#circle

The concept of the Witch’s Circle is not a modern invention, and is not solely a Wiccan practice. It is used by ceremonial magicians, traditional witches, and even some druid groups. Many medieval woodcuts depict witches standing in or casting a circle of protection. Famous works of art, such as the 1886 oil painting The Magic Circle by John William Waterhouse (below), depict a witch casting a circle using a sword.

What is the Witch’s Circle?

As witches are weavers of energy, they utilize it in many forms. The celestial energies of the stars and planets, the natural energies of stones, plants and trees, as well as the elemental energies of earth, air, fire and water all work together with the witch as companions in magic. Casting the circle creates an energetic boundary of protection around the witch, keeping in only those energies that are needed for magical workings and keeping out anything that may be harmful. The circle typically involves the use of intention, visualization and incantation. A proper circle requires strong focus and concentration, and should not be attempted in a casual or haphazard manner. Take your time and don’t rush it. It is not uncommon to sense a change in temperature or a difference in atmosphere when the circle has been cast successfully. It has been noted that often the person casting the circle will not feel any changes, but others present in the circle will notice a marked change. When casting the magic circle, some traditions begin in the north, others in the south. Practitioners may use a wand, an athame, a sword, or just the hand. Some will cast a circle with specially selected herbs or with salt. When the circle has been completed, it is not merely a circle but a sphere. The circle caster may either stand in the center and turn, or walk the perimeter of the circle. Either method will depend on available space, the location of the altar, how many people are present, or whether the ceremony is indoors or outdoors. For outdoor and public circles, I place the altar in the center and walk the perimeter of the circle. My indoor altar sits against an east facing wall, only because of space limitations. I stand in the center of the room and cast my circle to the walls. An outdoor circle can also be traced on the ground with a stang (a forked wooden staff).

The circle is cast by walking (or turning) three circles in a clockwise direction. Various traditions have their own circle-casting incantations, but they typically go something like this:

(Circle One) I cast this circle to protect me (us) from all harmful energies.

(Circle Two) I cast this circle to allow only the most perfect energies for this work, and block out all other energies.

(Circle Three) I cast this circle to be a sacred space and a world between worlds, where the highest will is sovereign.

(This particular circle call is inspired by author/teacher Christopher Penczak, and I use it in my own circles. I have found it very effective).

It is important to speak loudly and with authority. This isn’t a game and you’re not just saying words. We are working with energy here, bending and shaping it with our will, intent and visualization. As we walk the circle, we see it in our mind’s eye as a blue light emanating from the wand, athame or coming out of the hand. When your ceremony or ritual is complete, then you will release the circle. Some traditions use the terms “opening and closing”, but I prefer “casting and releasing”, which makes more sense to me. To release the circle, simply walk the circle in only one counter-clockwise direction and say something like “I release this circle out into the universe”. Again, various traditions will have their own incantations for circle casting and releasing, but you can certainly write your own. The main purposes for the circle are to be a boundary of protection, a container of energy, and to be a sacred space. The circle should be cast before doing any magic, rituals or ceremonies. I use the circle for any magical workings I do at the altar, including divination.

There are many other nuances to casting the circle, indeed entire books have been written about it, but in this article I wanted to share some important considerations. This article did not address the calling of the elements, deities or directions. I wanted to focus primarily on the actual casting and releasing of the circle. For a more detailed description of circle-casting and ritual ceremony, I recommend the wonderful book, “The Outer Temple of Witchcraft: Circles, Spells and Rituals”, by Christopher Penczak.

Medieval woodcut of witches in a circle.

Witches do much of their work in what is called the “magic circle” or “witch’s circle”. This is where spells are cast, rituals are performed, magical tools are consecrated, and meditation and other introspective techniques can all be practiced. By casting the circle, we are creating sacred space, a “world between worlds”. It is a space that not only contains and amplifies the energy we raise within it, it also serves as a barrier to deflect any energies that may be harmful. It is a place where the creative forces of the Universe gather with us to make magic. The circle is a microcosm of the Universe, and perfectly illustrates the concept “As Above, So Below”. Whatever is created in the circle (Below) will eventually manifest in the astral (Above). Circle-casting is not a product of modern Wicca, as some claim. The earliest known record of a witch’s circle comes from a woodcut illustration in 1608, depicting witches gathered in a circle traced upon the ground. Early Puritans demonized this concept by placing the Devil outside the circle, to imply that the witches had conjured it. There are also medieval woodcuts of witches dancing in a circle. The circle has been used by witches for centuries, long before Gerald Gardner (the “father” of modern Wicca) was born.

