Circles and Castings

A Circle for Cathrsis

Introduction: One of my near and dear once spent an hour in a therapist's office kicking an innocent throw pillow around the room and screaming out rage at his abusive father. At the end of the hour, he had a broken foot -- and the first beginnings of a healed mind. But we have learned that magic works through symbols. Calling an object by your abuser's name and then abusing that object is sympathetic magic used for the purpose of cursing. To throw a curse is to project one's worst feelings out into the world of form, and to invoke upon oneself the inevitable karmic feedback. It is not our way to blast the crops and sour the milk. Wiccan tradition and plain common sense both tell us to avoid the practice of baneful magic. But, as usual, it's not quite as easy as just saying no. Rape and child abuse, loved ones killed by muggers or drunk drivers, emotional manipulation and betrayal, economic exploitation and dishonest office politics people hurt and victimize other people in many different ways every day. We are not immune. At some point in our lives, probably every single one of us will feel violated by some other human being. Often our feelings will be based in fact. Whether they are or not, however, we need and deserve a safe way to discharge them. Symbolic baneful actions are also cathartic actions. They drain and clear our poisonous feelings and allow our own emotional healing to begin. If we deny ourselves this outlet, what happens to the grief and pain and rage? If projection is bad for us, introjection is even worse. Unreleased bad feelings are a major source of stress. In a very real sense, stress cripples and kills. Ulcers, strokes, heart attacks and more are all heavily stress-related. A simple refusal to engage in baneful magic could easily amount to punishing a victim by adding serious illness to the original harm. I am part of the All. "An it harm none" is about me too. Release of my feelings is my right.

At first it seems like an insoluble paradox. But the same understanding of magic that forbids projection of our bad feelings can open a safe channel for those feelings. Here's one possible form: Preparation: 1. Understanding: Think about the Alcoholics Anonymous prayer. "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can change, and the wisdom to know the difference." People of any religion can recognize the wisdom in those words. This ritual is intended to ease emotional pressure. I believe that is a step towards granting all three of those things to ourselves. If your hurt is ongoing, you must take steps to stop it -leave the abusive relationship, begin searching for a new job, begin organizing politically to stop your oppression. What good this Circle does you will be temporary at best if you are not acting on both the magical and material planes to change the things you can change. But some of our pain comes from old, old injuries. And some of our feelings are not based on fact at all. The source of those hurts cannot be changed, but the pain can be. This particular working is to release any bad feelings, not to judge them. Don't worry about justice. You may be mistaken about who has hurt you, but nobody will be hurt by what we do here. All energy will be contained within the Circle. The object of this working is healing, not justice. You deserve this healing simply because you hurt, and even if you are mistaken. Prevention and healing are human tasks; to do them is to change the things we can change. Justice - the evening of karmic balances - is the business of the Gods, and may take place across a span of many lifetimes. Karmic balance is a thing we cannot change. 2. Set Up: You have some decisions to make. The first one is whether you will work alone or ask one or more trusted friends to witness and facilitate your working. Some of us can only let our feelings go in strict privacy. For others, the presence of people who will make sure we don't hurt ourselves or our homes removes a source of inhibition. And sometimes simply being heard is part of the release process. Next, exactly what kind of symbolic action will release your feelings? Will kicking a throw pillow suffice, or do you need to actually make a poppet? Or just screaming may be enough. If you want to work with a physical symbol, prepare it in advance, and be sure not to use anything you will want to keep after the rite or ever use again.

Figure out whether you can either cast a Circle to include your bathroom, or leave a cast Circle for a period of time. This will depend on your particular training. If possible, have a warm scented tub waiting for you. If not, a basin of warm scented water and a washcloth within easy reach just outside of your Circle will suffice. Also, a ritual meal should be prepared and waiting outside of Circle, and this should include something green and growing - I favor sprouts - and something sweet. Procedure: 1. Waning moon is a good time for this Circle, and the Dark of the Moon is even better. Cast the Circle and invoke the Watchers in your usual manner. Call on the Crone, on She who weeds and prunes and disposes of the obstructive and unnecessary. 2. Just inside the Circle, like the membrane in an eggshell, cast a grounding shield. One possible image for this shield would be a black absorptive chain link fence, supported at regular intervals by fence posts that are lightning rods. Whatever happens within this space will be contained and grounded. 3. Make clear to yourself what wound you seek to drain. Say it out loud, even if you are alone. Recall what happened to you in detail and let the feelings grow strong. 4. Now, let go of your feelings. Do whatever will help you release what is in you. Beat on a pillow or rip up a doll. Scream till you cry. Don't stop till you are emptied. Then fling the thing you used as a symbol out of your Circle. 5. When you are sure you are all done, all drained, contract the shield into a tight ball in the center of the Circle. As it contracts, it will gather all the negative energy from the Circle. Ground it. Affirm that you are sending this energy to the fire at the heart of the Earth - to Jarnsaxe or to Pele - to be purified in that blast furnace and cycled to wherever strong energy is needed. Know that what you now let go is gone. Affirm this out loud. 6. Wash or bathe in a ritual manner, feeling the last traces of your bad feelings dissolve away. If others are present, allow them to wash and serve you. 7. Rest a few minutes. Feel the peace of emptiness. 8. Then invoke the Maiden's energy for new beginnings. Have your ritual feast, and otherwise indulge your senses. Gentle and joyful music would be effective, and you may want to switch to a sweeter smelling incense. This is a time to dream dreams and plan plans. You have removed an energy drain from your life, now you will be able

to? 9. Thank and dismiss whatever Beings you have called on, throughout the whole ritual. Close your Circle as usual. Do not do any other kinds of working or worship within this particular Circle. Follow Through: The final part of any effective magical working is "acting in accordance" on the material plane. By doing this, we give the magic a channel through which to manifest. For this working, there are three forms of follow through, and all are important. 1. Remember that painful feelings are partly habitual. Acting in accordance with magic to banish such feelings requires you to stop feeding the habit. Don't talk about the pain with anybody until at least the second full moon after the working. This gives the habit a chance to fade out. As much as you can, eliminate the topic from your internal dialogue as well. When you notice yourself dwelling on the old pain, gently and firmly change the subject. Thinking about action to change your life in the here and now is perfectly OK. The problem is reiteration of old feelings of frustration and helplessness that actually impede change. 2. If the hurtful situation is current and ongoing, continue with any steps you were taking to change the things you can change. In fact, you will probably find you have more energy than you did before to devote to your projects. 3. Be sure to use some of your newly freed emotional energy to reward yourself. Take time for friendship, love, and pleasure. The object of the exercise is to clear space for the enjoyment of life, so start right now.

Casting: How and Why

How I cast a Circle depends on why I am circling. But that's not real helpful advice to someone new to magic, so I'll try ramble a bit about the subject. First questions are usually about 'stuff and tools'. I love all my witchy things, but never confuse them with the Source of Magic. Wands don't make magic. If I am outside because it is a full or new moon, or a Solar Holy Day, I tend to bring lots of stuff with me. I don't necessarily bring everything you might see in a group ritual, just what I feel like having according to the moment and the occasion. I've been known to spend the entire day taking things outside to set up a circle in preparation for a ritual just for myself. The preparation, the tools and objects, the creation of an alter, all appeal to the artist in me. It is something I find great pleasure in. If the reason I am circling is more than celebratory, if I have a specific personal goal in mind, I tend to take less stuff with me, choosing only things I feel most appropriate, and those sparingly. I guess I see a division between 'celebratory' and 'working' ritual. I see 'tools' of ritual as more important in Celebratory Circles and to the working of magic in a group ritual rather than a Solitary one. They help to create the boundaries of sacred space, they add a sense of mystery and help to bring a group into the focus that is needed for working together. Tools have less to offer me in Solitary ritual, I just don't need them as much as in group work. In any ritual, regardless of the purpose or number of people, I start by grounding and centering. These two are similar, but I see them as distinct from one another. Grounding is more of establishing a connection. I see magic, the use of power and energy as a gift, a loan, the source being the Earth and the Goddess, Grounding is establishing the connection. I can offer you a visualization that I used to use if you want, (it is one of a tree, sending roots deep into the earth) but I recommend you see this as another 'tool' and use it only as an aid to finding your own source/feeling of power. I don't use a visualization, and I'm not really sure how I can accurately describe what I do other than to tell you I look within, find inside myself the source of connectedness and power and then let it resonate. This resonance is what I call centering. The feelings of calling and focusing the Energy of the Earth are powerful ones,

