The Circle of Magick

~ Casting The Magick Circle ~

 With Elemental Watchtowers

Introduction:
The Circle of Magick acts as both a protective shield and an enclosed setting for Magick to be enacted in a condensed form then released into the very fabric of Reality.

I originally learned the rudiments of simple Circle-casting when I was involved in Witchcraft, in my late teens.  

Over the years, I've picked up additional ideas and processes and the procedure has evolved into the intricate, exceptionally powerful process I perform nowadays, with excellent results.

One essential Law of Magick I have consistently experienced is that Clockwise movements actualize Magickal Intention into a substantial state of Manifestation ... while Counterclockwise  movements shift such Manifestations back into the dormant state of Potentiality.  This is a consistent trend in all my Magickal procedures.

Like many Witches, Wiccans, Wizards & Sorcerers, I most often cast the Circle on the floor or ground large enough to comfortably  contain an Altar, impliments, and however many persons will be occupying the space - 6, 9, 12 up to 15 or even as large as 21 feet, as is sufficient. 

It helps greatly to mark-out the chosen diameter of the circle on the floor.  Some crafty folks make a circle about 5 inches wide with fabric.  Others mark the floor with chalk.  


I prefer keeping it simple, marking the four directions - indicating the area for each of the Elemental Watchtowers - with rocks.   I then delineate the curve of the Circle with three smaller stones between each of the directional rocks.

(Sometimes I cast a Circle around just the Magickal Work positioned on a table or other surface.)

Then, using a checklist written sometime  beforehand, I place whatever Altar-surface I've chosen, and all the needed items for the SpellWorks planned, neatly arranged in the space inside the Circle.

It's my experience that Casting the Magickal Circle creates a sphere, with the Circle cast being the diameter that sphere, which extends above and below that diameterical boundry.

Residing in the northern hemisphere, I always begin Circle Casting in the Northern Direction, taking advantage of the strong electro-magnetic energy-currents flowing down from magnetic North Pole. 

I then face the appropriate Elemental direction casting Spells.

The Elemental Watchtower 

Pentagrams and Sigils

Whilst Casting the Circle, as I compose the Elemental Watchtowers, I embed simple but highly powerful Sigils into the Pentagrams - that inherently contain and manifest the Magickal Essence of each Element. 

These Sigils are based on a dream I had of them, and were developed through on my training and experience working in the Vedic Chakra science called Chakra Agni Tattva Vidya which I learned from Hariakhan Baba in my mid 20s, as well as my years pursuing Reiki and other forms of Vibrational Healing.

I've also included herein, the procedures for Opening and Closing Doorways in the Circle,   affording the Magkian the opportunity to exit and  re-enter the Circle whenever necessary.

Casting can be done with your hand, or Tool such as a Wand or an Athame.

~ Casting the Circle of Magick ~

These instructions are for Casting a Circle on the Floor or Ground.  You can Cast a Circle on a table, by modifying these instructions accordingly. Also, "Tool" refers to a Wand or Athame.

Stand facing North - an arm's length behind the intended perimeter of the Circle.
Using your Hand/Tool, draw/Visualize the Purple Invoking Pentagram of Spirit.

Draw/Visualize the Purple Spirit Invoking Sigil inside the Center of the Active Spirit Pentagram.

The Left Loop is of Spirit, 

the Right Loop is Materiality.

Draw/Visualize the Green Earth Element Invoking Sigil over the Purple Spirit Invoking Sigil just drawn.

Draw/Visualize the Green Invoking Pentagram 

of the Earth Element over the Purple Spirit Pentagram already in place, while intoning 

the Northern Watchtower of Earth
Invocation Charm.

Turn Hand/Tool down pointing to the place where the Circle continues on floor/ground.
Moving backwards to East, draw/visualize a line of Electric-Blue Fire manifesting 1/4th of the Circle from North to East, with Hand/Tool.

Facing East, raise Hand/Tool upward, pointing outward to East.

Draw/Visualize the Purple Invoking
Pentagram of Spirit.

Draw/Visualize the Purple Spirit Invoking Sigil

inside the Center of the Active Spirit Pentagram.

