Guidelines
For Circle Casting & Circle Work
These notes have been especially
prepared for people considering participating in either Workshop
Circles or regular Coven Circles. It looks at: What you can
expect Circle casting and work to be like; Some general conventions;
What expectations I have of participants; and finally An introductory
ritual.
INTRODUCTION
The Circle casting and circle
work is designed to give you relevant theoretical and practical
training in contemporary Witchcraft and Magick. The tasks
undertaken are not unlike the experience you would expect
to encounter in a typical Coven Circle that I might run, albeit
in a somewhat more concentrated form. It should go without
saying that the comprehensive experience of many years cannot
be substituted in one day by a workshop or even several introductory
sessions. It is my hope though that the level of your knowledge
will be greatly improved and that you will be inspired to
continue your studies in earnest. The material in the workshop
will cover some of the core principles and extend your general
experience of practical Witchcraft.
PARTICIPATION
These notes are intended to familiarise you with the introductory
ritual practices and some Wiccan conventions. A few people
may find the practices initially challenging, but I would
encourage you to allow yourself the opportunity of the experience.
This especially applies to the Wiccan practice of 'skyclad'
ritual; hopefully any concerns you may have will be covered
in these notes; but please don't hesitate to ask about anything
you feel is not covered.
I should add that I don't
use skyclad ritual initially, this is usually reserved for
a Coven Circle, or else as preparatory ritual working to joining
in Coven practices. More about this later.
To assist in making your experience
significant and authentic there are two things which I ask.
The first is to be open to new ideas or approaches to the
subject; some of which may be different to what you have read.
The second is to be willing to participate and to give things
a try, even if you should find things challenging.
NEXT TASK
You will have by now read at least one of the 'classical'
texts on contemporary Witchcraft (eg 'What Witches Do', etc).
Your next immediate task is
to continue with further reading - see the recommended reading
list below. You will notice that this list branches out into
parallel areas of study. These include the areas of mythic
and psychological studies. It is important to read in areas
indirectly related to the practice of Witchcraft. Probably
one of the first things I'll be asking you about at the workshop
is "What have you been reading?"
GETTING STARTED WITH CIRCLE
CASTING
There are several things you might consider acquiring. Although
these items are not absolutely necessary to getting started,
they are useful and if you were to participate in a regular
Circle I would certainly expect you to have these items. (If
you have any of these items then please bring them along to
use in the workshop.):
1 - A Robe or other suitable
ritual attire;
2 - A Cord (generally a white silken Cord, 9 feet in
length);
3 - A ritual knife, known as an Athame (usually black-
hilted);
4 - A Diary and pen with which you can record notes
and diarise experiences;
5 - A folder in which to keep the notes I give out
(could be combined with your Diary).
See below for more detail on these items.
WORKING IN A CIRCLE
The following are some of the basic conventions and expectations
in behaviour I have to you working in a Magick Circle. You
can expect these principles to be applied even in only the
workshop.
1. Be personally responsible.
This means that you agree not to do anything which might endanger
either yourself or others at the workshop. Your behaviour
should always be polite and considerate. If you have a concern
please do not hesitate to discuss this with one of the facilitators.
2. If you need to leave either
the workshop space or the Circle you do not need permission,
but you will do so in such a way so as not to disturb or disrupt
others. It is generally courteous to have the acknowledgment
of the facilitator. If a ceremony is under way this will mean
'breaking' the Circle. This can be done by opening and closing
a 'gateway'. You do this by visualising a veil at the edge
of the Circle which you ritually render open with your hand
gently and closed again behind you.
3. Respect the wishes of someone
if they do not want to be touched, especially in a skyclad
ritual (see below). If someone's hands are touching you too
intimately for your comfort you should let them know immediately.
This doesn't have to be awkward, you can simply make your
feelings clear by taking hold of the person's hand and moving
it elsewhere. That way, neither one of you have to convey
a stilted verbal message, or feel as though you are disrupting
the general flow - especially if it occurs during ritual.
The same principle applies
for the traditional Wiccan convention of passing the ritual
Cup of wine with a 'kiss'. The 'kiss' is intended to be much
like the French greeting kiss, ie. a kiss on the cheek. A
kiss on the lips is okay only if it is mutually agreeable.
4. A tolerant and respectful
attitude toward the beliefs of others should be in evidence
and practiced by the way you communicate to others. If you
have a criticism of someone or another group it should be
confined to a clear cut critique, rather than merely some
personal dislike. Gossip will hold no weight or respect in
the Circle.
