While it's true that studies can begin in any direction that attracts you, the necessary first step must be learning to make psychic shields. There are "Things of the Dark" out there. There are any number of explanations for what these things might be-- ghosts, demons, or simply uncontrolled urges of the subconscious mind. In truth, it doesn't matter what they are. What does matter is that their effect is very real and unless they are put under your control, they will drag you over the borders of sanity into psychosis. You are most vulnerable to them while you're in an "open" trance or meditative state. That's why the wise practitioner always begins by taking steps to define exactly what will be permitted through the portals of their "psychic shields"-- no matter how simple the ritual. And this, in a nutshell, is what "protective magic" is about.
There are a number of ways to do this. The most common is to begin by drawing a circle (around a group or yourself) and invoking the one or more protective powers. Generally, this is done by candlelight, in front of an altar that holds certain magical objects. The circle may be further "secured" and "cleared" by using salt, salt water, rum, incense, or some other method. You may be wearing a special robe and will have taken a bath ( or performed a cleansing ritual) earlier. The powers that protect you will be called on and THEN you will begin your ritual.
Is it psychological? Absolutely! Is there a reason why protection rituals always take this form? Positively! Let's take a step back and see what you're actually doing and how the process works-- from a psychological standpoint-- and how to use this knowledge to help you refine your circles to enhance your rituals.
Psychologists and psychics alike view the mind's structure as a three-part entity: The ego (that which you think of as yourself), the superego (the "higher self") and the Id (the child within). The Id is, in a sense, a computer. Like most computers, it operates on the "garbage in-garbage out" principle. There's an old superstition "as you name something, so will it become." Tell yourself that you're very unlucky and your id will obligingly give you bad days by enhancing any negatives in your environment. Tell yourself that you are clumsy, and your id-computer will obligingly arrange for you to break a leg while stepping off the sidewalk. The bad news is that the Id can't make a judgement as to whether or not this is a good idea. It only knows that it's received these "instructions" and must carry them out. The good news is that you can actually program/reprogram this portion of your mind.
You begin programming this Internal Servant of yours by first drawing its attention to what you want done and then explaining what you need done in a simple and clear manner. Repeating the instructions in the chant help fix the goals for the Id-- rhymed chants seem to be easier for it to process. Each time you perform the ritual and repeat the chant, the programming is strengthened. Never mind that your ego and superego understand that you're going to program the child-like Id. It works just the same.
To direct the Id's attention to the process, you first have to impress it. Using special tools and clothing alert it that something unusual is going on and that it must pay attention. Acquiring hard-to-obtain items, drawing symbols, performing a symbolic sacrifice(donating money, say, to a good cause) are all ways of reinforcing the Id's impression that this ceremony is very special and that the result will be very powerful. Organized, meaningful symbols, speak to your subconscious mind in ways it understands, reinforcing the goals you have set.
Drawing the circle itself establishes boundaries within your environment ("The rest of the world can do what it likes Out There. All within this circle is in MY control!"). Purifying the circle and consecrating it (sprinkling water which has been blessed and salt added) further enforce your territory, defining the borders where you are "safe". Nothing can enter this area except what you invite inside. You further tighten these borders by calling on certain Powers.
You can call on any powers you like. Some use traditional Christian images. Others call up deities from the religion they are most comfortable with. And many people use the thought/image of a beam of light that represents either God/Goddess (whichever one they like) OR The power of light and life and goodness in the Universe.
The number of powers called as guardians varies. You may choose to invoke one powerful being to protect your circle. Or you might call on the Universal Being/Light AND four guardians (one for each quarter of the compass). A third approach is to use a guardian for the four quarters of the compass and no higher being. There is no "absolutely correct" system; the correct system is the one that YOU are comfortable with.
Take time to choose the guardians of your circle carefully. You should select guardians (gods or animals or some form of life) which have a deeper meaning to you and whose qualities are in harmony with your goals. For the new student, it's best to have all your Powers and Guardians from the same belief system/religion/mythic universe so that the symbols will be consistent and not confuse the Id.
