Basic Circle Casting

The first part of casting a Circle is to go through ritual purification. Many Wiccans and Witches take showers or baths before beginning any ritual, however in a group setting that isnt always possible. The Salt Water Purification is done and the consecrated water is then used to purify the participants as well as the ritual area, any tools, and spell components (where required). Purification and Consecration To begin any ritual, first Center and Ground. Afterwards pick up the censer containing incense in your power hand cupped by your opposing hand and hold outwards while saying the following or something similar: Blessed be thou, oh creature of Air. Afterwards return the censor and pick up the box of matches or other lighting utensil in your power hand cupped by your opposing hand and hold outwards while saying the following or something similar: Blessed be thou, oh creature of Fire. Afterwards return the matches and pick up the container of water in your power hand cupped by your opposing hand and hold outwards while saying the following or something similar: Blessed be thou, oh creature of Water. Afterward return the container of water and pickup the container of salt in your power hand cupped by your opposing hand and hold outwards while saying the following or something similar: Blessed be thou, oh creature of Earth. Once this is done, move the censer to the center of your Altar and light the incense with the matches while saying the following or something similar: By the will of the Goddess and God I do combine these elements of Air and Fire to cleanse this Circle. Afterwards pick up the censer and go to the eastern quarter; once there hold the censer up to the East and say the following or something similar: By the powers of Air and Fire I do cleanse the East. Repeat this in each of the quarters, South, West and North. Once this is done, return the censer to the S/E quarter of your Altar and move the container of water to the center of your Altar. Once this has been done, place three pinches of salt into the water and stir Deosil (clockwise) while saying the following or something similar: By the will of the Goddess and God I do combine these elements of Water and Earth to consecrate this Circle. Afterwards pick up the container of water and go to the eastern quarter. Once there, sprinkle the salted water three times while saying the following or something similar: By the powers of Water and Earth I do consecrate the East. Repeat this in each of the quarters, South, West and North. Once this is done, return the water container to the N/W quarter of your Altar and pick up your Athame and go to the eastern quarter. Once there, start walking deosil while pointing your Athame at the perimeter of the circle (envision a light or force forming energy at the base of the circle) and chanting the following:

Three times round the, the circle is bound. (Repeat as necessary till you return to the east) Once you have gone around the circle one full turn, return the Athame to the Altar and hold your hands outright while calling out the following or something similar: The circle is bound with power all around; between the worlds we now stand with power at hand. Once you have the above portion completed embrace the smoke from the censer cleansing yourself of all unwanted energy and dip your finger into the water and mark your forehead with the symbol of the pentagram. Magick Doorway Now open a door in the N/E cross-quarter of the circle for guests/participants. To do this, simply draw out your Athame or Wand and motion from the ground up to head height over a few feet and back down to the ground. Once this is done welcome all those who wish to participate in the upcoming rite or ritual. As they enter smudge them with the censer and mark them on the forehead with the salted water while saying the following or something similar. Inner and outer, body and soul be cleansed and consecrated here and now. So Mote It Be. (All) Calling the Quarters Once this is done and all participants are present and in position, close the Magick Doorway and return to the Altar. Afterwards, go to the eastern quarter with the box of matches and a candle and hold them up to the East while saying the following or something similar: "Hail, Guardians of the East, Ancient Ones of Air! I invoke and call you, come and attend my Circle! As I breathe we are kith and kin, send forth your power and be here now!

Light the candle and place it into the eastern quarter while saying the following or something similar: Hail and Welcome! Repeat this in each of the quarters, South, West and North. Once this is done, return to the Altar and with your arms outstretched say the following or something similar: The Circle is cast; we are now between the worlds and beyond the bounds of time. Where life and death, Joy and sorrow, Night and day, Meet and make one. Evoke the God/Goddess Afterwards light the center candle on the Altar and say the following or something similar: The fire is lit and the ritual has begun, blessed be the Goddess and God. Ring bell three times and begin the rite. Opening the Circle

After you have completed the rite return to the eastern quarter and say the following or something similar: Guardians of the East, powers of Air, I thank you for joining our Circle. I ask for your blessing as you depart, may there be peace between us, now and forever. Depart in peace. Blessed be. Repeat this in each of the quarters, South, West and North. Once this is done, snuff out each candle before leaving the quarter. Return to the Altar and with your arms outstretched say the following or something similar: The Circle is open, but unbroken, may the peace of the Goddess and God go ever in our hearts. Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again, blessed be! Ring bell three times.