⭕ Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Circles in Magick

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to everyone who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Catch-Up :clock12:

The challenge clock has started once again and we are off with challenge #131! So draw in close, as we will be doing some magickal “drawing” this week :wink::o:

The theme for this week’s challenge is…

Magickal Circles Casting Draw Circle Challenge

:record_button: :sparkles: Casting Circles :mage: :o:

How do you use magickal circles in your practice?

In its most basic geometric definition, a circle is a uniform, balanced shape. It has no distinct beginning or end- it is both cohesive and stable. With no corners or breaks, it offers a protected and secure interior :record_button:

The circle represents wholeness, balance, and continuity. It is part of the cycle of nature and the interconnectedness of all life.

From Spells8: The Sacred Circle

Across cultures, traditions, and spiritualities, you are sure to find circles standing on their own or incorporated into sacred symbols, rituals, and textures. Although their meaning can vary, circles often represent totality, unity, and safety. They are used as sacred spaces, energies, and gatherings :pray:

So What Are Circles in Magick?

A circle is a temporary space for practicing magick or doing a ritual. According to Scott Cunningham, “the circle defines the ritual area, holds in personal power, shuts out distracting energies and creates the proper atmosphere for the rites.”

From Spells8: How to Cast a Circle

From a safe place to cast a spell, a way to protect your home and space, a method of cleansing and consecration, decorations on your altar and more- there are many ways a witch can use magickal circles in their practice :mage:

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This week’s challenge is all about exploring magickal circles- but as always, how you do so is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

:bell:

A friendly note that not all witches choose to use magickal circles- and that is totally fine! As always, exploring the theme within your own beliefs (why it does or doesn’t align with your practice) is always a way to take on the challenge :+1:


Picture from Pixabay: Stone Circles

STEP 1 : Circles in Magick :sparkles:

This challenge is all about magickal circles- but how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge…

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:open_book: Learn About Magickal Circles

There are many ways and methods to cast a circle- as well as some important circle casting rules and guidelines that are important to keep in mind (although whether or not you choose to follow them is up to you!)

Whether you’re considering casting your first circle or are a circle-cast extraordinaire, there is always benefit in going back to review the basics.

Here is a helpful guide about casting circles in magick:

Introduction to Magickal Circles: 3-Step Guide for Wiccans and Non-Wiccans
Casting-a-Protection-Circle

Here are some additional helpful topics about magickal circles from the forum:

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:magic_wand: Get Casting!

Studied up on magickal circles and ready to jump in? Here are a few methods and rituals already to go to help you cast a magickal circle.

Easy Circle of Protection Spell
Video-Tutorial-Circle-of-Protection-Wicca-360x240

#CastAlong Circle of Protection Video
Cast-Circle-of-Protection-Tutorial-360x240

Calling the Corners/Watchtowers into a Circle
How-to-Call-the-Quarters-Wicca-360x240

Remember that a circle can be included with any spell, ritual, or meditation to be done before or during the spellwork- feel free to experiment with how, when, and to what purpose you cast a circle when casting :magic_wand:

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:spirit_element: Circles as Sacred Symbols

Circles can be used for more than just casting! As a traditional and sacred symbol, there are many ways and opportunities to incorporate them in your Craft. From learning about their sacred meaning to make a sigil or symbol incorporating a circle, feel free to be creative in how you explore this theme.

The Sacred Circle
Sacred-Circles-of-Wicca-360x240

The First Circle
First-Circle-Casting-Witchcraft

Magickal Sigils and Symbols
Wiccan-Symbols-meaning-360x240

Want to make your own magickal symbol or sigil? Check out your fellow coven members’ entries from the Magickal Sigils and Symbols Challenges for ideas, inspiration, and sigil generators :spirit_element:

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:raised_hands: … and More!

The suggestions above are just that- simple suggestions! If you feel called to explore magickal circles in another way, please feel free to do so! :blush:

As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the theme :star2:


Picture rom Spirituality and Health: Women’s Circles: A Sacred Space to Celebrate the Divine Feminine


STEP 2 : Share Your Experience :writing_hand:

Click here for notes about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you! :blush:

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.

Getting Your Credit :white_check_mark:

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it! :pray:

Where Should I Share My Entry? :thinking:

Click here for instructions on where to share your entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” :repeat: to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new thread in the forum (doing so keeps your entry separate and is a good option if you have a lot to share)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you! :bowing_woman:


Deadline :spiral_calendar:

:exclamation: This challenge will close in 6 DAYS :exclamation:

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, February 14 at 7:00 AM CET (Central European Time)
( Time Converter: 2023-02-14T06:00:00Z)

(Note that the time zone is CET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)


Prizes :gift:

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize! :gift:

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

:gift_heart: :gift: :gift_heart:


Picture from Pixabay: Mandala

A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice :open_book:

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team .

