Do you always cast a circle?

[misty]

As I have mentioned in a previous thread, I have just begun my path as a witch and I am leaning toward Traditional Witchcraft. I have only cast one spell which worked beautifully. I didn't cast a circle to do this which leads me to ask....How many of you cast circles and if you do, do you cast if for every spell and ritual?

For those of you who do not cast circles, would you explain why you choose not to?

I find that I am not crazy about the idea of the wiccan circle casting with the calling of the elements, etc. (not that there is anything wrong with it, it just doesn't fit with my beliefs) so I am curious how everyone does it.

The way I picture myself doing it is to just cast a circle around myself and my workspace (whether it is the kitchen table, desk, etc...) and visualizing a sphere of energy and protection around me.

[Old Witch]

I've been doing this for 30 some odd years and I no longer do all the bells and whistles with my circles and rituals, except on the sabbats. But since you are setting out on your path, It's probably a good thing to follow a set ritual for a while. That way you can really feel when you are raising energies.........Then as you progress, you can start adding things that feel right for you, and subtracting the things that don't. Evidently you already "feel" how you need to set up and cast your circle... I still cast a circle, but not nearly the way I was taught and if I'm not at home and I feel the need to do something......I visualize a circle, say what I need to, and end the circle all in my mind, and I find that works just as well as anything...... But here at home I stiil use my altar and tools, well, because I just love my altar.... :D

I hope this helped...

[Strawberry Bounce]

I usually just visualize one.

[Mab]

I only cast circle if I'm doing something special that I don't want other energy messing with. There's a lot of just crazy stuff in my apt, and lots of spirits stopping by, so I generally do cast a circle when I work a spell to kind of just keep out the random "stuff" in my place. I also cast a circle if I feel like I need help focusing or if I feel like I need a little extra protection.

If you haven't already, you should check out the thread on Traditional Witchcraft over in Paths.

[ObsidianShenKa]

I used to.

It's a hoop that I no longer feel the need to jump through.

:whatgives

[TheBlackThorn]

I always cast a circle-- but the method i cast it is pended on the lengthiness or potency of the energies I'm involving myself with. Usually for meditations and small charms, I like to just visualize a circle surrounding me as a form of protection. But with larger rituals and really significant ones, I like to add more structure to the circle casting. I guess you can say I have different circles corresponding to different situations. I'm a varied person :kooky:

[Forsythia]

I don't always cast a circle. I've been taught, so far, that casting a circle is for focusing the energy until the time to send it forth. So for the type of spellwork I have done and for worship and meditation, I do not cast a formal circle that calls in the quarters; that I save for the Sabbats.

I do however on a more regular basis, and as needed, I envision my aura being filled from the Goddess and then its circling power surrounding me to protect me from all negative energies or even too much energy in a place. I have always been OVER sensitive (which by that I mean that it has been more of curse than a blessing, not understanding why I was always feelings things so deeply and picking up on other's moods and vibes) and sometimes I will need to do that kind of shielding.

[CaitrionaMorgaine]

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Generally speaking, for a formal ritual such as an Esbat or Sabbat I do cast a circle. However, for devotions/meditation/spontaneous ritual/ect, I don't feel the need to do so. It truly varies on my purpose, time limit, state of mind, and many other things.

Avalon's Blessings, ~Rhia

[Fairyelf]

I dont always cast a circle,
but when I feel the need to I just visualize it

[welkin]

i only cast a circle for some things like a formal ritual. or if i feel i need extra protection. in the way of visualisation. or sometimes as a circle/bubble of coloured light for specific reasons like in healing or energising etc.

[Ivy Artemisia]

I usually cast formal circle only if I am doing a celebratory ritual, OR if I am doing a difficult/important spell. In addition to being a sphere to hold energy in- to release later, it helps bring about a serious ritual mindset which I don't feel is always needed. For small spells, meditation and the like, I don't cast circle... if I need to, I strengthen my shields. :) Or I'll do a quick circle casting like visualization, rather than the drawing, consecrating, etc. sort of thing.