DANCE AND CAULDRONS OF FIRE
Witchcraft has a number of simple techniques which enable
us to connect with the 'witch-within'. Dance is one of those
techniques. Circle dances are used to distract the conscious
Self and then when combined with rhythmic drumming, the dance
enables us to directly experience the instinctual nature of
the Self.
The dances are usually performed
around a central Cauldron in which a fire has been lit. Fire
is naturally a wild and elemental substance, even when physically
contrived as in the cauldron. Even if it is only a simple
candle flame its use is create a centre of focus for group
mind of the Coven. When a central fiery Cauldron is used and
then coupled with other Witchcraft
practices, such as the ritualised circle dances or chants
or spells, all this serves to create a powerful focus for
accessing the personal Unconscious. This can occur spontaneously
in any individual and especially in ritual involving the whole
Coven where the collective Unconscious is touched.
The Unconscious is perceived
as being the repository of our most primitive and instinctual
powers. When I use the term 'Unconscious' I am simultaneously
referring to the mythic reality known also as the 'Underworld'.
Our intuition, the so-called 'sixth sense' is one of the tools
or functions of the Unconscious side of ourselves. In fact,
many of the techniques used in Witchcraft seek to directly
stimulate this latent power.
SKYCLAD POWER RAISING
In the practices of Witchcraft the use of ritual nudity, referred
to as being 'skyclad', may be combined with ritual dancing
around the Cauldron.
The use of skyclad ritual
is probably one of the most ancient and direct ways to connect
to the 'sacred primitive' in ourselves; and for this reason
has long been used in Witchcraft. The combined use of skyclad-ritual-dance
is applied as a chief technique to access the forgotten or
instinctal powers of the Witch-within.
The ritual dance when properly
performed around the Cauldron of fire can also be used to
focus the collective elemental energy of the Witch and Coven.
Energy raised using this method is called 'raising the cone
of power'. When the ritual is connecting well this normally
purely psychic phenomena may take on physical form. It does
this by spinning the fire in the Cauldron
into a 'tourbillion', a whirlwind which forms into something
like an upside down tornado and reminiscent of the 'witch's
hat' caricature.
In practice, it is mainly
during the ritual dances that we work skyclad. On a practical
note, if one is getting cold after dancing you do not need
'permission' to re- robe (or disrobe for that matter in the
Circle).
PSYCHIC REFLEX
The resultant effect of raising this energy or the 'cone of
power' is a psychic reflex which may manifest in the Witch
in a variety of ways.
On a metaphysical level this
psychic reflex is identical to the Eastern Tantric experience
of raising the 'Kundalini', the so called Serpent powers.
The overall effect is the charging of the Witch's subtle body,
and once mastered can result in many spontaneous psychic experiences.
These include such experiences as clairvoyance, psychic projects
of wish fulfilment, shape shifting into animistic familiars,
past life memories and the like. However, the psychic reflex
is more commonly experienced as feelings of ecstasy and exhilaration.
The phenomena can have an intoxicating effect much like drinking.
The combination of fire, dance and the added sense of the
sacred ritual, produce powerful changes in consciousness.
In such circumstances it is not unusual to experience some
highly charged emotional feelings both during and after the
rites. It is very important to remain in touch with your feelings
during such psychic and emotional stresses.
Emotional stresses released
are like an 'occult barometer' of the energies at work within
us. It is
important to share these experiences and give acknowledgment
to them. One way to do this is to record your experiences
in a diary or by share experiences in the Circle. There is
usually a period set aside in Circle to do this. While others
in the Circle are sharing their experience, participate by
asking supportive and inquiring questions.
Finally, treat the experiences
shared by others as the intimate and sacred mysteries of the
Circle. While I never ask people to keep anything 'secret',
I would ask you to keep these things 'sacred'. A few words
of advice - you'll save yourself a lot of heart ache if you
only share these experiences with people who have the maturity
to appreciate such things.
SABBAT OILS
Traditionally Witches applied special unguents to the body
to awaken psychic experiences. These unguents, concocted from
traditional recipes, are commonly referred to as 'Sabbat ointments'
or 'Sabbat oils'. Invariably these unguents had quantities
of herbs with a highly narcotic, hypnotic and hallucinogen
effect. I also use a 'Sabbat oil'. I use recipes which have
been inspired by the traditional Sabbat oils, but have none
of the narcotic ingredients or their side effects. The ingredients
used promote a pleasing, aromatic and stimulant effect, invigorating
the body and senses.
