<_Cassiopia_> Ok, y'all... about ready to start...
<_Cassiopia_> Welcome, everyone! If anyone would like an outline of the class in advance, please let me know by /msg ing me
<_Cassiopia_> A few ground rules before we begin...
<_Cassiopia_> If you would like to speak during the class...please type an @ and wait to be called on, as not to disturb others...
<_Cassiopia_> _> IF we split, I will wait a bit before continuing...
<_Cassiopia_> If you have to leave, please don't announce it, just leave....
<_Cassiopia_> If you have to leave, or forget to log, I will have logs available in a day or two.
<_Cassiopia_> LUCARD is doorkeeper, he will tell all newcomers the rules.
<_Cassiopia_> Please don't welcome back people in channel.. /msg them...
<_Cassiopia_> Ok, if we are all ready... let's begin!
<_Cassiopia_> The first thing we're going to discuss
   is why we cast circles. There are two 
  major reasons... protectin and filtering...'
<_Cassiopia_> Protection is the most obvious reason. 
  We use a circle to psychically distance ourselves from the world, and to keep out any negaive or simply 
  random energies that may be floating around...
<_Cassiopia_> Another, possibly more important 
  is to filter out the real world. This takes on two 
  meanings, itself. To filter out the physical distractions, like the TV or your roommate talking or your dogs barking.
<_Cassiopia_> Also, to filter out the psychic distractions, your worries about the baby's cough, about the bills that need to be paid, that big term paper... anything that's not related directly to the matter at hand.
<_Cassiopia_> Circles can be conceivably cast for any reason. The two major ones are magick works and celebrations, and any deep meditations (like dreamwalking, astral plane work, etc.).
<_Cassiopia_> We cast circles during magick works and celebrations mainly for filtering (and to protect, if doing magick)... we do the same for meditation, but the protection factor is more important than if, say, you're just celebrating an Estbat.
[22:47]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, Moontide?
[22:47]  the spelling of esbat, is that an error or a different spelling?
<_Cassiopia_> That's correct.
[22:48]  okay just never saw 
   that
<_Cassiopia_> It's one of the possible 
  spellings...
[22:49]  kind of like witch and witche?
<_Cassiopia_> Yes....
<_Cassiopia_> Now, for the actual casting 
  of the circle.
<_Cassiopia_> I'm going to discuss a hypothetical circle casting. This is from my tradition, which is to say an eclectic one... I'm mostly self taught *read:almost all from practical knowledge, no teacher...* so this is a bit from here, a bit from there...
<_Cassiopia_> Most of this is also very individual... I encourage you to write your own invocation, etc... that's how I did it, and it's much more meaningful, 
  IMO, if you do...
<_Cassiopia_> The first thing you need to do is consider what, when and where your circle is and will be used for.
<_Cassiopia_> You need to consider what you will be doing in your circle when choosing your tools.
[22:57]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, mist?
[22:57]  Any time you are using 
   Magic do you cast a circle?
[22:58]  I mean do you do it 
   every time?
<_Cassiopia_> Anytime you're performing a new work of magick, you need to cast a circle... when USING magick, it's not always possible (i.e. you're using an amulet... etc.)
[22:59]  thank you
<_Cassiopia_> If you need to focus your energies to do something... cast the circle first.
<_Cassiopia_> NP...
[22:59]  ok
<_Cassiopia_> The tools you take into a circle are determined by what you are going to be doing... for example, if you are meditating, you may only want a 
  candle... if you are doing a magickal working you may want to include many, many tools...
<_Cassiopia_> One good rule of thumb is if you THINK you may POSSIBLY want it... take it. It's better to have and not need than need and not have.
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, it IS possible to leave a circle and come back... it's just a lot more trouble than it's worth, IMO...
<_Cassiopia_> There are two common permutations of the traditional circle casting. The one ring and the three ring variety.
<_Cassiopia_> The one ring circle is cast by using an athame or wand/staff to circle the area. (You will need to cleanse the area first... a sage broom or some cleansing inscense through the area will do it... sweeping is the best way.)
<_Cassiopia_> Typically, a circle is cast from North around clockwise (deosil). It can be uncast widdershins (counter-clockwise) or deosil. However, in some traditions, casting a circle widdershins can be done for banishing spells...
[23:08]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, mist?
[23:09]  @
[23:09]  The tools that you take in..do you purify them first?
<_Cassiopia_> You can... it is actually perferrable to do so. However, they can be cleansed in the cirle if time/space/preference dictates.
