Finding the Path

Casting the Circle

This first ritual is followed by a second similiar but simplier form. There are also others included in this book. Choose whichever works best for you or create your own.

Preparations

Place a candle in each of the four cardinal directions.Lay the rest of the tools on the altar cloth or near it. The altar can be on the ground, a table, a rock or a stump. The altar should be in the center or just north of center of the Circle. Light the six candles and the incense, start the music and begin the ritual.

THE RITUAL

Facing North, kneel in front of the altar . Put the bowl of water on the altar, place the point of
your athame in it and say:

"I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water, that thou cast out from thee all impurities and uncleanliness of the world of phantasm; in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia"

Put down athame and hold up the bowl of water in both hands. Put the bowl of salt on the altar,
puts your athame in the salt and say:

"Blessings be upon this Creature of Salt; let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hence, and let all good enter herein; wherefore so I bless thee, that thou mayest aid me, in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia."

Put down athame and pour the salt into the bowl of water. Draw the Circle with the athame, visualizing the power flowing into the Circle from off the end of the athame. Draw the Circle in a East to North or deosil or clockwise direction.
Say:

"I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou beest a place of love and joy and truth; a shield against all wickedness and evil; a boundary between men and the realms of the Mighty Ones; a rampart and protection that shall preserve and contain the power that I shall raise within thee. Wherefore do I bless thee and consecrate thee, in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia."

Strengthen the Circle, by carring the bowl of consecrated water from East to East going deosil, sprinkling the perimeter as you go, lastly blessing yourself with the water. Repeat with incense and then the altar candle.

Each time say:

"Black spirits and white,
Red spirits and grey,
Harken to the rune I say.
Four points of the Circle, weave the spell,
East, South, West, North, your tale tell.
East is for break of day,
South is white for the noontide hour,
In the West is twilight grey,
And North is black, for the place of power.
Three times round the Circle's cast.
Great ones, spirits from the past,
Witness it and guard it fast."

Pickup your athame and face the East, say:

"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, ye Lords of Air; I do summon, stir, and call you up to witness these rites and to guard the Circle."

As you speak draw an Invoking Pentagram in the air with your athame.Turn and faces the South and repeat the summoning:

"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, ye Lords of Fire; I do summon, stir and call you up, to witness these rites and to guard the Circle."

Draw same pentagram and then face West and say :

"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, ye Lords of Water, ye Lords of Death and
Initiation; I do summon, stir, and call you up, to witness these rites and to guard the Circle."

Face North and say:

"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, ye Lords of Earth; Boreas, thou gentle guardian of the Northern Portals; thou powerful God and gentle Goddess; we do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our rites and to guard the Circle."

The Circle is completed and sealed. If you need to leave, a gate must be made. Using the sword, draw out part of the Circle with a widdershins or counterclockwise stroke. Immediately reseal it and then repeat the opening and closing when you returns.

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

You may substiture your preferance in Deities
Adapted from a coven ritual based on the following:
Farrar, Janet and Stewart; "Eight Sabbats For Witches"; Robert Hale 1983
Valiente, Doreen; "Witchcraft for Tomorrow"; Phoenix Publishing 1985