An important part of Ceremonial Magic was the drawing of a Magic Circle around the magician to protect him from the malice of evil spirits that he might invoke to perform his will. The circle was symbolic of a sphere that was believed to surround the magician. It both isolated him from the chaos outside and held in the magical power that he raised.
Magic circles were used for thousands of years and often took elaborate forms, requiring the inscribing of magical symbols, such as the Seal of Solomon (a double pentacle). In ancient Hindu folk customs, the bed of a woman in childbirth was encircled by red lead or black pebbles to ward off evil influences.
In medieval magic practice, the circle was usually marked or drawn around the magician with a magic sword or knife. It might be some nine feet in diameter to allow the movements of the magician in his evocations. Portable forms of magic circles were sometimes drawn on parchment and used as talis-mans.
Casting a circle
Creating a magic circle is known as casting a circle, circle casting, and various other names.
There are many published techniques for casting a circle, and many groups and individuals have their own unique methods. The common feature of these practices is that a boundary is traced around the working area. Some witchcraft traditions say that one must trace around the circle deosil three times. There is variation over which direction one should start in. In Wicca a circle is typically nine feet in diameter, though the size can vary depending on the purpose of the circle, and the preference of the caster.
Circles may or may not be physically marked out on the ground, and a variety of elaborate patterns for circle markings can be found in grimoires and magical manuals, often involving angelic and divine names. Such markings, or a simple unadorned circle, may be drawn in chalk or salt, or indicated by other means such as with a cord.
The four cardinal directions are often prominently marked, such as with four candles. In ceremonial magic traditions the four directions are commonly related to the four archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel (or Auriel), or the four classical elements, and also have four associated names of God. Some varieties of Wicca use the common ceremonial colour attributions for their "quarter candles": yellow for Air in the east, red for Fire in the south, blue for Water in the west and green for Earth in the north (though these attributions differ according to geographical location and individual philosophy). Other ceremonial traditions have candles between the quarters, i.e. in the north-east, north-west and so on.
Generally, as with most magical practices, an incantation is recited stating the purpose and nature of the circle, often repeating an assortment of divine and angelic names.
Purpose of Magic Circle
Traditionally, circles have been used by ritual magicians to form a protective barrier between themselves and what they summoned. Nowadays, circles often have the more benign function of containing and concentrating the energy raised during a ritual. In Wicca the common technique for raising such energy within the circle is by means of a cone of power.
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. This is referred to as "breaking the circle". It is generally advised that practitioners do not 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, normaly on the East side. Whatever was used to cast the circle is used to cut the doorway, such as a sword, staff or knife (athame), a doorway is "cut" in the circle, at which point anything may pass through without harming the circle. This opening must be closed afterwards by "reconnecting" the lines of the circle.
Closing the Magic Circle
The circle is usually closed by the practitioner after they have finished by drawing in the energy with the athame or whatever was used to make the circle including their hand(usually in a widdershins, that is counter-clockwise, fashion). This is called closing the circle or releasing the circle. The term "opening" is often used, representing the idea the circle has been expanded and dissipated rather than closed in on itself.
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Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival
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