The Magick Circle and Its Place in Wiccan Ritual

It is almost impossible to think about Wiccan ritual practices without mentioning the most common ritual practice — the casting of a circle.

Casting a magickal circle is an ancient and respected practice. There are two main types of circles. There are those used to protect the practitioner from the energy that he or she might raise. The second type is meant to create sacred space. It is this second type of circle that is most common in Wiccan practice.

Indoors or Outdoors?

Typically, the magick circle is used to define ritual space. In today's world of indoor rituals, it has become a basic of most Wiccan rituals. Unfortunately, many Wiccans no longer practice outdoors, for fear of being seen.

While outdoor ritual is still the best option, it may not be viable for everyone. For example, if it's the dead of winter, and it’s below freezing outside, an indoor ritual might be more practical. And then there are those pesky neighbors. In the end, it is sometimes more practical to hold a ritual indoors.

The Purpose of the Magick Circle

The circle serves to define the ritual area, holds in the energy raised, and cuts off any energies that might interfere in rituals.

When properly cast, the magick circle serves to bring the practitioner closer to the Goddess and the God, and it can be an invigorating experience. The circle is seen to represent the Goddess, the earth, and a connection to nature.

How to Cast a Magick Circle

There are many ways to cast a magick circle. However, for most practitioners, simple is usually better.

Most often, the circle is cast with the wand. However, the athame, or even an index finger will work just fine. When the circle is cast, personal power is visualized as streaming from the body, through the wand, and drawing the circle of power. This circle becomes a sphere when completed, encompassing the entire ritual area.

If one is sensitive to the energies in the surrounding area, they may be able to feel the difference between the circle and the area around it. When someone truly devotes themselves to casting a powerful circle, it is possible to have a great deal of trouble crossing the boundary of the circle. The casting of magick circle is much more than a symbolic act, it is a truly magickal thing.

How to Set Up a Magick Circle

The boundary of the circle is usually marked on the ground in some fashion. This can be done in any number of ways. It is quite common to use a cord, chalk, salt, or sand, or even flowers or stones. Some practitioners even use tarot or oracle cards, and a few use small bones.

Traditionally, the circle is nine feet across, since nine is the number of the Goddess. But occasionally, more space might be needed, or a smaller space must be used because of location limitations.

The directional points, north, east, south, and west, are usually marked in some fashion. Sometimes lit candles are used, or colored flags, but increasingly popular are the use of ritual tools to mark the quarters. There are many options here.

The north is the quarter of the earth, of fertility, physical strength, and stability. The pentacle may be placed here, or a bowl or earth, or even a bowl of salt. In Irish traditions, a large crystal is often used to represent the mythical La Fal talisman, the stone upon which the ancient kings of Ireland were crowned.

The east is the quarter of air, of intelligence and knowledge, communication and spirituality. A censor with smoldering incense, feathers, or sometimes flowers could be used. Irish traditions tend to use a sword, representing the Sword of Nuada.

The south is the quarter of fire, of passion and change, of health and success. Some would use an oil lamp or other representation of fire in this quarter. There are practitioners who use a staff, which is representative of the Spear of Lugh from Irish mythology.

The west is the quarter of water, of emotions and love, of psychic powers and healing. Commonly found here is a cup or bowl filled with water. Many place their cauldrons there, and if they follow an Irish tradition, this represents the Cauldron of Dagda, which, in Irish mythology, was associated with abundance and healing.

There are many ways to set up a ritual space before the casting of a magick circle. There are just as many ways to cast a circle. What’s most important is that the practitioner discovers which methods work best for them. It’s about what feels right.

Wiccan Ritual Practices

Rituals have many different uses. In Wicca, rituals serve to enhance the relationship with the divine. They can be traditional, but it is not necessary. Rituals should be exactly what they need to be to aid the practitioner. The outer form they take is not nearly as important as the spirit in which they are done.

Traditionally, Wiccan rites take place on the eight holy days and on the nights of the full moon. Sometimes, Wiccans also honor the new moon. Rituals, while primarily spiritual in nature, may also include magickal workings.

Preparing for Ritual in the Wiccan Tradition

There are some procedures that are common to most Wiccan rituals. First, during any ritual, care should be taken to ensure privacy. This is not always easy, but most agree that it is worth the effort.

It is common to partake in a ritual bath or another ritual purification process before the ritual occurs. Water is viewed as a purifying substance, especially if laced with sea salt. Sometimes, the bath can become a part of the ritual itself, especially if burning candles or incense are included. Wiccans believed that the ritual bath will ensure cleanliness of body and spirit.

If near a source of water, such as a lake, river, or stream, a quick swim can serve as a ritual bath. Though there are some who skip this step, most will agree that it enhances the ritual to follow. This is especially true before initiations. Directions can be found for ritual baths or showers in most Wiccan books on the market today.

Dressing for rituals should also become a part of the the actual ritual process. Some Wiccans practice ritual nudity, and ideally everyone should be comfortable with their own unclothed bodies. However, that is not always the case. In addition, there are places where ritual nudity is impossible.

