Casting Circles

[HerbGurl]

How does everyone here cast a circle? Who do you use for the Guardians/Watchtowers? Do you use Angels or do you envision them as some sort of animal? What directions are the elements in? I myself am toying with the idea of using Air in the North, as described here: http://www.geocities.com/athens/forum/7280/rethink.html
How do you bless the Circle? Do you mix salt and water then sprinkle it around the circle, or separately? Do you use a Broom?
I am just wondering what everyone else did for thier circle. I usually use the the Circle Casting in DJ Conway's book Celtic Magic, but lately it has not suited me. I was just wondering what everyone else did so I could get some fresh ideas before my Yule Ritual. ;)
Blessings,
HerbGurl

[Myst]

I think there's another thread around here called "Do you cast a circle". It should answer several of your questions.

I cast a circle according to my purpose and desire - I have used sage and a broom, I have called elements in a complex ritual, I have raised my finger and visualized a circle about me in a second. I don't call the guardians of the watchtowers, unless I'm doing protective magick (thus "guardians"), usually I call the elements as their pure energies, or sometimes the elementals (faeries). I sometimes call angels for healing work or dragons for protective work. I sometimes call the Gods by name, I sometimes don't call them at all.

[Rick]

Probably the most common placement of the Elements is: East-Air, South-Fire, West-Water, & North-Earth. I have seen a source that places Air in the North, & Earth in the East (please don't ask me to quote the source... after you've read so much of this stuff over 30+ years, some of it begins to blur :ahhhh: ). I like this second one ('feels' better, somehow), but usually use the first one, especially if leading a group in ritual... it's less confusing that way. Not wiccan, so I don't do watch towers (but I do do the Hammer Hallowing)... besides the four quarters, I also call Above, Below, Right, Left, & Within (corresponds to the 9 Worlds). Rather than sage the circle, I like to cast the circle, then sage each person as they enter... for each direction, I'll invoke a corresponding God or Goddess, animal, element... when xians have attended, I've invoked corresponding saints & angels... when I'm finished with all I can think of, I'll ask the attendees if they wish to add anything.

[HerbGurl]

Do you have to use a athame to cast the circle, or a wand? I have heard differing accounts of using a wand to cast a circle. I usually use the wand and I have had success, but I am wondering what everyone else did. Thanks for the ideas though, I appriciate them.
Blessings,
HerbGurl
Oh yeah, Thanks Myst for the link. I didn't even see it *blush* I really need to pay better attention to things...

[white_draco]

1 - I cast a circle by visualizing it around me, like a big ball blasting outta my mind.

2 - I call the Guardians of the Watchtower like "Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the East, Power of Air, Invention, and Father....Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the South, Power of Fire, Feeling, and God.....Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the West, Power of Water, Love, and Goddess.......Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the North, Power of Earth and Mother". Then I invoke the God/desses..."I call upon the gods and goddesses to come into this circle to help me"....then I call upon my God and Goddess that I like to use to help me during my rituals and spells. " I call upon Diana and Osiris to come into this circle ".

3 - I haven't used Angels or Animals to represent them...I see the Guardians of the Watchtowers as Gargoyles upon 4 tall towers on the 4 corners of the Earth.

4 - Air is in the East, Fire in the South, Water in the West, and Earth in the North. But this can be changed in a circle because when doing a circle it is what feels right for you not the rest of the world.

5 - You can use an incantation or chant to bless the circle.

6 - You can sprinkle salt and water around the circle if you like, you can sprinke just salt, or some other type of purifier.

7 - Brooms, also known as Besoms can be used also to sweep away the old or purify.

Do what you FEEL in your heart to be right for yourself.

8 - You don't need an Athame or Wand to cast a circle unless you need it to channel your energy to make one, you can use your finger(s) as in imagining a flow of energy pulsating, pumping, and flowing outta your finger ( usually done with the finger(s) on the hand that you write with)

If a Wand works for you, USE IT!...lol

I hope I helped!


- White Draco -

[Myst]

I use an athame, a wand, or my finger, whatever feels appropriate. Sometimes if I'm in a hurry I just visualize the circle being drawn around me. Whatever works for you is best!

