Circle Casting is one of the most basic components of witchcraft. There are many ways to do this but the most important part is to understand the reasoning and meaning of the circle.
In nature most things are naturally spherical, making the sphere one of the most sacred shapes to any witch. From the most micro of elements to the largest of celestial bodies, the sphere is the most common occurring shape in the universe. Many books refer to raising a "cone of power" which I personally believe defeats the reasoning behind the circle. So I always visualize a sphere of power, my own 'celestial body' if you will.
The next step is the calling of the quarters, watchtowers, elementals... etc. Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Even if you know nothing of witchcraft no doubt you have heard of the invocation of the elements (maybe even from some third rate hokey movie). The elements represent the most basic necessities for life to exist. One of the simplest ways to truly understand each element is to make a table. On four separate sheets of paper list each element and make two columns below it. In one column list all the colors you can associate with each element in another list all the descriptive words that come to mind when you think of each element. Put these lists in a safe place so that you can refer back or add things often.
In nature most things are naturally spherical, making the sphere one of the most sacred shapes to any witch. From the most micro of elements to the largest of celestial bodies, the sphere is the most common occurring shape in the universe. Many books refer to raising a "cone of power" which I personally believe defeats the reasoning behind the circle. So I always visualize a sphere of power, my own 'celestial body' if you will.
The next step is the calling of the quarters, watchtowers, elementals... etc. Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Even if you know nothing of witchcraft no doubt you have heard of the invocation of the elements (maybe even from some third rate hokey movie). The elements represent the most basic necessities for life to exist. One of the simplest ways to truly understand each element is to make a table. On four separate sheets of paper list each element and make two columns below it. In one column list all the colors you can associate with each element in another list all the descriptive words that come to mind when you think of each element. Put these lists in a safe place so that you can refer back or add things often.
Common elemental associations:
Earth: Green: North: Fertility: Prosperity: Stability
Air: Yellow: East:Creativity: New Beginnings: Freedom
Fire: Red: South: Passion: Heat: Anger: Love: Lust
Water: Blue: West: Emotion: Psychological: Fresh: Clean
The only color/elemental match-up that may seem confusing is Air. Everything else should be rather straight forward. I have known people to use white for air (even one person who used a clear gel candle) but the association is easier when you think of sunrise. Sunrise is in the East and in ancient times seemed to float through the clear blue sky. East is the direction from which every new day begins.
When setting up your alter, it is customary to chose a direction from where you will begin your circle and end your circle. Most popular books will either pick North or East (Personally I use East because I identify strongly with creativity and truly believe that every day is a new beginning), but magic is more powerful and is much easier when you are comfortable and when everything makes some semblance of sense to you. Never do something that you don't understand or feel comfortable with.
White/Black candles: It's funny that these have been used over and over again to designate good and evil. I always keep black candles just in case I run out of other colors. Most witches will advise against using black candles, but what's funny is that black is the reflection of all color while white is the absorption of all color. So white is more of a vacuum while black is like a vacuum in reverse throwing out everything. But this too is a matter of personal preference, many people still fear the color black because it has always been equated with evil. Just remember everything is what you personally make of it.
Sometimes Circles have five points rather than four, one to symbolize the spirit. I only use a spirit candle in my spell casting when I am working on my spiritual self. If I am asking for material things I stick to the elements and maybe a candle for the spell itself. This too is personal preference.
Setting up YOUR altar:
Please don't copy your alter setting from any book. It's YOUR sacred space and therefore everything in around and on it should make sense to you and you alone. Some things your altar needs to have:
A bowl or cup of water ( Water )
Salt ( Earth )
Lit candles ( Fire )
Athame or wand ( Air )
The Athame or wand is used for drawing ritual symbols in the air. ( I dip the tip of my Athame in water and use it to snuff out my candles when I finish my spellwork - *it's supposed to lock the magic into the candles rather than releasing it by blowing them out* )
Everything else on your altar should be meaningful to you in some way. God and/or Goddess statues, any special amulets or pendants ( maybe a family heirloom that has been handed down through generations ) A photo of your loved ones ( to remember what is important to you ). Just make sure that anyone else you live with won't misconstrue the reason for your altar. I keep all of my supplies in a simple crate. When I perform my magic I turn the crate over and cover it with a cloth turning it into a make-shift altar.
Stay away from any website that offers to cast spells for you; these rank right up there with diploma mills. They just take your money. Also be wary of websites that sell pre-made kits. There are no spells you can purchase that will work any better than any you can cast yourself.
For more information and ideas for your own circle casting please visit:
Anisoptera's Circle Casting Page
GreyWing's Circle Casting Page (also has some really good articles and study regarding the craft)
If you know of any other links that I should check out please comment!
~Lyra