Can anyone help me with the casting of a circle?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by shekyra nixon on July 6, 2009 at 6:26pm

sure i want to help

Permalink Reply by MoonDove Starfyre on July 6, 2009 at 6:31pm

Thank you, I would love to hear what you have to say.

Permalink Reply by Rev.Moonwitch on July 7, 2009 at 12:20pm

Greetings Moonraven13!
There are many ways you can cast your circle. If it were me I would meditate on it and the answer will come to you.
There are many many books out there that can help you as well. Read the file on circle casting and practice practice practice. As far as your cats they should not bother your circle. My cat jumps right up and sits proudly in the middle of my healing Alter.
BB Rev. Moonwitch.

Permalink Reply by Rev Michelle on July 7, 2009 at 12:26pm

Hello MoonRaven. I agree with Moonwitch, there are alot of good books out there to help you with circle casting. There are also classes right here on WitchSchool that would help too. As far as pets go, I have to do things to keep my beagle from distracting me. I do things before ritual that I know will relax him, like rubbing his neck and such, before I start my ritual. He really seems to enjoy ritual when he is in a relaxed state. I don't have a whole lot of room for my altar either so it is kind of hidden away until it is time for ritual. Hope this helps some.

Permalink Reply by Stephen Willing on July 24, 2009 at 11:33am

As has been said before read a couple of the many book on this subject and maybe take the WSI class. Then develop what works for you. We can all tell you what we do, or have tried but these may not work for you. Then you will be even more frustrated with your efforts. You obviously have the basics, now you need to develop and expand them.
As for the cats. I have one who is into everything, lays on the book or paper when you're trying to read.... you know the sort. While meditating before I pat and rub him, and get him in the mood for whats coming. Even tell him what and why I going to do.
When it comes time for the ritual I keep my focus on what I'm doing and why. Not him. I make sure he doesn't knock over a candle and things like that. But don't allow him to be the center of my attention. Now he comes into the circle and lays down after checking a few things. I've even noticed him walk the circle before laying down.
Cats have the power and they know how to use it... lol

Permalink Reply by SilverFeathyr on August 29, 2010 at 12:37am

I'm going to answer the easiest question first. Why we cast circles: for several reasons. Circles are symbols that represent cycles. Circles contain energy that we gather so that it may be released at the proper time. Circles help us to focus on the fact that we are doing something "witchy" and magickal, thus helping to alter our consciousness and prepare us psychologically for ritual or magick. Circles are protective. Circles represent that we're transcending time and space, to be in the "world between worlds" where our magick is the most effective. Circles represent our working space that has been cleansed (or made sacred). Circles are not always required, but are best for beginners to learn and do on a regular basis until they get used to working with this type of energyform.

How we cast circles does vary, as others have stated. While the methods used are numerous, the main idea is to visualize a circle being cast while putting energy into the visualization. The way I learned it while a beginner in a coven was by using a physical method. (May be the easiest method, try it and see if it works for you.) Keep in mind that my tradition is eclectic, therefore we "borrow" various elements from other traditions. If you're interested in one tradition, it's best to study what the teachings of the tradition are as the methods will probably vary somewhat.

First the preparation:

1.) I have already determined where my circle is going to be cast, and my altar is in the center of the area. (Of course, your altar may be in the East or North quarter of your circle if you prefer, or really any other location. Center happens to be the area that represents SPIRIT or God/dess. Also works logistically for large groups to stand around.)

2.) I cleanse my chosen area of all unwanted or negative energy that may already exist in the space. How? I like to burn some sandalwood or patchouli incense and picture the incense taking all the energy that may exist and removing it from the area altogether or cleansing / purifying the energy and transforming it from whatever I picture the energy to be (I visualize gunky, dirty energy usually) to become clear or pure white energy. When I feel that the space is clean and pure, I know I have done it right. This is called "creating sacred space."

Another method you may prefer to create sacred space: Sound recordings of crystal bowls or tibetan bells are also purifying. Or stop at a local pagan or old-world shop and pick up a tibetan bell and ring it for yourself! The energy that is created by the sound is also purifying as well as charging of energy. If I use this method, I do it conjunction with the incense.

