Why Cast A Circle?

Why Cast A Circle

by Mel White

They say that the longest journey begins with a single step. So, too, the exploration of Magickal

studies begins with a single step. Though the first step in a physical journey is often self-evident,

the First Step on a Magickal journey is often not quite so clear. While formally organized groups

often have a path of lessons to instruct newcomers, the solitary or isolated student is often left

standing in perplexity on this broad plain of knowledge, wondering just where in the heck to begin.

And wondering, too, if it’s “okay” to start just anywhere.

While it’s true that studies can begin in any direction that attracts you, the necessary first step must

be learning to make psychic shields. There are “Things of the Dark” out there. There are any

number of explanations for what these things might be — ghosts, demons, or simply uncontrolled

urges of the subconscious mind. In truth, it doesn’t matter what they are. What does matter is that

their effect is very real and unless they are put under your control, they will drag you over the

borders of sanity into psychosis. You are most vulnerable to them while you’re in an “open” trance

or meditative state. That’s why the wise practitioner always begins by taking steps to define exactly

what will be permitted through the portals of their “psychic shields” — no matter how simple the

ritual. And this, in a nutshell, is what “protective magic” is about.

There are a number of ways to do this. The most common is to begin by drawing a circle (around a

group or yourself) and invoking the one or more protective powers. Generally, this is done by

candlelight, in front of an altar that holds certain magical objects. The circle may be further

“secured” and “cleared” by using salt, salt water, rum, incense, or some other method. You may be

wearing a special robe and will have taken a bath (or performed a cleansing ritual) earlier. The

powers that protect you will be called on and then you will begin your ritual.

Is it psychological? Absolutely! Is there a reason why protection rituals always take this form?

Positively! Let’s take a step back and see what you’re actually doing and how the process works —

from a psychological standpoint — and how to use this knowledge to help you refine your circles to

enhance your rituals.

Psychologists and psychics alike view the mind’s structure as a three-part entity: The Ego (that

which you think of as yourself), the Superego (the “higher self”) and the Id (the child within). The

Id is, in a sense, a computer. Like most computers, it operates on the GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage

Out) principle. There’s an old superstition: “As you name something, so will it become.” Tell

yourself that you’re very unlucky and your Id will obligingly give you bad days by enhancing any

negatives in your environment. Tell yourself that you are clumsy, and your Id-computer will

obligingly arrange for you to break a leg while stepping off the sidewalk. The bad news is that the

Id can’t make a judgement as to whether or not this is a good idea. It only knows that it’s received

these “instructions” and must carry them out. The good news is that you can actually

program/reprogram this portion of your mind.

You begin programming this Internal Servant of yours by first drawing its attention to what you

want done and then explaining what you need done in a simple and clear manner. Repeating the

instructions in a chant help fix the goals for the Id — rhymed chants seem to be easier for it to

process. Each time you perform the ritual and repeat the chant, the programming is strengthened.

Never mind that your ego and superego understand that you’re going to program the child-like Id. It

works just the same.

To direct the Id’s attention to the process, you first have to impress it. Using special tools and

clothing alert it that something unusual is going on and that it must pay attention. Acquiring hardto-

obtain items, drawing symbols, performing a symbolic sacrifice (donating money, say, to a good

cause) are all ways of reinforcing the Id’s impression that this ceremony is very special and that the

result will be very powerful. Organized, meaningful symbols, speak to your subconscious mind in

ways it understands, reinforcing the goals you have set.

Drawing the circle itself establishes boundaries within your environment (“The rest of the world can

do what it likes Out There. All within this circle is in my control!”). Purifying the circle and

consecrating it (sprinkling water which has been blessed and salt added) further enforce your

territory, defining the borders where you are “safe”. Nothing can enter this area except what you

invite inside. You further tighten these borders by calling on certain Powers.

You can call on any powers you like. Some use traditional Christian images. Others call up deities

from the religion they are most comfortable with. And many people use the thought/image of a

beam of light that represents either God/Goddess (whichever one they like) or the power of light

and life and goodness in the Universe.

The number of powers called as guardians varies. You may choose to invoke one powerful being to

protect your circle. Or you might call on the Universal Being/Light and four guardians (one for

each quarter of the compass). A third approach is to use a guardian for the four quarters of the

compass and no higher being. There is no “absolutely correct” system; the correct system is the one

that you are comfortable with.

Take time to choose the guardians of your circle carefully. You should select guardians (gods or

animals or some form of life) which have a deeper meaning to you and whose qualities are in

harmony with your goals. For the new student, it’s best to have all your Powers and Guardians from

the same belief system/religion/mythic universe so that the symbols will be consistent and not

confuse the Id.

You can use people — saints, movie actors, figures from favorite books as guardians. Do, however,

pick someone who’s dead or non-existent. The dead can’t argue with your interpretation of them,

whereas the living may be highly offended to be approached as gods/guardians.

As your studies continue, you will find that your totems or guardians change. This is to be expected;

as you explore new realms in your studies, you may find you need guardians who deal with very

specific areas to strengthen and guide you in these new fields.

But don’t make the mistake of assuming that you’ll become so powerful that you will never need the

protection of the psychic shielding circle in some form. And don’t assume that you will not need a

circle for “positive” magicks such as healing. Open is open — and open is vulnerable. And circles

strengthen and protect you by defining what psychological influences will be allowed to work with

you.

Magic spells come in many different styles, traditions, formats and for different specific purposes. For example, love spells are a very popular branch of magic. Click here to learn more.