[Pheonix]

I really don't think there is any specific way to cast a circle. I'm not wiccan but I usually call the gaurdians of the watchtowers, I used a broom, salt, water, rose water, sage and nothing at all. It's all about intent.

As for element positions I usually use the traditional one, but quite often use the way I was taught originally with north-fire, east-air, south-earth, west water. Doesn't seem to make any diff.

If calling the wacth towers is your thing a simple call that I started with is
Gaurdians of the watchtowers of the north gaurdians of earth and of mother, I invoke thee
then continuing with each element air being the gaurdian of intuition, fire being the gaurdian of invention, water being the gaurdian of love. Very simple and I found that it served me well for awhile.

I usually use my athame, but that is just because I like the power it carries.

If you read around abit you'll find a million diff ways, one is bound to sound good to you, and most likely after awhile you'll stop following a script and just wing it with what feels right :)

Brightest Blessing,
Pheonix

[Rick]

...when casting your circle, you are actually casting a globe of protection around yourself... I recommend to 'draw' a circle vertically (one that passes through Above & Below) as well. I do north-above-south-below-north, but you could do east-west... shouldn't matter... you could even do both, I reckon...

[kittiepoetrygod]

I've been toying with West for Fire, North for Air, East for Water and South for Earth, as where i'm living it makes more sense.

For me, circle casting is a prelude to worship and ritual, so my normal rundown is this:

1) Set boundaries:

Just clear the space the ritual will be in of all the crap thats lying around. After thats done, a turn off the tv, clock, air conditioning, and anything that would make noise. After thats done, i spray some essiential oil spray in the general ritural area.

2) Bless the Water.

I do a devotion like this, altho every time its a little different.

I draw now from the Sacred Well of Power,
To aid me in this ritual.
Let this chalice be a vessel of the my energy,
And the water in be sacred and holy.

I cast out all negativity,
And replace it with my ___ ( Fill in the blank with emotion)
May it be a part of me, living,
And a creature of faith and goodwill.

So be it.

3) Asperge Water.

Take chalice, place hand in, remove, rub hand in the general direction of the four directions, than rubbing a spot in the center.

4) Cast Circle:

I conjure thee,
Golden Circle of Power,
To be for my a gateway,
Between the world of men,
and the realms of the Gods.
And a vessal of the power raised and brought here.

Purified by Air, Concecrated by Water,
I now Empower thee with Mine Spirit.
I raise thee now through the veil,
And raise the Arches to hold ye.
Earth, Air, Fire and Water,
Hold this Circle steadfast,
Above and below,
Within and Without of this World.
I seal it against all the would harm,
And purify all that lies within.
In the name of the Golden God and the Radient Lady,
So be it.

Than i would call the quarters ... and who knows who i would call on?

PS: Yeah, that is an important part, rick. Just a circle would be like using a hula hoop to protect you from on coming snowboarders, instead of a gian bubble.

[Myst]

Originally posted by Rick
...when casting your circle, you are actually casting a globe of protection around yourself... I recommend to 'draw' a circle vertically (one that passes through Above & Below) as well. I do north-above-south-below-north, but you could do east-west... shouldn't matter... you could even do both, I reckon...

That's a good point. I didn't really think about it. I cast a circle from East to North then visualize the sides coming up and down and forming a sphere - usually fire or ice, glass or mirrors, or whatever serves. :)

[lucidfire]

w00h00!! I'm not a freak! ;) {snicker in background}

This last year I began using north to represent air, and east as the earth, based partly on some things I read, and some research I had done.

There's a few reasons it made sense for me. There's the old term you may have heard before, moreso when witches lean towards shamanic tribal cultures, of "The four winds." Then there's the word Hyperborean which was used for the British Isle on the really old maps; the word itself means "he who dwells behind the north wind." (North Wind?)

Besides all that, my girlfriend and I used to talk about this, and we figured the directions should probably relate to one's location, moreso than tradition alone. Considering this, and now the directions affect my seasons out here, the north is mostly responsible for the winds that cause cold seasons or storms, and it's very cold up north which would make it silly to use that for Earth (because it's not very lush up north).

