Circle-casting

[novimarra]

So I'm trying to find out why I'd want to cast my circle starting in, or facing, the East. I'd rather start in the North for personal reasons and it just seems right to me. Where do you start/end and why? Do the rules vary for different traditions/pantheons?

[aranarose]

Rules depend on tradition, as well as personal preference. If you feel like casting a circle in the north, then go for it. I personally very rarely cast circles at all, and instead focus on making my home a permanent sacred ritual space.

[Caitlin.ann]

I don't usually cast circles either. Honestly, I don't think it matters from which direction you cast the circle, its all about personal preference and tradition.

[Lunacie]

Yes, some traditions begin Circle Casting in the east while others start in the north. I've always thought it would be interesting to do it according to the season, i.e. in spring start in the east, in summer start in the south, etc. But I work with a group and there are some things that we try to keep simple and consistent.

[aluokaloo]

i cast circles mainly for my protection. I usually start in the east, however if you want to start in the north go for it! You don't have to start in the east.

[BlackLili]

The last circle I helped cast we started in the East. Had I been thinking, I probably would have started it in the West due to timing and seasonal considerations. Since the girl calling West and South managed to swap them around anyway, I don't know that we'd have had much luck. :bad:

[RainInanna]

I start in the east since that's where the sun rises so I think of it as the place of beginnings, and I tend to think of things as manifesting in order through air/thought, fire/drive, water/emotion, earth/solid manifestation.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=159389


Here is a link to a thread , where I brought forth , and
explored some of those ideas , regarding the mgieck circle
and differences in energy...you might find it interesting...

Blessings...

[Vigdisdotter]

I start mine in the center and "explode" it into place ~_^

[MonSno_LeeDra]

When I do cast a circle I use a seven point configuration. My points are always beneath, N, S, E, W, Above and Center. Beneath will always be my start point then the wind direction will decide which direction I go to first. Once decided I will follow in a clock-wise direction Then I will call above with the final calling being center.

The four winds play a large part for me and are used to carry the call to the outgoing winds while the incoming is thanked for those elements are present as I start.

Unlike most I use a sword as a magical item and use it to pull and form. When finished I use the sword to cut the boundaries and release the points.

[RVXD]

I have been a practicing pagan for over 20 years now...I have to tell you, it does not matter which cardinal point you start from, or which you end with...Hell, you do not even have to do them in order, or even cast a circle, if you do not want to...

It is more feng shui corner calling than "traditional" corner calling, and in my honest opinion, it makes so much more sense...

I start Beltaine and Samhaine rituals in the South, because they are both Fire Festivals, and depending on which gods or goddesses are being invoked, that is the next cardinal point that is called.

For example, this past Beltaine, my group (the ToA) started Beltaine in the south, and we worked our way backwards, calling east next, then north, then west, then south again before calling center...when we dismissed the gates, we went totally backwords, and called center, south, west, north, east, south again...

It really worked well, and most modern and traditionalist witches, pagans, AEs, what ever, will tell you that it does not matter which corner is called, or if you have one at all, because it is personal preference...

When calling corners, sometimes my group just asks the gods and goddesses to be silent witnesses to the majicks that we weave that night, and although we want them there, we do not want them to interfere...we are in command when the group comes together, and there is no mortal or deity that can touch us...that is our strongest belief...

There is alot about my group that I love, and somethings that I do not, but over all, it is a great learning experience either way....


RVXD

[Teresa]

A Pet Peeve Rant:

When I hear Pagan talk about "calling the corners". Ugh. Circles do not have "corners". They have quarters, but not corners. "Circles are distinguishable from squares in that they lack corners". A favorite Quote of mine From a Friend,{K}

The proper term is "Calling the Quarters".

:smash:

/Rant off


:weirdsmil

[Lunacie]

When I do cast a circle I use a seven point configuration. My points are always beneath, N, S, E, W, Above and Center. Beneath will always be my start point then the wind direction will decide which direction I go to first. Once decided I will follow in a clock-wise direction Then I will call above with the final calling being center.

The four winds play a large part for me and are used to carry the call to the outgoing winds while the incoming is thanked for those elements are present as I start.

Unlike most I use a sword as a magical item and use it to pull and form. When finished I use the sword to cut the boundaries and release the points.

I like that about having the wind set the stage, so to speak. However here in Kansas the wind can change from one direction to another several times within a few minutes - or simply not blow at all. The weather here is rarely boring.