Though nudity does have significant symbolic value, as it symbolizes Wicca's honesty and openness, if it generates a feeling of fear or shame, it gets in the way of true Wiccan practice. So, if one is truly not ready for ritual nudity, or a particular group does not practice ritual nudity, then ritual robes are a wonderful option.

Ritual Robes in Wicca

Ritual robes are very popular among Wiccans today. There are many reasons to wear robes, but the overriding reason, the best reason to have special ritual garments that are only worn for magickal purposes, is that they can act as a cue to the subconscious, telling the practitioner that magickal proceedings are about to begin.

There are many colors to choose from, and each color represents a specific theme. Basic color information can be easily researched on the Internet. Some people have a robe of every color, so they can choose one appropriate for each purpose. This is unrealistic at first, and collecting five or more robes might take some time. At first, purchasing or making a white robe is sufficient. White is a good all-purpose color, and can be used for almost everything. After that, a black robe might be in order.

Of course, members of covens, or those following particular traditions, may have to wear a certain color robe. Most groups use either white or black as a basic robe color.

Solitary or Group Rituals in Wicca?

This question is probably one of the most common regarding ritual practice. The solo path is generally recommended to those who are just starting out on the Wiccan path. Practicing with others is a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it can be unnerving for those who are new to Wicca.

Everyone should at least experience group practice, even if they don't join an actual coven. Most of the best Wiccan practice can be found within a good coven. It is nice to have a group through which initiation and training can be received, but not everyone can join a group, or wants to.

Solitary practice is just as valid as any other type. Many modern Wiccans are choosing a happy medium. They essentially practice solitary, but associate themselves with a group for the purpose of initiation and learning beyond what books can teach. This is a great idea, if it can be managed.

If one chooses the solitary route, then changes their mind, they can at least approach a prospective group with some practical knowledge of Wicca, and not simply what was found in a book.

The Question of Initiation

Keep in mind that initiations don’t make the Wiccan. Those people who refuse to recognize a Wiccan simply because they lack the formal initiation of a coven are narrow-minded, and do not realize that it is faith and a true connection to nature that makes one Wiccan, not a set of degrees and titles.

This is not to invalidate traditional Wiccan initiations. They certainly have their place, and, when done properly, are a great way to standardize Wiccan training, as many will agree. And for those that wish to pursue to Wiccan priesthood, coven training is the best option. Group practice at some point is an important part of Wiccan growth. But it is not the only part. There is much to be learned from solitary practice, and it is as valid a path as any other.

The Modern Wiccan Handparting and Its Meaning

The term ‘handparting’ is used by many modern Wiccans and some pagans to indicate a divorce. At the handfasting, the Wiccan equivalent of marriage, the couple swore to remain together ‘as long as the love shall last.’ If, at some point, the couple decides that the love between them no longer exists, the couple is permitting a handparting to sever the union.

Morality of a Handparting

In some religious traditions, divorce is seen as a negative, a violation of the vows given at the time of marriage. Most commonly, these vows include, ‘’til death do us part.’ In Wicca, however, this vow is not given, and so the handparting is an end to the relationship without this difficulty. Wiccans do not generally see divorce as a negative occurrence.

Appropriate Time for a Handparting

Any time agreed upon by the couple is appropriate for a handparting. Usually only after both parties have agreed that the handfasting is truly over. If the original handfasting was also a legal marriage, then in general, the handparting occurs at a time around when the divorce is also final and legal; some couples may choose to do this sooner. If the handfasting did not involve civil law, then the handparting will not either.

Who Should Participate in a Handparting?

At the minimum, the priest or priestess and the couple should be present for the handparting. However, if one of the couple cannot be present, for whatever reason (relocation, health, possibly restraining order?), then another of the appropriate sex may stand in for the missing party. This is permitted only if there is a signed agreement from the other party. Without this, a separate ritual, perhaps a ritual of emotional release, would be more appropriate than a handparting.

Family and friends can be involved, if the couple so chooses. Children of the couple, unless they are adults and choose to participate, should generally not be involved.

The Ceremony

The exact ceremony will differ according to the wishes of the couple, and generally follows the pattern of most Wiccan rituals. The ritual can be either very short and to the point, and longer, allowing time for emotional reflection. Regardless of the length of the ritual, it is common to incorporate the following components.

The ceremony must be opened. This usually involves the casting of the circle and the calling of the quarters. These may be specific to the handparting. For example, when the quarters are invoked, they may be invoked as:

East as Wisdom

South as Decision

West as Clarity

North as Strength

This is not necessary, but can be a nice touch.

The priest or priestess will at this point usually ask both parties to confirm their intentions. How this is done is at the discretion of the couple. For some rituals, the priest or priestess will ask a question such as:

Has the time come that your love has ended and you wish for the parting of your hands?

In other cases, the priest or priestess will ask, “Why have you come here?” and the couple must answer in their own words. The goal is that the couple parts in peace, and so the ritual will reflect that. Sometimes, depending on the wishes of the couple, the priest or priestess will also ask about provisions make for the division of property and the care of any children of the marriage, but often, in the case of less amicable handpartings, this is left to other venues, such as a lawyer’s office.

