THE
PLACE BETWEEN
THE WORLDS
PART ONE
©By Anna
Franklin
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Anna Franklin's
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"I
conjure thee,
O circle of
power, that
thou mayest
be a meeting
place of love
and joy and
truth…."
So
begins the
invocation
off the magic
circle. It
is well known
that magicians
and witches
work within
'magic circles',
but very few
people realise
why - including
many who use
circles on
a regular
basis.
When the magician
casts a circle,
he or she
creates a
space apart
from ordinary
life: an interface
between the
mundane plane
of waking
consciousness
and the realm
of the gods
and spirits,
which we might
call the Otherworld.
When he or
she enters
the circle
he leaves
the ordinary
world behind
and enters
a domain apart:
a realm of
sacred space
and time.
Indeed, time
often flows
differently
in the circle,
and when the
magician leaves
it after what
may seem a
few minutes,
many hours
may have passed
in reality.
This recalls
stories of
sojourns in
fairyland
- another
word for the
Otherworld.
When the magic
circle is
properly built,
cast and invoked,
it becomes
the universe
in microcosm
i.e. it creates
in miniature
the entire
cosmos. The
complete circle
represents
its oneness,
while the
divisions
of the circle
stand for
the passing
of time and
the seasons,
the space
in which the
universe exists,
and the substances
and energies
of which it
is made. Every
item used
within the
circle has
a symbolic
and magical
resonance
that reinforces
these ideas
and connections.
Whatever the
magician performs
within this
magical microcosm
will be reflected
in the macrocosm,
or in other
words, each
ritual act
will be made
manifest in
the macrocosm,
whether it
is the re-enactment
of a seasonal
myth or an
act of sympathetic
magic. Since
the circle
is also the
externalisation
of the inner
world of the
magician and
intimately
connected
with him,
any act performed
within the
circle causes
deep changes
in the consciousness
of the magician
him or herself.
THE
PERFECT CIRCLE
The circle
is always
a place of
power, from
the wheel
of the chakra
to the sacred
ring of a
stone circle.
It is a universal
symbol of
wholeness
and completion.
When Christian
missionaries
reached the
Native Americans,
they asked
the people
how they saw
God and, in
answer, they
drew the circle
of the feathered
sun, red feathers
pointing both
inwards and
outwards,
showing energy
moving both
in to the
centre and
outwards to
the circumference,
containing
everything.
In Buddhism
the circle
developed
into the mandala,
used for contemplation
and visualisation.
It represents
everything
and is a maze
through which
the meditator
travels. The
centre of
the circle
is the sky-door
which is a
means of reaching
heaven or
Nirvana.
The whole
circle symbolises
continuity,
eternity,
completion
and spacelessness:
the absence
of time and
space. As
it symbolises
what is complete
and unbroken,
it also symbolises
the Deity.
But the circle
can be divided:
halved, quartered,
or separated
into degrees
and so on.
However, far
from symbolising
dissolution
and imperfection,
when these
fractions
are contained
within the
circle they
represent
the balance
and harmony
of such divisions.
Think of the
famous yin
yang symbol,
which represents
the reconciliation
of opposites
within the
whole. Within
the circle,
opposites
[such as day
and night,
summer and
winter] are
united. Within
the circle
their division
is not absolute,
but each gives
rise to the
other, reconciled
in the circle
of unity.
The Celtic
cross [a circle
with an equal-armed
cross within
it] is a pre-Christian
symbol representing
the circle
quartered
through the
compass points
of north,
east, south
and west.
It is an ancient
symbol of
the sun, which
appears to
us as a circular
disc, passing
through each
house of the
zodiac during
the year,
strengthening
and weakening
as it goes,
spinning through
time and each
of the seasons
in turn. Thus,
the quartered
circle represents
movement,
time, and
the passing
of the four
seasons. It
is equal-armed
and characterises
the balance
and harmony
of these within
the unity
of the circle.
THE
CARDINAL POINTS
The four main
compass points
of the circle
are called
the cardinal
points. When
the magic
circle is
drawn, it
is aligned
to the cardinal
points of
the compass-
north, south,
east and west.
