Calling the element of water, Lucy casts a circle

Casting Circle, as it's often called, is a little like extending the idea of the altar into the physical world, actively and intentionally creating a powerful space in which ritual, spellcrafting and group or solitary work can be undertaken in a sacred and protected space - a world between the worlds.

Before a witch casts a spell, undertakes a ritual, performs divination or does any other kind of white magical work, he or she would do well to cast a powerful circle of protection. This keeps your magical energies within the sacred space, and keeps any other energies out. Because you are often working between the worlds, you want to make a statement of intent that your actions are for the highest good of all, and prevent anything else affecting your work.

Like a spell, this can be a simple or elaborate ritual. You can simply use your finger to trace the line of the sacred space around you, or you can visualize a circle of white light surrounding you, or you can mark out a physical circle with salt. If you have more time or prefer to go deeper into this sacred art, you can use your athame or wand to draw the circle, chanting your intent as you go.

When casting a circle or raising power you move deosil – with the sun – which in the northern hemisphere means clockwise but in the southern hemisphere means counter-clockwise. When closing a circle or banishing power you move widdershins – against the sun – which means counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern.

Witches consider that there are five sacred elements, these being earth, air, fire, water and spirit. Each element has a particular quality. After casting circle we welcome each element to the circle to support us in our spellcasting, meditation and sacred work. Some of us simply welcome them in, others “invoke” the elements, some say they “summon” them. What is most important is that we treat each element with love, respect and honour.

It’s important to note that the five element system is by no means universal – some Witches work with earth, air, fire and water only. Some who work strongly in the Celtic traditions tend to work with earth, sea and sky. However most commonly we work with earth, air, fire, water and spirit, spirit being the unifying force, the element in which all the others are unified, and thus the element where transformation and transmutation takes place.

Elements are associated with the directions, and often follow this pattern: air in the east, fire in the south, water in the west and earth in the north – however it does depend in which hemisphere you live. In the southern hemisphere earth is usually in the south and fire is in the north, as that is where the sun is. It can also vary depending on your geographical location, for instance if you live south of a major lake or ocean you may wish to put water in the north. If you are calling in the elements, I feel it is of most value to follow your intuition and the features of the region you are working in.

Air

Represents: Intellect, the cognitive functions, the mind. Truth, mental and psychic work, intuition, knowledge, philosophy, creativity, wind, breath, clouds, inspiration, detachment, what we hear, past lives.

Direction: East.

Colours: White, pale blues, gray, the colours of clouds.

Time: Dawn.

Season: Spring.

Starpeople: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra.

Altar tools: Athame, incense, feathers.

Energy: Reaching, external, outwards, searching.

Fire

Represents: Passion, sexuality and the sacred expression of both. Fire magic is strong, powerful, purifying and primal. It transforms and changes us forever. For many of us, fire is the element we have most issues with, as its sacred nature was misused during the Burning Times, thus many of us fear working with its energy. It can be useful to draw fire into your circle and work with it for good once again, healing that relationship, so we can be strong and empowered again.

Direction: South.

Colours: Red, crimson, orange, yellow, blue flame.

Time: Midday.

Season: Summer.

Starpeople: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

Altar tools: Wand, candles, paper.

Energy: Reaching, external, physical, active.

Water

Represents: The underworld, the feminine, the fluid emotions, intuition, emotions, fertility, blood, ancestry, cleansing, merging, healing, sadness, and all bodies of water on the planet.

Direction: West.

Colours: Blue, blue-green, green, grey, indigo, aquamarine, white.

Time: Twilight, dusk.

Season: Autumn.

Starpeople: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Altar tools: Chalice, cauldron, mirrors, scrying bowls.

Energy: Inclusive, emotional, psychic, feminine.

Earth

Represents: This is the element that is practical, tangible, substantial, solid and grounded. It is that which helps us to create and sustain food, wealth, jewels, and is beloved of artisans and craftspeople. It heals, gives birth, manifests, is strong, practical and material.

Direction: North.

Colours: Brown, ochres, greens.

Time: Midnight.

Season: Winter.

Starpeople: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.

Altar tools: Pentacle, stones, sea salt, images, magnets.

Energy: Internal, mysterious, transformative, feminine.