Opening and Closing a Circle (The Traditional Way)

I've gotten a lot of questions lately when it comes to performing magic. It's my firm belief that we get to create our own practices. Of course, there are traditions, cultural rites, and more that often help us cultivate our magical experience. But at the end of the day, you get to choose what works for you and what's right for you.

You might be reading this wondering, why should I cast a circle?

To put it simply, this is a way to protect yourself, your home, and your magical workings. Putting up a circle makes it so any entities not welcome in your magical practice won't be able to get in. This is a protective measure that you want to take every time you cast to insure there is no interference in your magic.

Below are the ways to cast a traditional circle before doing any spell casting (yes, you can cast circles for other things, but we will get on that topic later). Below follows a traditional Wiccan approach to calling in a circle. 

1. To get started, go to the area that you are going to be performing magic.

Cleanse yourself with smoke (such as palo santo, sage, or incense) and then proceed to cleanse your space.

2. Next ground yourself as your prepare to call in the corners. 

3. Use the following as a guide to open the circle.

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East,I do summon, stir and call you up, to witness these rites and guard this circle

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, I do summon, stir and call you up, to witness these rites and guard this circle

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, I do summon, stir and call you up, to witness these rites and guard this circle

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, I do summon, stir and call you up, to witness these rites and guard this circle

4. Now you're ready to perform your magic!

5. Now to close your circle. Once your magic is complete, be sure to close the circle using the following. 

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North,  I thank you for your presence in this circle and witnessing these rites, and I bid you Hail and Farewell.

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, I thank you for your presence in this circle and witnessing these rites, and I bid you Hail and Farewell.

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, I thank you for your presence in this circle and witnessing these rites, and I bid you Hail and Farewell.

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, I thank you for your presence in this circle and witnessing these rites, and I bid you Hail and Farewell.

I hope this helps you feel comfortable opening and closing your next circle. I'd love to know, what ways do you like to open and close your circle?

Tell me below!

Love and magic,

Jade