The best place to make the Circle is in a clearing in the woods, near a fast-running river, far from the places people go at night.
There should be no thought that anyone will come upon you. The crossroads was used in the past, where three roads would meet, but this was dangerous as travelers still used roads at night, so there was danger that they would still be discovered.
However, if you must work indoors, choose a room that is simple; large enough to contain the Circle, and unadorned if possible.
Turn off all heating and cooling devises within the room, as well as all electrical appliances; they are unnecessary and may work against you. Unplug the phone too.
If your covenstead is indoors, try to have plants growing within, perhaps in the window or around the floor in the corners. These help give the room the necessary natural ambiance. Never forget that Wicca is of nature.
To begin, ceremonially cleanse the area by sweeping with a broom. This should traditionally be done by a woman, if there are two or more meeting and one is a woman.
Next, set a large flat stone to mark the quarters; one for each direction of the compass. Set the North Stone first. These stones represent spirits of the stones, and are related to the elemental forces.when these four stones are set, they should roughly mark out a square, with the distance between each stone roughly the same. This square represents the Earth plane on which we exist.
Now, take a cord or rope and lay it out in a circle, using the four stones as a guide. The stones should be outside of the cord circle.The Circle represents the spiritual realms.Circle size can be anything from four feet to twenty, depending on the number of celebrants and the size of the area you work in.
The preparations of the Circle are now completed. Set up the altar, with warm water in one bowl and salt in another. Light the candles and incense. Proceed as follows:
Consecrate Water by touching the surface of the Water with the point of the athame and say:
"I consecrate and cleanse this Water
That it may be purified and fit to dwell
Within the sacred Circle of Stones.
In the names of the Mother Goddess
And the Father God,
I consecrate this Water."
The Salt is touched with the point of the athame. Say:
"I bless this salt that it may be purified
And fit to dwell in the Sacred Circle of Stones.
In the names of the Mother Goddess
And the Father God, I bless this salt."
Stand facing North. Touch the point of the athame to the ground and trace the circle. Say:
"Here be the boundary of the Circle of Stones.
Naught but love shall enter in,
Naught but love shall emerge from within.
Charge this by your power, Dryghtyn!"
Place the athame on the altar. Take up salt and sprinkle around the Circle, than carry the smoking censor around, then a candle, and finally sprinkle the water. The Circle of Stones is now sealed.
Now, standing North, hold aloft the athame and say:
"O Spirit of the North Stone,
Ancient One of the Earth,
We call you to attend our Circle.
Charge this by your power, Dryghtyn!"
Kiss the blade. Face East, hold aloft the athame and say:
"O Spirit of the East Stone,
Ancient one of Air,
We call you to attend our Circle.
Charge this by your power, Dryghtyn!"
Kiss the blade. Turn to the South, hold aloft the athame and say:
"O Spirit of the South Stone,
Ancient one of fire,
We call you to attend our Circle.
Charge this by your power, Dryghtyn!"
Kiss the blade. Turn to the West, hold aloft the athame and say:
"O Spirit of the West Stone,
Ancient one of Water,
We call you to attend our Circle.
Charge this by your power, Dryghtyn!"
Place the athame on the altar. The Circle of Stones breathes around you. To strengthen, all join hands and circle clockwise chanting or humming. Leader will stop when satisfied. (If there's more than one person building the Circle, you can also circle it yourself)
To be said before every rite, just after building the Circle of Stones. The Blessing Prayer:
"In the name of Dryghtyn, the Ancient Providence,
which was from the beginning and is for eternity
male and female, the original source of all things:
all-knowing, all-pervading, all-powerful, changeless,
eternal; in the names of the Lady of the Moon
and our Lord the Horned One; in the names of the Spirits
of the Stones, rulers of the elemental realms:
Bless this place and this time, and they who are with us."
Releasing the Circle of Stones: Facing North, hold aloft the athame and say:
"Farewell, Spirit of the North Stone,
We give thanks for your
Presence here at our Circle of Stones.
Blessed be!"
Kiss the blade
Repeat to the East, South, and West. Then return again to the North and hold aloft the blade.
The rite is ended; Circle of Stones is no longer.