Circle Casting
by Blayze

Wicca is an experiential path and religion. Learning to cast a circle properly is good practice for other acts of magic. It is also a beautiful experience in which one creates a unique sacred space.

Wicca is a religion that reveres nature and so Wiccans try to enact their worship outdoors in the natural world of Earth, Air, Wind, Sun, Sky and Rain. Wiccans create their sacred spaces for worship and for Work. They do not build permanent temples or look upon particular buildings as being scared. They create their temples around themselves. 

A circle is cast as a place where, whilst within it, Wiccans can set aside their everyday lives, free from mundane distractions. The circle allows them to focus on their worship and their Work.

Due to many Wiccans living in cities, dealing with neighbours and lack of space, outdoor worship is not always possible. Many Wiccans, therefore, practice their worship in their homes, their bedrooms and loungerooms.

Wiccans hold that the world is a sacred place and that a spark of the divine is in everything, including themselves. They hold that a circle cast creates a microcosm of  the world within a defined area. This then allows the Wiccan to focus their will in an intense and concentrated environment. It also serves as a protective boundary, both for energies from outside and within.

Working within a properly cast circle also allows the Wiccan to act outside of their ordinary world yet still affect change in the world around them.

The circle stands between the worlds - neither within the Earthly realm nor upon the Astral Plane. In this way the circle allows one to act within the tenet “as above, so below”, whilst being between both states.

The very act of casting a circle focuses the will of the caster. That state of focused will continues whilst inside the boundaries of the circle. The act also allows the caster and those within the circle to temporarily place themselves outside of their mundane environment. This act of change is an important tool to the psyche for the making of magic. The circle cast itself is an act of magic if one takes magic to be directing and focusing energies to effect change in One’s world.

A circle is cast and constructed with energy. Physically it is a sphere of energy that encloses a defined space that is set by the caster. The ground upon which the caster stands bisects the sphere horizontally. Again, “as above, so below,” is enacted.

There are many different rituals that are used for casting a circle. They vary from tradition to tradition and from Wiccan to Wiccan. Certain steps however, go into casting and creating a circle and turning it into a consecrated and sacred space.

The area is first cleaned physically and then defined and consecrated. A more spiritual or psychic cleansing is sometimes performed within the defined space before the actual circle is cast. The caster then channels and focuses energy, usually from the Earth, into the defined boundary, creating the “walls” or skin of the sphere.

A properly cast circle provides protection and forces the caster to take responsibility for their own actions in magic and worship. The circle should be symmetrical and free from gaps except for gateways created for specific purposes. This takes practice but is a worthwhile skill for a Wiccan to learn.

The circle is often then  strengthened and consecrated by the addition of the elemental energies of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, if these energies were not used to cleanse the space prior to the casting. When these elemental energies are combined within the circle they form the fifth element of Spirit.

When the circle itself has been erected, both to contain and to protect, Guardians are called to stand at the four cardinal points. The Guardians are there to witness, to aid in any work that may occur and to provide any additional protection that may be required.

As this is a sacred space that is being used for both worship and work, Deities are invited into the space made ready for them. A gateway is created through which They can enter.  Its creation forms a physical gateway into the circle as well as being a spiritual act of courtesy. The Gateway is also a reminder that all acts that are performed within the Circle are in honour of Them.

Energy is then raised within the Circle to form a cone of power which fills the space and can be drawn upon for use later in the ritual. The various acts of Working can now be performed within the sacred space.

When the ritual is completed, the participants ground any excess energy remaining within themselves and within the circle. This is achieved by eating and drinking. The ritual that is performed to consecrate the food and drink is symbolic of ritual sex and the union of God and Goddess. By partaking of the Cakes and Ale, as this ceremony is called, the participants restore the balance within themselves, ready to return to their own world. After the Cakes and Ale have been consumed, the Guardians are farewelled and thanked for their participation. Any deities that were called upon are also thanked and farewelled. The blessings of the Mighty Ones are asked for as the participants ready themselves to close the circle. It is important to put the same amount of energy into the farewelling as into the calling and to complete these in a similar fashion.

As the circle serves as a temporary temple space, it is important that, at the end of the ritual, the circle is closed down or uncast. The act of closing the circle brings those inside back to the Earthly realm and also releases anything that has been trapped inside.

When casting a circle, the energies are usually channelled from the Earth through the caster. Therefore when closing the circle the Earth energies are returned to their natural flow, having only been borrowed for a time. 

To physically close the circle the caster will either allow the circle to dissipate at its own rate or uncast the circle to return the energies to their source. Even when letting the energies dissipate naturally, it takes an act of magical will to release them. The caster manipulates and “tells” the energies that they can return to their natural flow. The caster will also cut a gateway in the circle for all to return through, thus moving the participants back to their own realm before the circle dissipates.

In the second method of uncasting the circle and returning the energies to the flow, the caster will reverse the actual process, taking the energies into themselves, ie. acting as a conduit. With an act of will they return the borrowed energies to the Earth. They will then disconnect themselves from the flow.

Let your circle be a place between worlds. A beautiful and sacred space where magic can truly happen.