(While drawing the circle with dagger, sword or forefinger of power hand say) I consecrate this circle of power to the Ancient Ones.
Here may they manifest and bless their child.
(Move back to altar, face east.
Raise dagger or wand in greeting, say)
This is a time that is not a time,
in a place that is not a place, on a day that is not a day.
I stand at the threshold between the worlds,
before the veil of the Mysteries.
May the ancient ones help and protect me
on my magical journey.
(set water chalice on pentacle, hold dagger over it, say)
Great Mother, bless this creature of Water to your service.
May I always remember the cauldron waters of rebirth.
(hold dagger over the salt, say)
Great Mother, bless this creature of Earth to your service.
May I always remember the blessed Earth,
its many forms and beings.
(Sprinkle a little salt into the water, hold chalice up high, say)
Great Mother, I give you honor!
Beginning in east moving clockwise, sprinkle salt/water around edges of circle.Replace chalice on altar.
(Hold dagger over lighted incense burner, say)
Great Father, bless this creature of Fire to your service.
May I always remember the sacred Fire that dances within the form of every creation.
(Hold dagger over incense, say)
Great Father, bless this creature of Air to your service.
May I always listen to the spirit winds that bring me the voices of the Ancient Ones.
(Put a little incense on lighted burner.
Touch burner to pentacle, lift it high, say)
Great Father, I give you honor!
(Carry burner around circle clockwise, beginning in east. Return it to altar.)
(Go to Eastern corner, light red/yellow candle, hold hand up in greeting)
I call upon you, Powers of Air,
to witness this rite and to guard this circle.
(In southern corner, light white/red candle, hold hand up in greeting)
I call upon you, Powers of Fire,
to witness this rite and guard this circle.
(In west, light grey/blue candle, hold hand up in greeting)
I call upon you, Powers of Water,
to witness this rite and guard this circle.
(In north, light black/green candle, hold hand up in greeting)
I call upon you, Powers of Earth,
to witness this rite and guard this circle.
(Move back to altar, face east. Raise arms in greeting)
This circle is bound, With power all around.
Between the worlds, I stand, With protection at hand.
(Insert spellwork or ritual ceremony here! When done continue on….)
By the powers of the Ancient Gods,
I bind all power within this circle Into this spell.
So mote it be.
(celebrate the simple feast…hold cup of wine up to sky)
Gracious Goddess of Abundance,
Bless this wine and infuse it with Your love.
In Your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,
I bless this wine.
(hold up plate of cakes or bread to sky)
Powerful God of the Harvest,
Bless these cakes and infuse them with Your love.
In Your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,
I bless these cakes.
-from D.J. Conways' "Celtic Magick"
Casting the Circle 2
1. Remove all animals and small children from the area and any furniture that you do not want to be inside your circle.
2. Set up your altar before you cast the circle.
3. Locate magnetic north with a compass and, holding the wand out from your body, go into alpha and see the wand's aura extending out from it, especially at the tip.
4. Visualize the tip of the wand creating a circle of light and energy, like a lazer, as you walk clockwise three times around the area. The circumference drawn by the wand's tip will be the edge of your circle. Project white light out from the wand to create the circle of energy. In your mind see the circle as geometrically perfect and say to yourself that it is.
5. Walk the circle the second time around and say out loud, "I cast this circle to protect me / us from all negative and positive energies and forces on any level that may come to do me / us harm. I draw into this circle only the energies and forces that are right for me / us and the most correct for my / our work."
6. Walk the circle the third time and say, "I create sacred space. So mote it be."
7. Invoke the four directions and the energies of the elements, angels, and powers that reside in them by using the athame, wand, sword, or index finger to draw an invoking pentagram as you face each direction. Use a ritual spell of invocation or one you write for yourself.
8. To open a circle hold the wand out over the circumference of the circle and, beginning at magnetic north, walk once around the circle counterclockwise as you say, "I send this circle into the cosmos to do my / our bidding. The circle is undone but not broken."
Closing The Circle (When ready to end ritual, go to east, extinguish red/yellow candle, say)
Depart in peace, O Powers of Air. My thanks and blessings.
(In south, extinguish white/red candle, say)
Depart in peace, O Powers of Fire. My thanks and blessings.
(In west, extinguish grey/blue candle, say)
Depart in peace, O Powers of Water. My thanks and blessings.
(In north, extinguish black/green candle, say)
Depart in peace, O Powers of Earth. My thanks and blessings.
(Cut circle backwards with dagger or sword to release all remaining traces of power for manifestation, say)
The circle is open, yet ever it remains a circle. Around and through me always flows its magical power.