The Left Loop is of Spirit,
the Right Loop is Materiality.

Draw/Visualize the Yellow Air Element Invoking Sigil over the Spirit Invoking Sigil just drawn.

Draw/Visualize the Yellow Invoking Pentagram

of the Air Element Clockwise over the Purple

Spirit Invoking Pentagram already in place, while intoning the Eastern Watchtower of
Air Invocation Charm.

Turn Hand/Tool down pointing to the place where the Circle will continue on floor/ground.

Moving backwards to South, draw/visualize a line of Electric-Blue Fire manifesting 1/4th of the Circle from East to South from Hand/Tool.

Facing South, raise Hand/Tool upward, pointing outward to South. 

Draw/Visualize the Purple Invoking
Pentagram of Spirit.

Draw/Visualize the Purple Spirit Invoking Sigil

inside the Center of the Active Spirit Pentagram.

The Left Loop is of Spirit,

the Right Loop is Materiality.

Draw/Visualize the Red Fire Element Invoking Sigil over the Spirit Invoking Sigil just drawn.

Draw/Visualize the Red Invoking Pentagram

of the Fire Element over the Purple

Active Spirit Pentagram while intoning the

Southern Watchtower of Fire Invocation Charm.

Turn Hand/Tool down pointing to the place where the Circle will continue on floor/ground/surface.

Moving backwards to West, draw/visualize a line of Electric-Blue Fire manifesting 1/4th of the Circle from South to West, with Hand/Tool.

Facing West, raise Hand/Tool upward, pointing outward toward West. 

Draw/Visualize the Purple Invoking
Pentagram of Spirit.

Draw/Visualize the Purple Spirit Invoking Sigil

inside the Center of the Spirit Pentagram.

The Left Loop is of Spirit,
the Right Loop is Materiality.

Draw/Visualize the Blue Water 
Element Invoking Sigil over the
Spirit Invoking Sigil just drawn.

Draw/Visualize the Blue Invoking Pentagram
of the Water Element over the Purple 

Spirit Pentagram already in place while 

intoning the Western Watchtower 

of Water Invocation Charm.

Turn Hand/Tool down pointing to the place where the Circle will continue on floor/ground/surface.

Moving backwards to North, draw/visualize a line of Electric-Blue Fire manifestding 1/4th of the Circle from West to North, completing the Circle.

The Circle Has Been Cast

- Say What? -

The words we speak aloud are an essential factor in Invoking the Elemental Watchtowers.  
This is my Element Watchtower Invocation Charm:

(Northern/Eastern/Southern/Western)

Hallow of The (Earth/Air/Fire/Water) -

Hear my voice! And if You Will,

Please Come, Attend!

And to the Magicks I shall cast,

Your Sacred Power, lend!

You have my permission use this Charm when Calling the Elemental Watchtowers in your personal Magick pursuits, but it's always best to write the Charms you speak in your own words

~  Releasing the Magick Circle ~

Releasing the Magick Circle both allows the power of the Spells cast within it to fully permeate the fabric of Manifest Reality, while allowing the Elemental Watchtower Powers to return to their natural other-dimensional place.

The process is essentially the same as Casting the Magick Circle, but in reverse.

Stand facing North - at arm's length behind the Circle's perimeter.

Raise Hand/Tool upward, pointing outward to North. 

Draw the Releasing Pentagram of the Earth Element, visualizing the Green lines

of the Pentagram disappearing back into
the Hand/Tool while intoning

the Northern Watchtower of Earth
Releasing Charm.

Draw the Earth Element Releasing Sigil laying over the still-existing Purple Spirit Sigil, visualizing the lines of this Sigil disappearing back into Hand/Tool.

Draw the Spirit Releasing Sigil inside the Center of the still-existing Purple Spirit Pentagram visualizing the lines of the Sigil 

disappearing back into Hand/Tool.

The Right Loop is Materiality, 

The Left Loop is of Spirit.

Draw the Releasing Pentagram of Spirit, visualizing the Purple lines of the 

Pentagram disappearing into the Hand/Tool.

