Circle Casting Basics
Purpose and Symbolism of circle casting
There are many reasons for why a gathering of people in a circle is powerful. A circle is a shape that is found repeatedly throughout the natural world, and it is a symbol of perfection. We recreate this perfect shape when we join others to form a circle. Being in a circle allows us experience each other as equals. Each person is the same distance apart from the next participant, and no one is seated higher than or stands apart from others in a circle. From tribal circles to the mythical round table of King Arthur, the circle has been the shape adopted by gatherings throughout history.
The circle is acknowledged as an archetype of wholeness and integration, with the center of a circle universally understood to symbolize Spirit - the Source. When a group of people come together in a circle, they are united. Because a circle has no beginning and no end, the agreement to connect in a circle allows energy to circulate from one person to the next, rather than being dissipated into the environment.
This unity can become even more powerful when each person reaches out to touch a neighbor and clasps hands or mentally/spiritually does so. This physical connection unites thought and action, mind and body, and spirit and form in a circle. Like a candle used to light another candle, the connection with spirit that results when one person joins hands with another is greater than if each person were to stand alone.
People who take part in a circle find that their power increases exponentially while with the group. Like a drop of water rippling on the surface of a pond, the waves of energy produced in a circle radiate outward in circular motion. While one person may act like a single beacon that emanates light, a circle of people is like a satellite dish that sends out energy. There is power in numbers, and when the commitment is made by many to face one another and focus on one intention, their circle emanates ripples of energy that can change the world.
The purpose of a cast circle is to contain energy for release at the appropriate time and for protection from interference from outside the cast circle and protect those within from anything outside the circle.
The reliability/integrity of the circle is measured by the focus of the caster.
Leaving a cast circle-Since no evil magick is involved, there is no RISK involved in leaving a circle. However, since a circle is supposed to CONTAIN energy it should not be punctured hastily or unnecessarily as the energy can ‘woosh’ out.
Widdershins and Deosil:
The terms (deosil = clockwise, widdershins = counter-clockwise).
That widdershins is often mistaken for evil, but is more accurately a banishing movement/energy.
When in doubt, go deosil.
Ground and center.
Once Centered, push that energy out your projective hand (or into and out of a tool).
Feel, sense, see ..whatever.. the energy coalescing into form. what it looks like is up to you.
some see a beam of energy coming from their hand/wand/athame/staff/sword etc.. that they use to trace a circle on the ground.
Some see vines not energy.. or flowers, to complicated geometric designs that 'lock' into place.
Some FEEL it not SEE it. Some SENSE it some other way.
Know that this circle joins on top and bottom -It makes a sphere, not just a circle
It can be any kind of sphere.
It can be one you “intend” or you can allow it to form and be surprised.
You can then push the sphere to any size you need with your intention and/or hands/tools.
Opening doorways:
Using your wand/staff/athame/sword/similar tool, cut into the formed circle creating a door shape. Visualize this doorway as you cut it open. Think like a welder cutting into metal. People can enter or leave through this opening.
This takes practice to do without 'popping' the circle.
Stand guard over the doorway if someone is leaving and return quickly.
Closing doorways/ gateways
Try to use the same tool as made the doorway, seal it shut by reversing what you did to cut it open. Again visualize a welder welding two pieces of metal together.
When to make an opening:
Bathroom issues, emergencies, child issues, forgotten rituals items that are really needed, pet issues, initiations, and other important reasons.
When NOT to make an opening:
For items not related to the ritual at hand, during rising of energy (unless reason above), non important phone ringing, cell phones, if EVERYONE thinks something “spooky” is ‘out there’.
"spooky' rarely happens. Don't get caught up in that kind of mind play.
Traditional sayings
The circle is open , but unbroken,
May the peace of the Goddess and God
be ever in our hearts,
Merry meet, and merry part.
And merry meet again.
Blessed be.
Mighty mother (or ______) strike this blade with light as I cast the magick circle
I conjure yee o circle of art to be a place and time between the worlds.
Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee,
So mote it be.
"Power of the Circle
You have
noticed that everything
an Indian does is in a circle, and that
is because the Power of the World always
works in circles, and everything tries to be round. In
the old days when we were a strong and happy people, all
our power came to us from the sacred hoop of the nation, and
as long as the hoop was unbroken, the people flourished. The
flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the
four quarters nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south
gave warmth, the west gave rain, and the north with its cold and mighty
wind gave strength and endurance. This knowledge came to us from the
outer world with our religion. Everything the Power of the World does is in
a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball,
and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls, Birds make
their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes
forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both
are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing , and
always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a
circle from childhood to childhood, and so its is in everything
where power moves. Our teepees were round like the nests
of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's
hoop, a nest of many nests, where the Great
Spirit meant for us to hatch our children."
-- Black Elk in Black Elk Speaks as
told through John G.
Niehardt
Black Elk (1863-1950) Oglala Sioux