What is a circle?
Many religions build temples and churches as their sacred places of worship. Wiccans believe that one does not need such a building, and sacredness can be found anywhere and everywhere in our universe.
Circles are cast before ritual to create a sacred space in which we perform rituals. A circle is a microcosm of the universe, indeed it can be viewed as the center of our universe while it is intact.
The Circle is a new space and new time, beyond our ordinary concepts of space and time. It is apart and protected, a sphere in which we can raise energy and then direct it toward our goal. Psychic walls are erected by the individual or group (coven,circle) and are maintained until the ritual has ended and the circle is opened.
According to Starhawk, in ancient times, stone circles held power and there was little need to cast a new space each time a ritual was performed. Our present traditions of circle casting may be attributed to the Burning Times, when there was a need for secrecy and protection.
Regardless of it's origins, All Wiccan traditions cast a circle before ritual, although the ways in which the circle is cast may vary according to the particular tradition.
How do I cast a Circle?
Casting a Circle is creating sacred space. This is done before ritual and spell work.
A circle can be cast anywhere you will have privacy and will be able to use your powers of concentration. Ideally, this would be outside in some secluded location, but this is not absolutely necessary.
The first step in casting a circle is to cleanse or purify the space. This is usually done with smudge--rolled and dried herbs (usually sage or cedar) which is burnt and the purifying smoke directed, or with salt and water.
Some Wiccan traditions call for a marked circle of 9 feet in diameter, often with a circle of 10 feet in diameter outside of it. Most eclectics however do not put as much importance on the actual dimensions of the circle. The actual edge of the circle may be drawn and marked with string or stones or you may want to place objects or candles in the four courners that pertain to that particular direction.
One of the most importants factors to casting a circle is to visualize it in your mind. (Actually a sphere of energy should be visualized)
With a ritual tool in your power hand (the hand you use most often), stand and face the East and move deosil (clockwise) while envisioning a circle of light being formed around you. It is extremely important that you "see" the circle being formed with your inner sight. Continue to move deosil until you "see and feel" this sphere of energy all around you, and above and below you. (Please note that a circle can also be cast with the pointer finger of your power hand.)
Words or chants may be used while casting the circle. When the circle is cast, the 4 directions and Spirit/Akasha/Above and Below are evoked.
Until you open this circle, it is intact and you are in a sacred space, beyond time and between the worlds.
If there is need for someone to leave or enter the circle after it is cast a door can be cut--usually in the North or Northeast with one's athame. It is generally believed that cats and small children can cross a circle without disrupting it's flow of energy.
When the ritual and/or spell work is done, the circle is opened by repeating the process widdershins (counter clockwise). Remember to ground and return all excess energy to the earth or to the spiritual plane to be used for the greater good.
~~This information is based on my personal experiences over the past 8 years. This is in no way the ONLY way to cast a circle. ~~
© Raven Gilmartin 2000
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