centering is becoming adjusted to that feeling, finding your own silence in the midst of a tornado of Power. I ground and center sitting on the earth, hands touching the ground, eyes closed. The alter and anything I need will already be set up, there may already be a candle burning, sometimes I will open my eyes and stare into the candle before I go any further to cast a circle. I think of this time as waiting to see the circle that wishes to be cast. I don't usually plan ahead what I'm going to say or whom I will invoke, I wait until these moments and follow my instincts. I usually use smudge, but rarely do a cleansing or banishing in solitary space (and even in group ritual if I remember to add salt to the water its with my Goddess given fingers not some ceremonial knife). To cast the circle I stand in each of the directions E, S, W, N, and call in the spirits of that direction. My roots are Dianic, I invoke only the Feminine as I call the quarters. I do not in Solitary ritual separately invoke the Goddess, instead I invoke Her in each of her aspects as I come to each direction. At times my words, my intent is to call more upon an essence of a particular direction, other times I directly invoke a particular Goddess that represents to me what I am doing and which direction I am facing. I know this is sketchy. Here's an example of what I mean: In the East, I usually invoke the essence of the direction, that of beginnings of birth and rebirth. This is the direction in which I see my Friend and Guide the Owl and the direction of my birth, therefore I usually do not invoke a particular Goddess here. In the South, I will usually invoke a particular Goddess, one who represents either emotion or the emotions that I am feeling in regard to the work I am doing. In the West I will include both the essence of the direction as well as a Goddess Aspect, this direction is an introspective, reflective one and comes easily to me. The North is the direction of the greatest Mystery, I linger the longest and speak the least here, usually invoking using an Ancient Goddess name or names. To call each of the directions I face them from the edge of the circle and raise my arms in what I call the Goddess sign, others call a yonic symbol. I will draw an invoking Pentagram in the air when in group ritual, but in Solitary I draw Pentagrams on my body instead. I draw one over left breast for E, vulva for S, right breast for W and forehead for N, womb for Center. This symbolizes my belief that magic comes from within, and that every woman's body is as the body of the Goddess.

I continue around the circle twice more, pausing in each direction, it is a bit of a trance inducer for me and the belief again that we create magic with our actions casting the circle as I walk it's path three times. Yes, my circle casting does blur the lines between casting the circle and invoking. invoking I'm sure there are many traditionalists who would look down their pointy lil noses at this. But after a decade of walking this spiral path I am inclined to smirk at comments from Rigid Witches. If you take any advice from these pages, let it be to follow your own sense of Magic and Mystery.

Spirits of the Mystery Realms, both known and those un-met I call as Priestess of the Mother, daughter of Diana, daughter of Astarte, daughter of Artemis, Mother of All. As my Grandmothers before me From time out of mind In this place that is not a place I dance between the Worlds The Circle is Cast

Casting a Solitary Circle

Casting the Circle: Place white or appropriately colored candles at the compass points, the altar may be at the center of the circle. A small white or beeswax candle, two larger candles, the censer with unlit incense, the Athame, a dish of salt, a goblet of water, small cakes or cookies for "cakes and ale," a goblet of wine, an offering dish and any items for work to be done within the cast circle. Take a short moment, eyes closed, to become "At peace" before standing before the altar. Light the small candle and walk toward the east. Light the yellow or white candle from the small candle, saying:

"Here I call forth the powers of air from the east, that I may be like the air, unfettered and pure."
Take a moment to remember the air visualization, and to contemplate the meaning of the east, air and freedom before continuing onward. Light the red or white candle to the south with the small candle saying:

"Here I call forth the powers of fire from the south, that I may be like fire, enduring all hardships to become strengthened."
Recall your own "trials by fire" and contemplate the possibility of more, the meaning of the words spoken is thought on, and the caster continues. Light the blue or white candle to the west, saying:

"Here I call forth the powers of water, that I may be like water, supporting and protecting all that I encounter,"
Contemplate the water visualization and the meaning of the west in your life. Move on to the North, lighting the green or white candle, saying:

"Here I call forth the power of Earth, that I may be like earth, grounded at all times."
Here ground and think before moving to the east to say:

"Welcome Air, Fire, Water, Earth, shine your light and lend your strength to this my circle to night/day."
Still moving clockwise, return to the altar, and light the incense saying:

"Negative forces be gone, you are not welcome here."

Breathe deeply of the incense and banish away negative forces within before circling clockwise thrice with the censer, visualizing hate, jealousy and the like fleeing from the smoke. Returns to the altar, pick up the Athame and pick up a measure of salt with its tip. Inserting the tip of the blade into the water saying:

"As man to woman so blade to chalice, I purify this water with love, light and power."
Walk around the circle, sprinkling the salted water about the circle thrice. Returning to the altar, raise the Athame to the sky and visualize a beam of blue light filling it, walk once around the circle, using the Athame and its light to "cut" a space between the worlds. This done, move to the altar and light the two candles.

"Lord and Lady, I invite you to this my worship, that you may look upon my devotions and celebrations and be heartened and strengthened by them."
Turn toward the west and announce:

"Now is my circle cast, unbreakable and without harm. Thus is sacred space decreed, and no act goes unnoticed. So mote it be."
Closing the circle: Thank the Gods for their attentions, snuff their candles. Dismiss individually each element and thank it for lending its strength, Walk around the circle, drawing the blue light back into the Athame, breathe deep, and take some of the power back. A closing statement usually follows, ending in:

"The Circle is open, but ever unbroken. So mote it be."

Centering and Grounding

When performing meditation, or preparing for a ritual or rite, often it necessary for you to allow yourself a way to clear out any doubts or wandering thoughts. This is called centering and grounding because this process is approached in two separate parts. First, before beginning anything else, note surroundings and make sure you are comfortable if you are planning to meditate, and then steady your breathing. Centering Center yourself by slowly bringing you awareness inward. Since we spend most of our lives focusing outward it may take some practice to become comfortable with this idea. This is also the time when you have the wandering thoughts those things that just pop into your head, like what to make for dinner, the meeting you have next week, etc. The hardest part of centering is letting these thoughts come for a time, then simply putting them aside to focus on yourself and what you are about to do. It sounds easy, but think of it another way how many times have you tried to fall asleep and couldn't because these thoughts kept popping into your mind. Same thing, only your goal is to remain awake! Or at least, to relax enough for meditation but not so far as to fall asleep. Grounding Grounding is a two part process: first to allow any lingering negative thoughts to flow harmlessly away, and second to provide yourself a stable link while you are working. One way is to start by connecting to the Earth through your feet. See it as a cord of energy from your body that reaches down into the Earth, and a similar cord that reaches up to you from the Earth, with the two cords weaving together. Through this cord allow any energy buildup to drain down into the Earth, Knowing that it will be harmlessly dispersed, and feel the stability of the Earth. This is also a major point to remember when working magic: if you do not allow yourself an outlet for the excess energy you have built up, it will remain with you. This is why many Witches cast circles for magical workings; it contains energy until released.

