Wiccan Circle Casting

Casting a circle is not something that is unique to Witchcraft. It is an ancient practice that finds its roots in almost all faiths and religions. The circle is a representation of many things, but in this case, we are creating a barrier between our magickal workings and the influences around us all the time. More importantly, we are protecting ourselves from doubtful or harmful influences that may render our magickal workings useless.

In The Craft, there are many ways to actually cast a circle. However, there are a few common threads to all of them. Most involve walking the perimeter of the circle while envisioning blue flame or other kind of energy actually forming the barrier between what is in the circle and what is not. This is often coupled with a physical representation of the barrier, such as a rope, chalk, stones, salt, etc. When creating the circle, it is important to always move in a clockwise (deosil) manner. The clockwise movement is important, because it is representative of invoking, or creative, energy. Some also call this moving "sunwise," or with the sun. Moving in a counterclockwise (widdershins) manner while casting or within a magick circle is very disruptive to any magickal working your are trying to do. There are some rituals and circumstances where it is appropriate to move widdershins, but for the most part, it's not recommended.

When you visualize your circle forming, think of it as a bubble, or sphere, around you and the area you are working in, rather than a flat circle. The words "as above, so below" are often used in The Craft, and apply here as well. The circle is above you, below you and all around you while you work. In fact, when you have finished walking the circle, it is very common to say, "As above, so below -- this circle is sealed. So mote it be!" At which point, the one who casst the circle will often stomp their foot to signify the circle is active.

After the circle is cast, most witches and covens go on to Call the Quarters, which are the particular energies of the four cardinal directions. We will go through that process in a moment. Also, many witches also invoke The God and Goddess, or a specific patron god/dess to help in their ritual.

Once the ritual is complete, the magickal energy sent off into the universe, Deity is thanked and the quarters are released, it is time to take down the circle.

This is the only point within the circle when it is considered appropriate to move in a widdershins manner. However, many traditions discourage even this. To do it, you move around the circle counterclockwise while envisioning the energy from the circle being drawn into your athame, wand or hands. When you have gone completely around the circle, you say, "This circle is open, but never broken. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again! As I(we)will it, so mote it be!" Once again, the witch taking down the circle stomps their foot to indicate that the circle is, indeed, open.

It is important to take down the circle when you complete your magick. A circle is a powerful source of energy, and it will be very disruptive and chaotic if it is left to break down on its own.

Casting circle is only the beginning, however. If you would like to really gain an edge in your spellwork and spellcasting techniques, please check out The Simple Spellcasting E-kit. Thanks for reading, and Blessed Be!!

When casting a circle, you may find that it is a very short ritual and you may want to increase the amount of protection or reinforce your visualization of the protection you are using. If this is the case, then you may find that using a ritual for "Triple Circle Casting" is more appropriate for you. What is triple circle casting? It is a little more involved than your standard ritual circle, but it offers three distinct visualizations and incantations for protection. Essentially, you are layering your armor between your ritual and the outside world.

In times long past, they didn't just cast a single circle. When they walked the circle, they did it three times. Each time, they recited a different incantation and reinforced their visualization of their circle. Triple circlecasting was a representation of the divine trinity; maiden, mother & crone, or father, son and sage.

The following incantations for casting a triple circle was originally written by Lady Morningstar.

Triple Circlecasting
(Recite the first time around the circle)
In this place, this circle round
I consecrate the sacred ground
with golden light this space surround
all power here contained and bound.

(Second pass)
From earth, the things that manifest
from air, the things of mind
from fire, the things that motivate
from water, the souls refined.

(third time around)
And yet no place or time there be
between the worlds, my word and me
welcome, Ancient Ones, and see
this place is sealed, so mote it be!