Casting the circle is not to be performed haphazardly or with a casual attitude. Do not just say the words and go through the motions. Do not rush the words, take your time and pay attention to what you are saying. Circle-casting is an art that requires strong focus, visualization and intent. When the circle is complete, it is no longer a circle, but a sphere. This is so that not only the circumference is protected, but also the areas above and below the sacred space you have created. Before casting the circle, however, it is important to be in a right state of mind. The circle intensifies whatever energy is brought into it. If you are angry or tense, you are going to bring that energy unless you do some centering and grounding exercises first. Before beginning any ritual, the first step is meditation. Simply close your eyes, take some deep breaths until you reach a meditative state. Prepare yourself spiritually and mentally for what you are about to do. Put away all worries and concerns of the day. Once you have reached this level of what we call “ritual consciousness”, then you may begin casting the circle. Many people skip this step, and it has detrimental effects on the energy of their circles. Another important thing to do before casting your circle is to cleanse the area. This can be done with incense, salt water, a lit candle, or through white light visualization.

The method below is not the only way to cast a circle, but it is a traditional method.

Cleanse the area with incense, salt water or visualization.
Close your eyes, put away all worries of the day, and take several deep breaths until you reach a meditative state of mind.
Stand up and face the North or the East (whichever direction feels right for you). Using both hands, grasp a sword, athame (a black-handled ritual blade) or wand, and point it upwards. Not vertically straight up, but in an upwards diagonal position. If you don’t have these tools, it is perfectly acceptable to use the forefinger of your dominant hand.
Begin walking clockwise in a circle, and visualize a blue flame coming out the end of your sword/athame/wand. You will walk this circle three times while making the following three statements, one statement for each circle. If your space is limited and you can’t walk around, you can stand in one spot and pivot as you cast your circle.

CIRCLE ONE: I cast this circle to protect me from all harmful energies.

CIRCLE TWO: I cast this circle to allow only the most perfect energies for this work.

CIRCLE THREE: I cast this circle to be a sacred space for the highest good, harming none.

Do not just say the words, but think about what you’re saying. “See” it and “feel” it happening. Once your circle is created, it is not uncommon to sense a difference in energy and temperature. As you walk the circle three times, visualize the blue flame forming a circle in the air around you. You can write your own words for circle-casting, and make them as creative and elaborate or as simple as you want, but they must include the intentions that your circle is for protection from harmful energies and is a sacred space.
Next, point your sword/athame/wand straight up and say “As Above”. Visualize the top half of the sphere being formed by the protective blue light. Then point your sword/athame/wand down so that the tip is touching the ground, and say “So Below”. Visualize the bottom half of the sphere being formed. You have now created not only a circle, but a sphere of protection.

It is important to visualize the entire process of circle-casting as clearly as you can in your mind’s eye, with strong focus and intention. You are not just saying words. You are creating an energetic sphere of protection and power.

At this point, many witches invite the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water into the circle by facing their associated directions. This is also done in a clockwise direction: North/Earth, East/Air, South/Fire, West/Water. You may also invite any deities or spirit guides to assist and lend their energies to the circle. Now you are ready to do magic or anything else you have cast your circle for.

Releasing the Circle

At the end of your ritual or magical working, if you have invited the elements, thank them for their assistance, and gently release each one in a counter-clockwise direction with a statement like “Stay if you will, but go if you must”. Remember to thank your deities and spirit guides for lending their energies to the circle.
Return to the same position where you began your circle (North or East), and point your sword/athame/wand upwards again. While walking a counter-clockwise circle only once, say “This circle is released”. As you walk the circle, visualize the blue flame of the circle/sphere dissolving into nothingness. When releasing the circle, it is only necessary to walk the circle one time.

You can cast the witch’s circle for any purpose you choose. Meditation, divination, communing with deities and spirit guides, spells, to celebrate the Sabbats or the Full Moon and New Moon. The circle creates an energetic boundary where the only forces programmed to be there are for your highest good.