#spell journal

The why, the how, and the importance of circling casting in magic

What is Circle casting?

When people talk about casting a circle, they are most often talking about casting a circle of protection. This is something to help keep you protected when you are in your most vulnerable state, for instance during a particularly taxing ritual or spell. I often describe this as a dome of protection, as large as you need it, to keep you safe. It can also work as a way to contain your own magic, to make sure your energy and magic can be focused on the thing you need it to focus on. 

How to cast a circle:

There are plenty of ways to cast a circle, but this is the way I have always done it

Make sure you cleanse yourself and your space. Just think, if you are about to but a dome of protection over you, where your energy can’t get out, and bad energy can’t get in, you want to make sure the energy of the space is right before you start. 

Draw a line. This can be mentally or physically, but draw a line around the space you want to protect. This could be directly around your altar, around the room you are in, or around your whole house. When drawing your line, do some clockwise to attract the energy of protection. 

Speak your intention clearly. When casting your circle, make sure you are clear with what you are protecting from. Are you protecting from all outside energy, or simply negative energy? Are you protecting from fairfolk coming into your circle? Make sure you are thorough with your intention. 

If working with a deity, call upon them. This is an optional step, but for the same reason you would want to be thorough with who you don’t want around, you also want to be thorough about who you do want around. If you are doing some rituals or spells, you may find you want to call upon certain deities or spirit guides, but that is wholly up to you. 

Now, go on with what you were doing. That would be rituals, spells, or well… Living your life. There are many people who simply put up protection circles on their home so they have protection in their home at all times, others only put up circles when they are working on rituals they feel need it (Some believe that having a circle up all the time can be draining for your spiritual health, or can effect some divination readings, since energies aren’t supposed to be able to come into your circle) 

When you are ready, make sure you close your circle. Thank those that helped you in your work, and thank those who respected your circle. When closing your circle, go backwards from the direction you cast, so in our case that is counterclockwise. Make sure to bless those who helped you with their travels.

Why do we cast circles?

A circle is a psychic or physical representation of protection, which is very important when opening yourself up during spells. When we are doing rituals or spells or meditations, it opens us up to receiving energy, but we can’t always control what energy is coming our way, that circle is there to only let through the energy you want to interact with during your work. Now, not all spells or rituals needs a circle cast, but it never hurts to do one if it feels right. This is just an option for you to keep you feeling safe and comfortable, especially when you don’t want to be worried about such things. 

What is a Book of Shadows? A Book of Shadows (also commonly known as a Spell Journal or Grimoire), is somewhere, for those practicing Witchcraft/Magick, to store things ranging from spells, herb lists, thoughts, experiences, references and more! It’s essentially a journal/scrapbook type thing that most witches use to record research, thoughts, experiences and spiritual information, such as spells, incantations, potions and so on. What do I put in my Book of Shadows?  Literally anything you want! But most particularly, everything relating to your learning and experiences as a witch! Some things you can put in your Book of Shadows include:  recipes, spells, lists of herbs/supplies, dreams, research, thoughts, experiences, definitions/a glossary of terms you may want to remember, a copy of you initiation ceremony (if you’ve had one), laws/codes of your faith (if you’re involved in one, such as Wicca for example), rituals, divination information (e.g. tarot card spreads), and these are just a few ideas to get you started, there are many other things you can include.

Does my Book of Shadows have to be in book form? No! Absolutely not. Some people use things like blogs and Microsoft Word to store their Book of Shadows. Some people argue that your Book of Shadows should be all hand written, as to store your energy within the book, however it’s not completely necessary. Your Book of Shadows is yours, so you can make it however you want.

Can I share my Book of Shadows with other people? That’s completely up to you. Your Book of Shadows is about your own journey and your own development, it’s completely yours. If you want to share pages of it with others or let others read it, then you may if you wish. However, if you want to keep it private (like a personal journal), then you can do that as well. Personally, I keep mine private, but if you wish to share yours, then go ahead, it’s yours after all.

How do I make a Book of Shadows? Making your Book of Shadows can be as simple or as intricate as you want it to be. If you’re on a low budget, or like to keep things simple, then you could totally just go to a local store and buy a blank journal to use as your Book of Shadows. Some people make theirs completely by hand. Some people print out templates to use as pages. Some people create password protected blogs, regular blogs, or document files, and use their Book of Shadows electronically. 

Useful links: - How to Make a Book of Shadows (video) - How to Make a Book of Shadows (articles): x, x, x. - History on Book of Shadows/Grimoires (article) - Buy a blank Book of Shadows (web stores): x, x, x, x