Introduction to Magick: Lesson VI Casting a Magick Circle
One of the most fundamental skills all Wiccans must learn is: How to cast a magick circle. A magick circle is consecrated sacred space that the Wiccan (or Witch) creates to perform ceremonies, rituals, and/or spells. Although it is called a circle, it is actually a sphere (or bubble) created by energy. This sphere allows the Wiccan to generate energy or raise power within it. After the ceremony, ritual, or spell is completed, the circle is opened allowing pure, positive energy to be released into the universe so that it may manifest in the material world.
The magick circle also protects the energy and Wiccan from external negative energies that can potentially corrupt the spell being cast and could result in an unfavorable manifestation. Negative energy refers to unfocused energy that is created by emotional charges culled from many sources. The more devastating and painful that an emotional charge may become the stronger and longer-lasting the negative energy may be. And although it is true that most negative energy is unconsciously created, it can be consciously or unconsciously directed toward a specific person, location or object.
The magick circle also protects and prevents attachment from low-vibrational spirits and malevolent entities. Low-vibrational spirits are most often deceased humans that, for a multitude of reasons have remained on the Earth plane. Malevolent entities on the other hand, are entities that have never walked the earth as human and come from other realms. These entities are not kind toward humanity and thrive by creating chaos and destruction. Some of them have found a way to enter the Earth plane on their own, while others have been intentionally brought here. Regardless of whether it is a spirit or an entity, they must feed off of energy to remain on this plane. As a result, they are highly attracted to magick in all its forms!
It is a truth that some modern Wiccan traditions will argue that there is no such thing as evil spirits and entities. However in the majority of instances, this is simply an absurd fallacy argued to justify crossing the line of Wiccan ethics. Wiccans regularly work energies that cannot be seen- with spirit guides, with elementals- we know they exist. And if it were true that all spirits and entities that exist in the universe operated from love and light, then humanity would exist without hate, murder, war and greed.
To protect spellcraft and the Wiccan performing it, a magick circle must be created before all energy work. A magick circle may be created indoors or outdoors. A magick circle may also be created either mentally (and “seen” only by the third eye), or it can have a physical representation. In the outdoor setting, a circle may be cast in a wooded clearing or within a grove of trees. Standing stones can be arranged or a staff may be used to carve a circle directly in the earth. The boundary of a magick circle can also be created with: salt, ash, sand, and even glitter! Within the indoor setting, candles, crystals, sea shells, athames, and other magick tools are commonly used to mark a magick circle and can allow for easy cleanup.
Before you cast a magick circle, you’ll obviously need to gather the necessary tools (if you don’t already have them) and you must “prepare” yourself. You can prepare through prayer, meditation and/or fasting. Before you begin any spellwork it is also highly recommended (and common practice) to perform a cleansing ritual on oneself. A cleansing of oneself may be performed by using a sage smudge stick, blessed moon water or taking a ritual bath. For most beginners (and non-beginners alike) it is highly beneficial to create a physical representation of a magick circle to aid in focus and concentration. As with everything else in life, the more you practice, the quicker and easier it will become.
When you are ready to begin your ceremony/ritual, you’ll start by laying out your tools and materials to assemble your altar. Make sure you have everything you will need for the ceremony in front of you because once you have created your circle it is best not to break the boundary until you have completed the entire ceremony/ritual. After you have finished assembling your altar, you will next proceed to cleanse the space (see: Introduction to Magick: Lesson V Altars and Setup).
There are two general rules that are applied when you cast your magick circle. The first is: When performing a manifestation spell or conducting a ritual/ceremony during the waxing or full moon phase, you will cast your circle in a deosil (clockwise) motion. The second is: When performing a banishing spell or conducting a ritual/ceremony during the waning or dark moon phase, you will cast your circle in a widdershins (counter-clockwise) motion. (For the purposes of this article, we will follow the deosil direction.)
To cast a circle you will begin at the East quarter and lay out the physical representation of your circle. Continue moving in deosil motion as you set each physical representation on each of the four quarters. As you create the physical boundaries of the circle, keep repeating your intention of creating a magick circle. You may say something to the effect of:
By the power of the Goddess, I do cut apart a sacred space.
I am protected within from all evil without.
This is my realm of magick!
When the perimeter of your circle has been set, you will next take your athame (or wand) and point it at the perimeter. Visualize a bright beam of energy imitating from the tip of your athame/wand. You will then walk the circle two more times repeating your intention of creating a sacred space.
After having walked the circle three times, you will then point your athame/wand to the East and invoke the Element of Air. You can say something to the effect of:
Hail to the Guardian of the Watchtower of the East,
The Keeper of Air and Intellect.
