Casting a Circle

Find the directions for the four points on the compass and place one marker in each direction. For this casting, we will assume they are candles. Place one candle in the four directions making sure you have enough space for you and any guests to walk around without breaking the circle. When ready, start in the east, for it is where the sun rises, hold your athame (or wand, or staff, or index finger of your power/writing hand) high into the air, visualize and feel the energy entering your athame, feel it filling your athame. Say:

Watchtower of the East, I call to thee please watch over my circle. Powers of knowledge and wisdom, guided by Air, I ask you to be present here, to keep my circle safe from those who promote harm.

Draw a pentagram in the air and point your athame to the ground. When you point the athame to the ground, visualize the energy shooting forth piercing the ground, creating a wall of energy. Keeping the athame pointed to the ground, light the candle before moving on. (if you have other members, have one walk behind to light the candle and add to your circles strength) Walk clockwise to the south candle, raise your athame high into the air and say:

Watchtower of the South, I call to thee please watch over my circle. Powers of energy and will, guided by Fire, I ask you be present here, to keep my circle safe from those who promote harm.

Draw the pentagram, light the candle, point the athame to the ground and continue to the west candle. Again, raise the athame above you head and say:

Watchtower of the West, I call to thee please watch over my circle. Powers of passion and emotion, guided by Water, I ask you to be present here, to keep my circle safe from those who promote harm.

Repeat the drawing, lighting, and walk to the fourth candle and say:

Watchtower of the North, I call to thee please be present in my circle. Powers of endurance and strength, guided by Earth, I ask you to be present here, to keep my circle safe from those who promote harm.

Draw the pentagram, light the candle, and walk around the circle twice more with the athame to the ground, strengthening the circle. the final time around, returning to the eastern candle, tap the ground with your athame, completing and grounding the circle. Walk to the Altar, Light the Goddess candle and the God candle, greeting them both, finally light the Spirit candle and say:

Spirit light my circle. May my spirit be ever bright and strong, Within, or without the circle, these moments everlasting, blessed be to all.

Preform your ritual. When you wish to open, thank each being for being present. Start with the God, thanking him, snuff out his candle. Next thank the Goddess, snuff out her candle. Now walk counter clockwise around the circle starting in the North, thanking the watchtower of earth, then Water, fire, and finally air, snuffing out each candle as you go. As you walk around with your athame pointed to the ground, visualize and feel the circle being removed, reversing back into the athame, or being cut by the blade (whichever works best) When all candles are out, lift your arms to the sky, and visualize/feel the circle disperse.