• One Method of Casting A Circle
• (Stewart Farrar)

A circle is prepared by lighting the 4 candles, just outside the circumference at the 4 cardinal/compass points.

Some Witches believe it doesn’t have to be the precise points, just as long as agreed.

• Normally, all artificial lights are off, only the candles remain light.
• The incense is lite and placed with other tools on the altar.
• Consecrate the water and place bowl on the pentacle.
• Consecrate the salt and pour small about on the pentacle.
• Lift and pour the salt into the water. All is now ready for the actual casting of the Circle.

Starting at the North, walk Deosil (clockwise). Pointing athame down the circumference of the circle, until research the North again. Saying:

"I (We) conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou beest a boundary between the world of man and the realms of the Mighty Ones, a guardian and protection that shall preserve and contain the Power that I (we) shall raise within thee. Wherefore do I (we) bless thee and consecrate thee."

If any one needs to leave or to enter the circle, she/he leaves a gate (or door) in the northeast quarter by raising the athame up and over an imaginary doorway, and then sealed afterward, by passing athame downward.

• *Sprinkles water round circle (from north to north)
• *Carries censer of incense
• *Finally candle, usually the North Candle (Why not the South for it represents Fire? Something to think about. You may also use one of the candles on the altar.)

*Pick up athame, faces east, hold blade out in front and say:  "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, I (We) do summon, stir, and call you up, to witness my (our) rites and to guard the Circle."

Invoking Pentagram at each Quarter/Corner. At each corner…South, West, North. (For more details…check out their book or I may include here later)

The Circle and its protection are now complete.

These acts and phrases are merely the outer form and is meaningless and even dangerous with appropriate mental, emotional and spiritual attitude. Your thoghts are vital to be positive. Visualization and imagination to be called upon to reinforce the ritual. S. Farrar’s book recommends visualizing point of the athame leaving a line of electric blue light in its path. To the north, visualize pentagram as window on to a cool, restful landscape of forests, lakes and grassy clearings (fields).

When working is complete, the Circle must be banished (or closed).

Face East and say: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, I (we) thank you for attending; and ere ye depart for your lovely realm, I (we) say hail and farewell. Hail and farewell."

Trace the Banishing Pentagram of each element. Repeat to the south, west, and north. And thus the Circle is Banished.

 What Witches Do. Stewart Farrar