#spell prep

Eric: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN’T CAST DIMENSION DOOR RIGHT NOW?

Presto: I didn’t prepare it!

Eric: What does that even mean?!

Presto: I can’t use it today! I didn’t commit it to memory!

Eric: Screw your memory just open your stupid spellbook or hat or whatever and read it!

Presto: It doesn’t work like that!

Eric: W H Y?

Casting a circle is one of the most important parts of any magical spell or ritual. This helps create a sacred space for you to conduct your spell uninterrupted by unwanted spiritual forces while welcoming in those entities we do want. There are many ways to do this, but I’ve found this method to be most effective for me. 

You will need:

one yellow candle

one blue candle

one red candle

one green candle

one purple candle

five candle holders

a lighter or matches

First, try to find a room or space where you will be uninterrupted by people and distractions, and will have enough room for the circle and the spell. Remember, once you cast the circle you cannot leave until the circle is properly closed, so make sure you have everything you need for the spell with you.

Next, place the candles in their holders and in the appropriate positions according to the elements and their directions (to the best of your ability). Yellow in the west for air, red in the south for fire, blue in the west for water, green in the north for earth, and purple in the center for spirit.

Next, you should cleanse the space before lighting the candles and actually casting the circle. You can do this with sage, Florida water, selenite, or a cleansing mixture of your choice. 

Next, you need to declare your intention to cast a magical circle. Use a wand, athame, or your forefinger and move clockwise beginning in the east. Channel the energy of the earth through your feet and into your forefinger and say: “I conjure thee, o circle of power, that thou be a boundary and a protection for this space between the worlds.” If this feels too old fashioned and unnatural there is no problem with modernizing the words, as long as the intent remains.

Now it is time to invoke the elements. Beginning in the east with the yellow candle, light the candle and say something to the effect of: “In the east, the element of air, you are honored in this sacred circle. Hail and welcome.” Repeat this with each element turning clockwise from yellow to red and so on until you end with purple/spirit.

You have now cast a magical circle and welcomed the elements to join you in your task! Carry out the spell and when you are finished blow out the candles in reverse order, beginning with earth and moving to water and ending with spirit.

Every witch has their own way of doing things so do not feel afraid to make adjustments if it feels right for you. I am an earthy witch so I sometimes like to include crystals in my circle casting.

More of spell prep; I’m low on energy still so I’m probably not going to do my enchantment today like I originally planned, but I can still at least plan and do the set up. The incense is sandlewood, amber, and cedar; I’ll be using those to enchant the embroidery and pass the smoke through, then after it’s burned to ash I’ll tip the ashes and salt circle into my mortar and grind them into a fine dust which I’ll rub into the wood clockwise - any left over I’ll press into the cloth on the back where I’ve done the other black circle, knot magic and the inverted pentagram in crimson thread.

Huh. I’ve done more than I’ve thought.