The Magic Circle

Basically, a sacred, purified, and protected space in which magical RITUALS are conducted. The magic circle provides a boundary for reservoir of concentrated power and acts as a doorway to the realm of the gods. A circle symbolizes wholeness, perfection, and unity; the creation of the cosmos; the womb of Mother Earth; the cycle of the seasons, and birth-death-regeneration. Within the circle, it becomes possible to transcend the physical to open the mind to deeper and higher levels of consciousness.

Circles have had a magical, protective significance since ancient times when they were drawn around the beds of sick persons and mothers who had just given birth, to protect them against DEMONS. A magic circle protects a magician against negative spirits and influences and creates a symbolic barrier against the magician’s own lower nature.  In black magic, we can also cast a circle, for the same reason being to keep out energies that we do not want in our space.

In ceremonial magic, the circle provides a defined space for the working of a ritual. It symbolizes the infinite and also the astral sphere or cosmos of the magician, outside of which nothing exists. The circle also corresponds to the Ain Soph of the kabbalistic Tree of Life. The center of the circle is the Self, and in the process of magical workings, the magician expands himself or herself to the circumference of the circle or to the Infinite.

Traditional Circles – The magician/witch enters a magical circle in anticipation of uniting with God, the gods, ANGELS, and the forces of nature in a harmonious relationship of ecstatic union. If the magician performs a ritual calling for the CONJURATION of spirits which are dangerous and difficult to control, the circle provides protection against them. The magician must never leave the circle during a ritual nor even so much as swing his arm outside it, lest a “conjured demon grab him and strike him down”.

The purpose of the ritual—such as magic working, a handfasting, or seasonal festival—is stated and the work is carried through. The circle may be opened at any time for exit or entry, then closed again. At the close of rites, food and drink is consecrated, offered to the deities, and shared by all (see Cakes and Wine). As a final release of energy, the spirits and deities are bid farewell, candles are extinguished, and the circle is ritually banished. It is important to close a circle in order not to leave the ritual space psychically active.

Circles can be cast for protection, for example, to ward off psychic attack or protect a home against intruders. magic circles do not last indefinitely; protective ones must be periodically recharged through ritual.

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Casting a Magic Circle

The circle is crucial to the magician’s well-being and protection and must be cast carefully. GRIMOIRES and magical traditions give detailed instructions for casting the circle with a consecrated ritual TOOL such as a dagger, a sword, or a wand during certain astrological conditions and hours of the day or night. Some people will even use their finger if they do not have the aforementioned tools. You may be confused as to the many different descriptions and tools used to cast his circle, but just know that each style of magic will generally have some small change and logic as to why they do their circle a certain way.  As the circle is cast, a field of psychic energy is visualized.

Other tools – such as a wand, pentacle, censer, cauldron, scourge, athame, chalice, cords and other items—are placed inside the circle area. Witches and Pagans working alone may have fewer tools. Candles, stones or other objects are placed on the floor or ground at the four quarters, or cardinal points.

In Ceremonial Magic – The traditional magician’s circle is nine feet in diameter or may be a double circle of eight feet and 10 feet. The circle is inscribed with magical SYMBOLS and words and NAMES of power, which are appropriate to a particular ritual. A geometric figure pertaining to the nature of the ritual—such as a square, a tau cross, or a MAGIC TRIANGLE—is inscribed within the circle.

In casting the circle, the magician moves deosil, or clockwise, to the motion of the Sun, the MOON, and the stars through the sky. He leaves a small opening and then steps inside, carefully closing the opening to prevent clever demons from slipping inside. For some black magic rituals, the magician moves widdershins, or counterclockwise.

The magician consecrates the circle with the four being elements, Earth, Air, Water and Fire, and invokes the guardian spirits who watch over the four quarters of the sky (the cardinal points) and the four elements. Once again the Guardian spirits will change according to your tradition. In black magic, we will often call certain Demons to mind our quarters while we are in ritual. Traditionally, in popular books, you will find archangels called to the quarters, or in many pagan and wiccan rituals, a calling to the elements is common too. If the ritual takes place outdoors, nature spirits are invited to participate. God and Goddess are invoked in wiccan/pagan ritual.

Offerings of food, stones, crystals, flowers and so on, can be made.