Turn Hand/Tool down pointing to the place where the Circle was completed on floor/ground.
With Hand/Tool pointing down, move backwards to West, visualize the Circle's line of Electric-Blue Fire disappearing as if being drawn back into the Hand/Tool. 

Facing West, raise Hand/Tool upward, pointing outward to West. 

Draw the Releasing Pentagram of the Water Element, visualizing the Blue lines of the Pentagram disappearing back into the 
Hand/Tool while intoning the Northern Watchtower of Earth Releasing Charm.

Draw the Water Element Releasing Sigil,
laying over the still-existing Purple Spirit Sigil, visualizing the lines of this Sigil disappearing back into Hand/Tool.

Draw the Spirit Releasing Sigil inside the Center of the still-existing Purple Spirit Pentagram visualizing  the lines of the Sigil 

disappearing back into Hand/Tool.

The Right Loop is Materiality, 

The Left Loop is of Spirit.

Draw the Releasing Pentagram of Spirit, visualizing the lines of the Pentagram disappearing back into the Hand/Tool.

Turn Hand/Tool pointing down, and move backwards to South, visualizing the Circle's line of Electric-Blue Fire disappearing as if being drawn back into the Hand/Tool.

Facing South, raise Hand/Tool upward, pointing outward to South.

Draw the Releasing Pentagram of the 

Fire Element, visualizing the lines of the Pentagram disappearing back into the 

Hand/Tool while intoning the Southern Watchtower of Fire Releasing Charm.

Draw the Fire Element Releasing Sigil laying over the still-existing Purple Spirit Sigil, visualizing the lines of this Sigil 

disappearing back into Hand/Tool.

Draw the Spirit Releasing Sigil inside the 

Center of the still-existing Purple Spirit Pentagram visualizing the lines of the Sigil disappearing back into Hand/Tool.

The Right Loop is Materiality,

The Left Loop is of Spirit.

Draw the Releasing Pentagram of  Spirit, visualizing the lines of the Pentagram disappearing back into the Hand/Tool.

Turn Hand/Tool pointing down, and move backwards to East, visualizing the Circle's line of Electric-Blue Fire disappearing as if being drawn back into the Hand/Tool.

Facing East, raise Hand/Tool upward, pointing outward to East. 

Draw the Releasing Pentagram of the Air Element Counterclockwise, visualizing 

the lines of the Pentagram disappearing 

back into the Hand/Tool while intoning the Eastern Watchtower of Air Releasing Charm.

Draw the Air Element Releasing Sigil laying 

over the Still-existing Purple Spirit Sigil, visualizing the lineof the Sigil disappearing 

back into Hand/Tool.

Draw the Spirit Releasing Sigil inside the 

Center of the still-existing Purple Spirit Pentagram visualizing  the lines of the 

Sigil disappearing back into Hand/Tool.

The Right Loop is Materiality, 

The Left Loop is of Spirit.

Draw the Releasing Pentagram of Spirit, visualizing the lines of the Pentagram disappearing back into the Hand/Tool.

Turn Hand/Tool pointing down, and move backwards to North, where the Circle was first begun, visualizing the Circle's line of Electric-Blue Fire disappearing as if being drawn back into the Hand/Tool. The Circle & Elemental Watchtowers are now Released.

~ The Circle Has Been Released ~

- Say What Again? -

The words we speak aloud are also an essential factor in Releasing the Elemental Watchtowers. 
This is my Element Watchtower Releasing Charm:

(Northern/Western/Southern/Eastern)

Hallow of The (Earth/Water/Fire/Air) -

Grateful for Your Watchful Keep,

And Sacred Power You kindly lend,

I bid you go ... Farewell for now -

Until we come to meet again!

(You have my permission use this Charm when Releasing the Elemental Watchtowers in your personal Magick pursuits, but it's always best to write the Charms you speak in your own words)

Creating Doorways for Exiting 

and Re-entering the Circle

Stuff happens, despite our best planning and preparation.  There will be times when you realize a need to go outside the Circle, but are not ready to Release the Circle altogether.
This is my tried & true method of Opening & Closing a Doorway in the Circle.

