Preparation
Choose Your Space: Select a quiet, undisturbed area where you can work. This can be indoors or outdoors.
Cleanse the Area: Physically clean the space and then spiritually cleanse it with incense, sound (like a bell or singing bowl), or salt water.
Gather Tools:
Athame or Wand: Used to direct energy and cast the circle.
Candles: Often one for each direction (East, South, West, North) plus one for the center or altar.
Incense: For purification.
Salt and Water: For consecration.
The Ritual
1. Purifying Yourself
Begin by grounding and centering yourself. You might take a ritual bath or perform a simple cleansing with incense or salt water.
2. Setting Up the Altar
Place your altar in the center or at one end of your working space. Arrange your tools, candles, and any symbols or representations of the elements or deities you work with.
3. Consecration of Tools
Consecrate your salt by blessing it, often with words like, “I bless this salt to purify and cleanse this space.”
Do the same with water, saying, “I bless this water to purify and cleanse this space.”
Combine the salt and water, and sprinkle this around your circle area to cleanse it.
4. Casting the Circle
Starting Point: Stand at the East or North, depending on your tradition.
Visualisation: Visualize energy flowing from you or coming up from the earth, forming a sphere of light or energy around your space.
Physical Action: With your athame or wand, begin to walk deosil (clockwise) around your space. As you walk, imagine this energy forming a circle:
Words: Will thoughtful will and power say, “I cast this circle to define the sacred space. May it be a boundary between the worlds, a place of peace, protection, and power. So mote it be.”
5. Calling the Quarters (Invoking the Elements)
East – Air: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the East, Element of Air, I call upon you to guard this circle and bring your wisdom. Hail and welcome.”
South – Fire: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the South, Element of Fire, I call upon you to guard this circle and bring your passion. Hail and welcome.”
West – Water: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the West, Element of Water, I call upon you to guard this circle and bring your intuition. Hail and welcome.”
North – Earth: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the North, Element of Earth, I call upon you to guard this circle and bring your stability. Hail and welcome.”
6. Invocation of Deity (Optional)
If your practice includes deity worship, you might invite the God and Goddess or other deities at this point, specifying their roles or aspects you wish to work with.
7. Sealing the Circle
After all elements are invoked, you can walk the circle once more to seal it, visualizing the energy connecting and solidifying.
Notes
Size: The circle can be as large or small as needed, but ensure it’s comfortable to work within.
Direction: If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, you might cast widdershins (counterclockwise) to follow the sun’s natural path.
Closing: Remember, when you’re done, you’ll need to close the circle in reverse order, thanking and releasing the elements, deities, and finally, breaking the circle by “slicing” through it with your tool, visualizing the energy dissipating or returning to the earth.
Common Variations
Some traditions add more complex rituals or use specific chants or songs.
The exact words and actions can vary widely based on individual practice or coven tradition.
Further Reading
The ABC’s of Witchcraft – Doreen Valiente (1994)
The Principles of Wicca – Vivianne Crowley (1998)
A Witch’s Bible Compleat – Janet and Stuart Farrar (1996)
Bucklands Complete Guide to Witchcraft – Raymond Buckland (2002)
Natural Magic – Doreen Valiente (1998)
This instruction is a basic framework; individual practices might include additional steps, personal touches, or variations based on specific traditions within Wicca.