Casting of The Ritual Circle
This Circle is designed to be used for either light or dark paths. Differences for either choice will be shown where appropriate. This ritual has been created from the careful study of several sources and then I have constructed my own ritual from the insights I gained. If you wish to use this Ritual - feel free to do so, and best wishes to you, but please give me feedback on what you thought of it.
Before beginning this ritual you should have a circle marked out. It does not matter if you use a single or double circle or whether it is marked out in chalk, stones or your Cingulum (Rope Belt). What matters is that you are comfortable with it. At each of the cardinal points you will need to mark out a symbol of the appropriate element - East - Air, South - Fire, West - Water, and North - Earth. These symbols can be whatever you wish - so long as they represent the element. The physical presence of the actual element at these points is recommended but not required. I would suggest incense for air, three red votives for fire, a dish of water for water, and a pile of stones for earth. Your altar should be in the center facing East (for paths of the light) or West (for Paths of the Dark).
Two Pillar Candles (White or gold - Light, Black or purple - Dark)
One taper (In a colour that represents you - Zodiac works well)
Four Elemental Candles (These may be the same colour as the Pillars or individually coloured to suit the element - Green - Earth, Red - Fire, Blue - Water, White - Air)
Athame or other Ritual pointing tool.
Incense appropriate to Your Path (e.g. Frankincense - Light, Myrrh - Dark.)
Have an altar cloth that suits your path (Black, deep Blue or Purple for Dark - White, Pale Blue or Golden for Light). Place the for elemental candles at the Cardinal Points on the Altar. Place The Two Pillar candles at the back of the altar - about a foot apart or as space allows. The candle that represents you goes between them and slightly to the front - This is the Working Candle and all other candles will be lit from it, showing that you are the center and power flows from you to cast this circle. The athame goes in front of this candle leaving space for your book of shadows or grimoire. Place the incense to your Right (or Left for Dark Path).
Light the working candle, the one that represents you, and say the following:
"Let this Flame be Me, before the World, Before the Light (or Dark), and before the Gods - I stand Ready."
Light the Incense from the Working Candle, and say the following:
"I ask that the Spirits of the Light (or Dark) watch over Me this Day / Night."
Take your Athame or other tool and walk to the East ( or West for Dark Paths), point your Athame at the Circle and Visualise Flames rising up where you point ( The flames can be any colour you choose so long as it feels right to you and is not Red/Orange as this would indicate the element Fire. ). Walk Deosil (Sunwise / clockwise) for Light and Widdershins (Anti-clockwise) for Dark, 'Drawing' the circle as you go. When you arrive back where you started, salute with your athame and say:
"This Circle is sealed. By the Grace of the Spirits of the Light (or Dark) I set this space apart, to be a world between worlds."
Go back to your Altar Remembering to always walk Deosil (Widdershins for Dark) within the circle. For those following a Light Path use the Conjuring of the Elements in the Order given, Always walking Deosil. For those Following Dark Paths Start in the West (rather than east) and continue in the following order South, East North. Regardless of Path you will end up in the North. As you Invoke each element, visualise that element taking its place in your Circle. (Howling Winds for Air, Raging Flames for Fire, Surging Waves for Water, Rising Stones for Earth.)
Take up the Candle from the eastern side of your Altar and light it from the Working Candle. Carry It to the East and hold it up, and while tracing the Symbol of Air before you, say:
"Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, Lords of Air, I invoke and summon Your Windy Breath to guard and witness this Circle"
Place the candle on the Symbol of Air and return to Your Altar. Take up the Candle from the Southern side of your Altar and light it from the Working Candle. Carry It to the South and hold it up, and while tracing the Symbol of Fire before you, say:
"Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, Lords of Fire, I invoke and summon Your Purifying Flames to guard and witness this Circle."
Place the candle on the Symbol of Fire and return to Your Altar. Take up the Candle from the Western side of your Altar and light it from the Working Candle. Carry It to the West and hold it up, and while tracing the Symbol of Water before you, say:
"Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, Lords of Water, I invoke and summon Your Cleansing Waves to guard and witness this Circle"
Place the candle on the Symbol of Water and return to Your Altar. Take up the Candle from the Northern side of your Altar and light it from the Working Candle. Carry It to the North and hold it up, and while tracing the Symbol of Earth before you, say:
"Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, Lords of Earth, I invoke and summon Your Stones of Foundation to guard and witness this Circle"
Place the candle on the Symbol of Earth and return to Your Altar. Inhale some of your Incense and trace an invoking pentagram before you, as you do this visualise something symbolic of Your Path as you say:
"I invoke Thee O Spirits of The Light (or Dark), Lords of the Powers of the Day (or Night), come forth to guard and witness my workings on this Day / Night."
And that is my version of Casting a Ritual Circle - Your planned Ritual would now continue. To close the circle banish everything in the reverse order to that which it was summoned, use the banishing pentagram ant each point rather than the invoking one, blow out the candles and erase the circle.
The Invoking Pentagram is traced in the air starting at the top and moving down to your left to draw. The Banishing Pentagram is the reverse of this.