Exiting The Circle

Be sure you are not creating a Doorway in the place where an Elemental Watchtower stands...

Using your Hand or Tool,draw a line into a portion of the Circle as indicated by number 1,

visualizing the electric-blue Fire disappearing back into the Hand/Tool.

This movement is counterclockwise, the same direction you follow when Releasing the Circle.

Then continue by drawing an archway 

as indicated by number 2.

This movement is Clockwise, thus actively 

cutting an opening into the Vertical Energetic Wall that extends upward from the Circle.

Quickly step through the Doorway and Immediately Close the Doorway as indicated below ...

Using your Hand or Tool, draw a line into the now missing portion of the Circle as indicated

by number 1, visualizing the electric-blue

Fire reconnecting and Completing the Circle.

This movement is clockwise, the same direction

you follow when Casting the Circle.

Then continue by drawing an archway 

as indicated by number 2

This movement is Counterclockwise, thus disappearing the Archway opening in the 

Vertical Energetic Wall that extends 
upward from the Circle.

Congratulations - you have Magically 

exited the Circle while maintaining

its Energetic integrity!

Re-entering The Circle

To Re-enter the Circle, use your Hand or Tool to draw a line into a portion of the Circle as indicated by number 1, visualizing the electric-blue Fire disappearing back into the Hand/Tool.

This movement is counterclockwise, the same direction you follow when Releasing the Circle.

Then continue by cutting an archway into the Vertical Energetic "Wall" that extends upward from the Circle, as indicated by number 2.

This movement is Clockwise, thus actively 

cutting an opening into the Vertical Energetic Wall that extends upward from the Circle.

Quickly step through the Doorway and Immediately Close the Doorway as indicated below ...

Using your Hand or Tool, draw a line into that now missing portion of the Circle as indicated 

by number 1, visualizing the electric-blue 

Fire filling-in and reconnecting and 

Completing the Circle.

This movement is clockwise, the same direction

you follow when Casting the Circle

Then continue by drawing an archway 

as indicated by number 2

This movement is Counterclockwise, thus disappearing the Archway opening in the 

Vertical Energetic Wall that extends 

upward from the Circle.

Congratulations - you have Magically 

re-entered the Circle while maintaining
its Energetic integrity!

Copyright © 2020 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)

There is a PDF File of these instructions available on request.  If you would like a copy, please email me at the address below.

You may print one copy to be used by yourself in your personal Magickal pursuits.  

Please do not copy or distribute these instructions for any other reason without my express, written permission.

Send your Requests by Email

The "Bicursal" Elementarl Hexagrams of Magick

Generally known simply as "Hexagrams" each figure is  constructed of two equilateral triangles, thus requiring two  strokes to be drawn. Therefore I call them the Bicursal Hexagrams. 

The most widely known of these is often called the "Star of David"  (in Magick it is the Hexagram of the Element of Earth).

The standard  of Bicursal  Hexagrams described herein is frequently used to invoke the Elements and their Planetary Rulers before, (somtimes) during, and after various Magickal Acts of Theurgy.  

One such Theurgic Act - which I term "Contemplative Magick" - can be described as "turning inward to go outward"

This is a willful opening of the door of the Imagination 

in order to travel in one's Light Body into higher Realms of Experiencem, Expression and Being.  

A Sidenote About

Theurgy and Thaumaturgy

Thaumaturgy:  as defined by Isaac Bonewits (author "Real Magic") is, "The use of magic for non-religious purposes; the art and science of 'wonder-working;' using magic to actually change things in the physical world".

Theurgy:  My gloss definition, derived by an admittedly  non-scientific survey of various dictionaries is, "The operation or effect of evoking the presence of a supernatural, angelic or other agency in order to obtain knowledge, wisdom and/or special powers."

Aleister Crowley's definition of Magick, "The Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will" is therefore inclusive of both Thaumaturgy and Theurgy.

Finally, Donald Michael Craig's definition of Magick adds another definitive layer of meaning that really appeals to the budding Theurgist in me: “Magick is the science and art of causing change (in consciousness) to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science . . .”

