First Circle Casting...

[Metta]

Hi, everyone...

I'm casting circle for my altar consecration ritual for the first time on Imbolc. Been reading through previous posts and threads about it, but I still have a few small questions that I'm sure can be answered by many of you who are much more experienced than I am. (Yes, a slight newbie alert, everyone's gotta start somewhere :P)

Question 1: I read that candles should never be used to mark the circle boundaries - just wondering if this is common knowledge or opinion. I was going to use 4 votives to mark the position of the Watchtowers around the circle, and light them one by one as I invited them...should I not do this?

Question 2: Some people call the Watchtowers, some don't - I probably will tomorrow night just for protection while I do my first ritual. Now, when you choose not to call the Watchtowers, and wish to call the elements/elementals/fae/dragons/angels instead, does it work the same way? I believe that in the future, I'll call the elements and/or elementals...When I do, should I invite them to be a part of my circle then thank them and send them on their ways when closing circle? Just wondering if it works the same way as with the Watchtowers....

Question 3: I read a debate on whether or not to call the Watchtowers at all, as some people see calling them as holding them "hostage" for the ritual...now, I don't want to start any fires here, so please keep in mind that this is an honest question...how many of you feel that this is, indeed, the case, and that calling the Watchtowers should not be done except in extreme circumstances?

Many, many thanks in advance for your time and patience... :)

[Xirian]

1) When I used to cast circles, I used illuminator candles that represented the colors of the elements and they outlined my circle, and nothing bad happened or went wrong that I know of. It felt comfortable to me and I liked the look of them there. I think you should do what you feel comfortable with.

2) I have called to the watchtowers and the elements. I say different things each time I do the ritual, but the basic premise is an invitation for them to be with me and then I would bid them farewell at the end of my ritual and thank them for their energy. Once again, do what feels comfortable to you.

3) See #2 answer.

Just remember, that your intentions for what you are doing are important. I really saw the tools (i.e. candles, wand etc....) as the elements that helped me remain completely focused on my intentions and create an atmosphere that I thought was welcoming to the energy/spirits I was inviting to join me.

I look forward to other comments.

And good luck with your ritual!!!

[Cindlady2]

It's all a mater of opinion depending on the path and the individual. Do what feels right and makes sense to you.

Personally, I only 'mark' the quarters on special occasions, when I do it's usually with candles. I ask the elements to come and thank them when I'm done. But then even I change depending on what I'm doing.

[Cat]

The only thing potentially wrong with using candles would be if you marked the circle boundary out with lighter fluid and littered the area with flammables. Don't do that.

Anyway, here are my answers:

1) No, its fine to use candles.

2) Yes.

3) Go ahead with Watchtowers if that's what you want. If you are concerned about compelling, come up with a standardized phrase you use for invocations that doesn't compel, and thank them at the end when you dismiss them.

[Tigerlily]

1. I don't mark circle boundaries. I don't feel the need, plus my ritual takes place in a small area of my room so it's fine for me.

2. I don't call them Watchtowers but I just call them by their elemental name (Earth, Air, Fire, Water).

3. I ask them politely if they could lend me their energies. I don't word my invocation to sound like I'm forcing or ordering them. I thank them for their energies at the end of my ritual. I dump my ritual water in the toilet (:o) so I always say extra thanks to the Water element because of that. :p

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

Hi, everyone...

I'm casting circle for my altar consecration ritual for the first time on Imbolc. Been reading through previous posts and threads about it, but I still have a few small questions that I'm sure can be answered by many of you who are much more experienced than I am. (Yes, a slight newbie alert, everyone's gotta start somewhere :P)

Question 1: I read that candles should never be used to mark the circle boundaries - just wondering if this is common knowledge or opinion. I was going to use 4 votives to mark the position of the Watchtowers around the circle, and light them one by one as I invited them...should I not do this?


well, i do exactly as you describe. :) so i would say unless you are part of some tradition that says no candles for wahtever reason, then use 'em if you wan to :)



Question 2: Some people call the Watchtowers, some don't - I probably will tomorrow night just for protection while I do my first ritual. Now, when you choose not to call the Watchtowers, and wish to call the elements/elementals/fae/dragons/angels instead, does it work the same way? I believe that in the future, I'll call the elements and/or elementals...When I do, should I invite them to be a part of my circle then thank them and send them on their ways when closing circle? Just wondering if it works the same way as with the Watchtowers....


to me, the watchtowers, elementals, gaurdians, etc, are all just different names for the same thing- that is, the elemental spirit/energy/wathever that you are asking to come to your circle and help you out. Just approach them as you would anyone you ask to help you with something. as them for their help and thank them when their help is no longer needed.



Question 3: I read a debate on whether or not to call the Watchtowers at all, as some people see calling them as holding them "hostage" for the ritual...now, I don't want to start any fires here, so please keep in mind that this is an honest question...how many of you feel that this is, indeed, the case, and that calling the Watchtowers should not be done except in extreme circumstances?


i suppose that depends on how you are doing your calling. i personally don't demand, i ask. then when i'm done, i thank them for comming. Hardly keeping anything hostage. For example i say something like (i change things everytime) "gaurdian of fire, heed my call, gaurdian of the south, heed my call. I ask your attendance at my circle this night, may you help keep my circle strong." then when i'm done i thank them, and send them blessings on their way. It's just not my way to demand anything of well...anything, but i'm sure there are people who are like that...and thats their choice.

[Lunacie]

Good answers already. I agree that it's fine to use candles to mark the quarters in your circle. I use yellow for Air/East, red for Fire/South, blue for Water/West, and green for Earth/North. But you can use all white or all black or whatever you feel best represents the elements / guardians / watchtowers.

I invite or invoke the elements and their special blessings on my circle and my life, and I thank them for coming and sharing. Many also add "Stay if you will, go if you must."

Now, I'm not so sure that the elements or guardians are quite the same thing as the Watchtowers. Those are often associated with the four guardian angels rather than the four elements or directions, yet if they are different it would seem reduntant to call both in the same circle.

[Metta]

I would just like to thank everyone for their replies - my first circle casting went amazingly well :) I appreciate everyone for giving me their insight! :)

[Lunacie]

I would just like to thank everyone for their replies - my first circle casting went amazingly well :) I appreciate everyone for giving me their insight! :)

Glad to hear it. :thumbsup: :hugz:

[Xirian]

I would just like to thank everyone for their replies - my first circle casting went amazingly well :) I appreciate everyone for giving me their insight! :)

Glad to hear it. :thumbsup: :hugz:
:uhhuhuh:

Fantastic!!!