There's another twist to that too, is that I always thought of fire as passion and air as intellect (well every book says that..), but Lisa recently got me thinking because of something a friend and her realized relating to tarot cards, that the sword cards (fire element) are usually cards of thought and rods/wands are usually cards of action. When I thought of it that way, everything made better sense for me. It just felt right

as far as how I cast a circle, I tend to use a wand more than an athame. I cast the circle 3 times starting north, and then call the quarters. I've seen it done 1million different ways though.

[Eeluna]

I thought long and hard about the elements. The directions given in most books just didn't seem right to me. Where I live the Atlantic Ocean is to the East and most of the US is to the West. So the traditional directions didn't feel right. I've decided that the Elements are present everywhere and that I should associate them with the directions in which I've always associated them. Therefore South, where it is hot year-round, I associate with Fire. West, where there is lots of farmlands, I associate with Earth. North, where it's cold and from which the winds of Winter come, I associate with Air and of course, East, where there is a great expanse of ocean, I associate with Water. If you're comfortable following the traditional directions that's great. If not, perhaps you should develop your associations from the actual landscape around you.

I usually cast what I call a simple circle, which involve me sitting and visualizing. First I visualize positive energy swirling is a spiral that clears away any negativity. Then I visualize light coming out of the Earth and enclosing me in a sphere. I don't normally use any tools. Although upon occasion, I use a broom to sweep the area before casting a more formal circle.

[Haedis]

For about six months I've been working with Air in the North. To me it has just always seemed more sensible. There are some really informative sites which give reasons why Air should be North, but mainly it feels right to me. One of the theories on why Air is usually East is because the earlier magickal circles didnt want magick to fall into the wrong hands, so they altered some things when they wrote down the rituals. This way people who are really sincere about witchcraft would be able to figure it out, and the people who'd use it for harm would be using the wrong system, and get no results. But this doesnt make sense to me since many successful witches use Air for East. I dont think it matters what you use, as long as it works for you. I used to know a guy who used food to represent the elements. Honestly he used chocolate as north, BBQ chips as south etc. and it worked for him.

[Rick]

We did an all-chocolate circle once... mmmmmmmmmmm, chocolate... ~(_8o(l)<---

[Lavender]

:D Good thing I wasn't there...I would have eaten the circle! :p

[Rick]

... we did eat the circle! (Well the 'elemental' symbols, anyway.)

[Schuylar]

In responce to Rick's 11/30 post about the article explaining why Air should be in North, here's the article information.

"Re-Thinking the Watchtowers, or 13 reasons why Air should be in the North." by Mike Nichols.

Very intersting article. I found it at the Pagan Library website.

Happy reading!

[Myst]

If you cast a circle, who do you invite in? Do you call elements, elementals, guardians of the watchtower, deities, spirit guides, angels, faeries, dragons, etc. in? Why? How?

[Joy]

When I cast a circle, I don't always call in the same dieties, but I always call on the elements, and the fairies just seem to show up. They have decided they like me and like to hang around. I call on ascended masters as well as the arch angels. I also call on my spirit guides and sometimes I call on my animal guides. I like to do my rituals differently at times so that they don't get boring losing their power or luster. I call them to help create what I wish to create without having negative effects, to help carry the energy where it needs to go to be the most effective. My favorite are outdoors, but since I live in the city, that doesn't happen much. Sometimes I plan ahead what I an going to do and sometimes I just do it on the spot. Both ways work well for me. I like using candles, especially the ones that are shaped like a pentagram. Sometimes I annoint the candles with essential oils and with symbols and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I like to dance with a ritual and sometimes I don't. I do the dancing when I am creating something joyful and happy or when I wish to put a lot of energy into something. Sometimes I do native americn rituals and sometimes I do magickal rituals. And sometimes I make up my own rituals.
Is this what you were asking?
Love & Blessings

[Nyx]

When I cast a circle, I usually invite the elements/elementals to join me. Sometimes I'll invite a diety, but only if I have a very specific reason for it. However, I am thinking of also inviting dragons to join me on a more regular basis, since they have recently started showing up a lot more often than they normally do.
They way I invite them all in changes each time, as I usually make it up as I go along. Sometimes I don't say anything aloud at all, instead I just silently ask them to join me. Both ways work just fine. I also place candles around the circle (when I can), to represent the elements. As I light it, I invite each element, and any related elementals, to come and join me.