Circle Casting Dragon Style

I just thought I'd drop a note on the traditional Dragon Tradition Circle casting. The circle is cast with the Blade, the Cup and the Censor. The Priest starts with the Blade in the north and draws the boundary of the circle. As he does he recites: "I tread this

Path for the Elements, that which comprises all that we see."
The HPS takes to sprinkling the boundaries with the Cup filled with salted water. She recites: "I tread this Path for Self, a reflection of the Divine." The HP then takes the censor and carries the smoke to the boundaries of the circle in a deosil direction. He recites: "I tread this Path for Spirit, that which unites all

things."
The HP or HPS then state the charge of our Circle. It is as follows:

"Our Circle is a place where hearts and minds can meet and share in the wonder and empowerment of a living and loving Goddess. We are a coven of friends, but above all things we are Family. Our Love and our Magick binds us together and our Circle keeps us and nurtures us. We are blessed. Blessed Be!"
The Dragon Guardians are then invoked. East

Mighty Dragon, Guardian of the realms of the East. Your tongue is a sharp sword, cutting with the knowledge of the arcane. Your spirit flows as graceful as a swift in flight. Purify us with truth. Blessed Be."
South

Mighty Dragon, Guardian of the realms of the South, your breath is aflame with the fires of inspiration and passion. Your spirit is searing and fervent. Purify us with Love. Blessed Be."
West

Mighty Dragon, Guardian of the realms of the West, your coils are the cleansing healing waves that nurture the soul. Your spirit lunges, leaps and splashes like a Talbot at play. Purify us with pulsing tides. Blessed Be."
North

Mighty Dragon, Guardian of the realms of the North, your talons run like roots into

the earth, giving you infinite strength. Your spirit is substantial, hard and pure like a clear crystal. Purify us with persistent wisdom. Blessed Be."
Each of these Dragons has a secret name that they are also invoked with. A suggestion is that anyone using these invocations meditate to find an appropriate name for each Guardian and use it along with or instead of the words "Mighty Dragon". I find that the Circle charge sets the mood for the Circle and I change it to suit the situation. If anyone has ideas for a Circle charge, I'd like to hear them. I have a number of Circle charges that I use but fresh ones always are nice.

Circles
It is a Sacred space set aside for Ceremonies and Rituals of High Magic. I am not going to go into major detail here. I am going to give you just the basics for your Curiosity. Within the circle one can transcend the physical world and take the mind to deeper and higher levels of consciousness. It acts as a protection barrier from all Evil and unwanted Entities. From within this Magical Circle the Magician can Invoke and or conjure up any Demon or Angelic being that is desired for their bidding. Now take note that the Entities are conjured to appear outside of the circle and into the Triangle of the Solomon (Triangle of the Art). The Magic Circle is for the Magician to stand in along with those who might wish to witness a Magical operation as such. The Circle must always be cleansed and Consecrated to make it a Sacred Protection barrier. There are many different Magic Circles that have been found throughout time from many different Grimoires. Most all have Sacred names of God and symbols that are inscribed all around the inside border of the Circle. By looking at the different Circles you will see that some have many many names that are hard to read these Circles would be impossible to make because if you can't read it then you can't be sure you have the right names and this will serve as no protection. You will see that there are also ones that are much easier to read and comprehend a much wiser choice. Which Circle is the best? That is for you the Magician to decide. I myself prefer one of my own making that contains names of God that I am used to invoking for protection not too intricate and not too simple. It must be right for you for all your energy will be built up within this circle. Now many of you whom think you know it all may want to write me and tell me that they have to be certain colors and so forth. I say Bullshit. What I am telling you comes from trial and error that is Experience. A Magic circle can be drawn in the sand or carved in concrete or painted on fabric. If they are painted on a surface they are usually in Black and White. All these methods of using a Magic Circle have worked for many famous Magicians/Sorcerers for decades. If Aleister Crowley were alive today he would tell you the same. Below are some of the Famous Magic Circles that have been used throughout time. There are others that can be found in different Grimoires, but these are enough to give you an idea of how they differ from each other and their similarities.

Circles: Why Use Them?

They say that the longest journey begins with a single step. So, too, the exploration of Magickal studies begins with a single step. Though the first step in a physical journey is often self-evident, the First Step on a Magickal journey is often not quite so clear. While formally organized groups often have a path of lessons to instruct newcomers, the solitary or isolated student is often left standing in perplexity on this broad plain of knowledge, wondering just where in the heck to begin. And wondering, too, if it's "okay" to start just anywhere. While it's true that studies can begin in any direction that attracts you, the necessary first step must be learning to make psychic shields. There are "Things of the Dark" out there. There are any number of explanations for what these things might be-- ghosts, demons, or simply uncontrolled urges of the subconscious mind. In truth, it doesn't matter what they are. What does matter is that their effect is very real and unless they are put under your control, they will drag you over the borders of sanity into psychosis. You are most vulnerable to them while you're in an "open" trance or meditative state. That's why the wise practitioner always begins by taking steps to define exactly what will be permitted through the portals of their "psychic shields"-no matter how simple the ritual. And this, in a nutshell, is what "protective magic" is about. There are a number of ways to do this. The most common is to begin by drawing a circle (around a group or yourself) and invoking the one or more protective powers. Generally, this is done by candlelight, in front of an altar that holds certain magical objects. The circle may be further "secured" and "cleared" by using salt, salt water, rum, incense, or some other method. You may be wearing a special robe and will have taken a bath (or performed a cleansing ritual) earlier. The powers that protect you will be called on and then you will begin your ritual. Is it psychological? Absolutely! Is there a reason why protection rituals always take this form? Positively! Let's take a step back and see what you're actually doing and how the process works-- from a psychological standpoint-- and how to use this knowledge to help you refine your circles to enhance your rituals. Psychologists and psychics alike view the mind's structure as a three-part entity: The ego (that which you think of as yourself), the superego (the "higher self") and the Id (the child within). The Id is, in a sense, a computer. Like most computers, it operates on the "garbage in-garbage out" principle. There's an old superstition "as you name something, so will it become." Tell yourself that you're very unlucky and your id will

obligingly give you bad days by enhancing any negatives in your environment. Tell yourself that you are clumsy, and your id-computer will obligingly arrange for you to break a leg while stepping off the sidewalk. The bad news is that the Id can't make a judgment as to whether or not this is a good idea. It only knows that it's received these "instructions" and must carry them out. The good news is that you can actually program/reprogram this portion of your mind. You begin programming this Internal Servant of yours by first drawing its attention to what you want done and then explaining what you need done in a simple and clear manner. Repeating the instructions in a chant help fix the goals for the Id-- rhymed chants seem to be easier for it to process. Each time you perform the ritual and repeat the chant, the programming is strengthened. Never mind that your ego and superego understand that you're going to program the child-like Id. It works just the same. To direct the Id's attention to the process, you first have to impress it. Using special tools and clothing alert it that something unusual is going on and that it must pay attention. Acquiring hard-to-obtain items, drawing symbols, performing a symbolic sacrifice (donating money, say, to a good cause) are all ways of reinforcing the Id's impression that this ceremony is very special and that the result will be very powerful. Organized, meaningful symbols, speak to your subconscious mind in ways it understands, reinforcing the goals you have set. Drawing the circle itself establishes boundaries within your environment ("The rest of the world can do what it likes Out There. All within this circle is in my control!"). Purifying the circle and consecrating it (sprinkling water which has been blessed and salt added) further enforce your territory, defining the borders where you are "safe". Nothing can enter this area except what you invite inside. You further tighten these borders by calling on certain Powers. You can call on any powers you like. Some use traditional Christian images. Others call up deities from the religion they are most comfortable with. And many people use the thought/image of a beam of light that represents either God/Goddess (whichever one they like) or the power of light and life and goodness in the Universe. The number of powers called as guardians varies. You may choose to invoke one powerful being to protect your circle. Or you might call on the Universal Being/Light and four guardians (one for each quarter of the compass). A third approach is to use a guardian for the four quarters of the compass and no higher being. There is no "absolutely correct" system; the correct system is the one that you are comfortable with.

