Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Wishbonix
A binding spell is one of the oldest and most powerful tools in witchcraft. Where a banishing spell sends something away, a binding spell holds it still: it ties up a person’s ability to cause harm, freezes a situation that is spiraling out of control, or keeps you from repeating a habit that hurts you. Binding magic has a dark reputation because it can also be used to try to tie someone’s love or will to you, and that is where most of the warnings come from.
On this page you’ll learn what binding spells are, when binding is black magic and when it isn’t, and three traditional binding spells you can cast yourself: the classic ribbon and jar binding spell to stop someone from harming you, the freezer spell, and a self-binding cord spell. You’ll also find out why love binding spells so often backfire, how long a binding lasts, and how to undo one.
What is a Binding Spell?
A binding spell is a spell that restricts. It “ties up” a person, an energy or a behavior so that it can no longer act freely. The idea is as old as magic itself: knots, cords, jars and ice have been used for binding in folk magic across the world, from ancient Greek and Roman binding tablets (katadesmoi and defixiones) to the knot magic of European cunning folk.
In everyday life, we make bindings all the time. A marriage, a business contract or a solemn promise all bind people to their word. A magical binding works the same way, but on an energetic level.
Is a Binding Spell Black Magic?
It depends on what you bind and why. Any magic used to override another person’s free will for your own gain is usually considered black magic. A binding spell cast to make someone love you, stay with you or obey you falls into that category, and, as the threefold law warns, what you send out can come back to you three times stronger.
A binding cast to stop someone from harming you or others is different. Many witches consider protective binding a form of self-defense. It doesn’t punish the person or force them to do anything. It simply stops them from causing harm. That is why the classic binding chant says “I bind you from doing harm,” not “I bind you to me.”
Types of Binding Spells
- Protective binding spells: stop a specific person from harming you, your family or others. This is the traditional and safest use of binding magic.
- Freezer spells: “freeze” a person’s actions, gossip or interference so they can’t move against you.
- Self-binding spells: bind your own behavior, such as texting an ex, overspending or falling back into an old habit.
- Love binding spells: try to tie someone’s love or loyalty to you. These are the most controversial and the most likely to backfire (see below).
When to Use a Binding Spell
Binding spells are best used when someone’s behavior is actively harming you and you want it to stop. Common reasons include:
- A person who is obsessed with you or won’t leave you alone
- Someone spreading lies or gossip about you
- A coworker, relative or ex who keeps undermining you
- Someone working magic or ill will against you
- A habit of your own you want to stop for good
If someone is threatening, stalking or hurting you, contact the police or a local support service first. A binding spell can add spiritual protection, but it doesn’t replace real-world safety.
Binding Spell to Stop Someone from Harming You
This is the classic ribbon and jar binding spell. The braided black and red cord binds the person’s power to harm, and the sealed jar holds the binding in place for as long as you need it.
For the Binding Spell, You Will Need
- A photograph of the person (or a personal object such as a ring or a piece of their clothing)
- Three feet of black ribbon or yarn
- Three feet of red ribbon or yarn
- One black candle and one red candle
- A pen
- A mason jar with a lid
- A heat-safe candle holder or plate
Black stands for protection and restriction, red for strength and the life force you are holding in check.
When to Cast the Binding Spell
You can cast this spell any time of day, but it works best at midnight during the waning moon, when energy is drawing in and diminishing. Saturday, the day of Saturn, the planet of restriction, makes it even stronger.
How to Cast the Binding Spell
- Place the black and red candles on a heat-safe holder and light them. Take a few deep breaths and focus on your intention: to stop this person from causing harm.
- Braid the black and red ribbons together and tie nine knots at each end.
- Write the person’s full name and, if you know it, their birthdate on the back of the photograph.
- Roll the photograph so the image faces inward.
- Wrap the braided ribbon around the rolled photo, round and round. With every turn, say:
[Name], I bind thee so you can do no harm.
- When you reach the end, tie the two ends of the braid together and say:
[Name], I bind you from the front,
[Name], I bind you from the side,
[Name], I bind you by day,
[Name], I bind you by night,
I bind you from doing harm to me or others.
As above, so below,
So mote it be. - Place the bound photo in the jar and screw the lid on tight.
- Let the candles burn while you stay with them, then snuff them out. Store the jar in a dark, quiet place where it won’t be disturbed.
Fire safety: Keep the candles on a heat-safe surface away from anything flammable, keep water nearby, and never leave burning candles unattended.
Freezer Spell to Stop Someone in Their Tracks
The freezer spell is one of the best-known binding spells in folk magic. It “freezes” a person’s ability to act against you: to gossip, interfere, or keep stirring up trouble. It’s quick, simple and easy to undo.