[23:10]  @
[23:10]  thank you
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, Lucard?
[23:11]  When workin with Akasha/Spirit is that cast last Dismissed First??
<_Cassiopia_> When working with Akasha, yes, it is last cast, first dismissed... 
[23:11]  Which Akasha beig CEnter.. 
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, Moontide?
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, Akasha being center...
[23:12]  okay, my question stems off of mists
[23:12]  i've read when 
   working magick, you need purified 
   tools...
[23:12]  and to purifiy them you need a purified sacred space....
<_Cassiopia_> Yes... that's one of the great quandries...
[23:13]  @
[23:13]  and u purify your ss with purified tools...
[23:13]  how do you do that when you need purifed tools to purify the space you need to purify your tools?
[23:13]  :)
<_Cassiopia_> The best way to do it then is to sweep the space with a sage broom (purified doesn't matter) and then cat your circle with sea salt, that has been purified in moonlight...
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, exotica
[23:14]  ok...i know this is a little off the topic but how do u know if there are spirits in your house??
<_Cassiopia_> Moonlight (FULL moon light) is one of the best and easiest ways to purify your tools... you only need to CONSECRATE them in the circle, really.
<_Cassiopia_> How do you know? I'm not sure... I'm not good with spirits....
[23:15]  okay now i understand.....
[23:15]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, buqnaqd?
[23:16]  Can you keep the tools purified once they're clean?
<_Cassiopia_> To some extent, yes. They won't instantly get 'unclean' but they will pick up some psychic 'static' after sitting around a while.... I cleanse all my stones every full moon, just to make sure they're clean (whether or not I've used them)
<_Cassiopia_> The 'three ring' circle... not CIRCUS, CIRCLE... is a little more complex. It is cast in purified space (see the sage broom fairy again) and is traced around with salted water (earth and water) and inscense (air nad fire) as well as the athame or wand/staff.
[23:21]  @
<_Cassiopia_> The same directions and start/end place apply here as in the one ring circle.
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, moontide?
[23:22]  @
[23:22]  is this type of circle of or used in Druidry do you know by any chance? i just hought with the 3 stuff
<_Cassiopia_> Moontide... all goddess religions use the 'three stuff'. The three aspects of the goddess... Druids do, but so do MANY other traditions.
<_Cassiopia_> shtpns, go ahead
[23:23]  how would one Moon-cleanse there tools ...
[23:24]  @
[23:24] * shthpns is also waiting for his nick ghost to go away to change back to his original nick
<_Cassiopia_> Moon cleansing is very easy. Somply take your tools out, lay them in the moonlight, and let the light touch every surface.
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, StTeemu?
[23:26]  Is one type of circle preferable to the other?
<_Cassiopia_> Not really...
<_Cassiopia_> It's a personal preference, not a good/bad thing.
<_Cassiopia_> In most, if not ALL circles, the five elements are mentioned/recognized/acknowledged.
[23:29]  @
<_Cassiopia_> There are several ways to do this. One simple way is to have a candle at each of the points. THe elements are Earth/North/green, Air/East/yellow, Fire/South/red, Water/West/blue and Akasha/Center/pur
  ple.
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, moontide?
[23:31]  how do you aknoledge 5 Spririt? Where do you stand? or point
[23:32]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Spirit is in the center.
<_Cassiopia_> Use your imagination... or 
  the altar...
[23:34]  right, so do you say your invocations to the sky or the center of the circle
<_Cassiopia_> yes, vitki...
[23:35]  the 5th element?
<_Cassiopia_> It's spirit.
<_Cassiopia_> Akasha.
[23:35]  ahIC okie....
<_Cassiopia_> Another way is to have a physical representation of each element. Earth can be a dish of soil, or clay, or salt. Air can be inscense, a feather, or a bell. Fire can be a candle or an oil lamp, water can be a cup of water or ice, or a cauldron, and akasha... well... that's up to you... many use pentacles (even though it has associations with earth) 
  or other similar things... akasha is pretty free-form...
<_Cassiopia_> Invocations traditionally go at each point.
<_Cassiopia_> These are invitations to come and requests for help, not demands or summonings.
<_Cassiopia_> The elementals/sylphs/angels/faeries/etc. that govern each point are MUCH bigger than you and if you piss them off too badly they'll sit on you... to be blunt.
<_Cassiopia_> DON'T presume to 'control'
   them.
[23:49]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, buqnaqd
[23:51]  When you and lucard were speaking about "dismissing" the spirit I wondered if perhaps dismiss was the word you meant to use?