Take time to choose the guardians of your circle carefully. You should select guardians (gods or animals or some form of life) which have a deeper meaning to you and whose qualities are in harmony with your goals. For the new student, it's best to have all your Powers and Guardians from the same belief system/religion/mythic universe so that the symbols will be consistent and not confuse the Id. You can use people-- saints, movie actors, figures from favorite books as guardians. Do, Do however, pick someone who's dead or non-existent. The dead can't argue with your interpretation of them, whereas the living may be highly offended to be approached as gods/guardians). As your studies continue, you will find that your totems or guardians change. This is to be expected; as you explore new realms in your studies, you may find you need guardians who deal with very specific areas to strengthen and guide you in these new fields. But don't make the mistake of assuming that you'll become so powerful that you will never need the protection of the psychic shielding circle in some form. And don't assume that you will not need a circle for "positive" magicks such as healing. Open is open-- and open is vulnerable. And circles strengthen and protect you by defining what psychological influences will be allowed to work with you.

Creating Your Sacred Space

Setting up your Space: Before any spiritual even can occur, you should create or designate a place that can act as your "Sacred Space". Your personal area where only spiritual work and interaction will be conducted. Once you have designated an area, inside or outside, you will need to cleanse the area, energize it and create a "gateway" for spiritual communication and work. Selecting Selecting a Space: Designate an area in your home or outside where your sacred space will be. This should be a place that is undisturbed by other members of your household. If you don't have the space in your home to designate a room as your spiritual area, then set aside a corner or portion of a room. You can use curtains, an attractive room divider or just a special arrangement of furniture. If you decide to create a space outside, the same considerations apply. You want this area to be undisturbed by other people. A place where your ritual objects will be safe if you leave them outside. +Decorating your Space: Decorations add to the "essence" of your spiritual space, but they also serve as symbolic reminders and tools for your work. If you have a close affinity to the energy of a particular animal, then add a statue or picture of that animal in your area. If you have a particular connection to a pentacle or medicine wheel, then give that object a prominent location in your space. Some people like to set all natural materials in their space. A solid wood table and chair(s) with natural fiber coverings and so on. These additional practical items are entirely up to you. But if you feel that natural objects help you connect with the natural forces around you, then add these specific items to your space. Some things you may want to include in your space are: Table and at least one chair A small table for a permanent altar Candles of varying color Crystals and stones for future rituals Incense for cleansing and clearing (don't forget the matches) And any other magickal tools you wish to use. Preparing your Space: Before you begin any ritual or ceremony, you should clear and cleanse the area where

the work is to be done. This is especially true when you're first consecrating your sacred space. You should re-cleanse this area each time you begin a ritual or use of this space, but these later efforts will all be affected by how you first set the intent and use of energy in this space for the first time. Creating your Altar: An altar helps a Witch centralize her personal power and focus. This space should be alive and teaming with energy. In other words, don't use it for decorative items, only those items that are used in each ritual should be maintained on this space. This is your work space and it should be large enough for you to create many spiritual objects as well as conduct your spiritual work. And lastly, the altar should be geared toward your personal beliefs. This is a spiritual altar and you will want to honor your beliefs and the Divine energies that are present in your space, whether you there or not. Sacred Clothing: Many Witches will not enter or use their sacred space unless they are cloaked in a special garment created by their own hands and consecrated for spiritual use. This robe is unique and special to each Witch who desires to honor their beliefs in this fashion. A robe is more then just material that dresses up a ritual. It is symbolic of the love, devotion and honor of spirit and purpose. Self clothing isn't the only garments you want to consider for your space. An alter cloth is also called for. You can use more then one cloth in varying colors and patterns, depending on the work at hand. But consider the use of the cloth before you cover the altar. If you are going to be mixing herbs or creating spiritual objects such as handmade candles, smudge sticks or spiritual tools, then you want the cloth to be inexpensive and practical. If however, you are conducting a ritual to celebrate a holiday, then you might use a more formal cloth, anything from crushed velvet to black satin. The cloth should reflect your personality, your beliefs, and one that you feel comfortable using.

Cutting a Doorway
At times you may have to leave the circle. This is fine, of course, but as previously mentioned, passing through the circle dissipates it. To prevent this from occurring it's traditional to cut a doorway. To do this, face Northeast. Hold your athame point downward near the ground. See and sense the circle before you. Pierce its wall of energy with the athame and trace an archway, tall enough to walk through, moving counter-clockwise along the circle for about three feet. Move the point of the athame up at the arch's center and down the other side until it is near the ground. As you're doing this, visualize that area of the circle's energy being sucked back into the athame. This creates a void, allowing passage in and out of the circle. Pull the athame out of the circle's wall. You're free to walk outside. Once back inside, close the door by placing the athame at the lower North-Eastern point of the archway. With your athame trace the circle's perimeter clockwise, as if redrawing that portion of the Circle of Stones, again visualizing blue or purple energy flaring out from the blade and converging with the rest of the circle. It is done.

Cutting the Little Gate

Once youve called the elemental powers into the circle, you need to cut a little gate. This gate is an energetic gate from which you can enter and exit without disrupting the magickal energy of the circle. Cut this gate just below the East point of your circle either with your athame, holding it in your power hand, or with a sweeping gesture of your dominant hand. Just imagine cutting an energetic gate as you do this. Open and close the little gate each time you enter and exit the circle by using your athame or a sweeping motion of your power hand. Whenever possible, I suggest that you cut the gate at the door, when working indoors, so you can easily come and go.

Grounding and Centering

There are several techniques for grounding and centering, including meditations that can encompass the four elements, the planetary energies, and archetypes (gods and goddesses). The act of grounding and centering itself can take only a few moments or blossom into a full meditation. These practices become easier each time you use them, and will enhance and strengthen your psychic and magickal abilities. There is an added benefit to learning grounding and centering -- anytime anyone treats you unfairly, or you lose your cool, or you feel that you are disconnected and lost, floating in this big universe all by yourself, practice the technique. Use grounding and centering techniques: Before and after meditation Before and after any spellcasting procedure Before and after ritual When you are angry, upset, or sick Each morning as part of your daily devotions. Some Witches perform grounding and centering at the four sacred hours (dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight). Grounding and centering can be done while standing or sitting, and doesn't take very long to do. The more you practice, the faster you will be able to ground and prepare for magick by centering yourself -- sort of like a diver preparing to make the jump of his or her career into the magickal waters below. It is easier to learn grounding and centering by going outside the first few times. To Ground: Take three deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Close your eyes and imagine that you are a tree and that your feet (your roots) grow deep into Mother Earth. Feel the stable, secure energy of the planet. To Center: Imagine that your energy is merging with that of the universe. Allow the sounds and smells of the world around you to pass through you, like you are floating in a magickal pool. Let your concentration center on your solar plexus area. Imagine there is a beautiful sun burning there (some prefer to visualize a ball of light). Slowly, allow yourself to become one with the universe. That is the still point.

Grounding Basics
Descriptions and Exercises Grounding is an exercise that many witches and magicians overlook in their study of ritual magick, but it can be very helpful in keeping the current of energy within yourself in proper balance. It is also an integral part of the Grounding-CenteringShielding process which keeps foreign entities and energies from attaching to the energy shell that surrounds each of us. Definition of Grounding: The process of releasing accumulated energy from your body and energy shell through conscious direction of the mind. This process should be performed before and after ritual workings and after any kind of psychic activity in which you mobilize and direct energy from within yourself (or from outside sources) outward towards some goal. This can involve complicated ritual work, simple spell work or any other workings of Low Magick that you need to engage in when operating in the regular world. Since magick is not performed only at the altar, we sometimes need to correct imbalances that grow in us from all sorts of outside influences in the everyday world. For example, crowds of people can easily "overload" our energy centers making us feel sick or just plain out of sorts. Sometimes it does not even take a crowd to affect us. Sometimes all it takes is an overly energetic or boisterous person to overload our energy sensors thus weakening us against infections and emotional instability. Furthermore, there are even some individuals who can (consciously or unconsciously) drain our vital energy away from us the way a mythical vampire drains blood from his victim. This is where the process of Grounding can come in handy. When we ground energy, we release accumulations of energy from rooms we have walked through, arguments we may have had, people we have come into contact with, etc. It is almost like emptying a bathtub filled with dirty bath water. We are cleansing away all the debris that attracts and houses parasitic thought forms and unwanted entities. We are also removing things that make us seem (unconsciously) unpleasant to others we run into. Have you ever run into someone who was normally friendly and positive after they have had a fight with someone? Did you happen to notice that something was wrong before they mentioned the argument or altercation? This awareness may reflect the persons resultant bad mood, but it also reflects the errant energy they raised and carried away with them from the fight. Grounding can remove that energy and with practice, it can be performed anywhere and anytime.

