Casting a Circle
Casting a circle is one of the most basic magickal acts that a Witch does. Circles are used for rituals and sometimes magickal workings. A circle does a number of things. Most importantly, it protects the practitioner(s) from spirits, negative energies, and other nasty things out there. With that in mind, please be sure to practice with extreme care and be sincere in what you are doing. Abide by the Wiccan Reed* and you should be fine. The circle also serves as a sacred place in which to do ritual workings like sabbat celebrations and certain spells. The circle keeps the energy in a contained area so that it can be concentrated and strengthened as much as possible before it goes out to do its job. So without “further ado” here is how...
Ok, first things first. Prepare your area. There are two ways to do this. One walk around the circumference of where the circle will be and sprinkle water to wash the area, or two, water mixed with salt for a stronger purification. Try doing both and stick with which ever works better for you.
Now you may cast. A circle is created with energy, and you are the director of that energy. Make sure you know where the boundaries will be before you cast it and have everything that you are going to use inside of this area because breaking the circle drains a lot of energy and is just not fun to do.
Start out by clearing your mind. Next, visualize the energy of nature and the universe mixing with your own, building up inside of you. Simply see yourself glowing a bright purple or blue. On the other hand, any other color if you feel more comfortable, do whatever you feel is the best way to do it.
Now, pick a quarter or cardinal point at which to start. I usually pick North because it is what I've always been taught, but some Celtic traditions start with East, I've heard. Point your athame, wand, finger, or whatever you use towards the ground and see the energy flowing out. Begin to walk clockwise (Towards your right) and walk the circumference of the circle. While you're doing this, be sure to imagine a circle forming. Don't see it as a circle on the ground, but as a giant sphere with you inside. Half of it is above the ground, you are walking on a plane through the diameter, and the other half is below the ground.
In the play “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker took place at an acting workshop in small town Vermont. Annie Baker presented the characters to the audiences by them getting to know each other in the almost uncomfortably intimate way. In the play, the characters underwent the emotional growth and the knowledge about each other personal issues. Although theater is only pretending yet the play suggested that it is the best way to get to the truth.
The Native American culture revolved around a circle, or what Black Elk called the "sacred hoop". The flowering tree was the center of the hoop. The flowering tree was symbolic of growth and prosperity for all people in the tribe. It is equally shared between all members of the tribe. "Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries to be round" (pg. 150). The flowering tree at the center of the circle was nourished by the seasons, which also occurred in a circular pattern. Black Elk also made references to the sky and the earth being round, the moon and the sun setting in a circle as well as both being round. "The wind blows in circular whirls. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood" (pg. 150).
refers to how we cast a circle. First a circle is cast by directing your energy through will, whether done with a finger or ritual tool. Then the circle is walked a second time with water and salt to purify the area and represent the elements earth and water. The third round is generally done with incense. Some traditions also have you follow with fire and others follow the same rules but in a different order. This rule applies to anyone who will be using a circle to perform magic, obviously every path is different and the action of casting itself may differ but the purpose is the same. Personally I find that I am most comfortable casting my circles using each of the elements, so I “tread the circle” at least four
Imagine you are walking through the woods, it’s chilly and from a distance you hear a chanting floating across the wind. The sound has an eerie lulling sound, urging you to follow the new melody. Your curiosity gets the best of you so you follow the noise. You enter a clearing and witness a group of individuals around a fire, chanting and dancing. What is your first impression? Have you stumbled upon a satanic cult? Or maybe are you witnessing a vibrant, misunderstood religion. Wicca, is a religion very commonly misunderstood to be affiliated with the devil and rituals containing black magic. To the uneducated mind, this is what we think when we hear the word Wicca, or more commonly known as Witch.
A large part of being a Wiccan is also being a witch. But what exactly makes a witch a witch? To some a witch is a person who is an old crone with green skin and warts casting spells over bubbling cauldrons to bring misfortune to others. To others a witch is someone who casts a spell by wrinkling her nose and reciting silly incantations in order to improve her life and that of her family. Then to others a witch is someone who goes to a school for witches and wizards and uses magic to fight the forces of evil. The thing all these definitions have in common is that witches use magic. What then is magic? Magic, or magick as it is sometimes spelled to differentiate it from stage illusions, according to Geraldine Giordano, is simply “the movement of energy for a purpose” (59) through intent and concentration. This means that praying and ill wishing, which according to Rosemary Ellen Guiley is a type of cursing that involves envisioning or hoping that misfortune befalls someone else (95), can be considered magic. This is certainly not how magic is displayed in the med...
