Casting a Circle

Hey there,

The number one question I get is How do I cast a circle? Maybe I should have posted this a long time ago. Better late than never, right?

I first want to say that everyone casts their circle differently. It could be simple or very elaborate. Sometimes they're cast to store energy or for protection. Either way, circles are typically all set up the same way. 

The first thing you want to do is clean the area. Both physically and spiritually. You don't want any negative energies weighing you down.  Most witches sweep the floor while burning sage. It's also a good idea for you and anyone joining you to meditate beforehand. 

Next, you have to ask yourself if you have the right materials. What are you using to represent each element? Will you need candles and matches, or objects like salt and shells? Will you be using your wand/athame? What will you be wearing? How many people will be there? How much space do you need? 

It's important to know that you don't need special tools to be Wiccan. All you need is faith. Sometimes it's hard to have certain things while you're living with your parents. Not to mention how expensive it all can be. It's completely understandable. It's possible to cast your circle with nothing but your finger. 

Casting the circle: Before calling each element, it's respectful to give them the proper introductions. To do this, you could say what they each do for you. Start at the East for Air, move to the South for Fire, then West for Water, then North for Earth. A lot of people also go to the Center for Spirit, or the All, etc. Your circle is then complete and you're free to do any magical workings. 

This, for example, is how I would cast my circle:


At the East Watchtower I would place incense and a feather. I'd light the incense and wave the smoke with the feather as I say:

Air, Guardian of the East, 
With the powers of knowledge and intellect, 
I ask that you join me in my circle. 

Then I'd move to the South Watchtower. There, I would have placed a red or orange candle. As I light it, I would say:

Fire, Guardian of the South, 
With the powers of passion and free will, 
I ask that you join me in my circle. 

Then I'd to the right again to the West Watchtower. There would be a bowl filled with beach shells and water. I would say:

Water, Guardian of the West, 
With the powers of emotion and intuition, 
I ask that you join me in my circle. 

Then I'd go to the North Watchtower where there would be a bowl of salt and a pentacle. I would say:

Earth, Guardian of the North, 
With the powers of stability and birth, 
I ask that you join me in my circle. 

Then I'd take a handful of salt and sprinkle it around the circle and say:

Spirit, Guardian of All, 
Combining all elements with myself, 
I ask that you join me,
Making my circle complete. 


Of course there is much more to it than I could write down. You have to put yourself into it. If all you did was copy exactly what I have written here, where would the magick be? You have to make it your own. 

Blessed Be. 
Alice