After ritual work, Grounding is especially important because of the massive amounts of energy that are raised. Though we cannot see the energy, it hangs around us filling the room and weighing us down. We may not consciously feel the energy, but it does have an affect on us and our behavior and it also attracts foreign entities to us like the smell of cooking food attracts wild animals. Whether the energy hanging on us is harmful or beneficial, spirit entities and though forms can feed on it making us targets for opportunistic beings with no concern for our welfare. Fortunately, Grounding is a relatively simple process that builds on creative visualization techniques that are necessary for just about all magickal workings. Some different techniques are listed below. Find one there or another of your choosing that works well for you and stick with it. Whether your technique is extremely complicated or fairly simple, do what works for you. Of course with time you may want to have a more simple approach that you can do quickly if the need calls for it, but in the beginning expose yourself to both the complicated and simple techniques and use what works. 1. Imagine you are standing outside on a very hot day and you step under a refreshingly cool (not not cold) shower. Feel the water rushing over your skin as though you were standing under a cool shower. When you step out from under the shower, you are not cold or hot, but pleasantly warm. Balanced. 2. Make a circle on the ground with the tip of your toe and make an X through the center of it. This symbol opens a visualized vacuum point in the earth. The vacuum sucks all the unwanted loose-energy from your body the way smoke races out an open window. 3. Imagine that your body is coated with a shell of electricity (It is, actually. You just cant see it). It crinkles over your hands and your sparks everything your touch. Now touch something metal that also touches the ground. Metal grounds excess electrical energy in a flash sending the energy back into the earth where it is recycled. 4. Walk in the woods or on along any beach. Nature has an automatic affect on imbalanced energy and will remove it all on its own. This is a good technique for beginners who need to build up their confidence before relying on their own abilities with Grounding.

Grounding Shields
1. Cast your Circle as usual 2. Then place a grounding shield within your Circle, like the membrane just inside the eggshell. You can use the visualization I shared yesterday for the shield or anything at all else that works for you. 3. Invoke Grandmother Earth into the Circle, and ask Her to take the energy to be released there, cleanse it, and recycle it to wherever it is most needed. Do not tell Her where. 4. Let the healee do whatever cathartic procedure seems appropriate. Sometimes simply yelling and screaming will do it. But, in this context, even destroying a recognizable image of the person who has done the harm is safe and Ok. When the healee has finished releasing the poison s/he will feel drained and empty. 5. Then invoke the Maiden Earth, to fill the newly created space with fragrant, green energy that will welcome and nurture new and beautiful growth in the healee. 6. Thank everybody. 7. Specifically let the grounding shield itself melt into the ground. 8. Close the Circle as usual.

Hide Away Circles

In this urban day and age, as much as we would like to always hold our ceremonies outside, this just isn't possible. Weather, time of day, and living quarters all play a part in deciding where we are able to have our rites. Now days, many people live in town in an apartment building. Both space and neighbors can be a problem in this setting. Even though the Burning Times are behind us, our religion is still not accepted by many people. For this, and many other personal reasons, some of us choose to erect only temporary sacred spaces. Here are some easy ways to create a truly sacred space in what is normally your bedroom, living room, or whatever. First, for people who are comfortable working in almost any setting, try taking stones, crystals, etc. and using them as your circle boundaries. You could cast your circle as you place the stones. When you place the eastern stone, call the powers of that quarter & so on. For Witches who like to change the atmosphere a little more, try buying or making a circle cloth. this is a circular piece of material, in a size that is comfortable for you, that is your magickal circle. You simply take it out, lay it down and energize like you would with any other casting. Perform your rites, and when you are finished, your entire circle folds neatly for easy storage. This circle cloth can be anywhere from simple to elaborate. Buy a piece of material that you like, and cut out a circle. Cut the circle to the diameter of circle that you normally cast for your workings, be it three, four, or six feet. Most importantly make the diameter of your cloth a size that you are comfortable with. It can be left as simple as that, or you could decorate your cloth with power symbols, runes, astrological symbols, or whatever you choose. Just stitch, paint, draw, or glue on the symbols you want. For those Witches with no craft talent whatsoever, go to your local store and find the tablecloth section. One of the sizes is a 72-inch round. This just happens to be a six foot circle, once again, either pick a color pattern you like or leave the cloth plain or decorate to suit your tradition. Have fun trying these ideas.

Honi Circle Method

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Ground and center Cast the circle Pronounce the Honi conjuration (below) Continue on with your working Release the circle Ground and center

Conjuration

"Master/Mistress of the universe! I am (state your name), your magickal son/daughter (State your request) for all that is good. I know you will do this for me."

How to Cast a Circle

Why bother, and how to do it? These questions probably cross your mind from time to time. The "why" has a few answers: Some cast a circle for protection, some to shift between the physical and etheric planes, some see the circle as a container used to store energy until the right moment to release that energy towards a certain goal. Now, everyone casts a circle in his/her own manner. A circle casting can be very very elaborate, or very simple. We'll start simply: The idea behind every basic circle is like a child setting up a tea party. Cleansing equals the set-up, calling in the deities/elementals/beings you wish to have present is like inviting the other children (or stuffed animals!) over, and the ritual is the actual party. The act of "casting the circle" part of casting the circle (if that makes any sense) is like setting a boundary between the attendees and the uninvited. Setting up involves cleaning the area, physically, psychically, and energetically. Clean your practice area so you can move as you see fit. Cleansing with elements can be done by smudging with incense, carrying a candle around, asperging with blessed water, setting out stones around the boundary of where you plan to work, or a combination of any of the above. My method? I start in the northeast with my besom (broom) and walk counter-clockwise (widdershins) to "sweep out" negative energy first. Then I go back to the altar, take my incense (fire and air combined), bless it, then walk with it clockwise (deosil) to replenish the freshly-blessed air and fire energy. Back to the altar, consecrate and bless water (and add in 3 pinches of salt to make earth and water combined) so sprinkle that around clockwise to replenish the freshly-blessed water and earth energy. I personally call in the elements before casting the circle, then cast, then invite the deities. Calling the elements (watchtowers, elementals, etc) can be really simple: "I welcome the Air to my circle", you can say this in your head while visualizing a breeze blowing or whatever makes you feel like "Air" is specifically present. Traditionally, people go to the East side of the circle to call the Air first, then South and Fire, then West and Water, then North and Earth. Some people do it differently, that's where reading and research is necessary to find out different methods and decide what works best for you. you However, there's nothing wrong with trying it different a few

