Casting a Circle
You’ve prepared your sacred space.
You’re ready to begin the ritual.
Now it’s time to focus your energy and call the elements to your side.
What is casting a circle?
A circle is a space you’ve chosen where your energy is most potent.
It’s a sacred moment you’ve constructed.
It’s channeling your focus and calling the elements for an insanely powerful way to set intention.
Why do this?
Casting a circle can accomplish several things:
- Initiates a member into a coven
- Prepares a space for a ritual or ceremony
- Channels energy from the elements through the practitioner
- Fosters a sense of community
- Attunes focus for a manifestation
- Protects from unwanted energy
In some practices the deity or deities observe the practitioner and appreciate a dedicated ritual.
In other practices the one performing the circle wishes to connect to the universe before altering reality.
How to do this?
Just as a disclaimer, this is one of many ways to cast a circle.
This can be done alone or in a group.
It can be done with an athame (a double-sided ritual dagger) or with the body.
Everyone has their own preferences on how to cast a circle, but here’s a good way that has worked for me!
You will need:
- Salt in water
- Two matches
- A fireproof bowl
You might want (but don’t necessarily need):
- An athame or other ceremonial knife to motion with
- A set of robes or other outfit that makes you feel empowered
- A tealight candle
- Music that sets the mood (I like this one https://www.amazon.com/Hozier-Expanded/dp/B07G3T9JCJ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=hozier&qid=1564768915&s=gateway&sr=8-2 )
We’re going to observe the elements now.
Find an open and clear area about the size of a queen size bed and the items you need within reach.
1. Begin facing West.
Envision waves of water rushing over you and dip your hand in the salt water.
Call upon the energy of water and invite it to join your circle.
Flick the water in front of you.
2. Now face North.
Feel the ground beneath you and stretching out across the globe.
Call the energy of Earth into your circle.
Flick the water in front of you, focusing on the salt from the ground.
3. Face East.
Imagine the air swirling around you and whispering its secrets.
Invite this wind into your circle.
Light the match or candle for a few moments and extinguish it by waving it in the air.
4. Face South.
Imagine the fires of the molten center of the Earth rising to meet you.
Call this fire to join the circle.
Light the second match or candle again and place it in the fireproof bowl until it extinguishes on its own.
5. Face back West while the fire is burning.
This is where you set your intention and focus on what you want to manifest.
Using the energies of these elements, your magick is at its most powerful and focused.
At this time you can also invite your deities into the circle.
6. Close the circle.
When you are finished with this ritual, always be sure to close it by thanking each element and sending it into the universe.
Begin with South and move East, then North, ending in West again.
Walk backwards with a final message of gratefulness to your deities if you invited them inside.
Clean up.
Do I have to do this?
Absolutely not.
You are not more or less of a witch by deciding whether or not to perform this ritual.
This can get complicated with all the motions and directions.
Plus, it requires a lot of concentration that I usually don’t have after a long day of work.
This can be used as an exercise of thankfulness or a way to contact your deity in a more formal way.
But by no means is this a necessary part of what it means to be a witch.
That lies within yourself!
What if I mess up?
Life happens.
Is it dangerous to be interrupted while you’re in your circle?
It depends on your faith practice, first of all.
Second, the universe is a spinning ball of matter plummeting through space and time. Anything can happen.
What if I do something out of order?
It’s okay to go back and redo the circle. The important part is to close it when you’re done.
Remember: some practitioners do this entire ritual in a DIFFERENT order, so as long as you’re consistent, everything is fine.
What if my cat enters the circle while I’m working?
A lot of witches believe that cats are the only creature that can enter and exit a circle freely.
I personally invite any animal that gets curious enough to join me.
What if I get a phone call?
Unless you’re waiting on an important call from someone coming out of surgery or a job interview, it might be best to turn your phone off for this.
If your phone does ring and it isn’t an emergency, pause what you’re doing until it stops ringing, then resume.
What if someone knocks on my door or walks in?
Again, unless it’s an emergency, it’s okay to continue.
If someone walks in and asks what you’re doing, it’s okay to tell them what it is and that you need some quiet time.
If someone accidentally walks in and they aren’t supposed to know about your practice, it’s okay to lie to protect yourself.
What about fire hazards?
If you accidentally start a fire, address it immediately.
Don’t close the circle until after you have resolved the emergency.
This goes for any other kind of emergency. You’re allowed to stop if you are unsafe.
If you can come back and close the circle later, be sure to do so.
That’s it!
What do you think about this method?
Tell me what you do differently in the comments!
You can also message me directly from the Contact Me page.
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Blessed be!
Cat
