Casting the Circle by Arianrhod Wolfchild

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Casting the Sacred Circle

Erect the altar in the center of what will be the sacred circle, facing East. Light the working ~powerRoman','serif'; COLOR: rgb(218,238,243); FONT-SIZE: 14pt"'>~ candle. Light the Goddess candle, then the God candle. Set the incense alight in the censer. Mark the cardinal
points of the circle:

East ~ air Roman','serif'; COLOR: rgb(218,238,243); FONT-SIZE: 14pt"'>~ yellow South Roman','serif'; COLOR: rgb(218,238,243); FONT-SIZE: 14pt"'>~ fire Roman','serif'; COLOR: rgb(218,238,243); FONT-SIZE: 14pt"'>~ red West ~ water Roman','serif'; COLOR: rgb(218,238,243); FONT-SIZE: 14pt"'>~ blue North ~ earth Roman','serif'; COLOR: rgb(218,238,243); FONT-SIZE: 14pt"'>~ green

Bless the water with the athame:

“I bless this water that it may be purified andfit to dwell within this sacred circle.”

Bless the salt with the athame:

“I bless this salt, element of the earth, that it may be purified and fit to dwell within thissacred circle.”

Combine the salt and the water in the water bowl.

Starting at the East, begin walking the circle with the Athame pointed towards the bottom of the floor. On second pass raise the Athame to waist level, on third pass, raise over head:

“Here is the boundary of the Sacred Circle. Naught but love shall enter in. Naught but love shall emerge from within.Charge this by your powers, Old ones! So mote it be!”

Asperge the circle next with the salted water three times round. Purify with the censer next three times round. Light with working candle from the altar three times round. Complete with altar
Pentacle three times round.

“This is the sacred circle. May Perfect Love and Perfect Trust abide withinthis space.”

With the working candle, Light the quarter candles, beginning in the East moving deosil. Beginning in the East, mark invoking pentagram over the quarter, then kiss it’s blade. In the Goddess
position, call the quarter:

“Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East; O Ancient ones of the Air, Keepers of the wand, the breath and the intellect, I summon and stir thee! I bid you to attend and
bless this circle and it’sworkings.

I charge this by your powers, Old ones! Hail and Welcome!”

Continue South:

“Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South; O Ancient ones of the Fire, Keepers of the Athame, the heat and the will”

West:

“O Ancient ones of the Water, Keepers of the Chalice, the blood, and emotion”

North:

“O Ancient ones of the Earth, Keepers of the Pentacle, the flesh andstrength”

 

Invocation of the Goddess and God

Walking deosil around the circle, chant the invoking song to the Goddess:

“Behold the Crone. Dancer of Time Completion of the Sacred CycleShe Who is Wisdom Beloved, respected and feared

Honored as Grandmother, Ancestress and Hag In the end ~ there is beginning, Death brings Birth, Life renews through Her The Crone comes. Silently, powerfully, relentlessly Crossing space and time, Holding the threads
of life and death, Mistress of endings and beginningsSpeaking through elders
Hecate, (Callieagch, Rhiannon) I summon andstir thee! Bathe me in your light and
wisdom.Feel my praises that you might bless me in this sacred rite. I invoke
thee!”

Ring the bell three times three.

~ Omit for Esbats ~

“Great God Cernunnos Return to Earth again! Come at my call and show thyself to men. Shepherd of Goats, Upon the wild hill's way, Lead thy lost flock from darkness unto day.

Forgotten are the Ways of sleep and night-- Men seek for them, whose eyes have lost the light.Open the door, The door that has no key The door of dreams, whereby men come to thee.
Shepherd of Goats, I invoke thee!”

Ring the bell three times three.

If celebrating a sabbat, recite the specific sabbatic chant or special writing, or perform any observance or celebration of the sabbat.

In Esbat rituals, raise a cone of power before magickal workings.

After magickal workings, ground the power.

 

Libations

“I give thanks to the Goddess and God

for that which sustains me. May I ever be aware of all that I owe to theGods.”

Chalice in left hand, Athame in right, lower into the chalice:

“As the male is to the female, may the fruits of this union bring life and mirth. May I never thirst.”

Before partaking, give offering into the offering bowl.

Piercing the cake with the point of the Athame:

“This is a blessing of the Goddess and God to my body. I partake of it freely, and am ever mindful to share with those who have nothing. May I never hunger.”

Before partaking, give offering into the offering bowl.

 

Closing the Circle

Facing East, hold aloft the Athame:

“Farewell to the guardians of the watchtowers of the East. I give thanks for your presence and blessings. Go in love if you must take your leave. Hail and Farewell!”

Repeat deosil to all quarters.

Pierce the circle with the Athame at waist level walking deosil three times round the circle, drawing the energy that created the circle back into the Athame.

“The circle is open, but never is it broken. So mote it be.”