|
Circle Casting Meaning
The circle is the sacred space in which magick is worked, where
Witches can meet with the Goddess and
God. The word "circle" may be misleading, though, because actually what
you are creating is a sphere that
encompasses all participants and the altar. The magick circle defines the
ritual area, holds in personal power
and shuts out all distractions and negative energies. You can use objects
on the ground to show the
boundaries of the circle, such as stones, flowers, candles, stick
incense, crystals or cord. It is formed with
personal power which is felt and visualized as streaming from the body to
form a bubble made of mist, or a
circle of light. You can use the athame or hands to direct this power.
The circle can be 9 feet in diameter.
The cardinal points are often marked with lit candles, or the ritual
tools assigned to each point. The altar
stands in the center of the circle, facing North (direction of power).
Circle Casting
Cleanse the area with the broom.
Place the altar in the center of the circle facing North.
Set up the altar. Make sure to have a lighter, candle snuffer, heat proof
dish and tools for the ritual.
If not using point candles; place one red candle on the altar.
Or place a green candle on the ground at the North point of the circle,
yellow candle to the East, red candle
to the South, and blue candle to the West. Or you can use white or purple
candles at the points. Light the
candles as you place them on the ground.
Light the candles on the altar. Start with the Goddess, then the God,
then whatever else candle you may be
using. Set the incense smoking.
Stand to the North at the edge of the future circle. Hold the left hand
out, palm down, waist level. Point
fingers toward the edge of the future circle. (Or use athame) See and
feel the energy flowing out from your
fingertips (or athame), slowly walk the circle, clockwise. Think of the
energy that your body is generating.
Continue to move clockwise, but gently increase your pace. Move faster.
Feel the energy flowing within
you. The energy will move with you as you release it. Sense your personal
power creating a sphere of energy
around the altar. When this is firmly established, invoke the four
quarters and the rites can begin.
Circle Closing
Thank the rulers for attending the rite.
Hold the athame, standing at the North and pierce the circle's wall with
the blade at waist level. Move
clockwise around the circle, visualizing its power being sucked back into
the knife. Sense the circle
dissolving, shrinking; the outside world slowly regaining its dominance
in the area. When you arrive at the
North again, the circle is no more. If you have laid items to mark out
the circle, take them up.
If you have used salt and water, save the excess salt for future uses,
but pour the water onto the bare Earth.
Offerings in the libation bowl should be buried along with the incense
ashes.
Quench the candles last. Do not blow them out. Start with the quarter
candles and any others that you might
have used, then put out the God taper and finally the Goddess candle.
Put away the Ritual Items. Your rite has ended!
Xyren
Copyright remains with the original author
|