casting

Casting and Closing a Circle
Have your altar and tools prepared and mark your circle with quarter candles. Move to the middle of the circle and state while spinning in a doesil direction, saying these words: "I open my hand and the circle grows, It encompasses and protects me, As above, So below, This circle is sealed" Then follows the call of the quarters, beginning in the North, light each candle while invoking that quarter; saying these words: "North the power of Fire, West the power of Earth, South the power of Air, East the power of Water, Assist me now." *please note - you can change the meanings/symbology of each direction to suit yourself, this is just "my way". While lighting the candles visualize a growing sphere that encompasses your sacred space. To close the circle, release the quarters. Say the following words while walking around the circle, snuffing out each candle as you go: "East, South, West and North: I Thank You for your assistance May we meet again in love and trust" Move to the center of the circle, raise your hands above your head and slowly bring them down to your sides while moving around the circle saying these words as you go: "I close my hand and the circle shrinks, This circle is open But never broken The circle is now open" ~ Cutting A Doorway ~ At times one may have to leave the circle, which is fine. Although, passing through the circle dissipates it but to prevent this from occurring it is traditional to cut a doorway. To cut a doorway you must face the Northeast, holding your athame pinting downwards towards the ground. See and sence the circle before you pierce its wall of enegry with the athame and trace the an archway. The archway should be tall enough to walk through moving counter clockwise along the circle for about three feet. Move the point of the athame up to the arch's center and down the other side until it is near the ground. As you are doing this visualize that area of the circle's energy being suked back into the athame. This creates a void allowing passage in and out of the circle. Pull the athame out of the circle's wall and you're free to walk outside. Once you are back inside close the door by placing the athame at the lower Northeastern point of the archway. With your athame trace the circles perimeter clockwise as if you were redrawing that portion of the circle. Again, visualize blue or purple engery flaring out from the athame and cconvergng with the rest of the circle. It is done.

~ Basic Circle Etiquette ~
* Remember as you enter a circle, it is a religious/sacred space. Behave in a respectful manner, especially if you enter a circle which is not necessarily of your tradition. Honour the paths of each and every circle participant. *Speak to the High Priest or High Priestess well before the ritual if you have any doubts or questions. Let them know if you have any special needs {such as non-alcoholic 'wine', seating due to illness or infirmity and etc.} * A ritual bath with intent to purify {or a shower} should be taken before entering a Circle/ritual. * Do not enter a Circle under the influence of drugs or alcohol as this will affect your ability to focus your energy and power during the working. The exception to this may be in a ritual where the sacrament is a drug or alcoholic beverage with a particular goal in mind. However, this is generally imbibed during the ritual. Remember you are not obligated to take a drug or alcohol but please find out if it is a necessary part of ritual before it begins. You can choose to participate or not. * If you are feeling negative, such as depressed, angry, jealous, resentful or any other emotion that may affect the ritual, speak to the HP or HPS beforehand. Ask for healing, a back rub, a massage or whatever may assist you in preparing for ritual. * Do not break the circle once it has been cast. If you need to leave for an important reason, you should cut a doorway or ask the HP or HPS to do this for you. The doorway should be closed if and when you return. * Do not go along to any Circle that you have not been invited to unless it has been advertised as a public event. * Because a ritual is a serious religious Rite, considerable power and energy may be raised. Please follow the ritual as instructed by the HP and/or HPS. Stay focussed on the working and ensure that all of your personal energy and power is directed toward the goal. * When moving around the circle, always follow the direction in which the circle has been cast. This is generally deosil {in the southern hemisphere, counter-clockwise; in the northern hemisphere, clockwise}. * Shoes and watches should be removed before entering the Circle {the exception to this may be outdoor rituals in inclement weather as decided by the HP or HPS}. * Set aside some clothing, if generally worn by you in ritual, that will act as your ritual clothing. This may be a robe or cloak, or other clothing only used for ritual purposes. Keep it clean and purified for each ritual. * While in Circle, do not touch any ritual objects, other than your own, without permission. They will easily absorb energy and the owner will probably not appreciate this.