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An Introduction To Paganism - What is a Magick Circle?
To Dare, To Will, To Know, To Keep Silent.
"....the MAGIC CIRCLE provides a sacred and purified space in which all rites, magickal work and ceremonies are conducted. It offers a
boundary for a reservoir of concentrated power and acts as a doorway to the world of the gods...Within the circle it becomes possible
to transcend the physical, to open the mind to deeper and higher levels of consciousness."
The word magick is spelt with a 'k' in the context of the cricle as a central part of many Mystery Traditions, to differentiate this
use of the energies of the universe from stage-show magic and sleight of hand.
Many practitioners of the magick arts, both past and present, use a magick circle as a place of spiritual and inner reflection. Forms
of magick circles were used in Babylonian magic, as did Ceremonial magicians of the Middle Ages and the renaissance, certain American
Indian tribes also used the circle, although not for the same reasons. Mediaeval magicians considered the circle essential and great
emphasis was placed upon its exactness. Many had elaborate design with multiple layers of complex symbology and words. It was also
important that the circle was complete and contained no breaks. For the Ceremonial and Qabalist magician, the circle is a place of
protection during magickal workings.
The word circle is a misnomer, however, as it is a spheriod and extends not just around the magician but also above and below, the
circle only marks the point on which it touches the earth.
Defining The Circle.
There are many ways of looking at a magick circle and each practitioner will have a different method, view or use of it.
1. Altered State of Consciousness. The circle causes an alteration of the consciousness, transporting the mind from the mundane to the magickal.
2. Temple. The circle becomes a temple, a sanctified and sacred place for the communion with the divine.
3. Sacred Space. In a similar fashion to the Temple, the circle serves as a sanctified place for the consecration of objects and people or as a place to mediate or simply as a refuge from the mundane.
4. Protection. The circle becomes a shield or barrier against external forces.
5. Magickal Filter. Here the circle acts as a filter, allowing in those energies that are efficacious to the magickal working and keeping out detrimental energies.
6. Power Concentrator. The circle keeps in the energy created by the magician and focuses it into a concentrated Cone of Power, until it is released.
7. Redefining Reality. The circle becomes an island that the magician forms as the only true reality. The magician assigns directions to this new reality.
8. Space between Worlds. Here the circle is neither entirely in the material plane nor is it fully within the spiritual plane. It acts as a bridge connecting different planes of existence.
9. Omnipresent Now. The circle allows us to take advantage of non-linear time, while allowing the magician to remain with normal linear time. In the timeless reality, all things exist or have existed or will exist, in this realm the magician performs acts of scrying and divination.
10. Akashic Egg. The circle represents the eternal cyclic nature of the universe with neither a beginning or an end. The creative force is given form as a circle.
11. Extension of the personal aura. The circle becomes a projection or externalisation of the personal aura of the magician.
12. Crucible of Change. The circle changes the magician who enters it and the environment surrounding the magician.
13. Alchemical Catalyst. The circle forces the magician to re-examine self and true self, to realise our abilities and limitations and overcome them. The magician becomes part of the alchemical transformation of self into the image of True Self.
The way in which the circle is divided also define and effect the environment and the energies created within the magick circle. The
circle is normally quartered, each of The Quarters or Watchtowers correspond to cardinal points on the compass. Each point corresponds
to one of the four Elements, North - Earth, East - Air, South - Fire and West to Water. Each of the Elements has certain properties an
energies.
Keying The Circle.
The energies with a magick circle are 'keyed in' whenever the magician 'Call the Quarters or Watchtowers'. The dominant Element of the
magick circle. is the one which begins and ends the circle. (Normally, but not exclusively, North or East.) A circle cast and sealed
form the North will be an Earth circle, from the South a Fire circle, from the East a Air circle and from the West a Water Circle.
The circle can also be divided into half, one half is considered to have Positive/Increasing energies and is made up of the elements of
Earth and Air, the other Negative/Decreasing energies and composed of the elements Fire and Water. Another means of dividing a circle
into halves uses one half as Male/Projective energies made up of the elements of Air and Fire and Female/Receptive energies made up of
the elements of Earth and Water. Projective energies create a more powerful outward flow of energy while Receptive energies create a
powerful inward flow of energy. Lastly, the magician may further define the energies within the circle by the magician's movement
within; Clockwise (Sun wise or Deosil) creates Increasing energies while Widdershins (Counter clockwise or Anti-sun wise) creates
Decreasing energies. It is worth pointing out that there is a misconception of good and evil that is wrongly applied to
positive/negative energies and Deosil and Widdershins. It is the intent of the magician, which ultimately defines the magickal purpose
of the ritual or spell.
Properties of the Magick Circle
Earth
Direction: North
Governs; Night and Winter
Associated Colour: Yellow or Green.
Associated Magical Tool: the Pentacle (Shield).
Consecrative Tool: Ritual Salt.
Associated Elemental or Magickal Creatures: Gnomes, Dwarves, Moon Spirits.
Associated Alignments: Female/Positive, Receptive/Increasing. Constructive
Associated Sabbat: Winter Solstice
Arch Angel: Oriel
Attributes of the Element of Earth are: Solidity, Strength, Sustenance, Stability, Endurance, and Consistent Force or Change.