<_Cassiopia_> Yes... Lucard (and I know this for a fact, since he's in my circle) has a tendancy to forget some of the correct terms. It's not really 'dismissing' 
as saying "Ok, I'm done... thanks for showing up!"
[23:52]  :)
<_Cassiopia_> OK... back to what I was saying...
<_Cassiopia_> There are some 'traditional' invocations for the elements...... lots of them, in fact.
<_Cassiopia_> _I_ don't use any of the 'traditional' invocations.
<_Cassiopia_> Me and my circle make them up on the spot.
<_Cassiopia_> That's one of the advantages of being eclectic... you can do that.
<_Cassiopia_> Right now, I want all of you to do something.
<_Cassiopia_> I want everyone to think of their associations with the elements.
<_Cassiopia_> What do you think of when you think of them... one word...
<_Cassiopia_> Start with earth.
<_Cassiopia_> Think of this word, and type it... ONE word, maybe two... no more.
<_Cassiopia_> I want to hear from everyone.
[0:00]  oneness
[0:00]  home
[0:00]  nurturer
[0:00]  with
[0:00] <^Amara^> trust
[0:00]  dark rich
[0:00]  strength
[0:00]  stability
[0:00]  home
[0:00]  mother
[0:00]  mother
[0:01]  rustic
[0:01]  warm
<_Cassiopia_> 
<_Cassiopia_> Now you see what the 
  possibilities are?
<_Cassiopia_> Now, try it again. Type in the word that you associate with air.
[0:02]  connection
[0:02]  calmness
[0:02]  life
[0:02]  wind
[0:02] <^Amara^> freedom
[0:02]  free
[0:02]  free
[0:02]  free
[0:02]  whispy
[0:02]  white
[0:02]  wind
<_Cassiopia_> Now, with fire... 
[0:03]  free
[0:03]  will
[0:03]  trust
[0:03]  energy
[0:03] <^Amara^> force
[0:03]  flames
[0:03]  passion
[0:03]  force
[0:03]  energy
[0:03]  strentgh
[0:03]  passion
[0:03]  sear
[0:03]  haven
[0:03]  seductive
<_Cassiopia_> And with water... one word...
[0:04]  life
[0:04]  womb
[0:04]  feeling
[0:04]  mutability
[0:04]  life
[0:04]  pure
[0:04]  life
[0:04]  purity
[0:04]  mommy
[0:04]  love
[0:04]  home
[0:04] <^Amara^> life
<_Cassiopia_> And with spirit?
[0:05]  fluidity
[0:05]  friend
[0:05]  spark
[0:05]  unknownall
[0:05]  essence
[0:05]  force
[0:05]  free
[0:05]  sole
[0:05]  soul
[0:05]  oneness
[0:05]  errr...soul
[0:05]  soul
[0:06] <^Amara^> peace
[0:06]  O..all
<_Cassiopia_> Now, you see what you can come up with in just one word. Read over these words, and you'll see some of the possibilities for a free-form invocation.
<_Cassiopia_> All are right... and none are...
<_Cassiopia_> There is NO right answer.
<_Cassiopia_> So there can be no wrong one, either....
<_Cassiopia_> I'm not going to tell you what you should do for an invocation... there are enough places that will tell you that... I'll just suggest what way to go, if you want to have a free-form, personal circle.
<_Cassiopia_> After you have done your elements... it is time to do your invocations/appeals to goddess and god.
<_Cassiopia_> Same kind of exercise, here.
<_Cassiopia_> First, give me a word for the maiden aspect of the goddess...
[0:13]  help
[0:13] <^Amara^> love
[0:13]  Passionate!
[0:13]  light
[0:13]  nurturing
[0:14]  beauty
[0:14]  runner
[0:14]  mother
[0:14]  love
[0:14]  mother
[0:14]  innocent
[0:14]  silver
<_Cassiopia_> And for the mother aspect?
[0:15] <^Amara^> mother
[0:15]  nurturer
[0:15]  life
[0:15]  care
[0:15]  open arms
[0:15]  sown
[0:15]  holder
[0:15]  love
[0:15]  provider
[0:15]  drfrwhenfoy
[0:15]  love
[0:15]  benign
[0:15]  guidance
<_Cassiopia_> and crone?
[0:16]  wisdom
[0:16]  wisdom
[0:16]  caring
[0:16]  Ender.
