g The Spells g Contents
In magick, it is important to first ground and center yourself and consider your protection—working with energy attracts energy to you, both from spirits as well as other practitioners or outside influences.
Casting a circle is a popular way of saying “creating a protective space to work in.” If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of casting a circle, you can always choose not to do so. This is a simplified version that you can use to cast and open the circle.
Stand in front of your altar or the space you wish to cast your circle, facing east. Hold out your index finger (or wand or athame) and walk clockwise, visualizing an energetic field or bubble forming around you. Walk the circle or turn around three times, with your finger tracing the circle. Say the words: “I cast a circle of protection, to work free from outside influence. So mote it be.” To open the circle, face east, but now walk counterclockwise and say the words: “I open the circle of protection, blessed be” while visualizing the energetic circle lifting and fading away.
Usually done before and/or after spells and rituals, grounding and centering is an essential technique to remove stagnant energy, call your energy back in, or absorb extra energy from around you. Sit or stand and close your eyes, calming your body and mind. Focus on the energy within and around you. Imagine roots growing from your feet into the ground, where stagnant energies can flow out and be neutralized by the soil. Visualize energy returning back to you, so that your core is golden and glowing.
Think of cleansing as taking a spiritual shower—you remove any stagnant, old, and negative energies surrounding you and your space. There are many different cleansing techniques that you can use, depending on your preference and circumstances.
Smoke cleansing: Using smoke, such as through burning incense or herb bundles, to cleanse a space, tools, or ingredients is one of the more common techniques. You can make your own herb or floral bundles to cleanse, or buy incense sticks. Walk around your space, or move the bundle around items, to spread the smoke to purify the energies.
Sound cleansing: Using sound, such as a bell, singing, or even banging on pots, can cleanse and purify the surrounding area. You may prefer to use clear ringing sounds, such as bells, or you may prefer loud noises such as drums or pots. Simply playing music is not quite enough.
Energy cleansing: This technique requires no tools, but does require practice. Start by rubbing your hands together until they are tingly and warm, and slowly pull your hands apart, visualizing an energy flowing between them. You may with time and practice be able to feel the energy and a resistance when pushing your hands together again lightly. Then move your hands over tools, ingredients, or areas and visualize the stagnant energies evaporating. This is also a good technique whenever you need to raise your energies in spellwork.
Crystal cleansing: Certain crystals are associated with cleansing and protection (see Crystals for correspondences). You can move these over your body, space, or tools and ingredients to cleanse them.
Physical cleaning: Physically tidying and cleaning your space, and washing your body, is another form of cleansing. Negative and stagnant energies will cling to dirt and messy areas. You can combine physical cleaning with spiritual cleansing by using cleansing sprays or floor washes.
Moonlight: The easiest form of cleansing is using the light of the Full Moon. This technique works best for your own body, as well as for tools that you can lay out on your windowsill. You can sit in meditation in the light of the Full Moon to cleanse, as well as recharge on Full Moon energy, which is both purifying and restorative.