A solomonic magic circle with a triangle of evocation in the east. Evocation is the act of calling or summoning a spirit demon god or other supernatural agent in the Western mystery tradition. This would be drawn on the ground, and the operator would stand within the protection of the circle while a spirit was evoked into the triangle.

A magic circle is circle or sphere of space marked out by practitioners of many branches of ritual magic, Wicca and other neopagan traditions, either to contain energy and form a sacred space, or as a form of magical protection, or both. Magic, sometimes known as sorcery, is a Conceptual system that asserts human ability to control the natural world (including events objects people and Neopaganism or Neo-Paganism is an Umbrella term used to identify a wide variety of modern religious movements particularly those influenced by historical It may be marked physically, drawn in salt or chalk, for example, or merely visualised. Its spiritual significance is similar to that of mandala and yantra in some Eastern religions. Mandala ( Sanskrit maṇḍala मंड "essence" + ल "having" or "containing" Yantra are 'instruments' or more simply 'symbols' usually used to focus the mind Eastern religion is a group of Religions originating in India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Magic Circle, by John William Waterhouse (1886)

Casting a circle

Creating a magic circle is known as casting a circle, circle casting, and various other names. John William Waterhouse ( April 6, 1849 &ndash February 10, 1917) was an English Pre-Raphaelite painter most

There are many different techniques for casting a circle, and covens will often have their own unique methods. The common feature of these practices is that a barrier of energy is traced in a circle around the working area. Some traditions say that one must go around the circle deosil three times. In Scottish folklore Sunwise or Sunward was considered the “prosperous course” turning from east to west in the direction of the Sun. There are also various starting points based on cardinal directions. A typical size for a coven circle is nine feet and an individual's circle is five feet in diameter, though the size can vary depending on the purpose of the circle, and the preference of the caster. ^[1]

According to the Wiccan Rede it is said to: "Cast the circle thrice about To keep unwelcome spirits out"

Some practitioners choose to mark the physical boundary of their circle, either before or prior to the actual casting. The Wiccan Rede (pronounced "reed" is a saying that was formulated to sum up the Ethics of the Neo-Pagan religion Wicca. This can be done using a cord, a chalk line, a line drawn in the soil, or small objects such as stones. ^[2]

Some practitioners mark the four cardinal points with candles, either white,^[3] or of colours representative of the elements:^[4]

• North: green for the element of Earth
• East: yellow for the element of Air
• South: red for the element of Fire
• West: blue for the element of Water

Though some practitioners, associate North with Air and East with Earth. Many ancient philosophies used a set of archetypal classical "elements" to explain patterns in Nature. ^[5]

Generally, as with most magical practices, an incantation is recited stating the purpose and nature of the circle.

Purpose

Traditionally, circles were used by ritual magicians to form a protective barrier between themselves and what they summoned. ^[6] Nowadays, the circle has taken the more benign function of containing the energy raised during the ritual that follows. As more and more energy is raised from chanting and dancing the energy becomes more concentrated. After the circle has been cast it is believed that it forms a sphere of energy, which intersects the ground at its equator^[7]. This shouldn't be confused with the cone of power, a method of raising energy. The cone of power is a method of raising energy in Ritual magic, especially Witchcraft. ^[8]

Circles can also be used as barriers for non-magical work such as meditation.

Cutting a door

The barrier is fragile and sensitive to things passing through it. Leaving or passing through the circle often weakens or dispels the barrier. ^[9] This is referred to as "breaking the circle". ^[10] It is generally advised that practitioners don't leave the circle unless absolutely necessary.

In order to leave a circle and keep it intact, Wiccans believe a door must be cut in the energy of the circle. Using the athame, a doorway is "cut" in the circle, at which point anything may pass through without harming the circle. An athame or athamé is a ceremonial double-edged dagger one of several magical tools used in Traditional Witchcraft and other pagan beliefs and religions such as ^[11] This opening must be closed afterwards by "reconnecting" the lines of the circle.

Closing the circle

The circle is usually closed by the practitioner after they have finished by drawing in the energy with the athame or their hand (usually in a widdershins, that is counter-clockwise, fashion). Widdershins (sometimes withershins, widershins or widderschynnes) means to take a course opposite that of the sun going counterclock-wise lefthandwise This is called closing the circle or releasing the circle. ^[12] The term "opening" is often used, representing the idea the circle has been expanded and dissipated rather than closed in on itself.

See also

• Magick
• Wicca
• Paganism
• List of magical terms and traditions
• Mandala
• Yantra

References

• ^ Buckland, Raymond (2002). Magick, in the broadest sense is any act designed to cause intentional change Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "country dweller rustic" is a word used to refer to various religions and religious beliefs from across the world This is a list of magical terms and traditions dealing with various occult practices traditions and components of Magic. Mandala ( Sanskrit maṇḍala मंड "essence" + ल "having" or "containing" Yantra are 'instruments' or more simply 'symbols' usually used to focus the mind Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, Second edition, Revised & Expanded, Llewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-050-8.
• ^ Cunningham, Scott (2001). Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, 29th edition, Llewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-118-0.

Notes

1. ^ Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, pp. 43, 64.  
2. ^ Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, pp. 55.  
3. ^ Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, pp. 65.  
4. ^ Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, pp. 115.  
5. ^ Re-thinking the Watchtowers. Retrieved on 2007-08-27. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 479 BC - Greco-Persian Wars: Persian forces led by Mardonius are routed by Pausanias, the Spartan
6. ^ Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, page 55.  
7. ^ Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, pp. 56.  
8. ^ Occult 100. Retrieved on 2007-06-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits
9. ^ Starhawk. The Spiral Dance, pp. 83.  
10. ^ Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, pp. 224.  
11. ^ Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, pp. 119 - 120.  
12. ^ Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, pp. 120.