Firesilk's Book of Shadows

Casting a Circle

The casting of a circle is a primary element in any Wiccan Ritual, and there are literally hundreds of ways to do it, none are more or less correct than any other. This is mine. Center and ground. Starting in the East take a handful of salt in your left hand and your wand in your right. Trace the circle clockwise with your wand. As you walk around say: The Outermost Circle is the Circle of the Body. At each of the four quarters pause , sprinkle some of the salt and say: I create sacred space. Be thou purified by the Salt of the Earth. Return to the altar and take up the Athame in the right hand and the chalice(with Holy Water) in the left. Starting again in the East, trace the second circle with your Athame. As you walk say: The Middle Circle is the Circle of the Mind At each of the four quarters pause , sprinkle some of the water and say: I create sacred space. Be thou purified by the Water of Life. Return to the altar and take up your incense. Starting in the East draw the final circle. As you walk around say: The Innermost Circle is the Circle of the Spirit. At each of the four quarters pause , draw a pentagram in the air with the incense and say: I create sacred space. Be thou purified by the Perfume of Spirit. Return to the altar and invoke the God and the Goddess: SOL OSIRIS SLAIN AND RISEN I CALL TO THEE HOLY ART THOU LORD OF THE RIVER HOLY ART THOU LORD OF THE SKY HOLY ART THOU LORD OF THE LIGHT OSIRIS GREAT FATHER I REST IN THEE GRANT ME THY WISDOM HERE IN THIS SACRED SPACE OSIRIS GREAT FATHER I LIVE IN THEE GRANT ME THY STRENGTH HERE IN THIS SACRED SPACE OSIRIS GREAT FATHER I WAIT FOR THEE GRANT ME THY POWER HERE IN THIS SACRED SPACE VIRGO ISIS MIGHTY MOTHER I CALL TO THEE HOLY ART THOU LADY OF THE MOON HOLY ART THOU LADY OF BIRTH HOLY ART THOU LADY OF THE DARKNESS ISIS MIGHTY MOTHER I DREAM OF THEE GRANT ME THY LOVE HERE IN THIS SACRED SPACE ISIS MIGHTY MOTHER I GROW IN THEE GRANT ME THY PATIENCE HERE IN THIS SACRED SPACE ISIS MIGHTY MOTHER I WAIT FOR THEE GRANT ME THY POWER HERE IN THIS SACRED SPACE O QUEEN OF THE EARTH, KING OF THE SKY I INVITE YOU INTO MY HEART AND INTO MY CIRCLE TO HELP ME IN THIS INVOCATION TO HELP ME IN THE GREAT WORK AND THEREBY HELP OTHERS Return to the altar and face East, say: Elemental spirits of the East Creatures of the Holy Formless Air Which blows throught the Hidden Depths of the Universe Hear thou the Voice of Air Flashing, bounding, revolving It whirls forth and cries aloud O Guardians of the Element of Air Be thou also guardians of this Magick Circle Keep away the evil and the unbalanced Strengthen and inspire me So that I may preserve in purity This abode of mysteries. Face South, say: Elemental spirits of the South Creatures of the Holy Formless Fire Which darts and flashes through the Hidden Depths of the Universe Hear thou the Voice of Fire The fire that flames and consumes Banishing all phantoms O Guardians of the Element of Fire Be thou also guardians of this Magick Circle Keep away the evil and the unbalanced Strengthen and inspire me So that I may preserve in purity This abode of mysteries. Face West, say: Elemental spirits of the West Creatures of the Holy Formless Water Which flows through the Hidden Depths of the Universe Hear thou the Voice of Water The lustral water of the loud resounding sea The wrath of waves upon the shore, now and evermore O Guardians of the Element of Water Be thou also guardians of this Magick Circle Keep away the evil and the unbalanced Strengthen and inspire me So that I may preserve in purity This abode of mysteries. Face North, say: Elemental spirits of the North Creatures of the Holy Formless Earth Which lies at the Hidden Depths of the Universe Hear thou the Voice of Earth A black ever-rolling abyss A voice both mute and void O Guardians of the Element of Earth Be thou also guardians of this Magick Circle Keep away the evil and the unbalanced Strengthen and inspire me So that I may preserve in purity This abode of mysteries. Face East once more and say: The Circle is Cast Let none breach its walls For within is holy, without profane Within is spirit, without mundane By the Sky above, the Earth below As I will it, so mote it be! This place is blessed now times three. To close the circle: Say: The Circle is Undone but not broken I release all spirits to their proper abodes You came in peace, depart in peace My blessings upon you Thank the Lord and Lady for attending and then walk three times around the circle counter-clockwise. When the last circle is complete. Slap the Earth three times and say: I release all energies here raised to their right and proper places.