Many consider triple circles to be much more effective and powerful than a single circle, and they may be right. However, I am personally just as comfortable with a single circle, and I reserve the triple circlecasting for special occassions. When we utilize and focus on the number three, we a focusing on the energies of Birth, growth and death, the three driving forces of our time on this planet. If you need a burst of creativity or power to complete your working, the triple circle is very effective. In the end, though, neither of these methods is better than the other, except for your personal preferences regarding them.

No matter how you cast your circle, you are probably going to be doing some spellcasting while you do it. If you have had trouble casting successful spells in the past, or just want to take your techniques to the next level, please take a look at The Simple Spellcasting E-kit. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to cast more effective spells.

Thanks for reading and Blessed Be!!!

Actually, calling the quarters is a seperate exercise from actually casting a circle. However, it is nearly always done immediately after casting a circle, so I thought it would be appropriate to include it in this lens.

They are many various ways to call the quarters, in fact, there are even a few different names that the process is known by. "Calling the Quarters" might be called "Summoning the Guardians" by one coven, and yet something else by another. No matter what the practice is called, it is virtually the same for all traditions. What is accomplished by calling the quarters? Well, you are inviting the basic elemental energies of the universe into your circle to aid in your spellwork, keep your ritual safe from outside influence, and to keep you safe.

The common threads between all quarter calls is that they all call upon the basic magickal elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Additionally, each element is linked to one particular cardinal direction. East is the element of Air, South is the element of Fire, West is Water, and North is Earth. The element of Spirit is found in the Center of your circle.

The following are the quarter calls that I use personally. I encourage all who read this to do further research on quarter calls, and get a taste for all the different incantations out there. If you feel particularly inspired, feel free to write your own quarter calls.

At each of the cardinal directions, it is beneficial to place a representation of each element at the edge of your circle, accompanied by a small candle. You can set up each of these prior to beginning, if you wish. The supplies you'll need on hand for this part of the ritual are your athame or wand, a lighter for the candles and a bell (some people use a small gong).

After your circle is cast, approach the eastern quarter, and as you draw an invoking pentacle in the air with your athame, recite the following:

Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers to the east! Those who dwell in the Air! I summon, stir and call you forth to witness these rites!

Once recited, light the candle placed at the eastern quarter, and ring your bell, letting the tone resonate for a few moments. Then, moving around the circle in a deosil fashion, approach the southern qauarter. As you draw the invoking pentacle in the air facing south, recite:

Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers to the south! Those who dwell in the Fire! I summon, stir and call you forth to witness these rites!

Repeat the same process as before, and move to the west.

Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers to the west! Those who dwell in the Water! I summon, stir and call you forth to witness these rites!

Then the north:

Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers to the north! Those who dwell in the Earth! I summon, stir and call you forth to witness these rites!

Finish moving in clockwise manner to the eastern quarter again, then move to the center of your circle. (if your altar is not situated in the center of your circle, you can move to there instead). Then recite as before while drawing the pentacle:

Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the center! Those who dwell in the Spirit! I summon, stir and call you forth to witness these rites!

There you have it! These are some very basic quarter calls, yet they are very functional. Yet, we are not done yet...

When your ritual is complete, it is a MUST to release the quarters. The energies that you invited into your circle are bound your circle until they are released, and letting the energy sit there unused after you are done can be very disruptive to the environment nearby.

After your ritual is complete, before you open the circle, do the following to release the energies of the quarters. Beginning in the center, Draw an evoking pentacle in the air with athame while reciting:

Guardoans of the watchtowers of the (direction)! I thank you for your presence in my circle this night (or day). Go if you must, stay if you like. I bid you Hail and Farewell!

Once the quartershave been released, you can go about opening the circle itself. When you have been casting circle for a while, you will begin to recognize the feel of the different energies coming and going from your circle. It is a very rewarding experience.

Now that you've discovered a great way to cast your magick circle, you'll probably want to get busy casting some spells. If so, please check out The Simple Spellcasting E-kit. This is a very simple method to follow, and it will take your spells to the next level, guaranteed!

As always, thank you for stopping by my lens, and Blessed Be!