I welcome you, and request your aid
In this Magickal Rite!
If you are using a candle to represent the element of the East, now would be the time to light the wick. Continuing in deosil motion (clockwise) you will face the South and point your athame/wand to invoke the Element of Fire.
Hail to the Guardian of the Watchtower of the South,
The Keeper of Fire and Manifestation.
I welcome you, and request your aid
In this Magickal Rite!
Again, if you are using a candle to represent the element of the South, now would be the time to light the wick. Next you will face the West. Point your athame/wand and invoke the Element of Water.
Hail to the Guardian of the Watchtower of the West,
The Keeper of Water and emotion.
I welcome you, and request your aid
In this Magickal Rite!
Light the candle, then face the North. Point your athame/wand and invoke the Element of Earth.
Hail to the Guardian of the Watchtower of the North,
The Keeper of Earth and integration.
I welcome you, and request your aid
In this Magickal Rite!
Once again, if using a candle to represent the element of the North, you will light the wick. You will next point your athame/wand skyward. Rotate and lower your arm directly in front of you to point the tip of your athame/wand from skyward to the North. Then you will continue to rotate your arm and lower your arm to point your athame/wand toward the ground at your feet. Lastly, continue to rotate your arm behind you in a full circle and raise it back up skyward. Visualize a bright globe encapsulating your sacred space. Maintain this image until it is very vivid and clear in your mind. Once it’s clear in your third eye, you are ready to begin your ceremony, ritual, or spellwork and will proceed to invoke the Goddess and/or God.
After creating your magick circle and calling the Four Quarters (the Elements) you are now ready to invoke the Goddess (or Goddesses). There are as many different incantations to invoke the Goddess as there are Goddesses. How you choose to invoke a particular Goddess(s) should be a very personal decision as you work toward building a relationship with a specific Goddess(s). Once you have invoked the Goddess(s) you may then proceed with the ceremony/ritual including performing all spellcasting, celebrations and/or other workings.
At the completion of your ceremony or ritual, your final task will be to open the magick circle. You will begin by devoking the Goddess(s) (and/or God) and thank them for attending your rite. Once again, thanking the Goddess(s) and/or God should feel personal but can sound like something to the effect of:
I give you thanks, great (Goddess, God, Guardian)
For attending me in this Rite!
Stay if you will, go if you must.
But know You are ever welcome in our Heats
Until we meet again, Merry part!
Next you will devoke the Four Quarters (the Elements) in a widdershins direction (counter-clockwise) beginning with the Element of Water (direction west). You may state something to the effect of:
Powers of the West
Power of Water
Thank you for Your presence in our circle tonight
Hail and fair well Powers of the West!
Next you will devoke the Element of Fire by stating something to the effect of:
Powers of the South
Power of Firer
Thank you for Your presence in our circle tonight
Hail and fair well Powers of the South!
Next you will devoke the Element of Air by stating something to the effect of:
Powers of the East
Powers of Air
Thank you for Your presence in our circle tonight
Hail and fair well Powers of the East!
Lastly, you will devoke the Element of Earth by stating something to the effect of:
Powers of the North
Power of Earth
Thank you for Your presence in our circle tonight
Hail and fair well Powers of the North!
As you devoke each of the Quarters you may blow out each the candles that surround your circle. Once you have completed devoking the Quarters you will make one final affirmation before opening the circle- something to the effect of:
As above, so below. As the universe, so the soul.
As within, so without. The circle is open,
The spell unbroken!
Remove the perimeter of your circle by once again moving in the opposite direction from which it was constructed. Collect any large tools and items from your altar at this point and simply sweep away any elements such as salt or ash using your besom. If more than one person participated in your ceremony or ritual, it is customary to salute each other at the end with a kiss on the cheek and stating:
Merry meet, merry part,
And merry meet again!
Once the circle has been opened, you’ll want to ground any extra energy raised during the ritual. If you experience a headache, feel dizzy or nauseous, you are not fully grounded. One method of grounding is to go outdoors and simply place both palms flat on the earth (preferably on soil and not pavement or concrete). You’ll want to maintain the position for a few moments while envisioning any extra energy being released from your body and returning to the earth.
The magick circle is an energy construct used to protect and amplify the energy contained within. For many Wiccan traditions, it is the first test given to the newly initiated and must be successfully performed in order to advance within coven ranks. Regardless if one is a solitary practitioner or part of a coven, the magick circle is a fundamental skill all Wiccans and Witches must learn. With practice, as a Wiccan you will have the skill to create an energy sphere that, when opened, allows the universe to manifest your heart’s greatest desires!
– The Goddess Kingdom© 2022