[0:16] <^Amara^> continuation
[0:16]  all
[0:16]  wisdom
[0:16]  wisdom
[0:16]  death
[0:16]  wise
<_Cassiopia_> And for the god... 
[0:17]  defense
[0:17]  opener
[0:17]  strong
[0:17]  Nurturer.
[0:17]  power
[0:17]  helper
[0:17]  strength
[0:17] <^Amara^> provider
[0:17]  passion
<_Cassiopia_> You see the range of answers?
[0:18]  hunter
<_Cassiopia_> I guess you're wondering why I'm doing this... The main reason is so that you can see that the 'traditional' way of doing things sin't always (or even most of the time) the only way...
[0:19]  sun
[0:20]  nooo entiendo ingleees!!
<_Cassiopia_> Now, to close a circle...
<_Cassiopia_> The process is backwards of the initial part.
<_Cassiopia_> But wait! I'm skipping a section!
<_Cassiopia_> The MIDDLE! 
<_Cassiopia_> That's the most difficult part... that's what YOU have to decide...
<_Cassiopia_> That can be meditation, magick... whatever.
<_Cassiopia_> Usually, you do whatever it was you came to do, then you have 'Cakes and Ale".
<_Cassiopia_> This can be anything from traditional crescet-shaped almond cookies and homemade ale to Double-Stuff Oreos and milk (my circle's choice....)
<_Cassiopia_> When doing cakes and ale, you always save a bit and pour it on the ground or bury it.... as an offering to those that provided it.
<_Cassiopia_> One final word, and then I'll take questions... 
<_Cassiopia_> When casting your circle, always consider the question "Does it feel right?" and not "Is this traditionally correct?"
<_Cassiopia_> If it's right, you'll know it.
<_Cassiopia_> OK... now, are there any 
  questions?
[0:31]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, vitki
[0:31]  if you don't feel that it's right what do you do...do it over?
<_Cassiopia_> Stop, figure out where it went haywire, and fix it.
[0:32]  @
[0:32]  k
[0:32]  @
[0:32]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, Finrus?
[0:32]  How do you cast low level circles in your house
[0:33]  Circles that are to remain always
<_Cassiopia_> Those are the same as wards...
<_Cassiopia_> You cast them with runes around the house... you don't have to do an entire 'circle' around a house.
<_Cassiopia_> You empower runes at strategic places...
[0:35]  ok 
[0:35]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Orion, go ahead. Then buqnaqd.
<_Cassiopia_> Vitki, after buqnadq.
[0:36]  Thank you,  would you say there is anytime that a circle is not advisable
<_Cassiopia_> If you feel like the energies are wrong at the time... if you feel threatened or feel 'bad' about what's going on... stop, ground the energy, and wait. That's the only time a circle's NOT advisab;e (but then, don't work ANY magick then.... don't even try to relight the pilot light on a stove, if you're that worried!)
[0:38]  What do you do if you need moonlight and it's foggy? Does it still count? (Good class by-the-way) :)
<_Cassiopia_> Moonlight is moonlight... even if it's foggy...
[0:39]  :)
<_Cassiopia_> If you can see the moon... it 'counts'.
[0:39]  thankjs
[0:39]  @
<_Cassiopia_> NP... and thank you!
<_Cassiopia_> Vikti, you're next.
<_Cassiopia_> Redmari, after vikti....
[0:40]  empower runes....and how  do i find out those strategic places..
<_Cassiopia_> Strategic places are like windows, doors, porches... places of note. As well as foundations, etc.
<_Cassiopia_> I taught a class on runes, if you'd like the log...
[0:41] * vitki nods
[0:41]  *
<_Cassiopia_> buqnadq, you want one too?
<_Cassiopia_> Anyone else?
[0:42]  *
[0:42]  yes :)
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, redmari?
[0:43]  Do you find that, even being eclectic, there are certain things, certain procedures that are constants in your circles... things that, if you didn't do them, the circle would seem incomplete? (Not talking about casting, calling quarters, but *ways* of doing 
things.)
[0:43]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes... there are... we have four original members in our circle, and we always call the four quarters. We have an order we prefer to use...some things repeat. They just don't stay the SAME all the time, though.
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, OldCrow?
[0:46]  some time I cast to my right some times to my left .could this be a problem?
<_Cassiopia_> No, not really. I explained earlier the 'traditional' way of doing it... but that's not to say that it's the RIGHT way....
[0:47]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, mist?
[0:48]  I am new to Wicca, do you have any logs that would be of help to me?