Earth Circles are well suited for Workings for Physical Healing, Physical Strength, Protection in the Physical Plane, and Physical or Financial Increase.
The environment within an Earth Circle tends to be Cool, Dry, and Comfortable
Air
Direction: East
Governs: Dawn and Springtime
Associated Colour: Blue.
Associated Magickal Tool: The Wand or Censor.
Consecrative Tool: Incense.
Associated Elemental or Magickal Creatures: Sylphs, Zephyrs, Air or Nature Spirits, the Fair Folk.
Associated Alignments: Male/Positive, Projective/Increasing. Constructive.
Associated Sabbat: Spring Equinox
Arch Angel: Raphael
Attributes of the Element of Air are: Spirituality, Spiritual Growth or Expanse, Intelligence, Mental acuity, Gentle Force or Change.
Air Circles are well suited for Workings for Spiritual Healing, Spiritual Protection, Mental Health, and Spiritual or Mental Increase.
The environment within an Air Circle tends to be Warm, Moist, and Meditative.
Fire
Direction: South
Governs: Noon and Summertime
Associated Colour: Red.
Associated Magickal Tool: The Dagger or Sword.
Consecrative Tool: the Candle.
Associated Elemental or Magickal Creatures: Salamanders, Firedrakes, Sun Faeries.
Associated Alignments: Male/Negative, Projective/Decreasing. Destructive.
Associated Sabbat: Summer Solstice
Arch Angel: Michael
Attributes of the Element of Fire are: Transition, Passion, Sexuality, Courage, Leadership, Victory, and Violent or Rapid Change or Force.
Fire Circles are well for Workings for Sexual Healing or Attraction, Victory in Legal Matters or Combat, to Kindle Passion, and to bring Rapid change to a Situation.
The environment within a Fire Circle tends to be Hot and Dry, and may be Agitating or uncomfortable for some.
Water
Direction: West
Governs: Dusk and Autumn
Associated Colour: Silver or white.
Associated Magickal Tool: The Chalice.
Consecrative Tool: Blessed Water.
Associated Elemental or Magickal Creatures: Nymphs, Undines, Mer-Folk, and Water Spirits.
Associated Alignments: Female/Negative, Receptive/Decreasing, Destructive.
Associated Sabbat: Winter Solstice
Arch Angel: Gabriel
Attributes of the Element of Water are: Movement, Depth, Vision, Intuition, Emotional Control, Peacefulness, High Magick, and Relentless Force or Change.
Water Circles are well suited for Workings for Scrying, The Sight or Visions, Workings for Peace or Forgiveness, Workings for the Dead, and Workings to increase Magickal Power or Abilities.
The environment within a Water Circle tends to be Cold and Moist but is Generally Calm.
Casting The Circle
Purification of Self and Space.
Before starting, take a bath or shower; image all the worries, stresses and negative energies of the everyday, normal world, wash away.
Feel cleansed and purified by the water. Sweep your sacred space, to clear unwanted negative energies. You can do this physically,
with a broom or besom, or visualise it or both together.
Set up the Altar.
Set up your altar (facing North or wherever seems right), set incense burning, light Goddess Candle (Silver), light God Candle (Gold)
and any other candle as required. Play some calming, relaxing music.
Sit and face the Altar, take a few deep breaths, to calm and relax you.
Casting The Circle.
[Present burning incense to the Altar, Walk the circle deosil (clockwise) with incense and feather. Representing Fire and Air.]
[Join Salt and Water together, present to the Altar. Walk the circle deosil, asperge with Water and Earth.]
[Now with the Athame, Wand or finger cast the circle with spirit. Your Energy, Heart and Spirit. Visualise a blue flame coming from
your Athame or Wand as you walk the circle.]
Circle Chant.
"The Sacred Circle
My fortress be
In perfect love and perfect trust
Be thou cast, so mote it be! "
( Call the Lady and Lord, Goddess and God to join you in your circle, to watch over you, and keep you safe. )
"Lady of The Night, Mother Goddess
Hear my call, come join me,
Watch over this Circle Of Power,
Touch us, change us, make us whole."
"Lord of The Wilds, Sky Father
Hear my call, come join me
Watch over this Circle Of Power,
Touch us, change us, make us whole.."
[Take a moment to acknowledge the presence of The Goddess and God. Smile at the Lady's warmth...the Lord's being.]
[Invoke the Quarters, or Watchtowers of the Circle.]
" Spirit and Guardian of the [direction],
I call you to my circle, come be with me.
Thou watch from the [direction] and keep me safe
Witness my workings and lend me thy aid. "
[Repeat for each of the Quarters.]
[Clap your hands on the ground and say:]
"As above, so below, this circle is sealed"
Blessed Be!
"The Goddess is a live. Magick is afoot!" Margot Adler
Bibliography
Encyclopaedia of Witchcraft
Aleister Crowley, Magick
Aleister Crowley, 777
Starhawk, The Spiral Dance
Gerina Dunwich, Wicca A to Z
P.E.I. Bonewitz, Real Magic.
David Conway, Magic: an Occult Primer.
Scott Cunningham, Wicca A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner
Vivianne Crowley, Wicca
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