Another Sidenote:

Placement of the Elements

The Element Positions associated with Magickal Rites of  Theurgy are different from those generally known, and invoked during Acts of Thaumaturgy (Earth in the North, Air in the East, Fire in the South, and Water in the West).

The Positions of the Elements as they
are invoked during Rites of Thaumaturgy

In Theurgic Magick The placeementss of the Element are attributed to their Zodiacal positions: (Water in the North, Fire in the East;  Earth in the South, Air in the West).

The Unique Positions of the Elements as they 

are invoked during Rites of Theurgy

This is most popularly expressed through the tracing of the Bicursal Hexagrams of the Elements in the Theurgic Directions during the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram, often performed in preparation and closure of rituals of Ceremonial Magick, following the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.

A Few Other Sidenotes:

• It's my personal experience that these Hexagrams can be, of themselves, a most powerful means to invoke a dimension of Planetary-associated Elemental Presence "upfront & close" into the ritual space and into Spellwork constructions, kind of "amping-up" the available Elemental Power, especially during "high-level" Thaumaturgical Acts.
• Used thusly (outside of their traditional use in Ceremonial Magick) it is not necessary to move 'round the Protective perimeter, as one does when enacting the Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram.
• Remaining at the Altar or Center space inside the Circle and turning to face each direction is entirely appropriate for this function - because the Elements invoked herein are actually surrounding you closely - deeply within your aura - lifting your subtle form toward the desired higher realm.
• And, when specifically imbuing such influences into a Spellwork's Symbol-Construction - I simply place the Hexagrams slightly off-center in the applicable directions just above the Construction, with the intention that they both surround and integrate into the Spell's intentional matrix itself.
• While most of the Magick I do is essentially simple Thaumaturgy, the consistent exception is my interest in Enochian Magick - which is akin to (but also uniquely very different from) traditional Ceremonial Magick.  It is in this specific Work, that I am cautioned by Guidance to  include performances of the Lesser Banishing Rituals of the Pentagram and Hexagram. 

As mentioned above, Bicursal Hexagrams  can render the Elements in their various Planetary expressions.   The traditional tracings given herein are the general standard for both Thaumaturgic and Theurgic Magicks, all of which - with one exception - are ascribed to the Planetary Influence of Jupiter, which naturally magnifies the manifestation of those Elements.  The single exception being the Water Element, which is inherently amplified by the Moon's influence ... as evidenced by the measurable power of the Moon's actions on the earthly-manifest element of water.

A Few More Other Sidenotes:  

• There are as systems of Magick as there are Practitioners.  Various practitioners trace Pentagrams and Hexagrams in their own personal style, order and direction...
• You may notice that I consistently trace these sacred symbols in a Clockwise (Sunwise) direction when Invoking, and a Counter-clockwise (Anti-Sunwise) direction when Releasing. This is akin to the Solar-associated Setting and Releasing of the Circle in Wiccan and Ceremonial Magick rites.
• In Golden Dawn-inspired Theurgic Rites (including some of Aleister Crowley's) the ostensibly Religio-Magickal Word "ARARITA" is often intoned into the space in which the invoking Hexagram is traced.  ARARITA is a notariqon for the Hebrew phrase "Achad Rosh Achdotho Rosh Ichudo Temurato Achad" meaning "One is His/The Beginning, One is His/The Individuality, His/The Permutation is One."
• For those of you who enjoy a bit of mental-masturbatory overwhelm, this Kabalistic Word's Magickal use was most explicitly described by Eliphas Levi (the magickian who drew the most-popular image of Baphomet) in his 1896 tome, Transcendental Magic, wherein he states that ...
  
  ... ARARITA is: "the verbum inenarrabile ["unspeakable"] of the sages of the Alexandrian School," which "Hebrew Kabalists wrote Javeh [same as "Yaweh" - often mispronounced "Jehovah"] and interpreted by the sound Ararita, thus expressing the triplicity of the secondary kabalistic principle, the dualism of the means and the equal unity of the first and final principle, as well as the alliance between the triad [three] and the tetrad [four] in a word composed of four letters, which form seven [3+4=7] by means of a triple and double repetition."  (Whew!)