<_Cassiopia_> I have logs of the four previous classes I've taught. If anyone would like them, /msg me. THe classes are on symbols in magick, meditation, runes and candle magick.
[0:49]  I have the candle magick and now the runes
<_Cassiopia_> Would you like the other two?
[0:49]  Would like the others though too
[0:50]  Thank you
<_Cassiopia_> NP....
[0:50]  **
[0:50]  @
[0:51]  @
<_Cassiopia_> buqnadq... whatcha need?
<_Cassiopia_> broomcloset, get ready... Moontide, you too...
[0:52]  symbols and meditation logs
<_Cassiopia_> broomcloset, go ahead.
[0:52]  if the unthinkable happens and someone interrupts your ritual..what do you do then?
<_Cassiopia_> You stop, gather yourself, and redo it...
[0:53]  ok, thanks
[0:54]  thanks :)
<_Cassiopia_> Moontide?
[0:59]  yes
[0:59]  sorry i was cchattingmindlessly
<_Cassiopia_> Go ahead, Moontide.
<_Cassiopia_> NP....
[0:59]  okay, let me remeber
[1:00]  gosh, i'm sorry i completely forgot!
[1:00]  oops
<_Cassiopia_> It's no problem.
[1:00]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Does anyone else have a question?
<_Cassiopia_> vikti, go ahead.
[1:01]  any certian order i should read these logs?
[1:01]  besides from top to bottom
[1:01]  i mean dates...
<_Cassiopia_> Nope... they weren't taught in any order, so it doesn't matter....
[1:01]  ok
[1:03]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Go ahead, buqnadq
[1:04]  would it be possible to keep your tools in a secure place, cedar chest whatever and protect them with runes?
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, it would. That would minimize the 
  effects of stray 'noise' on them, but even having two 
  tools charged/consecrated for different purposes in 
  the same place will affect the others..
[1:06]  Thanks :)
<_Cassiopia_> No problem...
<_Cassiopia_> Any other questions?
[1:06]  can you wrap them individually?
<_Cassiopia_> Yes, you could... but it'll still not be QUITE as effective...
[1:07]  okay :)
[1:07]  thanks for a great class
[1:07]  @
<_Cassiopia_> Thanks, buqnadq....
<_Cassiopia_> Moontide, go ahead! (don't forgetm now!) ;-)
[1:08]  ok!
[1:08]  :)]
[1:09]  what is better salt water, or original holy water, and do u have  any recipies if so
<_Cassiopia_> Original holy water???
[1:09]  hand-made not x-ian
<_Cassiopia_> Yes... but I'm still not sure what you mean... like water that has been treated with something? I've never heard the term used in Wicca...
<_Cassiopia_> Salted water, using sea salt, its wonderful....
[1:12]  well, you consencrate with the light of the full moon, rose water, and own energy from your inner-eye chakra
[1:12]  and to your liking salt
<_Cassiopia_> Moontide... I'm sorry... never used that before..... not something I've had need of... where did you get that from?
[1:13]  then Starhawk's is just imagingy the Goddess energy thru you into the water
[1:14]  Silver Ravenwolf's "To Ride A Silver Broomstick"new generation wicca
<_Cassiopia_> Yes... have read the book... don't remember that, though. 
[1:16]  its her own recipie
[1:16]  so u just use seasalt water
<_Cassiopia_> That's an interesting idea, Moontide... I've never used them, personally, but if you'd like to, there is no reason you can't.
[1:18]  thank you though,:)
<_Cassiopia_> No problem... that's what I'm here for....
<_Cassiopia_> Any other questions?
[1:20]  Thank you for a great class, and the logs you sent me..
[1:20]  when is the next class?
<_Cassiopia_> If not.. I'm declaring this class over. Thanks for coming, and see you next SATURDAY (not Sunday) at same Witch time, Same Witch channel....
[1:21]  Rainbows are just to look at, not to understand . . .
[1:21]  MP
[1:21]  Thank you Cassiopia     MP  & Blessed Be
[1:21]  this has been really enlightening...thank you so much!...God/dess Bless!
[1:21]  ok..merry part and blessed be
[1:21]  MP all!
[1:21]  thank you
<_Cassiopia_> Thank you all! Merry Part!
[1:21]  thank you Cass.....i enjoyed the class and look foward to the next one
[1:22]  MP
[1:22]  thanks Cass :)
[1:22]  Thank you Cass.
<_Cassiopia_> You are welcome.
<_Cassiopia_> Merry Part, y'all....

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