Hi guys,
Before I get to my point, I just wanted to say that I think this website is amazing and reading all these posts have really helped me as a baby witch (I think that's the coolest term ever).
Anyway, as I said I am just a beginner (one month) and I haven't really cast any spells (I use herbs and wear crystals, I use colour magick in my clothing, but that's about as far as it goes) and so today I cast my first circle.
You have to understand that I am still 'in the broom closet' so I got really lucky today and I did my best using what I could. I set my things up in the garden. On a table, pointing north, some dirt. Pointing east, a feather. South = ashes from a bbq and west = hose water in a small cup. Finally, I put a pinch of salt in the center of the table.
With my book in hand (for the words) I walked around in a circle and said:
Air, fire, water, earth. I invite you to my circle. This circle is now cast. It protects me, my energy, my magick. It is my will, so it is.
I used words from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StL0mGtFqJs
Then I blessed my book using this spell:
Finally, I closed the circle, reciting:
Air, fire, water, earth. I thank and release you. The circle is now closed.
I would like to know if any (more experienced??) witches have any advice/tips to help me for future circles. I also felt pretty drained but also elated after the ritual. Is this normal? Because I kind of improvised and didn't follow a specific way of doing things, I don't know if I missed out on anything important or forgot something. Should I have used tarot or talked to the Goddess or God or any spirit beforehand?
Please help if you can!
Thanks, Zoé
Blessed be.
Also, if you have read the entire thing, thank you so much, I realize that this post is veryyy long...
No god or goddess is required for magick, and you did a good job as far as I know! I can tell you my first circle was way more unorganized. As for the feelings of elated and exhaustedness, thats what I experience after every spell. A light air over my shoulders, my mind, momentarily, suspended above all that bothers me, and worn out. It takes a lot for me to cast spells through, as Im also closeted and have little space and time to do so, and I have bad adhd, I can hardly think full thoughts on one subject. Hence why I use rough objects like untumbled crystals or rigid leaves, cold water, and salt to keep me in the spell. Its draining.
Thanks! I'm happy to know that what I felt after was normal!
I have another question: I read in several places that most witches bathe before casting circles (or doing any spellwork) to feel clean. But I have this feeling that I shouldn't wash JUST before doing anything and I would go barefoot so as to connect better to the elements. Is this a bad thing or do I need to shower straight before? I feel like that would kind of just wash away the connection... Help?
I personally dont shower for any ritual save aphrodisiac. I do cleansing with moonwater, clear quartz, and a small bit of meditation.
@zozo - As per your comment, "I did my best using what I could," I think you just described much of the history of the Craft. :-) Remember, witchcraft was illegal in the UK until 1951 and remains illegal in some parts of the world -- even just a few decades ago, it is extremely unlikely that someone creating & closing a circle or casting a spell would have access to multiple crystals from around the world, a beautifully turned & carved wand, candles in most hues of the rainbow, quality incense, etc. etc. etc. Valuable & helpful as magickal tools are, it is your intent, and how you direct it, that is at the core of the Craft.
The same goes for working with deity; while the majority of witches seem to work with at least one god/dess -- if not the classic Threefold Goddess and the God -- there are quite a few of us who don't. We're talking about working with the base energies of the universe, here... so if they manifest and/or work through deity for you, then great.. and if they don't, then great. :-)
The only thing I would have done differently under the circumstances would have been to use a much shorter blessing -- because patience has never been my strong point, LOL!
@Brian NobleHeartedLion I agree, I think that's a really important part of witchcraft and that we need to remember that. And thank you for clarifying the deity part! :D