times until it feels right, something might sound perfect when you read it, but how you feel when you actually do it is the key. Casting the circle, you can use a tool (wand, athame, sword, staff, etc.) or just your finger. I begin in the northeast again, point to the ground with a tool or my finger, and visualize a beam of light flowing from the tip to the ground. I walk clockwise around the circle, say something simple like, "I cast this circle to create a boundary between the world of man and the realm of the divine" while visualizing that beam of light trailing behind, forming a wall or shell that the divine and energies I allow can get through, but nothing that I want to block out can cross. When I get to the starting point, I sometimes will bend down and tap the starting point like I'm connecting the two ends, and say something to the effect of, "My circle is now cast and whole!" Now that everything's all set up, I invite my guests of honor: The God and Goddess. Sometimes I choose particular deities, but usually I just work with them as "God and Goddess." I light a candle and welcome them in. Don't demand that they join you ("I summon you to join me!") and don't be meek ("Hi, um -- if you can, can you please join me?'). Know they will come and greet them like you're greeting an expected guest at the door. "I welcome you to my circle and thank you for providing your energies to my work/ritual/celebration." Give them a vessel in which they can stay, a candle, a statue, a picture of each one, a stone representing them, etc. I usually welcome the Goddess first. Now's time for your purpose of casting a circle, be it for meditation, a sabbat or esbat ritual, a spell... After the main working, I hold a simple feast, some food and drink to replenish myself. A slice of bread and a glass of juice works, and it's suggested that you leave a small libation for the energies you were working with. Bless your juice, pour some into a bowl, and then drink. Bless your bread, break off a piece and put it into the bowl, and then eat. You can leave it somewhere or bury it when you're cleaning up afterward, the idea is to visualize that those energies who are your guests are partaking of the food's energy (though maybe not the physical matter) before you just toss it in the garbage. When I'm done, I thank the deities in the opposite order in which I welcomed them. Again, it's thanking them for coming not saying "The party's over, so get out." out When you feel they have left (though they are always present) snuff the candles. So for example: "Thank you, Lord, for joining me in this ritual. Merry Meet, merry part, and merry meet again." (Wait a moment, then snuff God candle then move on to Goddess candle.)

Then I cut the circle and either "absorb" the light back into my tool or finger (while walking counter-clockwise) or I "erase" it. Again, when done, I say something that completes the action, "By my hand, this circle is now erased and this area is returned to the realm of man." Then, I wave goodbye to the elements, go to the North and thank Earth for coming, then West and Water, then South and Fire, then East and Air. Finally, I return to my altar and make some sort of statement that the ritual is now complete. I usually do some kind of action like ring a bell or snuff out the last candle that marks the final moment, like a judge using his gavel and saying "Case closed." Oh, and don't forget to clean up your area when you're done. You can make this even more simple by sitting in one spot, visualizing a shell of energy growing up around you, and welcoming the elements and deities in your mind. Or you can be more elaborate with dancing, a script of flowery language and all statements in rhyme, whatever works for you.

How to Cast a Circle

Find a quiet spot where you will be undisturbed. Face North and envision yourself in a dark green forest, fertile and full of life Call upon the Spirits of Earth, Guardians of the North, to guard your northern side. Face East and envision yourself on a high cliff with the wind blowing in your hair. Call upon the Spirits of Air, Guardians of the East, to guard your eastern side. Face South and envision yourself in a hot desert with the sun beating down upon you. Call upon the Spirits of Fire, Guardians of the South, to guard your southern side. Face West and envision yourself on the beach with a calm blue sea before you. Call upon the Spirits of Water, Guardians of the West, to guard your western side. Walk deosil (clockwise) around your circle, envisioning a shimmering line of fire rising to enclose it. As you walk, repeat, 'I cast a circle and erect a temple, a place between the worlds, where human and Divine may meet.' Honor the Goddess and invite her into your circle. Honor the God and invite him into your circle. Conduct whatever ritual you have planned. When finished with your ritual, open the circle by repeating these steps in reverse. Tips: Use whatever wording is most comfortable. You can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Once you have cast the circle, do not leave it until you have opened it. If you absolutely need to, 'cut' a door in it with your athame or finger.

Never cast a circle without opening it afterward. It disrespects the powers you have called to protect you.

Open Circle Ethics

Event organizers and open-circle coordinators have, I think, a responsibility to participants to provide a safe and comfortable environment. The Pagan community here in the Pacific Northwest seems to be evolving an ethical standard governing organizers. Althea Whitebirch calls it choice-centered, and I offer my perception of it here as a model and a basis for discussion. History: A few years ago, the Seattle/Vancouver/Portland area had no ongoing festivals. As I write, August '86, organizers are planning next year's schedule -- the second annual Spring Equinox Mysteries festival, the first Summer Solstice Gathering, the third annual Solitary Convention, the fourth annual Fall Equinox Festival. Many of the attendees are new -- either to Paganism or to the northwest and the events draw people from a wide geographical area, including British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, California, and all of Washington state. We're growing. We're growing very rapidly, and dealing with a disproportionate influx of people inexperienced in group rituals. As a result we're starting from scratch in developing organizer ground rules, and developing solutions to problems being discussed in the Pagan net nation-wide. In the Pacific northwest, the circle of organizers is very small, almost familial, and we're working from a basis of friendship and trust. We're concerned about each other and pay attention to caring for one another. I think the combination of a small group handling a lot of newcomers has allowed us to generate a uniquely compassionate set of attitudes and guidelines. This outline is my own. I'm going to phrase this is strong, definitive terms, with this qualifier: I call it Northwest Ethics because it has evolved out of discussions with other organizers. However, it isn't offered as a group consensus and any given organizer might disagree with some of these points or the language. This is intended as a starting point for discussion and not a presentation of a set-in-concrete consensus. My own experience: I've staffed a number of events in and out of the community. My most recent experience was heading the SolCon '86 staff, so I'm using it as my most frequent example. Ritual Choices: Althea Whitebirch and I facilitated a discussion at the '85 Fall Equinox Festival that has borne substantial results in the local community. We

argued that closed circles can do what they like, but those of us in charge of open circles should lay down some ground rules to ensure everyone's comfort and safety. Explain the Ritual. I'm personally finding it necessary to make some very basic announcements, like circle boundaries shouldn't be indiscriminately crossed, and people should only walk clockwise within them. Again, we're dealing with a lot of newcomers. No Pressure To Physically Touch. I've never seen anyone object to holding hands, but a lot of people have commented that they cringe at kisses. No kissing spirals in open circles. Why? Newcomers tend to go along with group activities, even ones they're uncertain about. Maybe they should be assertive, but more often they're not, and organizers are their voice. Choice: every event in this area includes space for people to put together their own circles, some of which can be more touching-oriented -- and are identified as such. Or we might experiment with providing an Intimate Circle, which would include a lot of hugs and kisses. The rule is: you don't have to touch anyone you don't want to, anytime. That should be clear to newcomers. Choice In Participation. In open circles, if the dancing gets too rapid or wild, participants can step back. Just bring your neighbors' hands together and move out of the way. I've also seen some ritualists allow people to cut themselves out of the circle -- the procedure was clearly explained in advance. Effective ritual evokes response. Novices are at different tolerance and skill levels than experienced ritualists, and some rituals can be overwhelming. Also, the 'boogie till you puke' crowd exhausts the older folks and the kids in the group. Experiment note: I recently separated a circle into two groups, the 'keep on dancing' people, and the 'sit down and rest' folks. Some rhythm is traded off for comfort. I've also seen two rituals staged consecutively, one quiet and one 'dance all night.' Suggestion: we can try a novice ritual, and a more powerful one for skilled people. Also note: one northwest organizer disagreed with these suggested choices, feeling those who participate in a circle should be committed for the duration of the experience. It's a point. In that case, I think a clear understanding of what's to come would be essential.

