Alternatives to Casting a Circle

[Siona]

Calling north, south, east and west is part of calling a circle / erecting a temple. Fire, water, air and earth are associated to the compass directions. It's never been a challenge and it doesn't take much time.

For a lot of folks it's not so much an issue of it being a challenge or time consuming, it's just plan old not part of their practice, so why do it? Not saying no one should do it, but it really comes down to what works for the individual, what makes sense, and what tradition one follows. There's very little in the way of ceremony and ritual structure that is common to all who practice magic.

A lot of places go as far as to suggest spells done without the circle are going to simply end up ineffective, Not getting results.

And a boat load of traditional witches would disagree, myself included. Really though, the origins of the circle as found in Wicca are with Gardner and, somewhat, in the ceremonial magic which inspired him. Casting a circle isn't universal, and it's just not found in a lot of non-Wiccan witchcraft traditions, in a lot of forms of folk magic, etc - but if these folks weren't seeing results, these other traditions probably wouldn't continue to exist, so we must be doing something right.

[SpiritTalker]

Boy, do I feel out of the loop. I recall some of Doreen Valiente's early writing and, would Non-Wiccan Traditional witchcraft possibly pertain to such references as Robert Cochrane and Evan John Jones "Roebuck in the Thicket" and Nigel Jacksons' "Masks of Misrule"? I have read only those. Can you recommend any more recent authors? I came across some Internet stuff on the Clan of Tubal Cain, but these are all related to the same people. There must be other traditions. I am very much out of my element here...oh, that could be a pun.

[Siona]

Yep, those three authors all write about their forms of traditional witchcraft. There are some other traditions that are more organized, like the Feri tradition, which they describe as 'American traditional witchcraft.' (feritrad.org has more info)There are also some traditions which are much less organized, such as hedgecraft. "To Fly by Night" by Veronica Cummer is a series of essays and such on hedgecraft, by several different authors, so it's a nice look into the different forms hedgecraft can take. "Hedge Rider" by Eric De Vries take a much more strict approach to the subject, with his idea that a hedgewitch must follow a Germanic path, lots of good info there though. Another modern author is Robin Artisson, he often writes about his own tradition, created rituals, and so on. His writing style can be a little hard to get into, but I do like the info and ideas he provides.

[Jenny Crow]

Well, there's "Cunning Folk & Familiar Spirits" by Emma Wilby; author Gemma Gary writes about the Cornish Witch Tradition; Peter Paddon's "Grimoire For Modern Cunning Folk"; and "Walking the Tides - Seasonal Rhythms and Tradiional Lore in Natural Craft" by Nigel Pearson.

There are more but I can't remember their titles

[SpiritTalker]

Well thank you. I've read 2 of Robin Artisson's early books & encountered the language but struggled through it; and just ordered Peter Paddon's...I was browsing Amazon while you fine folks were kindly typing. I have viewed Paddon's DVDs. Quite a teacher. Gemma Gary's always seems to be out of stock. Looks like I'm in the right neighborhood. Appreciate your recommendations. I have to learn the buzz words and search phrases to improve my results. (rubbing hands together gleefully) I love learning new things...

[Siona]

A Deed Without A Name, Lee Morgan, is also an interesting read. A mix of old trial information and folklore, some new perspectives, and a little how to to bind it all together.

[Lux]

A month ago I left the Wiccan tradition as it is not for me. I finally realised after two years. (If you're wondering, my path right now would be described as: Buddhist Eclectic-Pagan Spiritualist), with the belief of Jesus and Mary). Although I am no longer Wiccan, I still remain a witch. So, my question is: what are the alternatives to casting a circle? The casting circle is a Wiccan rite and I honestly really hated casting a circle when I was a Wiccan.

Thanks.

I'm not too big on casting circles either. At home I don't bother, but At my workplace I have something I call a crystal net; I have pieces of an amethyst hidden in all corners of my desk and I concentrate on them to keep bad energies out. I imagine everyone entering my space has to be cleansed by the crystals when they walk in.

[Oakheart]

One of the main purposes of casting a circle is the creation of a pocket dimension within the astral, a microcosm within the macrocosm, at the center of which you are a god or goddess. You are reenacting, on a metaphysical level, the creation of the universe, with yourself as its cosmic overseer. But I digress. There are several methods of casting a circle outside of the Wiccan methodology. The most well known is the LBRP (Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram) that Golden Dawn folks use. The Ordo Aurumn Solis and Rosicrucians have their own versions. But ultimately they all achieve the same thing, so pick a version that you like.


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[SnowCat]

I visualize my space. When I was starting out, I used tools, followed the formalities, the whole thing, just as a Solitary. As I progressed in my understanding and abilities, I internalized it.

Snow