Casting a Circle 101

oneofmanypaths:

What is a Circle?

Well that’s a simple question, right? Circles are, well, circles. They are round, and tend not to have a beginning nor end. But a Circle casted before spells have a much different meaning.

Typically imaginary (invisible) a Circle is a boundary of energy. Some do tend to “mark” their circles with chalk, stones, crystals, candles etc…to easily imagine the circle in ones mind eye. 

The purpose of the circle is multitudinous. It is meant to protect those within the circle from any outside negativity and gather energy for the purpose of spell casting or ritual doing.

How to Cast a Circle:

Their is more than one way of casting a circle. Keep that in mind, as you grow as a Pagan you will find a way that is much more suited to you than what I present here. 

Circle Walking: Exactly as it sounds. Whether you are a solitary practitioner or practice as a coven, you literally walk in a circle. Move clockwise and imagine that a string of energy being crafted as you walk. 

Calling the Corners (Elements): Calling the corners is maybe one the most used way of casting that I’ve seen. Similar to Circle Walking, you’d walk in a circle calling out the corners/elements. Starting from the North or Earth. As you call the corner/element to the circle a small saying should follow. Their are many out there that you can simply look up. 

Calling on the Gods/Goddesses: If you are looking for something more intuitive and personal this would be it. Craft a phrase for your God and Goddess. Example if I called out to Osiris the Egyptian God of the Underworld I would phrase the saying like:

I call to the God/Lord/Deity of Death and Resurrection Osiris to this Circle.

After the saying I would put down an offering of sorts, this is usually specific to the God you are calling, or personal to you and your connection to this God. 

Repeat with a Goddess, because I called to Osiris I would call out to Isis, his cohort. Isis is the Goddess of marriage, health and wisdom. 

Remember that this way is personal to you.  

Closing the Circle 

When everything is all said and done, as you opened the circle so shall you close it. Basically, and the easiest way of explaining it, is that it is everything that you’ve done but in reverse. If you calling the corners, you must allow them to leave. Same with Gods and Goddesses. If you walked the circle, walk in the opposite direction, like you are picking up that string of energy you laid down in the beginning. 

And that is it, basic circle casting, well as basic as it is going to get. It can be tons more complicated and intuitive than what I’ve put down. But in the beginning do not make it harder than it actually is. 

)o(