You start with east, then south, west and north because that's the direction your supposed to go when casting a circle. After your rite/working you start with north, then west, south and east, you do this in order to open the circle and thank the everyone for helping in rite/working (such as the deities you called upon, the elements, etc.) I've tried to put this in simple terms in order to make it easier to understand.
Hope it helps!
Bless it be
Ive never thought of it like that-starting going east and ending going north. Thats how i do it, but i can see where starting north is a thing. I like east because it is where the sun rises and i like the concept of using that cycle
It largely depends on the Tradition in which you are working. I know of Traditions that do both.
Personally I start in the East and end in the East. East is the direction of new beginnings, so that makes sense to me. But I also end in the East. If you end in the North then the circle is not completed because you've left a gap from North to East.
Well, seeing as most modern witchcraft is derived from the Western Mystery Traditions, East would be where you start if you are following that tradition. The direction is North in some traditions but I believe this is largely derived from misunderstanding of certain sources.
The North traditionally represents the coldest parts of the cycle of the year and darkness. Many people choose not to start here because they feel invoking these energies into their workings is not the best of ideas- it could be for some workings however (I leave that up to the individual).
The East is generally used as it is the direction which the sun, representing warmth and spiritual light, rises, it is the beginning of the day and therefore makes sense to be the beginning of the rite. You move to the south, as does the sun at mid-day, then to the West where the sun sets, and then to the North where the sun is no longer present at Midnight. You are following the course of the sun. The sun representing the highest spiritual ideals in the Western Mystery Tradition.
Most people do not touch upon the importance of the sun, being fascinated by the 'moon goddess', but if you look at the etymology of deosil and widdershins- terms used in casting a circle you will find they do refer to the direction of the sun.
Traditionally one enters and exits their circle from the east- as that direction is often associated with the gateway or portal. And usually when people want to secure their home they begin with the front door. I guess you could consider this the magical equivalent.
On the rare occasion where I cast a circle, I draw it starting north and circling back to north, but I define east as my entry point, usually leaving a small gap. Once inside my circle, I begin by completing the circle on the eastern edge, and using an affirmation to confirm the door is now closed. Then I begin empowering. As for the empowering itself, I walk a path focused on connecting with the higher self and personal power so I don't call the corners in a bespoke sense. So my process in that regard is... not so traditional for wicca.
I find this an interesting topic, and personally don't see -- outside of requirements of one's specific tradition or preference -- that it should particularly matter in some ways.
I have read some advice which relates to not knowing which way the cardinal directions are, such as being disoriented in a basement, or having an off-axis space, by designating a 'spiritual' direction.
East is often associated with new beginnings, as stated before, and many other things, based upon this is sunrise, moonrise, the direction we first see the constellations entering the sky through the seasons. It is the reason a lot of sun-centric religions have faced their doors and gates to the east -- more often trying to focus towards east on the equinox.
In recent times, however, there seems to be much more of a focus on north as the beginning, considering it the primary direction on maps (at least in the northern hemisphere) from which all other directions can be deduced. It even dominates the order of directions many people will begin to name the cardinal directions.
A fun fact: My generation was taught the names of the cardinal directions in order, if one were touching their shoulders as though they were looking into a map and naming them, the same order as the Kabbalistic Cross, and the order in which Catholics cross themselves (North, South, East, West; up, down, right, left). I have wondered if there is a connecting reason, or if it is merely coincidence.
I have digressed considerably. As someone who tends to shy away from strict tradition, I see it more that results matter above much. If someone finds starting at north works for them, then I have no issue with that. I could even see someone starting from west or south for specific purposes as well.
