Circle Magic

What do you use a circle for? For spellwork, meditations, rituals, and more. Whenever you feel you need protection or to completely cut off from the mundane world. 

Why place a circle? Casting a circle is very important to your craft. Some people believe that it protects you from dark energy/spirits that try to attack you when you are most vulnerable, so if you put up a barrier of sorts, a circle, then you will be protected. Others feel it's just a barrier that separates the mundane (physical world) from the spiritual world. When you put up a circle, it's like you are telling yourself that inside that circle is all that matters, and the mundane world falls away. It's where time and space are completely insignificant. The circle also acts as a holding tank for your energy, keeping it from dissipating, and when you release that circle, that energy goes out into the world, spreading your spellwork far and wide.

Before you cast your circle you need to take some time and ground and center yourself. Going in unprepared and with your brain going a million miles a minute is not going to be good for your magic, let alone your circle casting. So start off by taking some you time. Take a bath or shower and cleanse yourself physically as well as spiritually. Then take a few minutes to meditate. Meditate and ground yourself. Think about what you want to accomplish in your workings.

The circle itself can be a physical act or just an energetic one. I do a mix of both. I created my circle ritual and it is mine alone, but I'll share some other techniques below. I start out placing my shells in a circle. But you can also use salt (not outdoors though as it runs off into the soil and is bad for soil), egg shell powder, candles or anything that fits into your craft. I'm a Sea Witch so I use shells in my spiritual work a lot. Then I have a set way of calling upon the elements. Then I work on visualization. An energy barrier of sorts. You can envision an energy bubble or white light, or in my case, a wall of water. You can also use a wand, athame, staff, or stick to help you focus your energy. You want to cast your circle clockwise and release it counter-clockwise. You also might want to start in the East, it is the most common direction to start with, but honestly, it's up to you. It's your magic, you do it how you want it.

Simple Circle Casting Example:

1. To cast a physical circle, place sea shells, candles, or whatever you like as a visualization for the circle barrier.
2. To cast an energetic circle, use athame, wand, hand, etc., and visualize the protective barrier.
3. Smoke-cleanse the area.
4. Call upon the elements, deities, spirit guides, etc. to bless your circle. Say something like "Elements/Deity I call upon you to protect this space and lend your energy to my work.”
5. To release the circle, thank the elements or your deity/guides and bid them farewell. Then bring down the energy or undo the physical circle