Sirona
Knight
Setting Up Your Altar
From the "Witch and Wizard Spell Book"
The Witch and Wizard Table
Once you have assembled all of your magical tools together, it is time
to set up your altar. As the sacred table of the Lady, your altar is a connecting
point to the divine and magical energies of Oneness as well as being a working
surface that holds your tools, focals, and other items. Because of this, you
will often find yourself standing before or continually going back your altar
as you cast spells and work magic. Essentially, your altar is a platform reaching
outward into the world of magic.
Your altar should be located on a sturdy surface, such as a table, shelf,
counter top, fireplace mantle, tree stump, or large flat rock. Because you
set up your altar in north point of the circle, your altar can be something
suitable already in the north quadrant or something, such as a table, that
can be moved to the north point. Depending on your preferences, you can either
leave your altar set up at all times or set it up each time you do magic.
The reason for setting up your altar in the north is because it is the
direction of divine knowledge and ancestral wisdom. It is also representative
of the Earth which is where you are, right now. Before placing your tools
on the altar, begin by spreading an altar cloth out on the surface. The altar
cloth acts both to protect the surface from things such as candle wax and
to provide a color focal during spells and rituals.
The altar reflects the polarities of energy that relate to magic. The
left side symbolizes the feminine polarity of the Goddess, an energy that
is both creative and nurturing. The right side symbolizes the male polarity
of the God, an energy that is strong and powerful. The center of the altar
symbolizes the divine union. This union is known as Oneness, and represents
the place where all things become One no matter who, what, where, when, how,
and why. As your merge with Oneness, real magic happens!
When placing your tools on your altar, consider the polarity of each tool.
The bowl and chalice are feminine objects placed on the left side, and the
athame and incense burner reflect the male polarity and are traditionally
placed on the right hand side of the altar. The center is reserved for tools
that reflect Oneness and spirit, such as the wine (juice) chalice, rings,
foods, photos, essential oils, and your clear quartz crystal.
While continuing your magical adventure, you will at times feel the urge to change your altar to reflect your current level of magic and your surrounding environment. Your altar is fluid and reflects who you are and what is happening around you.
The Witch and Wizard Circle
You can create magical enclosures in a variety of shapes. These include: a
circle, square, triangle, double triangle, sphere, pyramid, castle, "V,"
and a star. Each shape adds a different nuance to your magic spells. For example,
use a white sphere of light when casting moon spells, a pyramid or pentacle
of white light to intensify your magic making, or a crystal castle as a magic
enclosure.
All of these enclosure shapes are sacred geometry forms as are mandalas,
labyrinths, medicine wheels, and the wheel of the year. Sacred geometry is
the ancient sign language of divine light, vibration, nature, and creation.
It is a cornerstone to understanding how the universe was formed as well as
how to formulate, gather, and direct magical power.
The most basic of geometric shapes contains within it a doorway that opens
into other realms of consciousness. Thus, it behooves every aspiring and practicing
witch and wizard to learn more about sacred geometry. As you focus, work,
and move through the sacred shapes, your mind expands, and you begin to integrate
the these empowering, ancient patterns into your every day life.
The magic circle is the shape most witches and wizards use when casting
spells. The circle symbolizes the cycle of the seasons and eternal union of
Goddess (divine feminine) and God (divine masculine) known as Oneness. For
purposes of this book, I will explain how to create a magic circle. There
are also examples of other powerful sacred enclosures interspersed throughout
the spells in this book.
Almost always, witches and wizards draw a magic circle of light before
doing spellwork. The magical tools you will need to cast the circle are a
compass, an athame, and a bowl with salt in it. If you do not have an athame,
you can use your wand or clear quartz crystal instead.
Begin the process by using the compass to find the north direction, and
then facing north, begin to slowly spin clockwise with your arms stretched
outward. In your mind's eye, envision a clear blue light cleansing the area
while saying,
"May all evil and foulness be gone from this place.
I ask this in the Lady's name.
Be gone, now and forevermore!"