Stimulants In Panegyria Vol. 3 No. 4, Althea Whitebirch argued for informed choice in using stimulants. If alcohol is used in a communal cup everyone should know, and a fruit juice or other substitute should also be available. Drugs: Not at events I coordinate coordinate! inate At least, not with my knowledge or approval. Private drug use hasn't been a problem so far. My concern is that if anyone is caught, it's not private any more. I'm the one who gets to deal with the police and the press, and the whole community's image suffers. If problems arise in the future, I'd consider banning drugs altogether. Organizing is tough enough -- I have a right to limit my risks. Call a closed circle and do it at home. Minors: Minors Young children supervised by Pagan parents are a real joy. Teenagers with absent, non-Pagan parents or guardians are becoming a problem, even with signed in advance waivers. Some of us are leaning toward a 'no minor without attending parent' policy. How do you keep them away from the wine? Think of the issues surrounding sexuality with under-age kids. The 'what-ifs' are frightening to contemplate. I haven't made a firm decision because I know how important the contacts and support can be to our younger friends. On the other hand, they do grow up. In two years, a 16 year old can sign her own waiver. Maybe we could set up a gentle, first contact network to provide them with 'one on one' support, starting slowly. Solomonic Decisions I was asked to kick out two people who wanted to attend the last SolCon, and I burned one request for a registration. I know, I know. The word 'blacklist' leaps immediately to mind. This is a tough issue. The request I burned was from a person who was suspected of having responded violently to a criticism. The other two revolved around sexual ethics: men accused of coercing women into intimacy. Help. The problem, as always, is that none of the cases were clear-cut. How do I substantiate an accusation? Do I kick someone out on a suspicion? I don't want violence or sexual coercion at an event that has my name on it. I also don't want to mediate personal conflicts; that's not my job. At the moment, one well-placed person can ruin another's reputation. I've seen three

people kicked from the community on one person's request. I've also seen people with a lot of contacts survive a number of complaints. Neither situation seems fair. We have a lot of options. This is an essay question: pick one and list the pros and cons. 1. Anyone at all can attend any event. 2. Each organizer must individually choose who to deny attendance to. (In practice, we do pass names to each other.) 3. Any person who has been accused by one person of one of the following things should get flagged. That is, every event organizer should be notified: Theft or destruction of another's property. Violence against people -- assault. Sexual coercion or abuse. This seems to me to be most workable: 4. In one case I had three complaints a man had made weird sexual phone calls to women. I called him and offered him probation: find someone to sponsor you, to be willing to act as liaison between you and the community. As with minors, the sponsor should be with you at each event you attend. Then I would put the word out that you are on probation, and the sponsor should be contacted if you contact anyone on your own and misbehave. The probation would last for a year. Any repetition of the undesirable behavior would get you kicked from my events permanently, and I would notify other organizers. Failure to accept the probation means getting kicked immediately. I haven't had a chance to use this procedure because the person decided the effort wasn't worth it (a statement in itself). I notified other organizers. I'm aware this issue is extremely hot. Personally, I'm introducing a lot of people to the community, and vice-versa. There are a lot of weirdos out there. I don't want to let a mass murderer loose among us (as it were). I also don't want to blacklist someone because of a personality conflict. Bottom line: some novice assertiveness training seems to be in order. Caretaking Some of us have had good experience with 'greeters' or ombudsmen. It's a staff position, the sole responsibility of which is to be available for participants' support, to solve problems, hold hands, and be a liaison with staff. I didn't have greeters at SolCon '86 and regretted it. Even with 30 people, the event coordinator (me) didn't have time to personally check in with everyone.

I like very much that northwest events coordinators show visible concern and caring for everyone. A friend of mine said, "I love these events because I always feel so cherished." I'd like to see that become a community standard. Organizer's Magic SolCon '86 has a staff conceptualizer who renamed the position. An organizer is the focus, he said, of the energies coming into, and generated by the event. A festival isn't just about magic. It is magic, and the focus has the pleasure of shepherding what another friend of mine calls the magical child through its inception, and allowing participants to share in its direction. (Rearing?) This outline is a suggestion, a template, for focusing event magic. These are the major focus points: Conception. When the event is scheduled/sited. I saw a staff group hold a circle at the actual site several months before the event, asking for: safety, to have enough registrants, what the event was designed to accomplish for the attendees, the staff, and the community. Presentation. I don't know about anyone else, but for me, putting a flyer together is casting a spell. Orientation. Somewhere in the first few hours of the event, ask the participants to help focus on the event's parameters -- safety, joy, solvency Major or parting ritual. Of necessity the ritual coordinators will set the structure, and almost always the nature of the working as well, but eve here the attendees can have some space to give feedback. Post-event focus: a thank-you circle. Feedback It might be suggested that an organizer has a right to do whatever works, and event participants must fend for themselves. I argue that event sponsors represent the community -- create the experience of the Pagan community for many who have no other contacts, and as such, they are accountable to their participants and to other event organizers and community elders. Aside from the issues already discussed, there are financial ones. This year I distributed a financial accounting to SolCon '86 attendees. That was scary -- laying out the bottom line of the decisions and mistakes I made! The thing is, a lot of people asked for that kind of accounting, and I've wondered myself when I attended events. The other issue is proceeds or profits. SolCon '86 didn't make any. I had, however, planned to pay my staff some salary, thinking we should be compensated for our work. Some people disagreed, feeling event funds should be channeled into projects

the community benefits from. Since teeny SolCon is becoming a formal organization (for legal purposes) and I'm putting myself on the Board, I won't personally be in a position to take any money out. However, I'd still like to pay the staff -- even a small amount -- because they sacrifice some of their own fun and do a lot of work to make the thing possible. Finally: organizing is a pretty heavy responsibility and a lot of work. I think we have a right to ask for hugs. I hope to see lots of discussion on these issues. Because our value is maximum tolerance for diversity, doesn't have to mean that anything goes. I think it's possible for us to reach consensus about some ground rules, to safeguard our community and everyone in it. We ask for perfect love and perfect trust. I think we need to provide a safety net to ensure it. As always, I welcome feedback.

Releasing the Circle

Once the rite is ended, face North, hold aloft the wand and say:

Farewell, Spirit of the North Stone. I give thanks for your presence here. Go in power.
Repeat this same formula to the East, South and West, substituting the proper direction in the words. Then return to the North and hold the wand aloft for a few moments. Lay the wand on the altar. Take up the athame. Standing in the North, pierce the circle's wall with the blade at waist level. Move clockwise around the circle, visualizing it's power being sucked back into the athame. Literally pull it back into the blade and handle. Sense the circle dissolving, shrinking; the outside world slowly regaining its dominance in the area. When you arrive at the North again, the circle is no more.

Triple Circle Casting

Recite as you walk the first time around the circle:

"In this place, this circle round I consecrate the sacred ground with golden light this space surround all power here contained and bound."
Second pass around the circle:

"From earth the things that manifest from air, the tings of mind from fire, the things that motivate from water, the souls refined."
Third pass around the circle:

"And yet no place or time there be between the worlds, my word and me welcome, Ancient Ones, and see this place is sealed, so mote it be!"

Visualizations for the Circle of Stones

If you wish, you can back up the circle casting with the following visualizations as you form the circle itself: Prepare as usual. Approach the North and set the North Stone (or the candle) on the ground. Then, visualize a stone slab standing upright two feet to the left of and behind the North Stone. Visualize this as being bluish-grey, two feet wide, two feet thick and six feet tall. This stone represents the Goddess. When the stone is really there- in your visualization- create another stone of the same size and color two feet to the right of and behind the North Stone. This represents the God. Now visualize a capstone resting on top of the two upright stones. It is about two feet by two feet by six feet. This represents The One before the Goddess and God, the source of all power and magick. The Northern Trilithon is now complete. The stones form an archway, a symbol of the gateway to the realm of the element of Earth. Firmly visualize this, then gaze through the arch formed by the stones. See the greenish haze of the Earth energy. Repeat the entire procedure to the East, South and West. Visualize the appropriate elemental color within each trilithon. Now purify salt and water, cast the circle as usual, and carry around the salt, censer, candle and water. As you approach each quarter to call its Spirit of the Stone, see the trilithon firmly in your mind. Visualize it in all its Pagan splendor. See the elemental hazes within them, boiling and writhing in unmanifestedness. Stretch out with your feelings; sense the arrival of the spirit of each stone, then go on to the next. With practice this comes easily, but such visualizations are never necessary.

