Casting the Circle

By Ishtar Tariel Nimara Ebonwing

A ritual to cast the circle. Included for Reference. Used in 2007.

Tools Needed:

Athame (you can use your finger instead)

Besom (Optional)

Altar

Tools you will need for any personal spells

Chalice

Bowl

Supplies Needed:

Candles (in the colors you'll need for your spell, altar and an additional white candle)

Supplies for any other spells you will be casting

Something to mark the directions is handy (such as a blue candle in the west, ect), or even a symbol, totem or other item to help you remember which direction is which.

Casting the Circle

Begin by clearing and releasing all excess energy from yourself then stand in or near the place you first wish to cleanse for your ritual. You can invite any of your Spirit Guides if you like.

Turn to the person deosil to you and take their hand and say:

In Perfect love and perfect trust

I cast the sacred circle thus

As the circle goes around, each person repeats this to the person deosil to them until everyone is holding hands. Then say:

Gathered and blessed this sacred night

We call upon our loving bond of light

Each of us calls our inner love

To keep us safe below and above

Take a moment, then decide on your intention and speak something like:

Behold, I do cleanse this place

Keeping pure this sacred space

I send negativity to the Mother

To recycle for something other

Visualize cleansing, white shining flames filling the area until it is simply pure, white light filling the area. You can see it as black “dust” and you can see the white light pushing it out of the area, back to the Deity where it can be used for other, more positive purposes.

If you have a besom and you would like to use it in the ritual, you can visualize the white light emanating from the besom and you begin sweeping counterclockwise (tuathail). You sweep out the black “dust” that is tainting your holy space by starting form the inside of your sacred space, then outwards. As you sweep, you can chant:

This circle I cleanse with this broom

May no evil now enter this room

Next, visualize the white light that has filled the room, filling now with a pure blue light and take your athame and draw a circle around you deocil, starting in the east, or walk the circle if its large. Draw the circle three times and as you do so, chant:

I do hereby bless this space

Blessed be to Mother's grace

From the mundane I cut away

To enter the realm of Gods and Fae

As you cut yourself form the mundane world and enter into the “magical” world, see the cut of the athame turning into brilliant blue flames and the blue light that was filling the room is now bolstering the blue flames, creating a powerful shield.

Now you call the quarters. You begin by letting brilliant alabaster light fill the circle. Start at the east and raise your athame and say:

I Call to the

Eastern Guardian of Air's power

Mind and Intellect's watchtower

Elemental of Air, I call to thee

Protect this circle from negativity

Visualize a column of light rising up and as this is for the blessing moon, you could envision them as a being appropriate for the season or your tradition. Step to the South, raise your athame and say:

I Call to the

Southern Guardian of Fire's power

Passion and action's watchtower

Elemental of Fire, I call to thee

Protect this circle from negativity

Step to the West, raise your athame and say:

I Call to the

Western Guardian of water's power

Emotion's sacred watchtower

Elemental of water, I call to thee

Protect this circle from negativity

Step to the North, raise your athame and say:

I Call to the

Northern Guardian of Earth's power

Integration's honored watchtower

Elemental of earth, I call to thee

Protect this circle from negativity

Now, go stand in front of your altar and raise your Athame skyward and say:

Goddess and God celestial and above

I ask for protection, power and love

Closing the Circle

Now it is time to thank the guardians of your circle. Begin by raising your athame aloft and point it heavenwards and say:

God and Goddess, I thank you,

If you are going, I bid adieu,