And for those new to challenges- welcome! :heart: Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways :hugs:


Picture from Pixabay: Full Moon

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North to South, East to West
Draw a circle and you can rest
For now you’ve made a magick place-
You’re safe inside your sacred space.

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Blessed Be! :o::sparkles:

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Ooh, I’m excited about this one!

I rarely use circles (partially out of laziness :grimacing:) but I look forward to diving in to learn more about them and see if maybe I should be!

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This is going to be so interesting! Because I’m new I always cast the same circle, but in reading through several “additional helpful topics” pages, the realm of circle casting, or not casting, is broad. I don’t know where I’m going to wind up with this challenge, but the study of it and seeing what everyone else contributes will be really cool! Cheers :cocktail: to circles! :magic_wand: :copyright:

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Oh my Gods Bry, it’s like you’re reading my mind of things that I’ve been doing lately :laughing: I’ve got the perfect thing to write up for this! Although, I may write it on my own blog and just share the post here because it’s relevant in more ways than one!

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131 Weekly Witchy Challenge - Circles in Magick
Challenge entry- Garnet
What is a circle?
It is a round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference)
consists of points equidistant from a fixed point in the center to
“draw a circle with a compass”
It is also a descriptive word used to identify a group of people
with shared professions, interests, or acquaintances.
The concept of the circle is ubiquitous. It can be described
mathematically, represented physically, and employed
technologically. The circle is an elegant, abstract form that has
been transformed by humans into tangible, practical forms to
make our lives easier.
A circle is an ancient symbol, seen in petroglyphs and other
ancient drawings or wall carvings. When and how did it come
into being? Well, that would be almost impossible to say. When
the 1st caveman picked put a stone and scratched on the
wall of their cave? It has been frequently used in body painting
by indigenous peoples of many continents.
In the 1900s crop circles were thought to be alien or magickal
in nature, maybe, maybe not. Rings and armbands are
circles. The wheel was invented to make transportation easier.
Circles were reported in ancient times and were used in
entertainment by say the Romans.
And so, once again, Nature does have natural circles, fairy
circles, and more. The Ring of Fire, also called Circum-Pacific
Belt or Pacific Ring of Fire, the long horseshoe-shaped seismically active belt of earthquake epicenters, volcanoes, and tectonic plate boundaries that fringes the Pacific basin. But it has also called to be a “ring” of fire.

Circles in Magick
A magic circle is a circle of space marked out by practitioners
of ritual magic, which they generally believe will contain
energy and form a sacred space or will provide them with a form of
magical protection, or both. It may be marked physically,
drawn in a material like salt, flour, or chalk, or merely visualized.
Going back again in time the circle was used by the indigenous
aboriginal peoples to give them courage and magic in battle.
Shamans led dances in a circle around the fire to conjure ancestor
magick. Many ancient symbols/signs were drawn in circles. Circles have technological value and mystical but all in all has played a very important role in our history
Blessed Be
Garnet

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What a perfect timing, we’re going to have a women’s circle this Sunday! :smile_cat: It opens up with a lovely sound healing session (with circle shaped sound bowls :sweat_smile:), the theme for this session is self care. Excited to see those lovely ladies again! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

I can show you a bracelet I made out of leather last November, I’m quite proud of it! :blush: I’m wearing it on my left arm to remind me of… something. I’m not sure what exactly! :sweat_smile: Something to do with my dedication to love and my spiritual path. I can feel it in my heart, but it’s hard to put into words. :heart:

I’m also feeling like I could dive into mandalas and yantras for my meditation again :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: It’s something I’ve tried before and it worked well with me, especially tracing the shapes as I’m kinesthetic and tactile before visual. :sparkling_heart:

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I cast a Circle
Circle of protection
I call to the highest world
I call to the middle world
I call it the underworld
Release my pain and suffering and I call to the elements!
I call out to the north guardians of the watchtower of earth,
Ground me and take all my ills and heartaches! Thank you for nurturing and releasing my pains!
I call out to the East Air :dash: wind I call to you to release my fears and anxious thoughts! Guardians of the watchtower I Thank you for helping me with this activation. I release my fog.
Thank you for my self-expression! I release my pain!
I call it the South Fire :fire: I call out to my passion to come forth in creation that burns within and let it flow!
Activate and ignite my flames :fire:
Thank you for releasing my pain.
I call to the west water :sweat_drops: element of water :ocean:
Aid me effortlessly and flow.
Activate my healing
Guardians of the watchtower :droplet: spirit of water thank you for your movement.
I am grounded
I am released from my thoughts and emotions that keep me from soaring!
I am loved
I am protected
I am in a sacred circle!
As above so below!
So mote it be!