~~Nyx~~

[Rick]

Originally posted by Myst
If you cast a circle, who do you invite in? Do you call elements, elementals, guardians of the watchtower, deities, spirit guides, angels, faeries, dragons, etc. in? Why? How?
Much depends on the reason I'm casting a particular circle... if it's for magical purposes, I generally just call the God/dess I associate with each direction, & get directly to my working... if it's for a rite, then for each direction I'll call the associated element, the spirits of the element (elementals), the associated animal, & deity or deities (& if in a group, I invite any & all to call upon any specific deity etc that they wish), & I finish each direction with something like "Spirits, Wights, Beings, Gods & Goddesses All... if you are of love & light, come join us; be with us now".

Don't do watchtowers; however, when in circle with someone that does want them, it's cool if they put them up.

[Myst]

Yup that's what I'm asking.

How do you call anyone in? Do you speak the words, think about it, visualize them?

I call the elements and often the God and Goddess, as well as the faeries and well meaning spirits in my home, sometimes dragons or angels too, depending on my needs.

For elements I like to welcome each silently while visualizing each element - their colours, heat, wetness, and power (ie. fire blazing in a pit, wind blowing leaves, etc.)

[Radocs]

I only call on the elements (I'm not big on deities). I have symbols and candles with elemental symbols carved in them. I usually say a few words for each element when requesting their presence.

[lucidfire]

I've always called upon the watchtowers; there's old myths and legends about the watchers who guard the towers, said to be an ancient race of giants sort of resembling elves. I forget the oldworld name for them; I think some people called them the Elohim.

Anyways, I call the watchtowers for the quarters, and then when I call spirit I usually recite the charge of the Goddess, but not always.


I like to cast the circle three times which has given me some great results over the years; lately at the end I open the circle but do NOT "uncast" it. I've had this vice lately about doing things backwards; it just feels wrong to me, which I guess is reason enough not to do it. That's one of the key points to me (what feels right)

great thread Myst :D

[Myst]

Elohim -

http://www.salemctr.com/newage/center31.html
http://www.revelations.org.za/Elohim.htm
http://www.carm.org/lds/ldsjehovahelohim.htm

[Rick]

Originally posted by Myst
Yup that's what I'm asking.

How do you call anyone in? Do you speak the words, think about it, visualize them?
<SNIP>

The spoken word is Power... even when spoken casually... it carries ond- 'sacred breath', 'breath of life'...

[Nyx]

I kinda have to disagree there, Rick.
I think silently calling things in can be just as effective. I knew a deaf witch who preformed all her rituals in complete silence. The amount of power in her rituals was amazing. I do agree that spoken words have power, but I don't think they are a necessity, in this case. I think a lot has to do with your intent. If you really want something there, even if you don't say it out loud, I think it will still show up, since it can hear your silent call.

As I said earlier, I use a combination of both silence, and spoken word, and both ways seem to work just as well. Though, I also use a lot of visualization in my rituals, which may give my silent calls a boost.


~~Nyx~~

[Starwitch]

MM,
I am currently preparing for my first ritual, and would love to hear how others cast thier circles.
I know how important it is to get this bit right, and want to make sure I try and get the atmos correct, to allow me to be able to try and connect with the Goddess and God.

[StormChaser]

Many people have different ways as do different trads.

I grew up in a trad that has a very set structured way of casting.

But personally I don't follow it when not attending ritual with them. I think trying out things on your own before seeking guidance is better.. it helps others see where you are coming from and what you are looking for rather than pushing their methods onto you.