This is not
merely symbolic,
and the east
of the circle
should be
aligned with
the real east
and so on.
The flow of
earth power
is north to
south. The
North Star
stands still
at the north
of the circle
and for the
Celts it was
Caer Arianrhod,
the Castle
of the Silver
Wheel, the
entrance to
the Otherworld
and the place
of death and
rebirth. The
circle must
be oriented
with the energies
of the cosmos.
When the circle
is cast by
the magician,
each direction
is invoked
in turn and
the circle
is thus spatially
orientated.
This operation
is often called
the summoning
or invocation
of the Watchtowers.
Each position
around the
perimeter
of the circle
represents
a position
in the station
of the sun
throughout
the year,
a stage in
the cycle
of life:
North
The north
is the point
of the circle
associated
with the winter
solstice [Yule],
cold, darkness,
midnight,
starlight,
old age and
death. However,
it is also
the point
of regeneration,
rebirth and
life through
death, as
it is at the
winter solstice
that the sun
is reborn.
It then gains
strength and
grows stronger
up until the
summer solstice.
The north
is associated
with the element
of earth.
East
The east is
the point
of the circle
associated
with the spring
equinox. The
east is associated
with sunrise,
dawn and gestation,
the beginning
of growth;
a time of
green youth.
It is connected
with the element
of air. In
a stone circle
oriented to
the vernal
equinox, the
sun will rise
directly in
the east,
over the east
stone at the
equinox.
South
The south
is the point
of the circle
associated
with the summer
solstice,
with the zenith
of the sun's
strength,
midday, with
things beginning
to ripen,
with maturity
and the prime
of life. It
is connected
with the element
of fire.
West
The west is
the point
of the circle
associated
with the autumn
equinox and
the completion
of the harvest,
with twilight,
sunset, completion
and decline.
It is associated
with the element
of water.
THE
CROSS QUARTERS
Though there
are possible
correspondences
for every
degree of
the circle,
witches generally
concern themselves
with four
more, the
cross quarters:
North
east marks
the point
of Imbolc
South east
marks the
point of Beltane
South West
marks the
point of Lughnasa
North West
marks the
point of Samhain
THE
DIRECTIONS
OF ABOVE AND
BELOW
It should
be obvious
that there
are more than
two dimensions
possible within
the circle.
The celestial
realms of
above, and
the underworld
realm of below
stand above
and below
the circle,
and their
powers are
called upon,
drawn through
the axis mundi
of the circle
as the first
step of its
casting. Thus
the invoked
circle is
not a two
dimensional
object, but
a sphere,
extending
below ground
and above,
in which the
magician operates.
THE
CENTRE OF
THE CIRCLE
The central
point represents
the place
where all
powers meet,
where all
times and
places are
one. For the
Celts it was
the spiral
or glass castle,
a place of
regeneration
and rebirth.
The axis through
the centre
links all
the realms
and times.
The cardinal
points are
often called
the quarters,
which are
further associated
with the four
elements.
These are
invoked when
the circle
is cast, so
that the ring
becomes a
place of balanced
energies.
The four roads
[the four
Royal Roads
of Power]
coming from
the cardinal
points meet
at the centre
of the circle.
This point
becomes the
axis mundi,
the centre
of all things
where all
times and
places are
one, from
which all
things are
accessible.
It may be
symbolised
by the pillar,
the shaman's
ladder, the
world tree
or cauldron
of renewal.
The centre
is the place
of initiation
and rebirth.
The spiral
or maze dance
within the
circle moves
to the centre,
representing
death, to
the centre
to the point
of renewal,
and outwards
again in rebirth.
CASTING
THE CIRCLE
[This is only
one method
of casting
a circle,
and there
are many others,
but the principle
of establishing
a boundary
between the
mundane world
and a sacred
space where
ritual acts
are carried
out remains
the same.]
Set up the
altar in the
northern quarter
of the circle.
A low table
or chest can
be employed
as an altar.
This should
be placed
in the north
[you might
need a compass
to fine the
cardinal points].
Cover it with
a white cloth.
Place three
candles in
holders on
the altar.
