Casting a magic circle creates an intentional protected, consecrated space for rituals or spellwork. It defines a sacred area, often 5–6 feet in diameter, separating the user from outside energies to foster focus and protection. There are many ways to do this; below is a simple example. The important thing is a strong intention for a protective boundary.

Key Steps to Casting a Circle

• Cleanse and Prepare: Cleanse the space physically and energetically (eg with incense), preparing your altar/tools/elemental representations.
• Charge your Tool: You can do this with intention or while touching your tool (dominant hand, wand, or athame) to each associated elemental representation. using a chant such as:
  I call on earth to bind the spell
  Air to speed its travel well
  Bright as fire may it glow
  Deep as tides of water flow
  Charged by powers all four-fold,
  in the fifth the circle hold
• Mark the Boundaries: This can be done with candles and/or the associated elements at the cardinal points (North/Earth, East/Air, South/Fire, West/Water) and salt at the perimeter.
• Cast the Circle: Using your tool, start in the East and walk deosil (clockwise) three times, visualising a stream of white light emanating from your tool, surrounding the area with a bubble or circle. You can do this with intention or using a chant such as:
  Four points to weave the spell
  East, South, West, North, the tale to tell
  In their heart and height, we tread our road atrue.
  Three times round the circle imbue
  Ancient spirits of the past
  Witness it and guard it fast!
  (A more in-depth version of calling the corners, can be found here)
• Seal the Space: Declare the circle sealed by stating your intention or a phrase such as “The circle is cast”.
• Emergency Exit: If you must leave the circle, “cut” a door in the boundary with your tool and seal it immediately upon returning.
• Open the Circle: When finished, walk widdershins (counterclockwise), visualising the energy being re-absorbed into your tool. You can do this with intention or using a chant such as:
  We know by the powers of Air
  By the powers of Water we dare
  By Fire we wield our will
  By Earth are silent still
  In their heart and height,
  we tread our road aright.
  Then, standing in the centre of the circle facing north, a bell may be struck once with the following proclamation: The circle is now open but forever unbroken; this rite is ended. Blessed Be!
• Cleanse and Dispose: After your ritual, close the circle by extinguishing the candles one by one, starting with the altar candle(s). Any physical boundary is then swept away and disposed of.