What is a Circle?
How many of you cast Circles when doing rituals? If you don't cast one, what do you do to set aside sacred space, if anything? If you do cast one, how do you visualize it spatially? A sphere? A cone? A column? Completely enclosed, or open? Do you use a certain color, sound, smell, etc., when visualizing your Circle? What's it made of? Is it rigid or flexible? If it's rigid, what will break it, and what happens when it's broken? What people see when they "look" at a circle is very personal. It has been my experience that everyone sees energy differently. This is one reason I recommend coven training if possible. You have someone to call when you need to say "Something weird happened!" I teach my students that the circle is a large sphere. When I cast a ritual circle, I usually see large, very large ribbons of blue light. My non-ritual circles are usually white light. I don't visualize specific colors. All my circles can be walked into, however, if we are in circle, you better stop and ask permission to enter or exit out of respect for the Gods. I have permanent circles set for sleep circles and wards. They only need to be "popped up" when I put my son to bed. These stay up until around dawn. As an interesting aside regarding seeing energy - I don't see colors in auras. I know what colors are there, but I see them with my "inner" eye. I had to go to someone who knew how to see auras and look at people, telling her what colors I "saw." She confirmed what I saw, so I knew that I was working correctly. I always cast a circle, a make do circle outdoors on my concrete patio works well. Each one is outlined with a different color, depending on the workings and seasons, and I always visualize it protectively in a gold light. Works for me. I sit out with my eyes closed until I feel the space 'warm' to me. Usually I view it as a spatial flat circle, with little flames of gold around the perimeter to keep the energy in. At the end of ritual, instead of grounding the energy, I do a little self hug which wraps up the energy into myself. Solitaries can get away with this sort of improvisation! I use something a little different, I suppose, then again, my path is one of long family tradition: I don't use colors, light, candles, scents or the like, but extend from myself lovingness while seeking the blessings of the four winds (I usually practice out-ofdoors, and living in the high Colorado mountains, fully clad for sensibility sake, I might add). Guarding my circle are the wolf, the eagle, the coyote and the badger: One time I was on a date with a woman who is something of a mystic, herself, and

she did see the wolf guarding us, very unusual. I rarely if ever bring anyone into my circle: The purpose of this circle was to divine the reasons for our coming together when and where we did. But my protection I leave to Spirit: I see and hear a lot of fear on this echo that I personally do not subscribe to (i.e. "evil" entities and the like). I don't judge that viewpoint, but rather differ from it. I allow whatever to come to me that I may gain wisdom from it: Spirit has never tested me more severely than I can withstand, thus even though it sometimes hurt, I do learn. And pardon my preachiness here: I have seen the smothering effect of making too many fear-based decisions rather than love-based ones: Fear makes we/they statements. Love makes "here is where our paths cross and meet well" statements. I generally visualize a line of silver-blue fire at waist level that extends all around me forming either a half sphere or three-quarters of a sphere, depending on the working going on, if it is a formal working it is a dome, as I tend to want to keep the earth a part of the work. Usually it makes it easier for me to keep the visualization of the grounding if the ground is accessible. I do cast a circle -spherical, semi permeable membrane , no color, but luminous, membrane is densest at the perimeter of the circle and extends out with decreasing density for some distance which varies with the amount of energy invested. I use a blue sphere around my car while driving, for protection. To which I might add that I have been rear-ended twice, both times when I needed money, both time resulting in about 4-500 dollars in cosmetic damage only. The "other guys" insurance paid and the rear end remains ugly, if you know what I mean. I avoid using blue for my circles! When doing a quick working (like something suggested here) I just ground and center and channel energy into the working. My home is safe/sacred enough with it's altars, cleanings and continual workings/rituals. Often, for quick work, especially outside, I also let my energy form the circle, even if there are several - it's just faster, and moving energy does form a 'circle' about one that can be felt and does ward off whatever. But almost always when doing something more than quick, I do cast. This can be done in many ways, though. If I'm working with a very mixed group, some of whom

may only be curious, then I will use a song (earth, the water the fire the air, or some such) as it can bring people together and help create that group mind that is so important to ritual while also moving energy into the space. When working with the experienced (my coven, other covens) we always cast a formal circle. sometimes I use an athame, sometimes simply my hands. It involves (after grounding, so that I have energy to move) moving energy into an actual barrier/division that encloses the working. I use blue light. If someone else is casting, I move energy into their casting. We often say that children and dogs can breach the circle without hurting it, because they are always in the magical place anyway (includes cats, too!). But adults should cut themselves in and out. Many people actually cut a door, I simply let myself move out of the sacred space and acknowledge the division, letting the energy close behind me. In a meditation to meet the guardians of the quarters I saw a green glow of a very striking color shimmering under the sea. This is what I visualize to cast my personal circles: a line of that green water-light, about waist height, encircling me. If I really need to feel enclosed I draw the circle high above me and then pull it downward to the ground, tracing a cylinder. My circle is definitely flexible, but if things go in and out of it, it tends to fade away like mist. I notice I'm pickier than most of my friends about what it takes to keep a circle up--I find that my perception of the circle fades away, and as far as I'm concerned the circle does too, if we sit down in it and have a mundane chat or lecture. I can't maintain any sense of there being a circle present unless it is being used to contain sacredness. (I often find myself helping to 'dismiss' a circle that, as far as I'm concerned, has been gone for hours.) In group working, I usually regard the circle as being composed mainly of the people, not the line surrounding them. At Mabon we goofed a bit in ritual design: all the core ritualists were sitting together, and when they went into the center to do the rite it left a large hole. Several people agreed with me that the energy tended to leak right out that hole, despite the cast circle around us. Similarly, if people leave it weakens the circle. One group I worked with said that the circle would be destroyed if the person who cast it left: I haven't seen that happen in practice, as long as other people present maintain their sense of its reality.

I don't usually feel the need to cast a circle for protection, but I find them useful for focus, especially with groups: the act of casting the circle pulls people into the ritual and keeps them focused there, rather than letting their thoughts and attention wander off elsewhere. For solitary work I sometimes use them in the same way, but if I am imploring a Nature power I won't usually cast a circle since it divides me from what I'm trying to reach. I did a totally unsuccessful circle rite to Hecate once that ended with a very pointed impression: "I am worshiped at crossroads in the open wind, not in a nice circle in a back bedroom." Most Pagans of my acquaintance cast circles when performing rituals. I occasionally omit the circle, depending on the severity of the ritual being performed -- for example, when I respond to the requests in this newsgroup for healing energy or good thoughts, I simply sit back from the computer, ground and center, then get out a hurricane lamp I keep nearby for just this purpose and light it to use as a focus. My circle is usually visualized as an ethereal bubble of force. If you've ever seen the shield effects from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" or "Deep Space Nine", then you have a pretty good idea. In fact, that is one of the reasons that I like the "Star Trek" special effect so much (aside from being a dyed-in-the-wool Trekkie); I've been using that visualization for over twenty years. I generate the seed of the shield within, then slowly expand it to cover the area involved. While I do so, I think of all the 'bad stuff' being swept ahead of the shield; it's a great way to prepare a space. Colors are variable, depending on the work being performed. A standard defensive shield, such as that used during cleansings or teaching circles, is silvery in color. A healing circle will be shot through with streaks of rose; a high-power working will contain golden highlights. Of course, if several types of workings are being performed, or if a single working is being done for multiple purposes, then my circle will begin to take on aspects of an explosion in a paint factory. My circle-shields are usually circular/spherical, although I have used odd shapes upon occasion. They are also flexible, but firm -- think of a soap bubble, but infinitely stronger. They are transparent to light and sound (usually), but impenetrable to psychic forces -incoming, anyway; they are totally transparent to outgoing forces unless I decide

otherwise. There are exceptions, of course; the cats come and go as they please. While physical objects may pass through the shield, I have had people report that there is a slight sensation of pressure when walking through it. One person likened it to walking into a wall of foam. I've also received reports of a very slight, sort of 'subpsychic' (subliminal) "buzz" emanating from my circle-shields. No one, however, has described it as unpleasant. In the vast majority of cases, my shields are fixed in position. If, for some reason, I need to leave the immediate area, the shield will remain where it was cast. I have, however, occasionally cast mobile shields, as when transporting a sick or injured person to a hospital.