Clean your house or ritual area.
Get everything set. When you are in ritual, it's better to have done
this than to be distracted by something you notice while your mind should
be on more spiritual matters.
Bathe or shower in a dimly-lit
room. Burn some frankincense incense to relax you and bring you to
a spiritual mind-set. Take your time.
While bathing, meditate.
Continue to hold on to a spiritual
mindset while dressing. You can wear anything, but it's best to dress
differently from the way you usually do, to mark the occasion as special
and apart.
Cleanse the ritual area.
This can be done with a broom of pine, with an incense censer, with salt
and water sprinkled around (or salted water), or any combination of these.
The room should be dimly lit
to set it aside as special. This cuts down on distractions.
Your altar should be set up deliberately as you continue with your spiritual
mindset.
To open the circle, face east.
Call on the spirits of the air to attend and bless the circle.
Face south. Call on the
spirits of fire to attend and bless the circle.
Face west. Call on the
spirits of water to attend and bless the circle.
Face north. Call on the
spirits of earth to attend and bless the circle.
Complete the circle by facing
east again. Call on your Deity or Deities to attend and bless the
circle.
You now go to your altar to begin
the work you've called the circle to create.
It isn't necessary to have any
specific spell in mind to open a circle. Just communion with the
Divine is reason enough. Spending time in this 'otherworldly' place
in prayer and devotion attunes you to the spiritual path and makes it easier
to come with a specific goal in mind.
Whether you do a spell or not,
it's good to thank the Deity or Deities you honor before closing the circle.
This thanks is different than the thanks you give in closing or for assistance
with a specific spell. This thanks is for Their protection and grace,
for just being there for you. Everyone likes to be appreciated, Deity
is no different.
Once the work is comleted, eat
and drink in communion with the Divine. If you are doing this with
others, go ahead and talk and laugh. Laughter, interaction of a friendly
nature, builds power within the sacred space and infuses the worshippers
with energy and strength. Simply eating and letting your mind wander
may lead to insight.
Once the circle is completed,
face east. Thank the spirits of air for their attendance and blessings.
face south. Thank the spirits
of fire for their attendance and blessings.
face west. Thank the spirits
of water for their attendance and blessings.
face north. Thank the spirits
of water for their attendance and blessings.
Face east once again and thank
your Deity or Deities for their blessings and attendance. Declair
the circle done. Ground and center.