You Will Need
- A small piece of paper and a pen
- A small freezer-safe container or zip bag
- Water
- Optional: a pinch of salt and black pepper
How to Cast the Freezer Spell
- Write the person’s full name on the paper. Underneath, write what you want to stop, for example “your lies about me” or “your interference in my marriage.”
- Fold the paper away from you, to push the problem away.
- Place it in the container, add the salt and pepper if you like, and cover it with water.
- Hold the container and say:
[Name], your words are still, your actions cold,
Frozen now, you lose your hold.
You cannot harm, you cannot reach,
Frozen fast, so mote it be. - Put it at the back of your freezer and leave it there.
To end the spell, take the container out, let the ice melt, and pour the water away outside, far from your home.
Self-Binding Cord Spell to Break a Bad Habit
Not every binding is about someone else. Sometimes the person you most need to bind is yourself: from calling an ex who is bad for you, from spending money you don’t have, or from slipping back into an old pattern. Self-binding is the safest binding magic of all, because the only will you work on is your own.
You Will Need
- An arm’s length of black cord or string
- A white candle
- A heat-safe candle holder
How to Cast the Self-Binding Spell
- Light the white candle and think about the habit you want to stop and how it has held you back.
- Tie seven knots along the cord. With each knot, say:
With this knot I bind my hand,
I break the hold, I take my stand. - Keep the knotted cord with you, in a pocket or bag, as a reminder of your promise to yourself.
- Each time you feel the pull of the old habit, hold the cord and repeat the words.
When the habit has lost its hold, burn the cord safely in a heat-safe dish or bury it, and thank yourself for the work you’ve done.
Why Love Binding Spells Backfire
Love binding spells are among the most searched spells in witchcraft, and among the most likely to go wrong. A love binding tries to tie another person’s feelings to you, to stop them from leaving, cheating or losing interest. The trouble is that love which is bound isn’t free, and love that isn’t free rarely stays loving. Common results of love binding spells include:
- Obsession instead of love: the person stays, but out of compulsion, not affection.
- Binding yourself: a binding works both ways, and many casters find they can’t let go long after they want to.
- Resentment: people sense when their freedom is being taken, and that tension poisons the relationship.
- Backfire: spells cast from fear or jealousy are the most likely to return to the caster.
If you want to strengthen a relationship, there are better spells for the job. A commitment spell strengthens a bond you already share, and a faithfulness spell supports loyalty without taking away your partner’s free will. For general guidance, see our love spells page.
How Long Does a Binding Spell Last?
A binding spell lasts as long as its physical anchor stays intact: the sealed jar, the frozen container or the knotted cord. Many people notice a change within one moon cycle, as the person loses interest, goes quiet, or simply stops crossing your path. Others take longer, especially when you see the person every day. Results are never guaranteed, and the person still makes their own choices, so keep your practical boundaries in place while the spell works.
How to Break or Undo a Binding Spell
Bindings are meant to be undone when they’re no longer needed. Leaving a binding in place forever keeps you tied to the person you bound.
- Ribbon and jar binding: open the jar, cut the braid with scissors while saying “I release you, and I release myself,” then burn the photograph safely in a heat-safe dish and bury the ashes.
- Freezer spell: let the ice melt and pour the water away outside, far from your home.
- Self-binding cord: untie or cut the knots, or burn the cord safely.
Follow any release with a spiritual cleansing to clear the last of the connection. If you think someone has cast a binding on you, a cleansing combined with a protection spell is the best place to start.
Binding Spells Can Backfire: Casting Safely
Spell casting is precise work, and binding magic is less forgiving than most. To keep your binding clean and safe:
- Bind only harmful behavior, never someone’s love, freedom or life.
- Cast with a calm mind, never in anger or panic.
- Be specific about what you’re binding.
- Release the binding when it has done its job.
- Cleanse yourself after casting.
If you’d rather have an experienced practitioner handle a serious situation, be careful who you trust. Our guide to fake and scam spell casters shows you the warning signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do binding spells work?
Binding spells are among the oldest spells in witchcraft and are used by witches around the world, especially for protection. Like all magic, they focus your intention and energy. No spell can guarantee a result.
Is a binding spell harmful?
A protective binding doesn’t harm the person. It only restricts their ability to cause harm. Love bindings and bindings cast to control someone are the ones that tend to cause problems for everyone involved.
Can I bind someone to love me?
You can try, but love binding spells usually create obsession or resentment rather than real love, and they often bind the caster too. A commitment or faithfulness spell is a better choice.
What is the difference between binding and banishing?
Binding holds someone still so they can’t cause harm. Banishing sends them away from your life entirely. If you want someone gone, a spell to send someone away may be the better fit.
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