At this point, rituals are very different indeed. In some cases, the ritual will simply be closed, and the couple goes their own separate ways. Sometimes, there may be a few words from the priest or priestess, or from the couple themselves. If there was a handfasting cord, this is now cut, and typically burned. If there was a handfasting chalice, this is usually shattered. The pieces are either kept by the participants or scattered in flowing water. This washes away the bonds of commitment, freeing the couple to pursue other relationships.

In some cases, where the couple intends to remain friends afterwards, a meal may be shared. If there is a great deal of animosity, this would not occur. After this has occurred (if it does at all), the circle would be opened, symbolizing a return to normal time and space. The couple then goes their separate ways.

A handparting is not seen as a failure of a handfasting or marriage. Rather, the couple is assumed to have grown and changed, as all do. And in their growth, they have found that their love is no longer what it once was. This is not a failure, but a natural conclusion to a relationship. This is not to say that all couples will or should experience a handparting. But if a couple is lead to this path, then they are not to be judged for their choice.

The Modern Wiccan Handfasting and Its Components

Handfasting is the word many Wiccans and some Pagans use for marriage ceremony. Unlike some other forms of marriage, the Wiccan rite does not promise “’til death do you part.” Instead, the Wiccan ceremony joins a couple “for as long as the love shall last.” If the love between the couple should dissolve, they are free to go their separate ways.

Components of Modern Handfastings

These days, most Wiccans will write their own handfasting rites. There are many examples that can be found on the internet alone. A quick search for “handfasting rite” or “handfasting ritual” will produce many results. In general, modern Wiccan weddings may follow this outline (with certain steps omitted, based upon the complexity of the ceremony):

• Preparation
• Consecration
• Processional
• Circle Casting
• Quarter Calling
• Bride’s Arrival
• Vows
• Closure
• Recessional

Not all of these will necessarily be included, but the more complex rituals will have most of them. A brief explanation of each step is below.

Preparation for a Handfasting Ceremony

Preparing the handfasting ritual site will vary according to the preferences of the couple, and the site chosen. Usually, an altar and ceremonial circle are erected, but the details are completely different from one ritual to the next. In more complex rituals, separate areas (tents or rooms) will be required. For the more simple ceremonies, a single site will do.

Wiccan Handfasting Consecration

Before the bridal party begins to enter the ritual site, the Priest or Priestess usually briefly cleanses the ceremonial space. This is known as consecration. Sometimes this is done before the guests are seated, but it is almost never omitted.

Processional in a Handfasting Ceremony

At some point, the bridal party does have to enter the ritual site. Usually, the groom and attendants will enter at his point. Whether the bride enters now is personal preference. Some couples like to have some bits of ceremony, such as the casting of the circle, in between the arrival of the bride and groom. Other will choose to have the bride within the circle when it is cast.

Circle Casting

A common element of most Wiccan rituals is the casting of the circle. This occurs now, and can be a standard casting, or something special, created specifically for a handfasting. A common circle casting at weddings might be:

Creature of the Earth, where thou art cast,

Let no adverse purpose last,

Not in complete accord with me,

As I will, so shall it be.

Quarter Calling

For a handfasting, the calling of the quarters is usually something a little more specific to the setting. The following may be appropriate:

Powers of East, Powers of Air, I call thee forth.

Come forth and bear witness to [bride] and [groom], who have come to know great love for one another.

Hail and Welcome!

This would, of course, be altered for each of the four quarters.

Bride’s Arrival During the Handfasting

If the bride didn’t arrive during the processional, she must at this point enter the circle, in a manner appropriate to the particular ritual used. Flower girls are quite common at handfastings, and usually precede the bride.

Wiccan Handfasting Vows

The exact vows spoken are almost never the same from one ceremony to the next. However, many Wiccan ceremonies have several phases of the ‘vows’ component. These may include commissioning; legality and capacity; and vows.

During commissioning, the Priest or Priestess speak of what handfasting entails, and the duties and responsibilities of the parties involved; the exact nature of this is usually decided on by the couple, in consultation with the Priest or Priestess.

Legality and capacity relates to the nature of the marriage (i.e. whether it will be a legal marriage.). If the handfasting is also to be a legal marriage, there are certain questions and assertions that must take place; these are governed by local governments, and are the responsibility of the person performing the marriage ceremony.

Vows are usually written by the couple, the vows are traditionally where the couple agrees to share their lives together, for as long as love exists between them.

Closure of the Handfasting Ceremony

Even the most beautiful of ceremonies must come to and end. This is usually announced by the Priest or Priestess, but in some cases, the couple may choose to do this. The circle must be closed and the quarters dismissed. Also, some couples choose to incorporate a broom jump. Finally, a pronouncement is made, declaring the couple married.

Handfasting Recessional

The bridal party must exit the ritual area in a manner of their choosing. After this, pictures and a reception usually follow, as with most modern wedding ceremonies.

No matter what ceremony you use, the handfasting should be a beautiful and memorable event. Flowers and décor should not be overlooked. For those non-pagan guests, a program to assist in following the ceremony might be in order. A well-planned handfasting does take work, but is definitely worth the effort.