Different Ways to Cast a Circle

Well hello there beautiful souls! I really enjoyed writing the last article I wrote about asking for help from Gods and Goddesses you haven’t yet made a connection with so much to the point that I would like to write another. I asked some of my closest friends as well as people on my Wildwood Creations Facebook page what they would like some information on, and I was asked about how to carve out sacred space for ritual and spell work. I think this is a wonderful topic to discuss because there are so many different ways to go about casting a circle. There is the more physical approach where you can go about using a wand, athame, or your finger to carve out sacred space or you can do it by using your mind. I’ve tried both approaches and I’ve noticed what works best for me is using my mind. Some people prefer to do it physically, and there’s nothing wrong with either approach but I’d like to go over the details of both so that you can try them and see which one works best for you.

First, we will go with the more common of the two, and that is carving out space physically. To do this, you would get your ritual items set up in a certain way, get all of your tools together, and make absolutely sure that you will not need anything from outside the circle during the ritual. For people that have colored candles that they can put in each corner of their circle that mark North, East, South, and West, that’s wonderful but it is not required. As long as you know where those directions are, you are all set. Also, I have heard people cutting open a door to leave and come back, but I think the most respectful way to carve out sacred space is to have everything you need with you, so that you can stay in that moment while you preform spell work (even if its tissues cause you have a runny nose, lol, make sure you have it on you!). Once you have your tools in place, you have done your physical cleansing (such as taking a ritual preparation bath or shower) and you are now to the point where you would like to begin; you would start with your wand/athame/finger, and starting at the North end of the circle you would mentally conjure up a beam of light from the end of your tool (athame/wand/etc.) and you would slowly walk in a circle in the center of your space, envisioning that light carving out space around you to complete your circle. Some people use a line marker such as ribbon or sea salt so they know where the edge of the circle is, and they just mark the circle before they start casting it. That definitely helps when you’re creating space in the physical realm and I highly suggest it, especially if you’re new to creating space. Once your circle has been created this area is now sacred. You would light any candles in your sacred space and burn any loose herbs or incense as well. After you have prepared those tools, you would now call the corners. Calling upon the Guardians allows you to consecrate your sacred space. Simply casting the circle just carves out that specific area you want to create ritual in, but you must cleanse and protect that space as well. To do this, you would start by saying “Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, South, East, and West - I call upon you to guard and protect me and my space. Come forward and be one with me. Guardian of the South, lend me your passion. Guardian of the North, lend me your stability. Guardian of the Guardian of the West, lend me your intuition, and Guardian of the East, lend me your intelligence.” Now this can be changed any way you like as long as you call upon each of the Guardians. They are there to help you with your ritual work, and to make sure nothing negative can enter your circle. Just make sure that whatever work you are about to preform you have your heart and soul into it. No intention can truly be set without the passion and desire for the outcome. That’s another reason why I want to write an article about intention setting but thats for another time. Once you’ve called upon the Guardians you can proceed with any ritual work you have planned. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like, and can have as many tools or correspondences as well. Just make sure that when you cast the circle you are in the right state of mind beforehand. Casting when you are upset, or emotionally distraught is not good whatsoever because you might end up doing something you will severely regret. Only cast when you are in the right state of mind. To achieve this, its always a great idea to start with a light meditation. Grounding and centering is a wonderful way to rid your body of any pent up negative energies that have accumulated over time. You can also smudge yourself with many different kinds of loose herbs depending on what your intentions are for the work you’re about to create. 

Next, I’d like to go over how to cast a circle in the mental realm. I personally like this way better because I am a very imaginative being and my mind can create the perfect place for me to create ritual. Now, I know a lot of people that may be new to this might be saying “Oh my, but how is she supposed to carve space out without an athame, and candles, and all of those goodies?” I want to say now, that it is wonderful to have an altar, and metaphysical tools. I have plenty myself, and often create crystal essence sprays, salves, powders etc. to help aid my work. However, there’s just something different about creating magic from the mental realm. I think its more emotive and I believe more passion and intention is created with this process. Others may feel entirely different though, it all depends on the person and the way they like to create their space. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or what you think someone else would like. Its your space, your individual time to set intention. You decide what works for you, and the best way to do that is try different ways. For starters, I like to prepare by taking a ritual preparation shower and just cleanse myself with sea salt and herbs that have been tied inside either an organza bag or a washcloth. This helps get me into that frame of mind and makes me feel as if my body is completely cleansed. Once that is done, I will go about getting together the tools that I would like to have during my ritual if there are any. I definitely love to have incense burning, it helps me get into that magical state of mind while preforming spell work. I also might have a crystal that a hold during this process. If I have previously created a mojo bag or poppet of some kind I will have that with me as well. Then, I just get a comfortable pillow to sit upon, and place myself in a space I find most comfortable. I like to be near my altar while creating space. I find it comforting, but it can be done anywhere. Outside, or inside. As long as you're in a place you won’t be disturbed, you should be all set to cast your circle. Once I get my incense going, and I’ve done a light meditation to calm and free my mind (which I highly recommend if you’re going to be doing any mental work), I start by sitting, facing North. You, however, can always sit in any direction you choose especially if you want to attract certain elements from each of the directions such as passion from the south, for increasing your connection to your intuition - you would face west, if you wanted to work on the physical realm such as enhancing your business you would face North, and so on. Its just another thing I have found helpful along the way. Once you are comfortably seated, you will have to close your eyes. Picture a place that you would love to cast your circle in. A natural place would be best. Some place in the woods, by the ocean, anywhere you feel most comfortable being. Picture yourself sitting there, with your eyes closed, and what you would do is imagine yourself casting the circle by starting from the North corner. You would circle slowly around using any tool you’d like and picture a light beam coming from the end of your tool carving out sacred space around you. Maybe it leaves a burn mark where you have carved your space. Let your imagination run free, (also this is a wonderful way to build up your intuition and mental abilities as well) and go with what feels right for you. Once that circle is complete, you would call upon the Guardians of the Watchtowers. You could imagine in each corner the particular element conjuring itself such as a small flame floating in the south, wind blowing towards the east, a crystal floating in the north end, and water as well in the west. There are so many different ways to do this though. You can actually picture cloaked beings standing at each direction guarding over your circle. The possibilities are endless when it comes to casting your circle in your mind. Once this is completed, you can work on creating your spell or ritual. 

I personally think that both ways are wonderful and each of them have different benefits. I’m a very intuitive person, so I really love to use my mind to carve sacred space. Its very exhausting work though, I must admit. Either though can bring wonderful things into your life. Just make sure before you complete your spell you say “For the good of all, and may harm come to none. So mote it be.” That will protect your loved ones and anyone else from being harmed by the spell you cast, even if you don’t think it will, I suggest you say it regardless. I hope this has been an insightful read for you, and thank you so much for taking the time out to go over different ways on casting a circle. Blessed be beautiful souls!