A dish of
salt and a
dish of water
are placed
near the front.
You will also
need a knife
which you
keep for ritual
purposes,
which some
people call
an athame.
You can also
decorate the
altar with
seasonal flowers.
Place a dish
of incense
on it.
A candle is
placed in
each of the
quarters,
the colours
chosen help
to resonate
with the vibration
of that quarter-
green for
the north
[earth], yellow
for the west
[air], red
for the south
[fire] and
blue for the
west [water].
If you can't
get these
you can use
white candles,
but the more
you can re-enforce
the imagery
the more it
helps your
visualisation.
Some people
also like
to place something
that represents
the elements
in the quarters-
a dish of
earth in the
north, the
incense in
the east,
a flame or
candle in
the south,
a dish of
water in the
west.
Check that
you have everything
you need within
the circle
[remember
the matches!]
before you
start, as
once the circle
is cast, you
will not be
able to leave
to get it.
CASTING
THE CIRCLE:
Light the
incense. The
first act
that must
be performed
is to establish
the boundaries
of the circle.
Take the knife
and beginning
in the north
draw the circle
round the
room. Remember
where the
point of the
knife draws
will be the
edge of the
circle. Include
in the circle
all the things
and people
you wish to
be within
the circle.
I
conjure the
O circle of
power that
thou mayest
be a meeting
place of love
and joy and
truth a boundary
between the
world of me
and the realms
of the Otherworld,
containing
the power
that we shall
raise within
thee, but
a shield and
protection
against our
enemies, both
visible and
invisible.
Take
the knife
and place
the tip in
the bowl of
salt saying:
Be
this salt
dedicated
to the Lord
and Lady [or
whatever deities
you call upon]
to keep us
from evil
and protect
us in this
time.
Take
the knife
again and
place the
tip in the
bowl of water:
Be
this water
dedicated
to the Lord
and Lady [or
whatever deities
you call upon]
to keep us
from peril
and to purify
this place.
Tip
the water
into the salt
and mix them
together.
Sprinkle clockwise
[deosil] around
the circle
saying:
May
we cast from
us all evil
and darkness,
viciousness
and malice.
May we become
that which
we must be
before the
Lord and Lady
[or whatever
deities you
call upon],
seeking ill
to no one.
May we be
clean within
and without
so that we
are acceptable
before them.
Finish
by sprinkling
each person
in turn.
Next
connect the
circle to
all three
realms. Take
the knife
and stand
in the centre
of the circle.
Point it above
and say:
Powers
of the worlds
above, I do
summon, stir
and call you
up to guard
our circle
and to witness
our rites.
Bring
the knife
down in a
straight line
and point
it downwards.
Say:
Powers
of the worlds
below, I do
summon, stir
and call you
up to guard
our circle
and to witness
our rites.
The
watchtowers
are then invoked.
Take the knife
and begin
in the north.
The casting
of the circle
is always
begun in the
north as this
is the place
of power that
flows from
north to south,
so the power
gateway is
opened. Many
people do
not begin
the invocations
until reaching
the east,
as this is
the direction
of vocalisation.
Draw a pentacle
in the east
and say:
Oh
mighty powers
of the east,
I do summon,
stir and call
you up to
guard our
circle and
to witness
our rites.
Repeat
this in the
south, west,
and north.
Return
to the altar
and consecrate
the altar
candles with
the words:
I consecrate
these candles
that they
shall represent
light and
knowledge
within this
circle.
Light
the candles
and take one
round to light
all the quarter
candles. If
you wish you
can carry
the dish of
incense around
the circle.
The
work of the
ritual is
now performed.
DISSOLVING
THE CIRCLE
When all is
finished the
circle is
dissolved.
Take the knife
and cut through
the boundary
of the circle
near the east
and say:
Mighty
powers of
the east,
thank you
for guarding
our circle
and for witnessing
our rites.
I bless you
in the name
of the Lord
and the Lady
[ or whatever
deities you
call upon].
Repeat
in all the
other directions.
Cut through
the centre
and thank
the powers
of above and
below.
Put
out the candles
and dismantle
the temple.
