The Magickal Circle

The Magickal Circle The central aspect of many Wiccan rituals is the magick circle. Magick is spelled in this context with a "k" intentionally to differentiate this subtle force underlying the manifested Universe from stage-show parlor tricks and sleight-of-hand. The teachings relate that the original Celtic and Etruscan Witches, from whom a great deal of our learning comes, did not cast formal circles; however, a working will generally create a circle of energy around the practitioners even if no formal circle is cast. The principle of the circle as used by modern Witches is probably a development stemming from this fact, as well as the tradition sharing that certainly occurred between Witches and Jewish mystics during the Burning Times. As with the other tools of ritual, the Circle embodies multiple layers of symbology. The “circle” is misnamed, however, as it is actually spheroid.

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Circle

1) ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS - This principle underlies all the others. Standing in circle causes an immediate alteration of consciousness which is requisite for any working of magick. The mind is taken out of the mundane and into the magickal.
2) TEMPLE - The circle acts as a temple or church wherein the Witch stands in the immediate presence of his/her Lord and Lady. It is a sanctified place fit for Their holy presence.
3) SACRED SPACE - Similar to the Temple aspect, the circle serves as a sanctified fortress, useful for consecrating items or people, or simply as a refuge from mundanity.
4) PROTECTION - The circle is a shield or barrier against all external forces that would cause harm to the Witch. This is especially important since entry into circle necessitates a dropping of everyday personal shields, leaving us otherwise psychically unprotected.
5) MAGICKAL FILTER - The circle filters the forces around the Witch, allowing in only those forces that are most auspicious for the working and keeping out detrimental forces. This can apply to such things as elemental, astrological, solar or lunar forces, or Tattvic tides.
6) POWER CONCENTRATOR - The circle keeps in energy generated by a Witch, helping to shape the energy into a concentrated and focused Cone of Power, until such time as the Witch releases the Cone.
7) REDEFINING REALITY - Casting a circle is a redefinition of reality. In essence, we create an island that we designate as the only true reality, then assign directions to this island : north, south, east, west, up, down, in, out. “An island of light, adrift upon the seas of the eons.”
8) SPACE BETWEEN THE WORLDS - The circle is neither entirely in the world of form, nor in the world of spirit. Instead, it is intermediate between the two, acting as a bridge connecting the planes of being. It acts as common ground where those of form may meet with those of spirit directly.
9) OMNIPRESENT NOW - Because the circle acts as a bridge between the worlds, it allows us to take advantage of the omnipresent now, or principle of nonlinear time, while allowing us to remain in the linear time to which we are accustomed. This allows us an advantage in scrying and divination, as we are more in contact with this principle of timelessness.
10) OUROBOROS OR AKASHIC EGG - The circle represents the womb of the Goddess and the eternal cyclic nature of the universe with neither a beginning nor an end. The ever-becoming, all potential of the Creative Force given form is represented in the circle.
11) EXTENSION OF THE PERSONAL SHIELD OR AURA - The circle can be regarded as the projection or externalization of the personal aura as a ring around the individual in solitary workings, or as a combination of the auras of all participants in group workings. For this reason, it is important that all participants assist the HP/HPS when casting the circle.
12) CRUCIBLE OF CHANGE - By its very nature, the circle changes all those who enter into it on a regular basis as well as the environment surrounding the individual. This occurs even in the absence of the formal casting of change spells and is directly related to the nature of the circle itself.
13) ALCHEMICAL CATALYST FOR REDEFINING THE SELF - The circle forces us to reexamine our selves as well as our true Selves; we come to the realization of our abilities and limitations, and through that realization can attempt to expand and overcome them. We progress in what Aleister Crowley termed the “Great Work,” the alchemical transformation of the self into the image of the Self; in essence changing lead into gold.

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