A simple way to cast the circle is to first clean the area—some people even have a special broom they use only for ritual purposes. They ritually sweep the energy field of the area smooth and clean of negativity. Then set up the altar and light the incense. Then walk the circle three times clockwise carrying the censer in your hand (this practice is called three-fold circumlocution and comes from the Medieval European tradition of High Magick). As you slowly walk the circumference of the circle, focus and visualize a luminescent white light which extends above the circle into space and below into infinity. As you walk the circle, incant,

"I conjure You, oh Circle of Power, to be a rampart and protection against all malign and negative forces. May You be cleansed of all impurities. May this Circle preserve and contain the Power I/we raise within."

Use your athame or your index finger to draw a pentagram to invoke The Elements. Incant,

"I invoke You, oh Elements, Creature of Earth, Creature of Air, Creature of Fire, Creature of Water. I invoke You, spirit, Great God/dess, I invoke You. Be present here. Smile upon your priest/ess."

Then move your athame or index finger around the outer limit of the circle counter clockwise and incant,

"This Circle is open. So mote it be."

Enter a meditative state placing your mind in a serene, receptive state but still focussing on the purpose of the ritual. When it feels right, proceed to the North Quarter, place a dish of salt there and incant, "I summon You, oh Creature of Earth, as I light this candle, I summon You. Bring power and strength to my spell."

Then proceed to the East Quarter and place the censor there. Incant, "I summon You, oh Creature of Air, as I light this candle, I summon You. Bring power and strength to my spell."

Proceed to the South Quarter, light the candle and incant, "I summon You, oh Creature of Fire, as I light this candle, I summon You. Bring power and strength to my spell."

Proceed to the West Quarter. Place the water dish down and incant, "I summon You, oh Creature of Water, as I light this candle, I summon You. Bring power and strength to my spell."

The athame is a witches' own personal symbol and represents his/her magickal identity which is why its consecration is an integral part of initiating oneself into the craft.

Any knife which feels right to you can be chosen as your athame. My own athame is made of steel and has an ornate black hilt. The black hilt is the traditional way to go with the athame but again it is whatever feels right to you that is best. If you find an athame that appeals strongly to you that isn't black-hilted, then that's the one you should choose. You should spend some time picking your athame. Don't just do a slipshod job of it in an effort to save time. The athame is one of the most important tools a witch can possess and as I've said it is a symbol of your identity as a witch so don't be lazy! When you find a knife that appeals to you deeply, then that is the one you should choose.

When you have found your athame, arrange to do this consecration ritual during the time of the waxing moon. Have some incense ready to burn. Incense has been used since ancient times to aid in carrying your prayers to the astral plane. Frankincense is a particularly good one to use for this ritual as it brings special blessings from the gods. Sandalwood can also be used as it is a good, all-purpose incense.

You should also have a bowl full of salt and a white candle. White is the colour of new beginnings and symbolizes the new phase you are entering. It is also symbolic of psychism and provides a link with the astral plane. You should also have a chalice or cup filled with water. (Springwater is best.)

Cast the Circle. Place the athame on the floor in the centre of the circle and sit before it facing North. Then perform The Calling of the Quarters.

Enter a state of communion with nature and the elements. Visualize the purpose of the ritual. When the time is right, pick up the athame and take it to the North Quarter, raise it to the heavens and say,

"I consecrate you, my athame, with Earth, that you may provide me with the protection of The Great Mother."

Move to the East Quarter and say,

"I consecrate you, my athame, with Air that you may provide me with knowledge of infinite places."

Move to the South Quarter and say,

"I consecrate this athame with Fire, so that I may be empowered with the strength of the Fire that burns in the core of the Earth."

Move to the West Quarter. Say,

"I consecrate you, my athame with Water so that understanding and wisdom of great mysteries will be mine."

Then return to the centre of the circle, stand facing North, holding your athame aloft and say,

"I consecrate this athame with Spirit so it may be a fitting repository for my magickal energy. So mote it be, So mote it be, So mote it be!"

After you have finished a working, it is essential to ground the energy you have raised. If you don't all that excess energy will be bouncing around and possibly creating some kind of haunting effect.

To ground your energy, first send the Circle into the cosmos. You do this by walking its circumference three times counterclockwise, visualizing it being sent into the cosmos to do its work. When this is done, kneel and place both hands on the ground, letting the magickal energy drain from you into the Earth. Say,

"Return unto The Elements from whence you came."

The simplest ritual bath is a hot tub into which a cup of epsom salts have been poured. To awaken the cleansing essences of the salts you should bless and charge them. You can do this by putting the salts into a small bowl—especially good for the purpose are those shell bowls which are available at many new age shops. Then raise your hands ove the salts and say,

"Goddess, bless these salts."

You can also add a few drops of the magickal oil appropriate to the working to the bath.

Another excellent purification bath is the hyssop bath. Hyssop is a potent cleansing herb. It is fragrant and fresh smelling and gives the water a distinct energy which is almost tangible. Make a decoction to add to the bath. This can be done by taking four teaspoons of dry hyssop and pouring boiling water over it and letting it steep, covered for about 20 minutes. You can also make decoctions using many other herbs (click here to see other recipes for herb decoctions)

Lavender is also suitable for purification baths and is prepared exactly the same way as the hyssop except you substitute five tablespoons of lavender for the hyssop. Then strain the liquid into your bath. Don't omit this step because otherwise you will probably stop up the tub!

As you soak in the tub, inhale the fragrance and visualize yourself becoming physically and spiritually cleansed by the light of The Goddess. Either dip your head in the water or pour some over your head. Take your time. Enter a meditative state. Candlelight, sunlight and moonlight are particularly conducive to producing the proper state of being for effective spell-casting.

Text © 2000 Sheila O'Sullivan/The Electric Witch
Layout & Graphics © 2000 Kevin Andrew Murphy/Alphyn Press.
Permission granted to reproduce these texts and graphics
for inclusion in personal Books of Shadows
or for use in personal rituals only.
All other rights reserved.