Circle Casting

Circle Casting

There are an infinite number of ways to cast a circle of protection for spell and ritual work. Some Wiccans choose to walk the circle others choose to visualize the circle growing around them. But no matter which way you decide to perform this part of the ritual casting a protection circle is vital for managing your scared space and work.

Creating sacred space is the first and most important part of any spell or ritual. It creates protection from the negative influences and keeps out unwanted visitors. It also protects you from loose or bouncing energies that have little or no direction and could invade your magickal work.

To begin spell casting you need to cleanse and consecrate your magickal space. This must be done every so often to clean away old spells and energies and to allow room for new work to be done. Start by sweeping the area with your broom in deosil and by burning some sage. You can create a chant that helps with this chore, usually something that speaks of cleanliness. Burning the sage will get rid of any negative energy left overs and will give you a nice clean positive atmosphere to work in.

Now it is time to cast your magick circle. This is not a circle that will have sparks flying or grow fire out of the floor, this is the circle that will protect you as you work with the powers of the universe to achieve your goal. First breathe and ground and centre yourself, feel the earth as part of you and you as part of the universe. Raise the energy through your body and to the top of your head. For most this is a warm and tingling sensation and sometimes the hairs on your body will rise as the energy flows through you. This is where you can make a choice to walk the circle or visualize the circle in your mind’s eye. If you choose to walk the circle begin at compass north and walk deosil at least one full circumference. If you choose to visualize your casting work face compass north and draw your circle in your mind’s eye. You can see your circle in may different ways, some see a white fire that burns, others like a silver ring or the white silvery light such as the moon.

There are as many chants to invoke the Goddess as one can imagine. Many Wiccans have written their own as they have become more familiar with their own needs. Here are two examples of circle casting chants that invoke the Goddess: This one is from Silver Raven Wolf

Holding your Athem in both hands and pointing it downwards, walk in deosil.

Maiden, cast your circle white

Weave a web of glowing light

Stag and bear, hawk and wolf

Bind us to thee

Mother cast your circle red

Weave the strands of glowing thread

Earth and air, fire and water

Bind us to thee

Old Crone cast your circle black

Weave the wisdom that we lack

Sunlight, moonlight and starlight

Bind us to thee

The next is by Shawn May Scott:

I cast my circle of white light

I invoke the maiden, mother, and crone

I invoke the Goddess of the night.

Repeat this chant as many times as is required to connect the circle.

Call upon the Guardians of the Watchtowers if you need extra muscle in you magickal work. You can also hold the circle in your mind’s eye for as long as you need. If it takes weeks for something in your life to take place then remember to check on the circle daily and power it up by sending in positive energy.

Once your spell or ritual has been cast or completed remember to release the circle. The easiest way is to open it by seeing it slowly disappear in widdershins and saying the circle is open but may it never be broken.