nine times or all present may clap nine times in unison.
The leader or speaker calls:
Spirits of this circle,
Spirits of this space,
Guides and ancestors who guard our wayβ
Hear us now and hold our words.
By blood, by breath, and by bone,
By pact and by promise,
We gather to honor what was
And to sever what must be.
The departing member steps forward and takes the cord in hand. The ritual leader holds the blade.
Each member of the Hollow, in turn, speaks a word of gratitude, blessing, or farewell. When all have spoken, the leader continues:
Once bound by will, now freed by choice.
As the thread is cut, so too are all ties that hold thee here.
May your path be clear,
And may no chain linger where none is wished.
The cord is cut in two. One half is placed in the bowl of water; the other in the vessel of soil or salt. This symbolizes the cutting of both magical and physical ties as well as cleansing with water and laying to rest in the earth.
The departing member then washes their hands in the herb-infused water, then warms or dries their hands briefly over the flame of their candle. This symbolizes purification and the reclaiming of their sovereignty. When this is done, they should burns the parchment and place it into the vessel of soil alongside the half a cord.
The Hollow offers a final blessing:
Go forth in peace, untethered and unbound.
May the spirits guide you well,
May your magic be strong,
And may your path be ever your own.
The departing member takes their candle (keeping it lit, as a sign that they retain their own light and power) and leaves the space without looking back.
Those who remain close the circle, stepping in to fill the gap left behind. The leader raises the Hollowβs candle, and all say:
Though the path has split, the roots remain deep.
This circle stands unbrokenβ
Our spirits strong, our magic sure.
No ill will lingers,
Only the echo of what was
And the promise of what shall be.
We move forward in unity,
Holding no shadow in our hearts.
The ritual may conclude here, or continue with additional workings as needed. The tool used to cut the cord should be ritually cleansed in running water to remove any residual connections.
Incense Safety Note
Use a fire-safe incense holder appropriate for the form of incense youβve chosen. For stick incense, ensure the holder has a properly sized hole and a wide enough tray to catch embers. For cones or charcoal discs, place them in a flame-resistant container on a thick bed of heat-absorbing material such as sand. Cast iron and other metals, while flame-resistant, will still conduct heat and can scorch surfaces or ignite flammable surroundings if not properly insulated.
