What is an Energetic Cord?

An energetic connection, link, or bridge that binds you and another person, an energetic cord is a real thing that you can impact your well being. Find out what they are and when they need to be removed. 

By Sarah Petruno, Shamana 

An energetic cord is an energy link that connects you, to something or someone else.

It’s an extension of your energy, connecting to the energy of some other thing. OR it’s the extension of another person’s energy, connecting to you.

I know that sounds vague, so it’s important first to explain that we, and everything with an existence within this universe, are made up of energy, on a core level.

We’re made up of subatomic particles - electrons, neutrons, protons, and quarks, that have energy and have the capacity to shift and transform energy. This is often a property of anything at all that has matter - solid, physical, or gaseous. Seen or unseen. By and large, if it exists, it has energy and can shift and transform its energy.

The couch you sit on, the computer you type on, the air you breathe - all made up of molecular components, brought together through reactions, repulsions, and electromagnetic forces. Periodic elements, made up of electrons and protons, combine to form bigger, and bigger structures - which eventually, in some cases, result in seeable matter. But sometimes, electrons and protons combine to form things we cannot see.

Air. Emotions. Thoughts. Sound. The Entire Spectrum of Light.

These things exist, yet we can’t always see them with bare eyes.


But still, their basis lies in our energetic world. They are formed by energetic particles and waves, and have an existence in this universe.

And you, are a walking, breathing, combination of of energy having particles and waves. Some parts of you, you can see, like your blood, skin, organs, and we call these elements your physical body. These parts of you have physical density and can be seen and felt.

Some parts of you, you cannot see, like your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences. Parts of you that cannot be seen with the eye. They still exist, and they have energy. These elements are often referred to as parts of your Spirit, or your spiritual body.

Your physical body and your spiritual body are made of of energetic particles and waves. This combination of all energetic particles and waves that make you, you, physical and spiritual, is referred to as your energetic body.

Energetic cords, when described in the intuitive sense, refer strictly to energy interactions in and between the spiritual body - thoughts, feelings, emotions, experiences, and interactions between yourself, and another person, place, or event. Typically, by and large, cords exists between two individuals. One as the sender of energy, and the other as the receiver of energy.

Because your spiritual body is not physically dense and of solid matter, it’s also not limited in its actions by physical proximity or space. What I mean by this, is that when you have a thought, feeling, emotion, or particular experience, it isn’t always the case that the energy of that interaction or emotion remains entirely with you. And the same goes for another person, when someone else has a thought, feeling, or emotion, the energy is not trapped inside the confines of a physical space.

The energy of the spiritual body is free form, and primarily comprised of waves, rather than particles, (energy can take either wave or particle form), and can move at will, most often going where it is directed by you.

A thought or emotion felt about someone else is a direction given.

When you have a thought, feeling, conversation, or interaction that involves someone else, either in words, or in intention, the energy of that situation is directed at that person. You are essentially sending out some of your energy in the form of waves and particles, and “pinging” the other person. Even if they are not physically present with you, by having the thought, feeling, or discussion about this person, you are unintentionally connecting your energy, with theirs.

This is the essence of an energetic cord, and it can go both ways.

You can be the sender of a cord, or the recipient of a cord.

Cords can stem and arise from single, one time interactions or single, one time thoughts. Or, they can arise from long standing relationship patterns and events. They can be shallow or they can be deeply rooted, depending on the emotional intention, nature, and length of existence of the cord.

It’s a connection of energy from your spiritual body to the energy of another person’s spiritual body, which means, cords can exist and arise after one party in the relationship crosses over. This also means that cords can be attached anywhere throughout your body, typically depending on the affected energetic area, either centralized (chakra) or generalized (aura).

A cord is the energetic connection between two individuals (usually).

Cords can appear in different ways, have different depths, and carry different intentions.

They can be thick or thin. Rope or Root.

They can be deep and entangling, or shallow and superficial.

They can be serving you well or serving you poorly (otherwise known as good or bad).

Have you ever had a troubling interaction with another person, leaving you thinking about it and remember it for days, weeks, and months after the fact? The experience could have left a cord between you two, causing the obsessive thoughts.

But, have you ever loved someone or have been loved deeply by another? Loving and compassionate feelings between two individuals often generate cords or attachment and bonding.

There are happy, high energy cords that can mean secure bonding and love between two people.

There are angry, sad, low energy cords, that can undermine self-esteem and well being.

And the energy exchanged through a cord can either be sent, received, or bi-directional and exchanged equally between parties.

A cord is an energetic link or bridge between you and someone else.


So, when is it best to remove a cord?

Logic would tell us that it’s best to remove a cord that is causing us discomfort and unpleasant feelings.

The energy composition of the cord, when it was initially placed, and your own personal feelings on the relationship or nature of the bond are the main determinants in removal.

  1. Is it no longer serving you well?

  2. Do you want it removed?

And to find the answer to that, you have to examine the cord, the bond, and your relationship of the other individual, in order to decide upon removal. Cutting the cord is an intentional act of moving energy, of disconnecting once connected energy. In doing so, you become an energy worker - even if it’s just for yourself, you’re working with your energy AND the energy of another person when you disconnect and energetic tether.

Cord removal and technique is entirely dependent on the situation in which the cord exist - the emotional basis, the current relationship status and desired future relationship status, the agreement or disagreement of the other party, the place in your energetic field to which it is attached, are just a few of the determinants of method of removal and follow-up.

For the best possible and safest outcome of all parties, cord removal is best done by someone who is trained - whether it’s you, through self-study, in private teaching sessions with a healer, or through a class, book, or seminar, or it’s someone external to you that is trained in energy work. 

In future posts, I’ll discuss what types of cords require cutting and the next steps following cord removal (there’s follow up!).  If you’re interested in learning the scientific basis behind cords, check out this article.

With love,


Looking for practical techniques for removing AND healing from cords? the Cut. It. Out! Guide to Cord Cutting eBook is designed to teach you all about cords, how they work, and how to remove them using techniques you can do on your own. Learn more here.

LAST UPDATED: November 21, 2014

Disclaimer: By law, we are required to state that we are not a medical doctors, the information presented here is for education purposes only, and our advice is not meant to be replaced for medical diagnosis and/or treatment by your doctor. This website is run by a shaman and an herbalist. The statements made on this blog and website represent our view of the world given our unique set of life experiences. These are truths as we see and understand the world at the time the words were written. Statements here have not been evaluated by the FDA and are meant for educational purposes only. We cannot guarantee successful outcomes. Your health is your responsibility. Please view our full terms & conditions and site disclaimers, located in the webpage footer.

Subscribe to my list & get my FREE Self Worth Affirmation