[Myst]

Have you tried using the search function? Click search near the top of your page (between FAQ and home, underneath the butterfly graphic and little menu), then do a circle for circle or circle cast. There are *many* threads on this subject here.

[ANUR36]

I remember how casting a circle for the first time was..... you want to do it just right... In my opinion there is no RIGHT way exactly... nothing written in stone at least... How did it go??? What did YOU do??

[Rick]

Originally posted by ANUR36
I remember how casting a circle for the first time was..... you want to do it just right... In my opinion there is no RIGHT way exactly... nothing written in stone at least... How did it go??? What did YOU do??
Well, in OUR first circle, we wrote in stone...



Sorry, I really tried to resist, but the strain was just tooooo much... 8O

[Lavender]

I don't always cast a circle. But when I do, I do it differently than a lot of people I know. Instead of going clockwise, I go counterclockwise. I start at the North & move 45 mins counterclockwise to the East, 45 mins counterclockwise to South & 45 mins counterclockwise to West. I know a lot of Wiccans (I'm not Wiccan, btw) find that strange...I've been told that a lot! :D It's because it's the direction of the earth's rotation. For me, this works because I like working with the earth's natural movements.

[Rick]

Originally posted by Wildchild
I don't always cast a circle. But when I do, I do it differently than a lot of people I know. Instead of going clockwise, I go counterclockwise. I start at the North & move 45 mins counterclockwise to the East, 45 mins counterclockwise to South & 45 mins counterclockwise to West. I know a lot of Wiccans (I'm not Wiccan, btw) find that strange...I've been told that a lot! :D It's because it's the direction of the earth's rotation. For me, this works because I like working with the earth's natural movements.
Umm... WC, dear, north-to-east-to-south-to-west-to-north IS clockwise... think of a map; 'north is up'...

[Lavender]

No, north is at 12:00, East is 3:00, South is 6:00, West is 9:00. If I move COUNTERCLOCKWISE 45 mins from North, that would bring me to EAST - kinda like moving backwards in time. If I move CLOCKWISE from north, east would be 15 mins from north. Ok, lets just say if I'm facing north, I move to my left until I get to east. Don't confuse me! :p

[Myst]

That *is* a confusing way to do it but I can see it.

But if they're at 12, 3, 6, and 9, you move 3 hours each time, not 45 mins, unless you think of the clock as just one hour, then you do move 15 or 45 mins rather then 3 or 9 hours

[Lavender]

Ack! Now I'll never be able to do a circle right again! :lol: Stop confusing me! :(

Somehow, I manage to get all the candles lit. Now you can see why I don't tell this to a lot of people. :D

[Myst]

Well now that I've been useless...

I cast a circle depending on the occasion. First I mentally cleanse myself and the area. I cast circle clockwise from north back 'round to north again. Then I invoke and invite whatever elements, elementals, deities, faeries, dragons, spirits, etc. that are appropriate.

[ANUR36]

24........
23.......56....
HUT HIKE!
Sowwy....
had to do it!

[TheTempestuous1]

Hey, I was just wondering if you guys could impart a little wisdom here on how to cast a circle because I know I am not doing it right, there is no real spark in the air that I feel I have done something and I am honestly not even quite sure how, (expecially since my reference books are currently across the atlantic from me heh..) My 1st few attempts have pretty much felt ludicrous (sp? :smash:) So just some tips would be appreciated... also keep it a little simple because I am not a big fan of ceremony, although even if yours is a bit complicated I'd still love to hear how different people do it. Thanks!

[Myst]

You might use the search function.

There's a few threads on circle casting.

Especially one that points out that in the beginning you may not be able to sense the energies or that you might need practice to create an effective circle.

In essense, all you have to do is visualize a sphere around you that keeps energies in and other stuff out. You can draw it with your finger, an athame, or a wand, or you can just visualize it there all the sudden.

[Eudaimonia]

Think of it as a big ball of light! If you're good at visulization, this will help.

Don't try to hard to "feel" the circle; just know it's there. If you believe, it will be.