Similar to the concept of a continuous flow or cycle of energy, circles are symbolic in Native American cultures at large. In Native American cultures that live in teepees, such as the Lakota people, the round bottom indicates a person is in touch with the world and at peace with himself (slideshare.net). In Cherokee culture rituals, magic work, and ceremonies are conducted within these sacred circles with fire placed in the middle. The fire in the center is known as the Universal Circle and serves as a reminder to seek harmony and balance. It is considered to be the path to the Great One (a supreme energy being) and the beginning for all living things. In the Cherokee’s eyes, the universe operates in a circular fashion where the period of time from birth to death is a cycle, as it ...
This story was set during the middle ages, in a small village and a forest.
...on-porous bowl with sea-salt, and bury their crystals in the salt. They will then pour pre-consecrated water into the bowl, and envision positive energy going in, and negative going out. It is recommended to leave the bowl out in a full moon over night, to further cleanse the crystals.
As the Sun was a focal point of most old religions (which is not exceptionally astounding, as primitives counted on the sun for everything from time, to health, to the assurance of harvest), coursing in widdershins was often deemed bad luck. In fact, legendary folklore has it, that demons would advance toward
“Circles” begins by starting small and describing the circles of the eye, then gradually moves to the circles in the universe, explaining that the circles in the universe are never ending. For example, Emerson himself explains “around every circle another can be drawn” (Emerson 123). This is the understanding portion. However, there is one caveat. Emerson explains that the circles eventually go on to reach God, who is both the circumference and the center of the circle. If God serves as both the circumference and the center of the great chain of circles, it means there is no clearly defined beginning or end. Nevertheless, like many things in nature, the presence of God as a figure of the circumference of circles symbolizes his elusively. If one circle can be drawn after the other, and God is the circumference of the circle, it symbolizes the beauty and elusively of nature. This is the reason port...
First, Wicca, the formal organization of witchcraft, is a mystery religion. Each practitioner is considered a witch, and practitioner of The Craft, which contains several different beliefs concerning theology and divinity depending on an individual because of their freedom to study what they seek. Members may choose to be solitary, or part of a coven, which is a group of Wiccans that share beliefs and conduct rituals together. Though different groups of Wicca may differ in certain viewpoints, there are few unambiguous attributes of the religion. These explain that “deity is inspiring, and immanent; Humans are a part of nature; Divinity is manifested in all things and is the central part of nature; God and Goddess images are recognized as higher forms of divinity.” (Church and School of Wicca). The main rule that the Wiccans abide by is the Wiccan Rede, which preaches: “An ye harm none, do what ye will.” (Church and School of Wicca). Magic plays a huge part in the Wiccan religion, with spells, rituals, ceremonies, healings, and divination, etc., among the fundamental practices.
there is rarely an agreements on the topic of magickal circles and how to cast one and when to call the watchtowers, or if you even do, but normally, the circle is cast and invocations, evocations or convocations are used for the elements, Elementals, or Guardians or watchtowers. Usually the person faces the corresponding direction while calling the watchtowers or the four corners. That seems to be one of the more popular ways to cast the circle modern Wiccans
In Modern Pagan/Wiccan practices, Evocation is referred to asking the elements, spirit, God/Goddess to assist you during your spell work/rituals by inviting them to join you for the purpose of using the extra power/energy provided by these entities to achieve the desired results, and at times can be used to receive much needed answers from these beings. Evocation can create more energy and power surrounding your spell work, that you may not be able to possess on your own (or within your coven). According to AltFaiths, when a practitioner Evokes the aid of another ethereal being their work, their emotions become influenced by the presence of this being. AltFaiths then continues by explaining how practitioners use evocation to cast their circle of protection by
In general witchcraft is sorcery, the magical manipulation of the supernormal forces through the use of spells, and the conjuring or invoking of spirits. Wicca is the most common witchcraft. During the middle ages and the renaissance, it was defined as evil magic. This is the very reason Joan of Arc was burned at the stake; she was accused of being a witch. Although many think that it is a religion that worships the devil, Wicca does not have anything to do with worshiping the devil or Christianity. The most common form of witchcraft is done with the use of spells. To set a spell, the person doing it will set up an altar/table in which to place the candles and symbols on. The spells consist of words that can either be chanted or inscribed in something. The candles are used to direct the spell towards a specific purpose, such as: pink-love, white-healing and peace, and black-death. These colors can be used for different meanings; however, these are the standard meanings. There are many other colors out there with their own unique meanings, like if a spell was being set on a person; a candle that was their favorite color could be used. The symbols used consist of charms, pictures, flowers and belongings depending on the spell being set. These symbols must represent the spell and they cannot just be anything done quickly without thought. For example, if the person were trying to make their friend heal from a sickness a picture of the person or something that represents them would work.
Blue: This is a kinda cool color. Using light shades of blue energizes the people. Dark shades are used to represent trustworthiness.