How to Cast a Magical Circle in 6 Simple Steps

The what, why, and how of casting an energetic circle before your ritual or spell.

So many spells and rituals start with the instruction: “First, cast a circle.”

A magical circle is a sphere of protection and energetic container that you build around yourself before your ritual. It keeps you safe from negative energy and helps you hold the magical energy you raise.

For a single magic worker or solitary witch, it’s around 5 or 6 feet in diameter, but for a group it would be larger (depending on the size of the group).

You can visually define your circle with something like a ring of candles or scarves, a round rug, or perhaps just symbolic items at the four cardinal points to represent the elements. But it’s also perfectly fine to cast a circle that exists exclusively in the ether.

To reiterate, a magic circle serves two main purposes.

First, a magical circle provides protection. When you cast a circle, you cast it with the intention that only positive and beneficent energies may enter or dwell within. This way, you need not worry about picking up any energies or currents that are not for your highest good or the highest good of your ritual or spell.

Second, a magical circle serves as a container for your personal energy as well as the energy you conjure. The circle clarifies and magnifies your power. Have you ever put a cell phone in a cereal bowl to amplify its sound? It’s a lot like that.

Or, you can imagine the energy you raise during your ritual is like making homemade soup in a cauldron, adding a little rosemary here and a little garlic there. The circle, of course, is your cauldron.

Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions on casting a circle simply and easily. You can start here. Once you’re familiar with the practice and the energetics of it, you can feel free to tweak it and make it your own.

Step 1: Find Your Spot

Find a flat, open space (indoors or out) where you can be safe and undisturbed.

Step 2: Determine the Cardinal Points

Identify the four cardinal directions using a compass (there’s probably one on your phone).

Step 3: Place Elemental Symbols

Place a simple representation of each of the four elements at each corresponding point around an imagined circle, about 5 or 6 feet in diameter: Earth/north, Air/east, Fire/south, Water/west.

Here are some ideas for items you might choose to represent the elements around your magic circle:

Earth: rock, crystal, potted plant, ceramic dish

Air: feather, incense with holder, sage bundle

Fire: candle, essential oil burner with tea light

Water: sea shell, chalice with water in it.

Step 4: Invoke the Elements

Stand facing east, in the center of the circle.

Relax and breathe consciously until you feel calm, centered, and present.

Envision the dawn. Conjure up the feeling of wind whipping around you. Say, “Spirits of Air, I call on you.”

Face south.

Envision crackling flames and the hot noonday sun. Say, “Spirits of Fire, I call on you.”

Face west.

Imagine you are at the ocean at sunset, standing in the waves. Say, “Spirits of Water, I call on you.”

Face north.

Imagine standing barefoot on soil in an ancient forest at midnight. Say, “Spirits of Earth, I call on you.”

Face east again.

Become very aware of your feet.

Imagine you are sending a column or roots of light from your tailbone, legs, and feet, deep into the core of the Earth.

Plug into the sphere of golden earth energy at the core of the earth. Much like electricity when you plug something into an outlet, imagine the earth energy easily and quickly moving up from the center of the earth and into your body. Breathe in this nourishing earth energy feeling it center you and steady you. Say, “Mother Earth, I call on you.”

Now, envision sending a trunk or column of light up from the crown of your head, out of the earth’s atmosphere and into the Infinite Cosmos. Imagine there is a giant, blindingly bright sun at the center of everything which symbolizes infinity and infinite power. Sense that light naturally and quickly moving down from the infinite sun and down into your body. Say, “Father Sky, I call on you.”

Within your magic circle, feel protected and contained on all sides, as well as from above and below. Feel gratitude for this Divine support and say, “The circle is cast. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Blessed be.”

Step 5: Work Your Magic

Now’s the time to sit or stand in the center of your magic circle and meditate, visualize, invoke divine support, or otherwise work your magic.

Step 6: Thank the Elements and Open the Circle

When you’re finished with your spiritual work, be sure to thank each element as well as the earth and cosmos. This is part of closing your magic circle, and releasing the energy it contains.

To do this, stand again.

Feel your gratitude for the support of the elements as well as the earth and cosmos.

Face north. Say, “Earth, you were here, and I thank you.”

Face west. Say, “Water, you were here, and I thank you.”

Face south. Say, “Fire, you were here, and I thank you.”

Face east. Say, “Air, you were here, and I thank you.”

Still facing east, say, “Mother Earth, you were here, and I thank you.”

Say, “Father Sky, you were here, and I thank you.”

Say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Blessed be. And so it is.”

After feeling your gratitude for a moment more, say “The circle is open, but never broken. The love of the Goddess is forever in my heart. Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.”

Feel, sense, and imagine the energy you raised within your magic circle being released and swirling beautifully into the ether. Trust that your magic will do its work, and know in your heart that your magic is complete.

Do you have any questions about how to cast a circle? Feel free to chime in below!

And if you try this, be sure to come on back and let me know how it went.