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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
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