Casting A Circle

A Circle is an area of sacred, protected space in which to work spells and magick.You can perform magick without an "official" Circle, but if you want to work with one, here's how!

A Circle can be cast anywhere, with many tools and aids, or with none at all. Many people with working altars choose to cast the Circle there, but the same can be done at work, while away from home, even in your car. Below is a step-by-step guide to casting a Circle; feel free to use it as is, or change it to suit your needs. Remember---the best guide is to practice and use ideas, then to change them and make them your own.

• Preparation of Sacred Space: Set up a temporary altar or prepare your altar space for ritual.. I do this by making sure all needed materials are present, such as water, salt, scented oil, herbs, incense, etc.Place directional candles if you use them. I use green for North/Earth, yellow for East/Air, red for South/Fire, and blue for West/Water; other colors are ok to use to, as colors may very in different traditions Some also denote the circle with a cord, or use natural found objects such as stones.. I make sure I have water and salt, plus a dish of salt for my charcoal tablet; enough candles to see by, and my BOS.For more info, read the article on tools.
• Cleansing the Circle Space: One way to "clear" the Circle area is with a witches broom; visualize all negativity as being swept away. Another way to cleanse the space is to smudge with sage & cedar.
• Self-Purification: Prepare yourself for ritual----this can be an actual shower or bath, complete with scented bath salts or herb infusions; or a matter of visualizing all negativity gone, from head to toe. Then if you wish, don ritual clothing. In a spur-of-the-moment spells or emergencies such as illness, this step can be omitted. Do what works for you and for each situation.
• Casting the Circle:Here is a step by step method.
  • Stand facing the altar. Light candles and charcoal block or incense stick/cone. Before dimming or extinguishing your light, make sure the candles are adequate to see........I learned this one the hard way, lol!
  • Take up the water and your athame(or use your index finger on your dominant hand); touch the knife to the water, saying: "I consecrate and bless this water for use in the sacred Circle. In the name of the Mother Goddess and Father God(substitute deity names if you wish), I consecrate this water.
  • Take up the salt and your athame; repeat the steps above to consecrate salt.
  • Face the altar. Take the athame and hold it point-outward at waist level. Slowly walk the Circle, visualizing the sphere of protective enegy spinning out and around you. Repeat until you feel the Circle is complete........the sphere is 3=D so half is above and half below the ground. Say as you walk: "This is the boundary of the sacred Circle. Naught but love shall enter in, naught but love shall come from within."
  • Take up the water. Sprinkle it as you walk the circle, saying the same as above; then repeat this with salt and incense. The circle is complete.
  • Call the elements/quarters. For example, I start in the north, Holding you wand(or dominate hand index finger) above the green/north candle, visualize a green mist rising from the candle; say: "powers of the North, ye ancient ones of earth, I invite you into my circle.May your stabiling earthy energies aid me this night. Offer me protection above and below from your sacred surface. So mote it be." Turn to east candle, visualizing a yellow mist; say: "Powers of the East, ye ancient ones of air, I invite you into my circle.May your airy energies aid me this night. Offer me preotection from your life-sustaining vapor." Turn south and visualize a red mist rising from the candle, saying: "Powers of the South, ye ancient ones of fire, I invite you into my circle.May your fiery energies aid me on this night, Offer me protection from your powers of cleansing and renewal. So mote ie be." Turn and face the West; visualize a blue mist rising, saying: Powers of the west, ye ancient ones of water, I invite you into my circle. May you flowing emotion aid me this night, Offer me protection as an island, separate and apart from others. Return to the altar; the Circle is now complete.
  • Working: Now you are protected and can begin working-----invoke a god or goddess, work a spell, hold a ritual. Be sure to make an offering to the deities who aid you.

• Uncasting the Circle: Face north, extinguish the green candle, and dismiss the spirits of the north. I thank them for their aid and to go in power.Repat this to the West, South, then East. Dismiss all other deities as well. If you want to have Wine & cakes, now is the time. Offer the first bite and sip to the gods, saying: "May you never hunger. May you never thirst". Walk deosil(counter clockwise) holding your athame; pierce the circle amd begin drawing the energy back into the knife; walk the circle. The circle is no more.