Witchcraft

how to cast a magical circle

STEP 1
Find a flat, somewhat open space – indoors or out – where you won’t be disturbed.

STEP 2
If you don’t already know them, find the four cardinal directions using a compass (there is probably one on your smart phone).

STEP 3
Place a simple representation of each of the four elements at each corresponding point around an imagined circle, about 5 or 6 feet in diameter: Earth/north, Air/east, Fire/south, Water/west.

Here are some ideas for items you might choose to represent the elements around your magic circle:

Earth: rock, crystal, potted plant, ceramic dish

Air: feather, incense with holder, sage bundle

Fire: candle, essential oil burner with tea light

Water: sea shell, chalice with water in it

STEP 4
Stand facing east, in the center of the circle. Relax and breathe until you feel calm, centered, and present. Envision the wind whipping around you and get really in tune with the element of air. Simply say, “Spirits of Air, I call on you.”

Turn to the south. Envision crackling flames and the noonday sun. Get in tune with fire and say, “Spirits of Fire, I call on you.”

Turn to the west. Envision flowing water in waves and waterfalls and streams, possibly moving around your body. When you feel attuned with water, say, “Spirits of Water, I call on you."

Turn to the north. Conjure up the scent of the earth after it rains. Imagine the silence and darkness of a cave and the rooted feeling of being barefoot on the earth. When you feel attuned, say, “Spirits of Earth, I call on you.”

Still facing north, become aware of your feet and send a column or roots of light deep into the core of the Earth. Bring golden white light up from the center of the earth and into your body. Say, “Mother Earth, I call on you.

Next, send branches or a column of light up from the crown of your head, out of the earth’s atmosphere and into the Infinite Cosmos. Bring golden white light down from the Cosmos and down into your body. Say, “Father Sky, I call on you.”

Within your magic circle, feel protected and contained on all sides, as well as from above and below. Feel gratitude for this Divine support and say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. The circle is cast. Blessed be.”

STEP 5
Now’s the time to sit or stand in the center of your magic circle and meditate or work your magic.

STEP 6
When you’re finished, be sure to thank each element as well as the earth and cosmos. This is part of closing your magic circle, and releasing the energy it contains.

To do this, stand again.

Face west. Bring Water fondly into your consciousness and simply say, “Water, you were here, and I thank you.”

Face south. Bring Fire fondly into your consciousness and say, “Fire, you were here, and I thank you.”

Face east. Bring Air fondly into your consciousness and say, “Air, you were here, and I thank you.”

Face north. Bring Earth fondly into your consciousness and say, “Earth, you were here, and I thank you.”

Still facing north, consider Mother Earth below you andsay, “Mother Earth, you were here, and I thank you.”

Consider Father Sky above you and say, “Father Sky, you were here, and I thank you.”

Say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Blessed be. And so it is.”

And after a moment, say, “The circle is open, but never broken. The love of the Goddess is forever in my heart. Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.”

Feel, sense, and imagine the energy you raised within your magic circle being released and swirling beautifully into the ether. Trust that your magic will do its work, and know in your heart that your magic is complete.