Casting the Circle

Casting the Circle

1. Lighting the Candle
2. Exorcism of the Water
3. Blessing of the Salt
4. Casting the Circle
5. Consecration of the Circle with the Four Elements
6. Calling the Mighty Ones

You will need:

• Altar
• 2 x Altar candles
• Water bowl
• Salt dish
• Pentacle
• Censer
• Athame
• Bell
• Presence Lamp
• 4 x Quarter candles
• Sword (optional)
• Candle snuffer (optional)

Additionally, you will all need to be fit to enter into the presence of the Gods; you will need to start in the dark.

The Ritual Leader (RL) will wait until it feels like time to begin, then rises:

i. Lighting of the Candle

RL: "I light this Candle (lights Presence Lamp)
in the name of that ancient presence,
which is, was, and ever shall be
male, female, all-knowing, all-powerful
and present everywhere.

And in the names of the four Mighty Ones,
the rulers of the elements,
may power and blessing descend
in this hour upon this place
and those gathered here."

RL lights the two altar candles, the charcoal, and the four quarter candles from the Presence Lamp.

ii. Exorcism of the Water

RL kneels before the altar and places the Water bowl upon the Pentacle.
RL purifies the water by plunging the tip of his/her athame into the water, saying:

RL: "I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water, that thou cast out from
thee all the impurity and uncleanliness of the world of phantasm.
In the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen"

iii. Blessing of the Salt

RL sets the Water bowl aside and in its place sets the Salt dish upon the Pentacle.
RL touches salt with tip of athame, saying:

RL:"Blessings be upon thee, O Creature of Salt; let all malignity and
hindrance be cast forth from thee, and let all good enter within.
Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee, that thou mayest aid me.
In the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."

Using the tip of the athame, RL takes three measures of salt and puts them into the water, then stirs deosil three times with the athame, saying:

RL: "But ever mind that as water and salt purifies the body,
so the scourge purifies the soul. So mote it be!"

iv. Casting the Circle

RL draws a circle, continuous from north deosil unto north with the Sword (or athame), saying:

RL: "I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou beest
a boundary between the world of men and the realms of the Mighty Ones;
a meeting place of love and joy and truth;
a shield against all wickedness and evil;
a rampart and protection that shall preserve and contain
the power that we raise within thee.
Wherefore do I bless thee, and consecrate thee,
in the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."

(If others are without, a gate is opened, and they are now brought into the Circle with a kiss, and the Circle is resealed.)

v. Consecration of the Circle with the Four Elements

RL takes up the consecrated water and asperges the Circle with his/her fingertips, from north deosil unto north; and then touches each person within with the water, being touched in turn by his/her working partner (or another of the opposite sex to RL, if available). Water bowl is returned to altar.

RL Then takes up the censer, and likewise censes the Circle from north unto north.

Lastly, RL takes around the Presence Lemp (or a candle lit from the Presence Lamp and returned to it).

vi. Calling the Mighty Ones

All stand and salute the East. RL stands in front of group facing East. Maiden (M) stands at back of group with the Bell. M rings Bell.

With athame, RL draws three deosil circles and then an invoking earth pentagram, saying:

RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, ye Lords of Air;
I, N..., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our rites and guard the Circle!"

All turn and face South. RL and M move to corresponding positions; others just turn in place. M rings bell.

With athame, RL draws three deosil circles and then an invoking earth pentagram, saying:

RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, ye Lords of Fire;
I, N..., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our
rites and guard the Circle!"

Similarly, in West:

RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, ye Lords of Water;
Lords of Death and Initiation;
I, N..., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our
rites and guard the Circle!"

And in North:

RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, ye Lords of Earth;
Boreas, thou Guardian of the Northern Portals;
I, N..., do summon, sitr and call you up, to witness our
rites and guard the Circle!"

All turn back to the East and salute.

Now all turn to North again. M rings Bell. RL says:

RL: "Ye Mighty Ones,
Lords of the Watchtowers of the Universe,
Dread Lords of the outer spaces,
Thou powerful God, thou gentle Goddess,
We invite you to our meeting.
(pause)
O thou Loving Cerridwen,
O thou Mighty Cernunnos,
we gather (or 'I stand') before you
to ..." (state intent)


The Circle is now cast and Perfect.

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