[lucidfire]

they sure said it right,

if you're having trouble feeling it perhaps something with your senses will help you "cross over" in some way, like words or atmosphere or something like that. Go with your heart, it'll know what to do; it always knows

[Haedis]

Sometimes it helps to make a physical circle at first until you get the hang of it. Make an outline with rocks, salt, a rope, etc, and work inside this for a while. It helped me to be aware of the circle (sphere) at all times. Now I that I'm better at vizualization I dont need to use that method.

[Magestya]

Something that might help a little, it takes time and practice.
Try maybe listening to some music, like Enya, or Enigma. Find some music that helps put you in a 'sacred' mood, a 'magical' mood. You could also try just lighting candles on the altar and then in the four corners and turn out all the lights, this helps for focusing and for the 'feeling' of a circle for myself anyways, it creates a circle when you may not feel you are. Take time to just sit and relax in circle, maybe take out a tarot deck, or read a book in the candlelight in the centre of the altar and four corners. This may help you get used to the surroundings and feeling. You may be surpised at what you'll feel, and what you're capable of, I was. I found doing this and listening to music puts me 'in the zone' *grin*.

Best of luck to you, have fun with it!

Blessings,
Magestya

[nehelia]

i wrote kind of an essay on how to cast a kick-butt circle. its a bit long, but rather simple, and takes you first through exercises that sensitize you to feel the energies. if you like i can post it; let me know. . .its just kinda long.

[TheTempestuous1]

Thanks Nehelia that would help if it's not too much trouble...and anyone else with ideas feel free to keep posting, or just tell me how you do it. See you!

[Myst]

I think I just recently posted in another thread all the threads at MW about circle casting - there were about a dozen.

[Myst]

Here I'll save you the trouble - there's a massive amount of info in the threads linked at http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13815

[Flar's Freyja]

Bump

[Flar's Freyja]

I think this one may confuse the new member I'm bumping it for more than it'll help. Oh, well. Enjoy! :rolleyes:

[Flar's Freyja]

Bump

[gh0ul]

I'm new to magick.... I'm wondering. Do you have to cast a circle everytime you perform even the simplest of spells. Say even a simple candle spellthat would take only about 10 minutes to complete.

[Radocs]

I rarely cast circles to do magic, period. In my opinion it depends on how you feel like doing it.

[Flaire-FireStar]

I don't cast a circle every time either. *shrug* I don't find it necessary.

[Raevyn]

Performing magical techniques shouldn't be about how long a spell "will take", as much as what you feel is appropriate and surrounding circumstances. For instance, people who don't feel a circle is necessary don't cast one, people who have to do a spell quickly might not use one, but people who are dropping parts of spells or techniques because they don't feel like taking the time are probably losing out.

I mean, there's a difference between personal preference backed with consideration and thoughtfullness, and just being lazy.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

I don't feel that casting a circle is necessary every single time. It just depends on how your feeling at the time and your intent.

[Tammy Sullivan]

well, for me the circle helps me to control and define the magic before I set it free, when I don't cast circle, it kinda goes out "wild" on me. I prefer to set it with my intent in a controlled environment.

[Grey]

A circle will keep out outside influences and strenthen the spell as far as Ive seen though often simply the act of cast a spell will create a buffer similar to a circle in my experiance. Casting a circle isnt a long process and shouldnt take more than a minute once you get in the habit.

[Leviyah]

I rarely cast a circle for spells and the like, but as everyone has said, it really does depend on the situation.

[Flar's Freyja]

Originally posted by Raevyn
Performing magical techniques shouldn't be about how long a spell "will take", as much as what you feel is appropriate and surrounding circumstances. For instance, people who don't feel a circle is necessary don't cast one, people who have to do a spell quickly might not use one, but people who are dropping parts of spells or techniques because they don't feel like taking the time are probably losing out.

I mean, there's a difference between personal preference backed with consideration and thoughtfullness, and just being lazy.

Whenever I take the time to do a formal ritual, I cast circle. I have short versions and long versions. I have even put up circle just to do yoga practice as a devotional. After you've studied for awhile, you'll learn ways to cast a circle in emergency situations or combine it with cleansing your space when necessary. One of my part-time jobs exposes me to a lot of negativity and I cast a protective circle with Reiki energy whenever I'm there.

