I know, I know, it's a Wiccan thing.
Or is it?
I see it shrugged off as 'just a Wiccan thing" but it doesn't make sense to me that the idea of creating sacred space in order to perform a ritual or create magick, should be limited to one group of witches.
I've been told that Druids don't, but I know at least one that does. Some green witches do. Don't ceremonial magicians cast a circle? How about chaos magicians?
I don't usually cast a circle to perform a ritual. Most of my rituals are about honoring the Gods and Goddesses, Elements, other entities and this sort of ritual does not require sacred space.
And I do simple candle spells and simple banishing spells without casting a circle.
But if I am going to do a spell that requires some serious visualizations and concentration, I do cast a circle. Casting a circle, for me, takes a little time and some effort.
I do a little meditation to start to ground and center myself. Once I am grounded I can pull energy from the earth. I use that energy to project the circle and once it is securely in place I call the Elements to guard and watch over it while I do my spell.
I think this is useful in several ways. It creates a space where I will not be disturbed or distracted. It helps me to focus. It protects me from any stray energies or entities that could be attracted by my drawing energy and not have my best interests in mind. It allows me to draw energy from the Elements, if they allow it.
When I am finished, the act of dispersing the circle, sending the Elements back to their own realm and grounding energy ensures that no stray energy (or entities) are left hanging around.
This sound to me like a good mackical practice for all sorts of magick, under the right conditions.
sunrise 7:03am sunset 4:36pm moonrise 10:53am moonset 9:01pm
I just found your blog. Nice blog!
ReplyDeleteI walk the path of the Germanic and Scandinavian divine powers - you might know it variously as Asatru or heathenry or Forn Seid, etc.
We also do not cast a circle. We use a ninefold hallowing of the space, which does not build a barrier between the people doing the working and the surrounding energies, as casting a circle does. The hallowing simply makes a statement that "this spot is now hallowed and dedicated to the Gods and open to the Nine Worlds."
Silver Heron, I will have to read up on that, it sounds interesting. Perhaps sort of what I do when I do not cast a circle but I ask the Elements to watch over me while I cast a spell?
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and commenting.