Casting a Circle

I got some mail from some of the members here about circles. So for those who don't know much about them can read this.

Circles is like a key element on getting to know yourself better and unlocking doors. You can cast one when you are meding, doing a spell, getting a group of people to celebrate Sabbats, or more. Another thing about them is that not many sites or books teach them very well. When I was just starting out I was trying to read and understand this site about circles. It didn't make any sense to me really. Until I started to do some deeper research on how to do one is when I really understood it, but I had to take parts from books, sites, and people... That to me sounded like too much work after I was done.

The Idea of the circle is creating your own space. I am not talking about your room, but your own dimension of thought. When you finish closing off that circle and sit down. You will feel only yourself (if you have people in it too you'll feel them as well). This is like trying to med too, but it is also different from it. Med is you having to clear your mind of unwanted thoughts and calm down when you enter your mind. A circle is your own space which calms you down and clears your mind for you. You can also add two to two to create a easy going med. Also the circle is like a barrier! It protects you from bad vibes and other peoples thoughts. If you use salt (even if you use chalk or something else you need salt to purify the circle) it should clean out the bad vibes.

So after learning that fact (it is a summery trust me, clean and simple) you can have a better grab in doing on yourself. But before that you need to have a place where no one will bother you. You can go into the woods, in your backyard at night or day, or even in your room is fine (if your still young and your parents don't know about you being a wicca or what not, then you might be limited to your own room and the woods. When in your room always have a back up plan.). But how do you create this circle? Is it just out of energy or do I draw it? That is a good question. You can use your own energy, but if your new and don't know how then you can not. I rather use chalk when outside or salt. Yes you draw a circle with them, it doesn't matter too much if it is a good circle, as long as your not making ovals your good.

If you want to make a good circle then here is a trick you can do. Stand in the place you want to be a circle. Get a bowl of salt and stick your arm away from you (like your punching someone). Then be sure your arm is straight and let go some of the salt at the time and turn your body counter-clockwise (Be sure to stop when your hand is empty with salt and grab some more in the bowl in your other hand and start again). You can close it but once you do you can not leave until your down and no one else can enter. If you do have a group and they are not inside yet then complete most of it but leave a opening for them to walk in then close it. With chalk you can do so much more. You can have detailed circles for a more stronger circle.

If your new to this and trying to do it on your own it is going to be hard to keep the circle stable. So I suggest getting 3 small bowls, candle, water, and Incense. You already have the bowl of salt, that is going to be counted as Earth. With this you have to know which way is North, so get ask your parents or you can make your own by searching online. Once you know which way is North you can start. The salt bowl will be on the line of the circle facing North. The bowl of water will be placed on the line of the circle facing West (that is to your left so face north and look on your left). East is the Incense, it doesn't matter for now but I rather use sage if you have any, on the line of the circle. And then the candle (but be lit) on South on the line of the circle. For now have a white candle. You can change the color when you want to do a circle for something else.

Once you have it all set up (be careful of the fire! If it is too small then try to make it bigger or face the fire). You can set down and face either your element or just sit. Then close your eyes, let yourself be calm and cool. Think only about yourself and what is within the circle. After so or so minutes ask yourself a question. It could be something you thought ahead of time or just right there in the moment. After asking it (out loud/whisper will be better then just thinking it) you can pause and say the answer. For example my question could be, "What do I want to gain by the end of the year?" with a follow up, "Helping people out." or "To be a better person." Understand?

Now the circles doesn't have to be used by asking a question. They can be used for other things as well. Like using it when you don't feel safe or to feel the element. Since it is winter I am willing to go outside and feel the energy of the cold winds.

Any questions will be nice.

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Does the moon phase effect the circle in any way?

Yeah. Like you'll feel differently with a full moon then with a no moon. It's not that big of a difference but you can still do a circle on every full moon or another moon phase.

I'ma have to step in and disagree. Though a person may personally feel different, the energy used to create the circle in the first place is no different than any other moon phase. The circle itself is meant to contain raised energy and to allow the person inside to remain safe from distraction while they work, and also to help them when it come time to direct the energy they have raised for a specific purpose. The Moon Phase has nothing to do with the circle itself.

Also, I don't know who taught you to cast counter clockwise, but circle are always cast clockwise.

The best way to cast a circle is to visualize YOUR OWN energy flowing down your arm and out of your fingers, hovering just above the floor of the area. Once fully cast, you visualize it turning into a sphere both above you and below.