- Invoking and Releasing the Bicursal Hexagrams -

The Theurgic Element of Water

Trace to the Northern Direction

Planetary Influence: Moon

Traditional Archangel: Gabriel ("Gah-bree-el")

Enochian King: Raagiosl ("Rah-ah-gee-oh-sell")

Kabalistic Magick Word: ARARITA ("Ah-rah-ree-tuh")

Starting at the Top Point of the Lower Triangle, trace the
Lower Triangle in a clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Upper Triangle, trace the Upper Triangle in a clockwise direction.
(These are two separate motions)




Starting at the Top Point of the Lower Triangle, trace the Lower Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Upper Triangle, trace the Upper Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.
(These are two separate motions)

The Theurgic Element of Fire

Trace to the Eastern Direction

Planetary Influence: Jupiter

Traditional Archangel: Michael ("Mee-(c)hi-el")

Enochian King: Edlprnaa ("Eh-del-par-nah-ah")

Kabalistic Magick Word: ARARITA ("Ah-rah-ree-tuh")

Starting at the Top Point of the Upper Triangle, trace the Upper Triangle in a clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Top Point of the Lower Triangle, trace the Lower Triangle in a clockwise direction





Starting at the Top Point of the Upper Triangle, trace the Upper Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Top Point of the Lower Triangle, trace the Lover Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

The Theurgic Element of Earth

Trace to the Southern Direction

Planetary Influence: Jupiter

Traditional Archangel: Uriel ("Ur-ee-el")

Enochian King: Ikzhikal ("Ee-keh-zeh-hee-kal")

Kabalistic Magick Word: ARARITA ("Ah-rah-ree-tuh")

Starting at the Top Point of the Upright Triangle, trace that Triangle in a clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Inverted Triangle, trace that Triangle in a clockwise direction.






Starting at the Top Point of the Upright Triangle, trace that Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Inverted Triangle, trace that Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

The Theurgic Element of Air

Trace to the Western Direction

Traditional Archangel: Raphael ("Raw-fie-el")

Enochian King: Bataivah ("Bah-tah-ee-vah-heh")

Kabalistic Magick Word: ARARITA ("Ah-rah-ree-tuh")

Starting at the Top Point of the Upper Triangle, trace that Triangle in a clockwise direction.


Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Lower Triangle, trace that Triangle in a clockwise direction.





Starting at the Top Point of the Upper Triangle, trace that Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.


Then, starting at the Bottom Point of the Lower Triangle, trace that Triangle in a counter-clockwise direction.

- Ruling Entities and Their Names -

I often intone the name of a Ruling Entity associated with the Element when tracing these Hexagrams - usually either the Traditional Archangels or Enochian Kings, as indicated above.

Other practitioners call the names of Entities with whom they have a psychic connection.  (Others do not intone  any names - other than, perhaps, the Cabalistic Magickal Word, ARARITA - letting The Magick Itself suffice.)

It's important to have a humble, respectful attitude when Calling upon Other-Dimensional Entities.    They attend our little Magicks because They choose to ... we have no "power over" Them.

In fact, you may have noticed that I use the word "Releasing" in place of the usual word, "Banishing" (except when referring to the intentional Banishing of "psychic dross" in such rites as the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram or Hexagram.  "Releasing" is an expression of gracious humility.

And, as always, it is good form to humbly express your  gratitude to the Ruling Entity, whenever tracing the Releasing Hexagram patterns.

There are numerous uses, forms and associated entities for the Bicursal Hexagrams of Magick.

I hope you will find their simple use as described here inspiring you toward further research on, and deeper experience and understanding of the extraordinary Magick of the often underrated "ordinary" Hexagram.

More Advanced Information About Planetary-

Influenced Element Hexagrams is Here.

Bledsians,

Merlin Emrys

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

* Bledsians is Olde English for "Blessings"



Copyright © 2019 Merlin Emrys (aka W.A. Ryan)