Starting at the north point, take your athame and draw a circle around
the area that you are going to use for your magic. As you do this, imagine
a cobalt blue-white light streaming out of your athame tip and spreading around
the parameter of your magic circle of light.
Take a pinch of salt from the bowl and scatter it towards the north point
while saying,
"Ayea, Ayea Kerridwen!
Ayea, Ayea Kernunnos!
Ayea, Ayea, Ayea!"
Feel free to invoke the Goddess and God or other divine powers of your
choice. After spreading the salt and cleansing the north point, move on and
do the same thing to the east, south, and west points in that order while
saying,
"Ayea, Ayea Kerridwen!
Ayea, Ayea Kernunnos!
Ayea, Ayea, Ayea!"
Now face the altar and firmly say,
"I consecrate this circle of power to the Ancient Ones
May they bless this circle with their presence.
Blessed be! Blessed be all who are gathered here."
Conclude the casting of your magic circle by knocking nine times in three series of three on the altar with the base of your wand. You are now ready to call in the elemental powers.
Calling in The Elemental Powers
In each of the four directions of your circle is an elemental gate that leads
to the world of magic. Calling in the elemental powers sets a guardian at
each of these gates to protect your circle while you are casting spells. These
guardians remain in place until you bid farewell to them and pull up your
magic circle.
Begin by facing north and stretching your both arms upward towards the
sky. While merging with the earth element, say,
"Guardians of the north march,
Generous powers of earth,
Protect the gate of the north ward,
And guard this circle and all within.
Come I summon you!"
Next turn and face the east point of your circle. Stretch your arms upward,
merge with the air element, and say,
"Guardians of the east march,
Generous powers of air,
Protect the gate of the east ward,
And guard this circle and all within.
Come I summon you!"
Turn and face the south point. Stretch your arms upward, merge with the
fire element, and say,
"Guardians of the south march,
Generous powers of fire,
Protect the gate of the south ward,
And guard this circle and all within.
Come I summon you!"
Face towards the west point and stretch your arms upward. While merging
with the elemental powers of water, say,
"Guardians of the west march,
Generous powers of water,
Protect the gate of west ward,
And guard this circle and all within.
Come I summon you!"
Finish the process by standing in the middle of your magic circle. Face
towards your altar, and say,
"Guardian spirits of earth, air, fire, and water
Grant me your power and protection tonight!"
The elemental powers now stand guard at the elemental gates of your magic
circle.
Cutting the Little Gate
I generally don't like to leave the circle once I have set it up for magic,
but sometimes circumstances are such that you have to go out and come back
into the circle. With this in mind, the "little gate' offers a way to
physically move in and out of the circle without disrupting the magical power.
Cut the little gate at the east point of the circle. Depending on where you have your circle set up, you may want to cut the gate at the existing door. Cut the gate with your athame or clear quart crystal by holding it in your power hand and cutting a small energetic gate in the east quadrant of the circle. Each time you want to leave or enter the circle, open the gate with a sweeping gesture of your power hand and move through the energetic parameter of the circle. When you return to the circle, use a sweeping gesture to close the gate.
Bidding Farewell To The Elemental Powers
I sometimes leave a circle up when I want to use it to keep generating more
magical and energy and I know someone won't come in and physically disrupt
the energy of the circle. Because of practicality, I usually pull up the circle
when I am done making magic. This is done by first bidding farewell to the
elemental powers that you invoked when you set up your circle.
Begin at the north point, and say,
"Generous powers of earth, depart in peace.
Many thanks for your presence."
Next face towards the east point, and say,
"Generous powers of air, depart in peace.
Many thanks for your presence."
Now face south, and say,
"Generous powers of fire, depart in peace.
Many thanks for your presence."
Lastly turn west, and say,
"Generous powers of water, depart in peace.
Many thanks for your presence."
Pulling Up the Magic Circle
Begin at the north point, but instead of clockwise, pull up the circle by
using your athame or crystal and moving around the circle counter-clockwise,
imagining the cobalt blue-white light moving back into your athame or crystal.
Then knock three times on the altar with the base your wand.