Casting a Circle
Image source: Amino | The Elements
Why do we cast circles? Casting a circle is meant to create a magical barrier between you and the outside world. This is to keep your intention and energy inside of the circle and to protect yourself from any negative outside energies.
Items Needed:
Salt water (or just regular salt) to draw your circle
Optional items, but not necessary:
Athame or Wand (these can be substituted with your hands)
Compass (this can easily be done with a compass app on your phone)
Incense
A ritual outfit
5 items to mark each corner of the elements: earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. These can be stones or crystals, candles, or physical items that represent each of the elements.
Casting your circle:
Make sure you have everything you need for whatever spell you are trying to cast.
Using salt or salt water, draw a circle clockwise around you big enough to at least stretch out your arms so you have enough room to work within.
Using incense draw your circle again.
If you are having a hard time visualizing your circle, this is where items would come in handy, using them to surround you and represent the elements.
With your compass, find where you’d like to start, and with your hands stretched out (or athame/wand), call out or (think to yourself):
East “I invite the element of air,” South, “I invite the element of fire,” West, “I invite the element of water,” North, “I invite the element of earth.” At this point you will want to invite any deities or spirit guides to join you if you work with any of them. Lastly, pointing up, “As above” and then pointing down, “So Below” completing your circle.
How to close your circle:
Using your hands (or athame/wand) turn to each element to thank it and release it.
Then using your hands (or athame/wand) hover over your circle counter-clockwise to close the circle.
A few YouTube Videos on ways to do this are here, she also has a stealthy/easy way to cast one as well if you’re still in the broom closet/want to do it quickly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StL0mGtFqJs
A witchy tumblr also writes how to cast your circle:
https://spellbookofwitches.tumblr.com/circle
Stay witchy.
