The act of calling the Quarters is an integral part of creating a circle, the sacred space in which Wiccans perform ritual and magick. Each time an individual or a coven meets, they create a safe space in which to work and worship. In short, every circle is a portable temple existing outside of the mundane world, where magick can be performed.
Directions VS. Quarters
The Quarters reside in the cardinal directions of east, south, west, and north. But you are doing more than merely noting the points on the compass when you call them. Actually, when you call the Quarters, you are performing a two-fold task; #1 inviting the powers of the four elements - Air, Fire, Water, and Earth to protect and guard the circle, and #2 inviting the qualities associated with those elements to become part of your magick.
The Quarters are often hailed as Guardians of the Watchtowers, referring to their protective role. You want to invite the qualities of each element so that your circle and magick will be balanced, containing the powers of imagination, will, love, and manifestation to make them complete.
Here is a list of some Quarter correspondences:
Direction - element, animal, qualities, East - air, eagle, intellect, imagination
South - fire, salamander, will, passion
West - water, dolphin, emotions, love North - earth, bear or bull, stability, manifestation
~Calling Quarters~
When calling a Quarter, you are using many of your senses at once it's a kinesthetic experience. You will use body movements { called mudra }, voice, sight, touch, hearing, and mind.
To call a Quarter:
Step one: Face in the direction of the Quarter.
Step two: Visualize the Quarter and draw it to you.
Step three: Draw an invoking pentagram.
Step four: Recite words that salute and address the Quarter.
Step five: Fill yourself with the element.
Step one is pretty obvious. You and everyone in your circle should face the direction being called. Sometimes it is useful to prompt the members of the circle to turn to the direction being called;
"Let us face the east, place of dawn"
Some groups alert the Quarter before calling it by ringing a chime. Others ask a question, such as
"Who will call the Powers of the East?"
or
"Who will speak for the East?"
The last is useful if your general style is loose or you do not select your Quarter callers beforehand. Anyone moved to call that Quarter then steps up, and says,
"I shall speak for the East"
then continues with the formal call.
Step two can be accomplished in many ways. One common way is to recall in your mind a particularly vivid image. For example, using the element Air, you may recall a particularly intense tropical storm that bent the trees in half, or you may have very pleasant associations with a warm, spring day, when a gentle breeze cooled you during a favorite walk and you can feel that breeze on your skin even as you call the Quarter. Either of these would be appropriate for the element Air.
Whatever you choose, remember that it should contain a strong sense of the Element. It is also best to stick to one image at a time; trying to visualize every vivid Air image in memory can put you in a whirlwind.
Each Archangel is dressed in robes colored to match the Quarter. Raphael, in the East, is dressed primarily in yellow; Michael, in the South, is dressed primarily in red; Gabriel, in the West, is dressed primarily in blue; and Uriel, in the North, is dressed primarily in green. If possible, imagine the Archangel in a landscape appropriate to its element. You may picture Gabriel standing near a river, waterfall, or ocean, holding a shell or cup, for example. When you use this method of calling, you should speak, resound, or 'vibrate' the name of the Archangel.
Still another way to visualize the quarter would be to see the animal associated with the Quarter and call to it.Another common method of visualizing the approaching Quarter is to see the Archangel associated with the Quarter coming toward you. The Archangels are powerful guardians and calling them to the circle has its origins in Ceremonial Magick { as does calling the Quarters }.In step three you will draw an invoking pentagram specific to each Quarter. As you do so, everyone in the circle can draw along with you. The invoking and dismissing { sometimes called banishing }. These are based on those given in the Key of Solomon and as developed later by Eliphas Levi. Each point on the pentagram corresponds to an element. To invoke the element, you begin drawing the pentagram from the point opposite to it, move toward it, then continue the pentagram until you end up at the starting point. The dismissing pentagram begins at the point of the element and moves away from it, as though you are casting the element away.In step four, you will verbally salute the Quarter and address it, asking it to come to the circle. The words used may flow spontaneously or be composed ahead of time and memorized. When you are working in a group, it is often more harmonious to compose a standard set of Quarter calls to be used by each caller.The use and repetition of this set of words helps ease you and the group into ritual space, leaving your mind free to visualize and assume the character and feel of the element. In addition, you will develop a rhythm, so that you all move and function together. The words you use should be easily understood by all and brief. It can become tiresome and distracting to stand with your arms raised during a 10 minute, rambling Quarter call. On the other hand, a beautifully poetic, spontaneous call may be more appropriate at other times. There is nothing like being surprised by the brilliant eloquence and imagination of a fellow covener that speaks from the heart when calling a Quarter to a special circle.During the invocation, you should speak clearly and with confidence. You are summoning a great force to come to the circle, one that is to be respected. Here is a sample of a standard Quarter call for the East Quarter. Make up three others that follow a similar pattern.
"All hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East! Element of Air, I call upon thee. You who are the winds, breezes, and zephyrs of all kinds; who are also intelligence and imagination. Great eagle of the eastern sky, I summon, stir, and call thee up"In each formula the Guardian is hailed, its element is called, a series of physical images are brought to mind, its qualities are identified, and its animal is named. Finally, you summon it with all your power to be present.
Now, let's put it all together. Facing the East, with your hand raised to the right, or using your athame, draw the invoking pentagram while you visualize the element coming toward you, and say: "All hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East. Element of Air, I call upon thee. You who are the winds, breezes, and zephyrs of all kinds; who are also intelligence and imagination. Great eagle of the eastern sky, I summon, stir, and call thee up."Fill yourself with the element. Salute the Quarter by touching your hand or the athame to your lips. Then turn to the next Quarter and continue.
~ Thanking and Dismissing ~
Dismissing the Quarters is can be as formal or less formal as calling them. To dismiss the Quarter, start at the North { or at whichever Quarter that you last called } and proceed counterclockwise. Draw the dismissing pentagram, thank the Quarter for being present, then release it. The
North caller might say:
"Guardian of the North, element of Earth, thank you for being present in this circle. We thank you for lending us your stability and strength. Hail and farewell!"
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