I call to the ring of fire :fire: thank you Garnet I am glad you posted this pic this is my one of my favorite pictures of Circe! Thank you for your wisdom!
Jeannie

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Hello all, as an over thinker, I have a question?
When you are visualizing enveloping your self in a circle of light and you are going around your body (rather than around an image of you in your mind’s eye) do you go to the left or the right?

If someone was in front of me I would surround them from right to left, like a clock.

But when I think of me being the clock I see my front as the front of the clock. Then the arms would be moving to my left and someone looking at me would see it as going to their right. So if I am the clock, I would have the energy circle to my left on order to be clockwise as I am the clock.

So I am curious what others do/think?

Thanks for reading my overthinking :slightly_smiling_face:

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@Phoenix_Rose
When I cast a circle, my eyes are closed and my right hand is raised above my head. With the raised hand, I Create the golden barrier and circle my body and altar in its protection.
When I close it, I just think it is gone, and poof, it is.
But everyone does it just a little differently.
Garnet

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Hi @Garnet :slight_smile:

When you circle your body is the energy flowing from your raised right hand in both directions or to the right or left?

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@Aurora_Hestia To circle or not to circle, that is the question! :wink: And it’s a question with no right or wrong answer- you’re always free to do what works for you and your practice! I hope you have fun jumping into the theme and I’m excited to hear what you learn and decide about circles- good luck! :blush::o:


@Trixie_Thojrne Cheers to circles, indeed! :clinking_glasses: :laughing: There really are a lot of possibilities with magickal circles- from different methods of casting to how they are used, their spiritual symbolism, and more. I can see circles in your profile picture too- perhaps they are helping to protect you and your energy here on the web! :blush: Good luck and I’m looking forward to seeing where you wind up on your journey into magickal circles, Trixie! :raised_hands:


@MeganB Ohhhh I see we are on the same wavelength again this week! :smile: :two_hearts: Hahaha maybe mind-sharing is something that develops when you’ve been in a coven together long enough :brain: :handshake: :wink: And that sounds awesome- I can’t wait to read your blog post! :raised_hands:


@Garnet I love how you jumped in to this- there really is a lot to break down and observe about the shape of the circle itself, and all the meaning that it inherently has! :o::mag: Thank you for the details on magickal circles and their history as well- it’s all really interesting to read about. Thank you so much for your lovely entry, Garnet! :pray::heart:


@CelestiaMoon Oh that is perfect timing indeed! :grinning: The only women’s circles I’ve done are those we used to do pre-performance in dance. We’d all gather into a circle and follow the troupe leader through a series of movements- it always felt really powerful! There’s something very connective and deep about gathering together in a circle with people you trust and care about :sparkling_heart: :blush: Hope you all have a lovely circle together this weekend- self-care is such a great theme! :revolving_hearts:


@Jeannie1 This is gorgeous, Jeannie- what a great way to draw on each of the elements and bring their powers and qualities into your circle. Reading this feels empowering, freeing, and yet also protective all at the same time- it’s a really wonderful feeling! Beautiful work and thank you so much for sharing :pray::heart::blush:


@Phoenix_Rose It looks like Garnet has a great answer for you on what she does! If I can chime in as well, I would answer your question by saying it depends on how you are envisioning the flow of energy. Usually, like in tea rituals, when we stir left-to-right (clockwise :leftwards_arrow_with_hook:) we are inviting energy in - increasing positivity or whatever our intention is (think: waxing moon phases). When we stir right-to-left (counter-clockwise :arrow_right_hook:) this is decreasing energy- lowering negativity, banishing, etc (think: waning moon phases).

I would say that how you stand doesn’t matter as much as how you are picturing the flow of energy. Some may anchor themselves towards a particular direction (facing north, for example), while others may anchor the energies around themselves, with their front as the starting focal point.

Just my two cents on this- feel free to experiment and find what feels best for you! :blush:

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This is a timely challenge because I’ve been exploring different circles lately! And coincidentally my kids chose “the protection bubble” for their nightly meditation card at bedtime last night. It isn’t the same as casting a circle, but it certainly reminds me of it. I couldn’t help but smile as I was reading it. :blush:

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Oh my, this sounds so lovely! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: It’s my dream one day to host something like this in my local area. I’ve got to get out and meet people first :laughing: that’s the hardest part! I hope you have a wonderful time at your women’s circle!

This was beautiful, Jeannie :revolving_hearts: Thank you for sharing it with us!

Oh, this is a good question… :thinking: Honestly, I had to think about it for a second :laughing: I picture it as myself in the center of a circle and the light going around like a clock, so to the right. I think? I just sat here and did it myself for a second and that’s the way it naturally flows for me.

