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 Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:05 pm
Wiccan Preparations
Welcome one and all, I am sure in my most recent thread "Esbats" you were wondering what I was talking about when I said look at Wiccan Preparations for some of the info, well here it is. This is the place were I will put odds and ends such as Circle Casting, Tool Consecrating and so fourth. So ready your notebooks and enjoy.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:36 pm
Circle Casting Information
A circle may be cast with an athame, wand, sword, incense stick, feather, sprig of herbs or even your finger, it is the energy that you put into the circle that forms it, not the tool you use. Some people find it useful to trace the circle on the floor with salt so it is easier to see it's boundaries. You may do this if it helps you. In the past many magicians did this as a regular part of casting their circle, and it won't hurt anything if you would like to do it. You may also use a chalk outline, flower petals, crystals, or candles. If you use candles be cautious about flowing robes catching alight, use hurricane lamps to cover the flames. I have heard of using flour, but it is harder to vacuum out of the carpet after the ritual than salt. As for the size, a circle may be small enough just for one person to sit in or may be as large as needed for a group, the size you cast should be based upon your need and the size of the gathering. A nine foot circle is traditional, increased by three foot increments if needed, but let your needs be your guide.http://www.geocities.com/fullmoon_magic/casting.html
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:44 pm
Casting A Circle
First you might wish to draw a circle on the ground in the dimensions that you wish. You can use stones, string, chalk or whatever, though you do not HAVE to draw out the circle physically envisioning one works too.
Your ritual tools should be on the altar, as should the altar candles (two white candles), the censer, altar incense, a bowl of water, a bowl of salt and a red candle. You should also have the watchtower candles ready in their places at the edge of the circle area, green for North/earth, red for South/fire, yellow for East/air, and blue for West/water. These may be jar candles that are reused for each circle. We shall assume that your altar is already set up and oriented toward the North near the outside edge of the space the circle will be cast. Use a compass to find north. We shall further assume that you have already purified yourself and the space and are dressed in your robes or skyclad as you prefer. You are now ready to begin.
Make sure you have your cakes and "ale" already at the altar. You should not leave the circle or cut a door to leave for any reason other than emergencies because when you cut a circle it weakens the circle by a bit.
Ring the bell three times. Then using your dominant hand take up your athame (if you do not have an athame then just use your hand, pointing your forefinger), kiss the blade, and hold it high in salute. Say:
Hail, Lord and Lady. Here I do build a temple of life in which to honor you. Assist me as I lay down the foundation stones on which I will build my cone of power.
Lowering your athame, walk over to the East point in the Circle. Point the tip of the blade at the drawn line on the ground. Take your time, concentrating all your energies into directing a line of force flowing from your heart, down your arm, through your athame, and down into the ground on this line. Imagine a ball of white light. As your breathe in, feel the energy building, and direct it down to the drawn line.
Slowly walk around the Circle clockwise, directing that energy as you go. Continue until you get back to the point where you started. In your mind, connect the ends of the line of power, then raise the athame in salute. Draw a pentagram in the air to seal it, kiss the blade, and return to the altar.
Walk over to the east point in the Circle, taking with you matches or better yet a lit taper candle, light the candle at the east. Say:
Here is light at the East, where the life-giving sun rises each day. Here is erected the Watchtower of Air, standing guard over this temple of the gods.
Move on around to the south and light the candle from the taper, saying:
Here is the South, where ires rise up to warm and illuminate the earth. Here is erected the Watchtower of Fire, standing guard over this temple of the gods.
Move around to the West and light the candle from the taper, saying:
Here is light at the West, where waters move gently to give the moisture of life to the earth. Here is erected the Watchtower of Water, standing guard over this temple of the gods.
Move around to the North and light the candle from the taper, saying:
Here is light at the North, where the earth forms a solid foundation for all life. Here is erected the Watchtower of Earth, standing guard over this temple of the gods.
Return to the altar and light the altar candle(s), saying:
Here is light that I bring into the temple. Let it light the way through the darkness of ignorance to the world of knowledge. Light to life, in all things.
Extinguish the taper, then again take up your athame and dip the tip of the blade into the bowl of salt, saying:
Salt is life. Let this salt be pure and let it purify my life, as I use it in this rite dedicated to the God and Goddess in whom I believe.
Take three pinches of the salt and drop them into the water. Moving your athame across to the water dish, dip it in there, saying:
Let the sacred salt drive out any impurities in this water, that together they may be used in the service of these deities, throughout these rites and at any time and in any way I may use them.
Mix the water and salt with the athame blade, stirring in a clockwise direction three times around. Then lay down the athame and pick up the dish of salted water. Go to the east point of the Circle and raise the dish so it's level with your eyes, saying:
((((continue later))))
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:48 pm
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