Generally, spells and rituals require the casting of a circle. The circle is used to invoke a spirit, to welcome spiritual powers and unite with them, to meet the Goddess and the God. It symbolizes unity, wholeness, the cycle of seasons, the wheel of time, and is normally 9 feet in diameter. Movement should be clockways to create, and counterclockways to negate or unwind something. Some covens prefer to anoint their Third Eyes with a blessed oil and ask for protection.

Some circles aren't even circles at all, they are spheres. But ultimately, the majick circle defines the ritual area, encompasses the altar, all participants and their personal power. It also shuts out the negative energies from the majick being worked, and I find it also helps to shut out the distractions.

Here are some examples of casting a circle, and some other relevant information:

How To Cast A Circle You can create a circle on the ground using objects like stones, flowers, branches, candles, or crystals. This is not required, but some prefer to create the boundaries of a circle. Those casting the circle use personal power which they build within themselves, and then project it outside of themselves. There are many visualization techniques for this. Imagining a ring of trees growing around you, using a stone or flower as representation of a seed. Some imagine that each breath they exhale is a mist that builds around them like a bubble that they must expand to create the circle. Whatever method of visualization works best for you, is the method you should use. If there are multiple participants, there should be a general agreement of what can be visualized. One person may lead this effort if desired. To direct the energy, some use athames, their hands, a wand, there are just as many varieties on the direction of the power as there are for the visualization of the energy building. But ultimately, the direction of the energy should be visualized, so many prefer to use a common theme between the development of power, and the projecting of that power. Once the energy is ready to be directed, walk the circle in a clockways direction, envisioning that the mist (or tree, or whatever) is trailing outward from behind you. This way you won't be walking through the energy you've just projected, possibly creating holes in the energy walls. Some people dance, rather than walk, the boundary of the circle. when the circle is completed, you have to stop the energy within you from expelling. Some people shut this off as easily as they pause a cd on their home stereo. Some shake their hands as though they were wet. some suck the energy back into themselves, for further use within the circle. This is the point at which you may choose to call the Quarters. Once you have called these spirits, you must tell them why you have called them, what they are protecting or witnessing. Only then should you proceed with the ritual or spell. When your have completed your rite, thank the spirits you have called, and release the circle by performing the opposite of how you casted it. Pull the circle back into your direction tool, bring the power back into yourself, and then ground it. Casting A Coven Circle This example singles out one person as a leader, but if its a closely knit coven, modifications can be made to the verbal portion. This demonstration of a circle also applies the sense of a sphere, rather than a circle. To cast the circle: Everyone gathers in a circle formation around a fire, or altar. The Leader, who stands to the South, draws a circle around the group with a staff, wand, knife or sword. The Leader moves clockways, encircling everyone (including the Leader). The Leader draws this circle three times to "close the door", and ends south of the altar, facing North. Words are not required, but if preferred, The Leader or group (or all) may use something like: First Circle: "I make this circle around us for love's protection and in the power of the first Name of the Lady." Second Circle: "I make this circle around us to join us together in the power of the second Name of the Lady." Third Circle: "I make this circle around us that is endless in reverence for the third Name of the Lady." Concluding: "In the three Names of the Lady, the circle is made." The circle is now cast. Once in the circle, the group will need to summon their energy, most especially for rituals. The Leader performs something of a guided mediation for the group, describing the energy as coming from the center of the Earth, through the feet, the legs, the thighs, the torso, to the shoulders, spreading out from the shoulders like tree branches, until all the 'branches' from everyone are intertwined. The Leader will wait until all are ready, normally this is determined by simply asking. If you are a member of this kind of circle and you are not ready, do not be ashamed to say so. You are not 'slowing everyone down' or anything. It is better than all are ready before proceeding, because if not, the circle is a waste of time anyways. Some covens prefer to use 'tree roots' as well, to make it a complete sphere, others feel that the sphere is safe because of it's overlap into the Earth herself. Once everyone feels that the circle of energy is in place, the ritual, or purpose for casting the circle, can commence. To close the circle: The Leader should 'cut' an opening in the circle on the southern side, and say "The gate is open". Moving clockways, the group should leave the circle by the 'gate'. The circle has now been closed.   The Easy Way To Cast A Circle This is a very brief generalization of how to cast a circle. A circle is created with energy you direct. Use a wand, your hand, your athame, whatever works for you. Make sure you have everything you're going to use inside the circle before you begin, because breaking the circle is a colossal pain, and can blur your focus. Pick a compass direction to start with. Some people adhere constantly to starting with North, but some traditions start with the East. Clear your mind. Visualize all the energy in nature and the universe joining with your own personal power, mixing with it. Some do this by visualizing a cone or funnel through the top of their head, some visualize their body glowing in a certain color. Do whatever helps you to accomplish this. Point your wand, hand, finger or athame (or whatever you're using) towards the ground at your chosen compass point. Use the tool to channel your energy. Start walking clockways in a circle, ending at the same position. While you're walking the circle, visualize it forming like a three-dimensional bubble, the ground level you walk on being the diameter of the sphere. There! You've just casted a circle. Now we move on to closing it. Go to the compass direction you started with. Using the same directing tool you used to cast the circle, vacuum the energy up through that tool as you walk the circle counterclockways. Once you have finished gathering up your energy, say "The circle is open, but unbroken." There will be excess energy within you, and you will need to ground it in order to prevent it from ending up somewhere undesirable. To ground the energy, you can use several techniques. You can put your hands on the ground outside, and let the energy flow into the Earth. Another technique is to stand straight up and visualize all the energy as glowing light, and move it to your fist, then strike the Earth. How you ground the energy is up to you, but you must ground it in some way. Like all majick, this process will take time and practice before it becomes a very strong circle. But it's really not that difficult or elaborate at all. Some prefer highly ornate circle casting techniques, but some prefer to keep it simple, and develop the strength rather than the ceremony. So, to re-cap how to cast a circle: Make sure everything you need will be within the circle Pick a compass point Visualize the energy building within you Draw a circle (sphere) with the energy as you emit it And to summarize how to close a circle: Retract the energy Say "The circle is open, but unbroken." Ground the retracted energy

How A Circle is Used