As there are many ways of casting circles, there are also many ways of creating sacred space. These are just two methods.

Now you are ready to cast your circle.

1.) Ensure everything you will be using for your magickal work or observation is within the area you will be casting your circle around. This is good to do because it will allow your mind to stay focused on the task at hand as well as reducing the need to break your circle or cut into it, which lessens the strength of the circle you are about to cast. (Animals are exempt from this concern and may come and go as please. For some reason, their movement through the circle does not affect the circle's strength.)

2.) Many people like to introduce the altar's elements (earth, air, fire, and water) to the quarters and invite and request a blessing of the working from the guardians or elementals of those elements at this point. If you do so, don't forget to request the presence and blessing of Spirit, or God/dess, while facing your altar. Some traditions start in the East, others in the North. And based on the area where you live, you may move clockwise if you live in the northern hemisphere (deosil) or counter-clockwise (widdershins) if you're in the southern hemisphere. Whichever direction you move in, you will continue to move in the same direction until you take down the circle (and then you'll move in the opposite direction). This helps to build energy for your circle and your working.

3.) Starting in your chosen direction again as in #2 (either East or North, most commonly), gather your energy again and see that energy moving through your dominant arm/hand and out your finger (or extended from your athame, if you are using one) into the ground where you want your circle cast. Moving in your chosen direction, "see" (or visualize) the energy streaming through you into the ground. This is called "casting the circle." You may choose to say a blessing or directive such as:

"I conjure thee, o circle of power, that thou will be a boundary between the world of mortals and the realms of the mighty ones. A guardian, and a protection, to preserve and contain the power that I shall raise within. Therefore, do I bless and consecrate thee."

Make sure you understand the request that you are programming the circle for. You do not have to use these exact words, just make sure you say what is in your heart that you expect your circle to be for.

After you have completed your movement around your altar, return to your starting point and know the circle has been cast.

Another tip you may find useful: When I had very limited space and could not walk around my altar easily, I just extended my arm and moved it in the direction that the circle would be erected in had I actually been walking, and I would turn around in a circle where I stood instead. While doing this, I would visualize the energy going into the space that I would have been pointing at had I been walking. Worked just as well for me.

A couple of books with good circle casting explanations include Raymond Buckland's "Complete Book of Witchcraft" (or the Big Blue Book...), Scott Cunningham's "Witchcraft for the Solitary Practitioner," and Silver RavenWolf's "To Ride a Silver Broomstick," just to name a few.

To help with visualization / meditation: When you're watching a movie, you see what is happening on the screen with your physical eyes. When you're reading a book and picture what you are reading as though it is happening in your head, that is visualization. This is a very useful skill to have when practicing witchcraft, so practice practice practice! If you are learning the 1st degree lessons, Rev. Don has some really good visualizations that we use for the exercises. Do them over and over until you start to find it becoming easier.

Hope this helps!! Any further questions, just ask!

Permalink Reply by mystyckal powaqa on October 3, 2010 at 9:11pm

bb to all i just wanted to say even though i cast my circles i do feel sometimes iam doin g it wrong and i fell this is why i dont fell the energy that iam suppose to fell, or just dont feel that feeling that iam looking for, with this said i thankyou so much for this info, is always welcome i need all the help i can get. bb

Permalink Reply by Linda poet on September 13, 2011 at 1:34am

Wow' this is my first time being on this ning site and boy', have i learned alot just by reading your information on circle casting I,m also a solo practitioner and very new at it. But learning quit a bit, and will continue to grow in this great circle of wicca/pagan and witches.Bless be dear friend

Permalink Reply by gypsywisdom on September 13, 2011 at 7:13pm

Hello there. When I was a teen, I once cast a circle in the shape of a heart, under a full moon. It was for a love spell to attract a guy. I attracted him, but of course were kids and we moved. The point of this is you can cast a circle in a way that is most impactful to your spell or intention. Goddess blessings

Permalink Reply by Magickofme on September 14, 2011 at 7:53pm

It is easy to look circle casting on line too. You can sit in your house and research what feels right to you... Its also free... lol Good Luck!