If you choose to go the route of using salt, then this should be done outside due to the mess it makes. Where as the above can be done both inside as well as out and cross other boundary lines such as walls, and floors, salt can not do this.

I'm trying to figure out how you involved invoking elements into all this, consider that you either invoke them before you cast your circle, or after you cast your circle. Invoking the elements and using their representations usually doesn't occur until after or before the actual circle is cast, and all participants are there. In which case, you can also use colored candles for the purpose of element invocation and not just the physical representations such as a bowl of water.

I'm surprised you didn't go into how to remove a circle either, although it's pretty common to see an article on how to cast but no article following it up, or a part included in the original article about how to remove the circle when you are done.

From the above when using the visualization, you move counter clockwise around the circle, drawing the energy back up into yourself (through a tool if you chose to use one). You'd dismiss the elements before doing this as well as dismissing any deity if so chose to do these things.

Over all I had such a difficult time following this post untold, I'm surprised that you haven't gotten more questions from confused beginners. If you don't take each paragraph and read it separate from the others, it's just a long rant of thrown together information. The composition of this article has a great idea behind it, but the melding and transition of thought was very lacking, as if you weren't actually concentrating on it. This is just some creative criticism for you to work with. I've read other articles by you that are so well written, this just seems to be carelessly thrown together and I know you can do better.

Magick is done in different ways most of the time by different people. I have done this and it has worked well for me. It is up to the person that is reading this and wants to try it or not.

Almost forgot. She said that the best way to cast a circle is by using your own energy. This is in fact true but you have to remember that everything around you, every item, tool, grain, has magick energy in it but is different energy from the rest. Why not just use that energy? Of course once you have more control over your energy then that will overcome the stuff. Something that only months of practices can give you.

The moon does effect the circle. Because the circle is you and the moon effects you. The moon has its own phases which does different things. When the moon is waxing to a full moon then it has a effect of increasing and when the moon is warning down to no moon then it has a decreasing effect. For example, whenever the moon is full my luck goes up and I have a better chance at winning stuff. No kid this really happens. Of course the no moon is something for bad spells and stuff.

My point is that this is the way I learned it and it has worked just fine.

Actually i must agree with vixen since i have been doing this 8 years and know that the moon has no effect on your circle unless you programmed it to do so. Yes the circle is your energy but remember that energy that created the circle is programmed to protect and ,seal and raise the energy in the circle and whether it is the dark of the moon it will not affect how well your circle is produced, and further more i can speak for myself i don't depend on the moon phases anymore, i just observe them for they have effect yet i no longer have to time when i cast certain spells.

WAXING MOON: the waxing Moon is the best time to do a spell for growth,
beginning new projects, initiation and enhancement.

WANING MOON: during the waning Moon, do spells to banish evil influences,
lessen or remove obstacles and illness, neutralize enemies, and to remove harm.

NEW MOON: three days after the New Moon are the most powerful times to work
spells for growth and beginnings which should manifest at the Full Moon.

FULL MOON: the days just before the Full Moon are the most powerful times for fruition
and completion. Remember that even though the Moon looks Full Moon in the sky for two
or three nights, it is only EXACT at the time posted on your calendar. Anything after that
time is a waning influence. Do your Full Moon spell before the exact time listed.

MOON QUARTERS: The First Quarter is the mid-point between the New Moon and
the Full Moon. The Last Quarter is the mid-point between the Full Moon and New Moo

Wow you people, just wanna say whats wrong and not whats right. Well just for you all I did some more research on the circles. I live in the North hemisphere. Yeah, that means everything is turn upside down with which way to turn.

You people are still looking at the moon phases effecting the circle. I am looking at how the moon phases effect you when your making the circle. Unless you guys all agree that moon phases don't effect us.

Using items to make a circle. This is for people that are new to magick and want to try something magickal. And since some of you people believe that we leave traces of our energy on the site from a most then it shouldn't make a difference by leaving your trace on chalk or salt when you making the circle. Remember, energy is all around us and is moving and active at some times. When were in the right mood we can tap into that energy and use it. That is what I was trying to do, get something else to help them draw out their energy. You know like a tool but it is salt that is drawing it or maybe chalk or tarot cards. The point is is that there is more then one way to create a circle, if you think your way is all perfect and powerful then make a post about it.

Magick isn't one thing and can be used in only one way. If you found a different way that works better for you then use it, don't let people stop you from growing by trying to follow their way. I wasn't asking you to only follow my way or to do this, you do have a choice. p.s. that was for the people that wanted to learn not to fight.