You CAN use people-- saints, movie actors, figures from favorite books as guardians. DO, however, pick someone who's dead or non-existent. The dead can't argue with your interpretation of them, whereas the living may be highly offended to be approached as gods/ guardians).
As your studies continue, you will find that your totems or guardians change. This is to be expected; as you explore new realms in your studies, you may find you need guardians who deal with very specific areas to strengthen and guide you in these new fields.
But don't make the mistake of assuming that you'll become so powerful that you will never need the protection of the psychic shielding circle in some form. And don't assume that you will not need a circle for "positive" magicks such as healing. Open is open-- and open is vulnerable. And circles strengthen and protect you by defining what psychological influences will be allowed to work with you.
The magick circle may be fashioned with garlands of flowers sacred to the Goddess and God. Alternately, flowers can be scattered around the perimeter of the circle.
The point stones may be ringed with fresh flowers and herbs suitable to the elements, such as:
North: corn, cypress, fern, honeysuckle, wheat, vervain
East: acacia, bergamot, clover, dandelion, lavender, lemongrass, mint, mistletoe, parsley, pine
South: basil, carnation, cedar,chrysanthemum, dill, ginger, heliotrope, holly, juniper, marigold, peppermint
West: apple blossoms, lemon balm, camellia, catnip, daffodil, elder, gardenia, grape, heather, hibiscus, jasmine, orchid
Fresh flowers may be present on the altar or, if none are available, greens such as ferns may be used.
When casting the circle around a tree, you can use the fruit, leaves, nuts or flowers of that tree to mark out the circle, if desired.
Though any but poisonous plants can be used,such plants as these are recommended:
The magick circle can be laid out with crystals and stones, if desired, rather than with herbs.
Beginning and ending in the North, lay 7, 9, 21 or 40 quarts crystals of any size around the circle, either inside the cord or in place of it. If the ritual to be conducted within the circle is of a usual spiritual or magickal nature, place the quartz crystals with points outward. If of a protective nature, place with points facing inward.
If you use candles to mark the four quarters of the magick circle rather than large stones, ring each candle with any or all of the following stones:
East: Imperial Topaz, Citrine, Mica, Pumice
South: Amber, Obsidian, Rhodochrosite, Ruby, Lava, Garnet
West: Aquamarine,Chalcedony, Jade,Lapis Lazuli,Moonstone, Sugilite
The tool used to cast the circle can be an athame, wand, lit candle, or your index finger.
Walk thrice, doesil around the circle. On the first walk around the circle visualize white light projecting from the tip of the tool to form a perfect circle.
On the second walk. Repeat the following:
On the third walk say:
Call The Quarters. Use the tool to draw a pentical in each direction as you invoke them.
Perform your ritual/spell.
Open the circle by walking it thrice, widdershins. On the third walk say the following:
Thank the Powers that you invoked.
By the air that is Her breath,
By the fire that is Her bright spirit,
By the living waters of Her womb
And by the earth that is Her body,
The circle is cast and we are between the worlds.
Let the ritual begin.
Cast:
The East, the Air The sylphs, the wind Positive forces, I call you in.
The South, the Fire, Spirits of the flames, my kin, Positive forces, I call you in.
The West, the Waters, The undines, the seas, Positive forces, Please come to me.
The North, the Earth, The plants, the gnomes, I call to the positive forces Within the loam!
And back to East again. As above, so below. This circle is cast.
Dismiss/Open:
The North, the gnomes, The plants, the Earth, I thank thee for attending This magic's birth.
The Waters, the undines, The seas, the West, I thank thee for being here To bring about the best.
The South, the spirits, The flames, the Fire, I thank thee for thy help In attaining my desires.
The East, the wind, The sylphs, the Air, I thank thee all For being here. And back to North again.
The circle is open, but unbroken.
So mote it be.