As a final release of energy, the spirits and deities are bid farewell, candles are extinguished, and the circle is ritually banished. At the close of rites, food and drink is consecrated, offered to the deities, and shared by all (see Cakes and Wine). The circle may be opened at any time for exit or entry, then closed again. The purpose of the ritual-such as magic working, a handfasting, or seasonal festival-is stated and the work is carried through. Offerings of food, stones, crystals, flowers and so on are made. God and Goddess are invoked through ritual. If the ritual takes place outdoors, nature spirits are invited to participate. The guardians of the four quarters and elements, called the Lords of the Watchtowers (a Freemasonry term), or the mighty Ones or the Guardians, are invoked. The circle is consecrated with the four elements or symbols of the elements. The working space of the circle actually is a three-dimensional sphere. As the circle is cast, a field of psychic energy is visualized. The circle is ritually cast deosil with an athame, sword or wand. Candles, stones or other objects are placed on the floor or ground at the four quarters, or cardinal points. Witches and Pagans working alone may have fewer tools. The altar and ritual tools-such as a wand, pentacle, censer, cauldron, scourge, athame, chalice, cords and other items-are placed inside the circle area. The consciousness of participants is prepared through meditation, visualization, breathing, drumming and other esoteric methods. In Wicca, it may be symbolically swept out with a broom by the high priestess. Negative energy is banished prior to casting a circle. Circles outdoors may not be perfect circles. They may be traced on a floor or measured out with cord, or may be established by walking the perimeter. In contemporary Paganism and Witchcraft, circles are cast according to available space, size of group and purpose. The deities are invited to witness and participate in the rites all spirits are treated respectfully. The circle is entered in anticipation of uniting with the gods and the forces of nature in a harmonious relationship, not to conjure or control spirits. The magician consecrates the circle with the four elements, Earth, Air, Water and Fire, and invokes the guardian spirits who watch over the four quarters of the sky (the cardinal points) and the four elements. He leaves a small opening, then steps inside, closing the opening very carefully to prevent unwanted presences from entering. For negative magic, the magician moves wIddershIns, counterclockwise. In casting the circle, the magician moves deosIl, or clockwise, the motion of the sun, moon and stars through the sky. The circle is inscribed with magical symbols, words and Names of Power.

The magician’s circle is nine feet in diameter, or a double circle of eight feet within one of 10 feet. The circle is drawn on a floor that has been carefully cleaned Salt may be sprinkled around its perimeter to reinforce the boundary. Grimoires and other magical teachings give detailed instructions for casting the circle with consecrated ritual tools, such as a dagger, sword or wand, during certain astrological conditions and hours of the day or night. The magician must never leave the circle during a ritual nor even inadvertently swing his arm outside it, lest a conjured Demon grab him and strike him down, or something unpleasant happen.

The circle provides protection against them and must be cast carefully. In ceremonial magic, the circle represents a sacred space in which the magician conjures and commands Demons and spirits that are dangerous and difficult to control. There are similarities, but some important differences. Sacred circles used in contemporary Paganism and Witchcraft are derived from Western ceremonial magic. The remnants of stone circles in Britain attest to the importance of the circle in ancient pagan rites. Within the circle, it becomes possible to transcend the physical, to open the mind to deeper and higher levels of consciousness.Ĭircles have had a magical, protective significance since ancient times, when they were drawn around the beds of sick persons and mothers who had just given birth to protect them against Demons. The magic circle is an archetypal symbol of wholeness, perfection and unity the creation of the cosmos the womb of mother Earth the cycle of the seasons and birthdeath-regeneration. It offers a boundary for a reservoir of concentrated power and acts as a doorway to the world of the gods. A magic circle is a sacred and purified space in which Rituals, magical work and ceremonies are conducted.

The magic circle members