Casting A Circle
(and Altar Arrangment)
The Goddess is never late, never
early~~always on time.
She will always be there when you need her~~
She will always answer your prayers be they large or small~~simple or ceremonial.
She knows your fate and your future she knows the path you are bound to walk,
Do you?
Your questions are her fodder, your acknowledgement is her worship.
If you call her name in desperation she will come to you but if you call it
without desperation she will be fulfilled.
small steps will take you to your journey's end,
large steps will come and you will be too busy to notice.
She will fill your life and you will find yourself taking most of the credit~~
She will not mind~~as long as you do not forget her entirely.
Be aware that she is for she is aware of your every move.
Author
Cerridwynn
By casting the circle you are creating a Sacred Space, a void, a place out of time which is not of this dimension. Cast your circle of protection with Consecrated Salt and walk the full circle 3 times(clockwise). While reciting the Circle Consecration. Many practioners will also use a sword, Anthame or "visualized" white light. Again this is a personal thing....do what feels right to you, and use what you have available to you at the time. This advice continues on to what you might have on your Altar...not all Witches will have the same tools. As long as each of the four elements is present, either in a real or in a symbolic form. Air is present in the incense,a bell or in the Anthame. Fire is present in the candle, or in the wand. Water is present in it's actual form, and as the Chalice. Earth is present in the salt, actual dirt or as the Pentacle.
Many people also call on the four corners and/or the elements, and/or their own personal Deities or Guardians at this time. Many times it depends on how elaborate a Ritual you wish to perform. Remember there is no right or wrong way. Intent is the key, do what comes naturally. "An it Harm No One". Now invite/ask the God and Goddess to attend. Cast your spell. Bid thanks and farewell to those who you invited to attend. Remember after you have finished your ritual to un-cast the circle, by walking counter clockwise three times or visualizing such.
"The true world of
Magick has no tolerance for conformity"
Gnostic Text
The true definition of Magick, does not center around spells or incantations, or the mysterious waving of arms...no. As is recorded in the Blue Book of our forefathers, true Magicke is 'The Art and Science of changing states of mind at will.' Experience shows action follows thought.
Quoted from '21 Lessons
of Merlyn'
Our Version
(Physical
Altar/Ritual Preparation)
We have a permanent altar set in the middle of our home. This is our Sacred Space. Everything on the permanent altar has already been cleansed and consecrated. The four elements are always present. Anything new to be added for the specific rite will be cleansed before using. First we place our white(power) candle to the South. We have three candles (white/colored) which we place centered(spirit/magickal intent). To the East we place the incense. To the North we have our consecrated salt. To the West we place the water/chalice.
We also put additional stones/crystals/herbs/etc on the Altar that pertain to the ritual being performed. We cast the circle by walking or hand casting clockwise three times while reciting the Circle Rite. We visualize a pure white light while doing this, therefore we do not go back over the circle with an Anthame. We then light the white candle(power candle). Then light the incense, then the triple candles(we may use only one). We then place the crystal in the center with Spirit. We then invite/ask the God and Goddess to attend. We then perform our ritual. Many of our Rituals are impromptu, most for healing and protection (for others)but we have found lately that keeping a BOS with various tried and true incantations truley has a benefit. If using a written spell we make sure the spell is left on the altar til the circle is uncast. Don't forget to thank the God and Goddess for attending, uncast the circle when done by moving in a counter clockwise direction. We try to allow the candles to completely burn away.
On the following page you will find an index of Goddess Poetry and Rituals.