I definitely agree with Raevyn in that if you just don't want to take the time and bother, you will miss out.

[Flar's Freyja]

I've merged five or six of the abundance of Circle Casting threads that we have, and I'm placing this thread in the stuck Magickal Correspondences and Other Basic Info thread :)

[spiritwind905]

I am new here , but I am enjoying all of the posts about circle castings. :)
I usually purify my circle with salt & water first. Then charge the circle with a favorite incense, drawing a pentacle at each quadrant. Then I cast the circle using my favorite athame. (a black dagger with the triple goddess on the hilt). Well just felt like sharing...Blessed Be
:boing:

[Flar's Freyja]

:wave: Merry Meet and Welcome Home! I just charged some moon water for water cleansing. I use sage, incense, salt and water, etc.....which method depends on how much time I have to devote to ritual. And I've learned ways to do it without using anything at all ;)

[Joseph]

Is it required to speak during your circle casting? the place where i would be casting my circles will be in my room, probably late at night, and quite frinky i dont want anyone hearing me lol. Does mentally 'speaking" your words have any detremental effects? What do you guys think?

[FeatherGoblinglimmer]

You don't have to speak. You an conduct the whole thing in your head that way only you can hear yourself.

[Flar's Freyja]

Bumping for Fluffy Bunny

[Romani Vixen]

For a long time my athame was my quill pin! I used that!

FalconSong



Do you have to use a athame to cast the circle, or a wand? I have heard differing accounts of using a wand to cast a circle. I usually use the wand and I have had success, but I am wondering what everyone else did. Thanks for the ideas though, I appriciate them.
Blessings,
HerbGurl
Oh yeah, Thanks Myst for the link. I didn't even see it *blush* I really need to pay better attention to things...

[Garden of Eden]

I've written a circle casting that I'm immensely proud of... I though I'd post it so you guys could read/use it...

Circle Casting

(Space must be purified and cleansed beforehand)

“The stars are twinkling and the moon shines bright,
As I conjure this circle, this hour, this night.
I bring to the circle all that I must,
Perfect peace, perfect love, and perfect trust,”

(Light candles)

“Circle of beauty, circle divine,
Blood of the ancients and fruit of the vine.
I cast you this night, a boundary of power,
Before you all evil and malice shall cower.
With the tools of the old ones,
Of darkness and light,
I summon my circle
With priestesses’ might”

(Lay energies and cast circle)

“By the power of three,
So mote it be!”

(Lift arms into the air and say)

“Great mother, my Goddess, I invite you to my place of power.
Great Horned one, my God, dwell with me at this hour.
All elements come hither,
To protect and to guide,
Among the people of the craft, thine influence is wide.”


Dismantling the circle


“Boundary of light, boundary of power,
Evening’s shadow and morning’s flower.
Though this circle hath served me well,
I dismiss it now in this bell,”

(Ring bell three times)

“The circle is open but unbroken,
Magic words of power spoken,
Mighty elements I thank you all,
And pray thee answer the next time I call,
You four are released, so stay if you will,
But go if you must,
Carry with you the message of love, peace, and trust,”

[moonshadow24]

Hi everyone.

I have a question for you all. How do you believe calling upon the Elements during ritual or spells protects you? I hope everyone understands what I'm asking.:) I first started practicing the Craft over 3 years ago I guess,but I question things. Which is natural and healthy though and we should:) Thanks.

bb,
Michelle{Ravynfyre}

[Seren_]

There's no one correct answer, but in a Wiccan context you could say that it's not the elements you're calling on, but the guardians of those elements. And those guardians, by their nature, may be asked to guard you if you so wish.

Furthermore, by calling on them for each quarter (and also incorporating all the elements into your circle casting ritual for eg cleansing) you emphasise the idea natural balance that is inherent within Wicca. Together they make up the fundamental parts of a greater whole. And being balanced, I guess you create a harmony that becomes its own natural protection. If that makes any sense.