The purpose of a witch’s Compass is to create a meeting place of power, spirits, ancient wisdom, and divine force being called upon to work a witch’s craft. It is prudent for a witch to draw one up when working magic.
The staff or stang (depending on the rite or workings) is placed in the center of the Compass, representing the axial road (world tree) and granting access to all 7 ways: above, below, the four cardinal directions, and the mysterious seventh way were all 6 roads meet.
The staff may also be placed along the edge of the compass when spicific directional attributes are necessary to employ. I have made a quick guide for you:
East: Spring time, dawn, the red spirits, powers of fire, the Red Serpent is the familiar spirit of the East Road. Symbols of the East are the knife, the broom, and the Spirit whip. Virtues include defensive magic, exorcism, strength, power, and sexuality.
South: Summer, noon, the white spirits, powers of earth, the White Hare is the familiar spirit of the south. Symbols of the south are magical stones (whispering stones, troy stones, hag stones...), any the bowl. The virtues of this road are stability, healing, works of plants, fertility, and wealth.
West: Autumn, dusk, the grey spirits, the powers of water, the familiar spirit of this road is the Grey Toad. The symbols of this way include the cauldron, and the cup. The virtues of the West are the moon, transformation, cleansing, dreams, memory, and emotions.
North: Winter, midnight, the black spirits, the power of air, the familiar spirit of this road is the Black Crow. The symbols of this road are the wand, the skull, divination tools, and the bell. The virtues of the North include spirit magic, communication with the dead, blasting and binding, and divination.
Now, for the what you have been waiting for. Your starting point differs from either personal preference, or in association with your workings. From there, you may begin walking the round in a sinistral direction (agains the sun or counter clock wise). This is a walking meditation, so as you mark out your ring’s boundary it is a good time to sent yourself and gather up the forces around you. Calls may also be employed here. One may speak the words “As above, so bellow” repetitively, or you may choose to hiss. Other calls have been used, but these are the examples I have come across. Once the round as been walked, you may raise power by moving dextral (with the sun, clockwise) around the center fire to send out. To end the rite you may also walk the round again in a dextral fashion.
This act can be very strenuous, many examples exist of a witch collapsing. Gemma Gary points out that to “raise it [energy] and work with it” energy must be used. The hood fire consumes energy in the form of oxygen and carbon, and your movement consumes oxygen, blood and sugars (yes, there is plenty of science in witchcraft, like a lot more than you think) especially with working in a group with continuously circling witches. This in turn attracts the serpent. Some witches maybe excused and will play the drums or other instruments.
Now this might seem like a little much, ad it is. I tend to save this for when I need a little bit more mojo for a spell, as well as when the weather permits this activity. To work indoors or hearthside, there is a much simple rite to summon the compass.
Once in a meditative state, you may begin rapping the staff against the ground while reciting this incantation:
“I conjure thee compass round,
Be ye cast and be ye bound.
By the road above and road below,
By the snake and hare and toad and crow.
Re the red spirits, white spirits, grey spirits and black,
I conjure thee be ye bound,
Hallowed be O’ Compass Round”
One may also make use of or just use a drum or bullroarer (wind-roarer).