The Sabbat oil is also used
as an aid to the subtle energy flow. Just as in traditional
massage, physical contact arouses a flow of energy or 'chi'
in the subtle- body so does the application of the Sabbat
oils in ritual. At the same time this practice reinforces
the Wiccan sense of celebrating the sacred in the body and
prepares the Witch to enter the rites.
ROBE OR RITUAL ATTIRE
If you intend to do anything more beyond this workshop you
will certainly find you need a robe or other suitable ritual
attire. The style is entirely up to you. The robe from a magickal
point of view, is an extension of your metaphysical auric
field, therefore choice of colours should have significance
for you. On a practical note it is a good idea to have more
than one for
indoors/summer and one for outdoors/winter. If your robe needs
a belt around the waist, it is customary to use the ritual
Cord (see below).
I generally suggest nothing
be worn under the robe. This is because quite apart from the
use of skyclad workings in many of the rituals, tradition
requires that 'nothing' ordinary should be brought into the
Circle.
CORD
The ritual Cord is usually a thin rope of silken cord (about
1cm in diameter) and measuring exactly 9 feet in length, from
knotted end to end. This length holds great significance because
it is a harmonic ratio to the radius of the Moon. This means
when it is used to mark out the perimeter of the circle it
can accurately trace the rim of the Witches' Circle as a true
Luna temple. White is the correspondent colour of the Moon
and is an appropriate colour to use for the Cord, although
other colours may be used.
ATHAME
This is the ritual knife, customarily black hilted and used
by Witches in all ceremonial rites. The Athame is used even
in the most basic of rituals, such as Circle casting, and
hence is an hallmark of the Witch. Like your robe, it is serves
both a symbolic and metaphysical role, in this case representing
your focussed Will power; something no Witch should be without.
As one of
your major Craft working tools it should be ritually consecrated
and charged (empowered)
BASIC CIRCLE CASTING RITE
The following is a Circle
Casting ritual. You may want to familiarise yourself with.
The MC (Master/Mistress of
Ceremonies) sits or stands with the others in a circle. It
is helpful to have the floor or ground marked (suggest using
flour if outdoors, masking tape, a silken cord, a rope or
a specially design ritual mat if indoors). If using a ritual
Sword it is passed around the Circle, from one person to the
next person. As the Circle is formed, the ritualists should
visualise an electric-blue light of etheric energy building
around the group to form the Circle.
CIRCLE SPELL
Words for the Circle Spell by the MC. are:
"Sword cuts a circle round about;"
The response then by circle members is:
"Power stay in, world stay out."
The spell is repeated atleast
3 times, or until the sword is returned to the MC.
The MC. then seals the circle with the words:
"The Sword has cut a circle round about;"
And the response is:
"A world within, a world without."
ELEMENTS
The four elements are now in turn past around the Circle from
person to person. Using each of the elements in turn the spirit
names (or essences) of the four elements are resonated as
they are passed around:
"NANTA" (earth -
pantacle of earth);
"HCOMA" (water - chalice of water);
"EXARP" (air - censer of incense); and
"BITOM" (fire - bazier of fire + metho).
As each element is passed
around, the circle members try to acquire some of the qualities
of the element they are holding:
Earth - heavy and solid;
Water - cool and fluid;
Air - light and expansive;
Fire - warm and energetic.
In general, when building
the Circle using this method, it is useful to think of the
elements in the following way:
As the Sword is passed around,
this represents the 'Will' of the Coven to define a ritual
space. As the Earth Pantacle is passed - this is the material
base, our bodies and physical presence which manifests the
Circle. As the Cup of Water is passed, this is the crucible
of emotions, our feelings and desires. As the Censer of Air
is passed, this is our charged thoughts, the group mind and
the Coven's creative impulse. Finally, as the Brazier of Fire
is passed around the Coven members 'inflame' the Circle with
the spark of life and vitality.
Authors Details:
Circle Casting & Circle Work Tim Hartridge <ozpagan[at]ozpagan.com> |
More Articles On Circle Casting
(Casting
A Circle)
(Circle
& Altar Layout)
(Guidelines
For Circle Work)
(Magick
Circles - Why Use Them?) |
