General Ritual - Casting a Circle

Tools: 2 White Altar candles, 1 Yellow candle for the East, 1 Red candle for the South, 1 Green candle for the West, 1 Blue candle for the North, White cord (optional) to mark your Circle, Wine or juice, cakes or cookies, Bell

Ring the bell three times. Light the colored candles with an Altar candle (starting in the East go deosil). At each Quarter say:

(East) "Here do I bring light and Air in at the East to illuminate my temple and bring it the Breath of Life."

(South) "Here do I bring light and Fire in at the South to illuminate my temple and bring it warmth.

(West) "Here do I bring light and Water in at the West to illuminate my temple and wash it clean

(North) "Here do I bring light and Earth in at the North to illuminate my temple and build it in strength

Go to the East. Imagine a blue-light entering your head and down your dominant hand. With your finger, focus the light and direct it at the Circle. Walk aroundt the Circle deosil and say:

"I cast and conjure thee O Circle of Art, to set this temple between the worlds." (End in the East and say:) "So Mote It Be!"

Go back to the Altar. Take the bowl of salt and place your finger into it. Say:

"I purify this salt and drive out all impurities that I may use it throughtout this rite. So Mote It Be!"

Drop three portions of salt in the water (using the tip of your Athame). Say:

"Let the sacred salt drive out any impurities in this water that I may use it throughout this rite. So Mote It Be!"

With the sacred water, move to the East and (going deosil) sprinkle the Circle. As you go, say: Move back to the Altar and light the incense. Go back to the East again and (deosil) stop at each Quarter and say:

(East) "Hail the element of Air, Watchtower of the East, may it stand in strength ever watching over this Circle.

(South) "Hail the element of Fire, Watchtower of the South, may it stand in strength ever watching over this Circle.

(West) "Hail the element of Water, Watchtower of the West, may it stand in strength ever watching over this Circle.

(North) "Hail the element of Earth, Watchtower of the North, may it stand in strength ever watching over this Circle.

Go back to the Altar and say: "Hail the four Quarters and hail the Gods. I bid the Lord and Lady welcome and invite Them to join me, witnessing these Rites I hold in Their honor. Hail to the Gods! The temple is now erect! So Mote It Be!

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