I have been a practicing pagan for over 20 years now...I have to tell you, it does not matter which cardinal point you start from, or which you end with...Hell, you do not even have to do them in order, or even cast a circle, if you do not want to...

It is more feng shui corner calling than "traditional" corner calling, and in my honest opinion, it makes so much more sense...

I start Beltaine and Samhaine rituals in the South, because they are both Fire Festivals, and depending on which gods or goddesses are being invoked, that is the next cardinal point that is called.

For example, this past Beltaine, my group (the ToA) started Beltaine in the south, and we worked our way backwards, calling east next, then north, then west, then south again before calling center...when we dismissed the gates, we went totally backwords, and called center, south, west, north, east, south again...

<snipped>
RVXD

I like that reasoning. I'll have to look up all the Sabbats again because I don't remember right off which are associated with which element.

However . . . going deosil in calling the quarters seems rather odd.



A Pet Peeve Rant:

When I hear Pagan talk about "calling the corners". Ugh. Circles do not have "corners". They have quarters, but not corners. "Circles are distinguishable from squares in that they lack corners". A favorite Quote of mine From a Friend,{K}

The proper term is "Calling the Quarters".

:smash:

/Rant off

:weirdsmil

Perhaps the idea of "calling the corners" stems from the old notion of "the four corners of the world." At any rate, what is "proper" for one tradition may have no meaning at all for another tradition.

[Suzette]

I start in the east since that's where the sun rises so I think of it as the place of beginnings

When I do cast, I do it that way, but I liked something Lunacie mentioned - picking a quarter per the season.

[HedwigHarfang]

So I'm trying to find out why I'd want to cast my circle starting in, or facing, the East. I'd rather start in the North for personal reasons and it just seems right to me. Where do you start/end and why? Do the rules vary for different traditions/pantheons?

Go with your instinct and subconscious. I don't normally use casting circles (as a Jew I recite traditional prayers and use other forms of religious observance to work my own magick; Jewish tradition is steeped in mysticism and magick but is often related to dance or slow movement back and forwards rather than pointing wands in various directions) BUT it is always best to go with what feels natural to you so you are working with the flow of magick through your body rather than going against the grain.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Lunacie Wrote:



I like that about having the wind set the stage, so to speak. However here in Kansas the wind can change from one direction to another several times within a few minutes - or simply not blow at all. The weather here is rarely boring.



I can relate to wind change at a moments notice. One thing I have noticed (For me at least) is the wind seems to stay from a single direction for a longer period when I get near that part of the ceremony. It maybe shifting or rising and falling but when I get to the point to first call it then it blows hard and steady from what ever direction.

I actually though about no wind for a bit then though about something I had seen in the Med area. Thier where many days that seemed wind free and the seas glassy. Now when underway it is possible to have a wind from your movement but when at anchor no movement. So I though back to the pattern that smoke makes when you stand their with a lite cigarette.

Even on the most quite days the smoke caught the most suttle of currents and indicated the wind direction. I found the same occured on shore with camp fires or cigarette's. So now I wonder is their trully such a thing as a windless day or just so suttle a current we fail to notice it?

[Lunacie]

I can relate to wind change at a moments notice. One thing I have noticed (For me at least) is the wind seems to stay from a single direction for a longer period when I get near that part of the ceremony. It maybe shifting or rising and falling but when I get to the point to first call it then it blows hard and steady from what ever direction.

I actually though about no wind for a bit then though about something I had seen in the Med area. Thier where many days that seemed wind free and the seas glassy. Now when underway it is possible to have a wind from your movement but when at anchor no movement. So I though back to the pattern that smoke makes when you stand their with a lite cigarette.

Even on the most quite days the smoke caught the most suttle of currents and indicated the wind direction. I found the same occured on shore with camp fires or cigarette's. So now I wonder is their trully such a thing as a windless day or just so suttle a current we fail to notice it?

Ah, okay, start where the wind seems strongest and then as you go around invoking all the elements the wind shifts around as well. That would work.

When you get used to the wind being fairly strong a lot of the time, it's true that there may be small currents of air that aren't so noticable. I'm not a smoker so wouldn't notice whether the smoke was drifting upwards or being wafted in some direction. We can't always have a bonfire as we are often under a Burn Ban during the summer months so that smoke isn't helpful either. But there's always incense or smudge, eh.