Finding the Path

Casting the Circle

( Adapted From: The Spiral Dance)

Start with candles lit at the cardinal points and a cauldron in the center of the Circle area..

Start at the altar. With unsheathed Athame salute the Sky and Earth.

At the East corner raise Athame and call out:

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East,
Powers of Air!
I invoke you and call you,
Golden Eagle of the Dawn,
Star - seeker,
Whirlwind,
Rising Sun,
Come!
By the air that is Her breath,
Send forth your light,
Be here now!

As you speak, trace an invoking Pentagram in the air with your Athame. See it, in glowing pale blue flame, and through it feel a great onrush of wind. Breathe deeply, drawing in the power, then ground it through your Athame, pointing it at the ground.

Trace the Circle as you continues around the edge. The other quarters are similarly called in turn:

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtower of the South,
Powers of Fire!
I invoke you and call you,
Red Lion of the noon heat,
Flaming One!
Summer’s warmth,
Spark of life, Come!
By the fire that is Her spirit,
Send forth your flame,
Be here now!

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtower of the West,
Powers of Water!
I invoke you and call you,
Serpent of the Watery abyss,
Rainmaker,
Gray-robed Twilight,
Evening Star! Come!
By the waters of Her living womb,
Send forth your flow,
Be here now!

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtower of the North,
Powers of Earth,
Cornerstone of all Power
I invoke you and call you,
Lady of the Outer Darkness,
Black Bull of Midnight,
North Star,
Center of the Whirling sky Stone,
Mountain,
Fertile Field, Come!
By the earth that is her body,
Send forth your strength,
Be here now!

As you complete the Circle, again salute the sky and earth, turn and touch the tip of your Athame to the central cauldron and say:

The Circle is cast. I am between the worlds. Beyond the bounds of time,
Where night and day Birth and Death Joy and sorrow Meet as one.

You may now continue with other magical workings, closing the circle when you are complete.