Casting the Circle and Calling the Quarters

Surrounding yourself in a sphere (remember, it surrounds you in a bubble - don't forget above and below you!) of light is the simplest form of magical ritual. It is an affirmation of one's wholeness and active participation in the cosmos, as well as offering protection from unwanted outside influences and distractions. It's most important use is to contain your energy until it has reached it's fullest strength and you release it to do it's work!

During this ritual we alter our consciousness according to our needs and the symbols we choose. The magical circle with its four quarters relates us to our environment with a maximum of meaning. It gives us physical and spiritual orientation. I read somewhere, "Ritual is the soul in action."

The four Elements as they are generally called are Earth, Air, Fire and Water, which in turn represent what I was taught as the concepts of Matter, Space, Energy and Time - the building

blocks of our universe! The two methods are mixable, and I have adapted my methods over the years to include them both.

(To see where this part fits into a full ritual, see the section labeled Ritual Basics.)

To cast the circle, first draw a ring around the area you wish to enclose in the circle, either physically (with candles or salt or something that works with your casting - I really love chalk, it's convenient and cleans up easily) or mentally (using an athame if you have one). Then, face each direction in turn (the direction you start with will vary depending on which element is most important for your ritual) and repeat the following, picturing yourself being surrounded by ever-brightening light in a bubble around you as the energy builds:

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