Copyright © 1989 Scott Cunningham
The Circle of stones is used during indoor rituals, for energy raising, meditation and so on.
First cleanse the area with the ritual broom. For this circle you will need four large, flat stones. If you have none, candles can be used to mark the four cardinal points of the circle. White or purple candles can be used, as can colors related to each direction - green for the North, yellow for East, red for South and blue for West.
Place the first stone (or candle) tithe North, to represent the Spirit of the North Stone. In ritual when you invoke the Spirits of the Stones you're actually invoking all that resides in that particular direction, including the elemental energies.
After setting the North Stone (or candle), place the East, South and West Stones. They should mark out a rough square, nearly encompassing the working area. This square represents the physical plane on which we exist - the Earth.
Now take a long purple or white cord and lay it outing a circle, using the four stones or candles to guide you. It takes a bit of practice to smoothly do this. The cord should be placed so that the stones remain inside the circle. Now you have a square and a circle, the circle representing the spiritual reality. As such, this is a squared circle; the place of interpenetration of the physical and spiritual realms.
The size of the circle can be anything from 5 to 20 feet depending on the room and your desires. Next, set up the altar. The following tools are recommended:
Sample alter layout
* A Goddess symbol (candle, holed stone, statue)
* A God symbol (candle, horn, acorn, statue)
* Athame
* Wand
* Censer
* Pentacle
* A bowl of Water (spring, rain or tap)
* A bowl of Sea Salt (it can also be placed on the pentacle)
* Incense
* Flowers and greens
* One red candle in holder (if not using point candles)
* Any other tools or materials required for the ritual, spell or magical working
Set up the altar according to the plan shown (above) or according to your own design. Also be sure to have plenty of matches, as well as a small heat-proof container in which to place them when used. A charcoal block is also necessary to burn the incense.
Light the candles. Set the incense smoking. Lift the athame and touch its blade to the water, saying:
I consecrate and cleanse this water that it may be purified and fit to dwell within the sacred Circle of Stones.
In the name of the Mother Goddess and Father God, I consecrate this water.
As you do this, visualize your athame blasting away all negativity from the water.
The salt is next touched with the point of the athame while saying:
I bless this salt that it may be fit to dwell within the sacred Circle of Stones.
In the name of the Mother Goddess and Father God, I bless this salt.
Now stand facing North, at the edge of the cord-marked circle.
Hold your athame point outward at waist level. Walk slowly around the circle's perimeter clockwise, your feet just inside the cord, charging it with your words and energy. Create the circle - through your visualization - with the power flowing out from your theme’s blade. As you walk, stretch the energy out until it forms a complete sphere around the working area, half above the ground, half below. As you do this say:
Here is the boundary of the Circle of Stones.
Naught but love shall enter in,
Naught but love shall emerge from within.
Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!
When you have arrived back at the North, place the athame the altar. Take up the salt and sprinkle it around the circle, beginning and ending in the North, and moving clockwise. Next, carry the smoking censer from the altar, and finally sprinkle water around the circle. Do more than carrying and walking; sense the substances purifying the circle.
The Circle of Stones is now sealed.
Hold aloft the wand at the North, at the edge of the circle, and say:
O Spirit of the North Stone,
Ancient One of the Earth,
I call You to attend this circle.
Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!
As you say this, visualize greenish mist rising and writhing in the Northern quarter, over the stone. This is the elemental energy of the Earth. When the Spirit is present, lower the wand, move to the East, raise it again and say:
O Spirit of the East Stone,
Ancient One of Air,
I call You to attend this circle.
Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!
Visualize the yellowish mist of Air energy. Lower the wand, move to the South and repeat the following with your upraised wand, visualizing a crimson Fire mist:
O Spirit of the South Stone,
Ancient One of Fire,
I call You to attend this circle.
Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!
Finally, to the West, say with the wand held aloft:
O Spirit of the West Stone,
Ancient One of Water,
I call You to attend this circle.
Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!
Visualize the bluish mist, the essence of Water.
The circle breaths and lives around you. The Spirits of the Stones are present. Feel the energies. Visualize the circle glowing and growing in power. Stand still, sensing for a moment.
The Circle of Stones is complete. The Goddess and God may be called, and magick wrought.
Cunningham's classic introduction to Wicca is about how to live life magically, spiritually, and wholly attuned with nature. It is a book of sense and common sense, not only about magick, but about religion and one of the most critical issues of today: how to achieve the much needed and wholesome relationship with our Earth. Cunningham presents Wicca as it is today: a gentle, Earth-oriented religion dedicated to the Goddess and God. Wicca also includes Scott Cunningham's own Book of Shadows and updated appendices of periodicals and occult suppliers.
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham.
Often Bought With This Item:
* Wicca and Witchcraft For Dummies by Diane Smith.
* The Door to Witchcraft: A New Witch's Guide to History, Traditions, and Modern-Day Spells by Tonya A. Brown.
Related:
* Witchcraft for Beginners: 2 Books in 1: The Starter Kit for Herbal, Candles, Moon, and Crystals Magic. Master the Old Art of Making Rituals and Spells and Awaken the Spiritual Magic in You by Lisa Moon.
* Witchcraft: An Essential Guide to Witchcraft and Wicca, Including Wiccan Beliefs, White Magic Spells and Rituals by Amy Golden.
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