Ohh that’s an interesting thought :laughing: I’m not sure if everyone would want to share my mind – it gets scary in there sometimes! :astonished: :rofl:

These are so cute! I’m going to look into getting these for me and my daughter. Do you have a link to share? :pray: Also, I think this is just like casting a circle! A circle is used for protection and energy storage. A bubble of protection while meditating works just the same, in my opinion :blush:

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I agree that it’s just like a casting a circle! When they selected it out of the box, I was like “well, that’s a coincidence” :sweat_smile:.
Here is the link for the creator: https://www.theimaginecards.com/store/
Also available on amazon :heart:

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Here’s the bracelet I crafted, it has three hearts stamped on it :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:


I hope you lovelies get to experience one too (the dance one does sound wonderful though! :blush: :heart:), whether that’s you or someone else hosting! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: I’m so happy how cozy and naturally witchy ours are, we brew some tea and enjoy it around some candles and crystals, sitting or laying down on the floor with yoga bolsters and blankets however feels most comfortable :relaxed: :two_hearts:

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Awesome, thank you! I’m gonna check it out :blush:

This is really pretty! I love it so much - the three hearts is a cute little touch, too!

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I never thought about it.
I’m Right handed, so I use my (R) just raising it and moving to the left until the circle is joined. I am the conjurer, the witch who holds the power in my body, my hand, and even my fingers. It manifests in your mind and is directed by your wand, hand, or finger.
The power is in you. You are born with it, we all are but life wears down and crushes the precious spark between childhood and magick. But take heart, it’s never truly lost.
Blessed be
Garnet

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**Challenge Entry! **
:red_circle::orange_circle::yellow_circle::green_circle::large_blue_circle::purple_circle::white_circle::black_circle::brown_circle:
–RAE :pisces:

When I first got started casting my circle seemed so difficult & I was super overwhelmed and so scared of not doing it right! Maybe because there are so many different ways to cast a circle and so many different views on it! I LOVE LOVE this challenge and it’s also my first one :smirk:but I’ve always found that doing what feels right is usually what works best for you :relaxed: everyone’s practices are different! I’m excited to see what options everyone else has on this!

I like to call on the elements & directions, I put my incense for Air (east), a white candle (normally the same one each time) for Fire (south), crystals or salt for Earth (north) and some type of water depending on my spell. I like to use moon water, sometimes rain water, & recently I got snow water!! :snowflake::cloud_with_snow: And then I use my athame and salt and start to draw my circle circle and chant " I call the earth to bind my spell, air to speed it’s travel well, bright as fire shall it glow, deep as tide of water flow, count the elements four-fold in the fifth the spell shall hold I cast this safe circle of protection " and then I welcome my god goddess, or universe, or spirit- to my circle and say " this circle is filled with light love & positivity, no negative energy shall be emitted here. As I will it, so it will be As above, so below

I also have a few small closing rituals/spells but they differ.

Again I can’t wait to read everyone else’s!

–RAE
:new_moon::waxing_crescent_moon::first_quarter_moon::waxing_gibbous_moon::full_moon::waning_gibbous_moon::last_quarter_moon::waning_crescent_moon:
:cyclone::hamsa::pisces::star2::herb::sun_with_face::people_hugging:

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Oh boy here i go!!! :laughing: I am so going to show you where my next ritual if outdoor will be held… It is perfect and what a coincidence it is a circle. There used to be these water tanks and now they have been taken down thanks to our more updated water systems, there are two neat circles outlined with very small and low (ankle height) cement to define it. Will be back with pictures later this afternoon :blush:

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Challenge Entry

My usage of circles has changed much since I started practicing 2.5 years ago. At first, I used a wand made of oak inlaid with a clear quartz to form a circle. I would hold it with my right hand, move slowly in clockwise position and say, “In this circle that I cast, no negative energy shall pass.” But after I had cast my circle, I had forgotten at least one item for my ritual and had to open the circle, so circle casting became tedious. :sweat_smile:

I then would make a circle of crystals, but then I forgotten what I needed for my ritual and would have to move the crystals.

That’s when I began to visualize a circle of orange and yellow dragon flames surrounding me. It was a way to “carry” my circle with me so I wouldn’t have to open or close it if I forgot something. Funny, now that I can carry it with me, I hardly ever forgot a journal, BOS, pen, crystals, herbs or candles. :laughing:

But there are other ways, I “shut out distracting energies” as Scott Cunningham puts it. The scents wafting from my essential oil diffuser give me the concentration that I need to meditate and cast spells. Not only that, I have a rule where I don’t do any stressful activities (like reading the news or browsing social media) close to my altar to not taint my sacred space with negative energy.

EDIT: Lately, I haven’t felt the need for a circle since I have my dragon guardian and dragon teacher behind me. :wink:

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