Morrigan:

Tonight's class is on How to cast the magick circle: Welsh Tradition

Red Deer:

MM Lionflower and WELCOME

Morrigan:

shall we begin?

LIONFLOWER:

thank you, Red Deer. Who's' going to guard the door?

Morrigan:

Red Deer will be doorward tonight

melilott:

<tt;----logging on

LIONFLOWER:

ready when you are, guys

Red Deer:

shall we review etiquette?

ZZenMastr:

ready

Tyr:

I'm ready

Morrigan:

yes Red Deer

LIONFLOWER:

yes, Red Deer, please

Typo Demon:

<-ready

OceansShadow:

ready

Sylverhare:

ready

Red Deer:

1) The Door Ward holds the right of EXCLUSION WITHOUT COMMENT. Should an exclusion be called, please do NOT talk to or about the excludee until Wicca 101 is completed.

Tyr:

Please do, I'm new

Red Deer:

2) Please keep all Blessed Be's, Merry Meet's and Merry Part's in IM until Wicca 101 is completed.

Red Deer:

3) Would 1 or 2 who expect to be here for all of Wicca 101 please log as backup. If I am bumped for any reason or lose my logs, I will E-mail you a request to send me your backup logs.

Red Deer:

but I already saw volunteers

Morrigan:

<----is logging

Le Pup:

How long is the class?

LIONFLOWER:

approx one hour including questions

Le Pup:

<-------Logging

LIONFLOWER:

probably much less than that, actually

LIONFLOWER:

::: arranging notes :::::

LIONFLOWER:

Casting A Circle For Magick: Welsh Tradition. This class is geared toward those who already know how to cast a ritual circle and who are ready to practice magick regularly. A list of texts and references used will be provided at the end of class. In this class we will discuss preparation, the casting, and the opening of the magickal circle. I will pause at the end of each section to ask for questions. Casting a circle for magick is deferent than casting a circle for celebratory rites and rituals. You are preparing to do work, and just like any piece of work, quality is what matters. Now, with that in mind, here's how to begin:

PREPARATION: Set up your altar. If you have a broom that you use for magickal cleansing, sweep your area thoroughly before setting up your altar. If you don't have a broom, cleanse the area with charged salt water or lavender oil. Make sure that all of your tools have been properly consecrated, and that you have everything you need for the work ahead of you. Once the magickal circle is cast and sealed, it may not be broken. If you do break your magickal circle you risk letting something out, or IN, that you didn't intend. Using a COMPASS, set candles at the four elemental points of your circle, but make sure they are on the OUTSIDE of where you are going to draw your circle. Remember, a circle is a place outside the world and outside of time. The candles will help you to keep a perspective of where you are, and help you "find your way back" to this plane. More importantly, they will assist you by remind you where the elemental points are, and this becomes important later.

The First Step: The ritual bath. Any time you are going into ritual or going to perform magick, take a cleansing bath. Use your bath salts, and if you don't have bath salts, use your anointing oil in your bath. The intention of the bath is to help you get into a magickal frame of mind. You need to "ground" any negative energies that might be in your being, and bring the scattered pieces of yourself back together... to make you whole. When you get out, anoint the soles of your feet, your wrists, and your forehead (third-eye spot) with your protective anointing oil, using symbols that are important to you. You should feel like a priest/ess at this point, and ready to don your robe -- unless, of course you work skyclad! {g}

ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT?

Sylverhare:

Question Lion: You say to use a compass to set your points, Do you use magnetic North, or true North, and why? When doing a magickal working I usually use magnetic north, but true north for celebratory rites. Your thought?

LIONFLOWER:

I use magnetic north... it seems to be more aligned with where the sun actually rises. Any others?

Sylverhare:

thanks let's move on

LIONFLOWER:

THE CASTING OF THE CIRCLE

Whether you are working constructive magick (and will be walking clockwise, or deosil) or destructive magick like bindings and banishing (and casting a counter-clockwise or widdershins circle) you will want to always begin in the east. This is where the sun rises and where all things in magick begin. Now, beginning in the east, and meditation on the casting of the circle, light your elemental candles. You can use all white candles, or different colors to represent each element. Some traditions use yellow for Air in the East, red for Fire in the South, blue for Water in the West, and brown for Earth in the North. Now, light your altar candle. You should be in a peaceful and meditative state, and ready to accept the energy you'll need for the casting.

We are ready to begin construction of our protective space. In the Welsh tradition, we use what is called the three-fold circle, or the thrice cast circle. Water and Salt, Fire and Air. Here is how we cast the first two circles in the Welsh tradition. The chants I will give you are published, used extensively, and are therefore very powerful. Take your athame and scoop 3 quantities of charged salt and add them one by one to the charge water in your chalice. While doing so, send white light into the water and chant: The chant you will use is:

Water and salt, where thou art cast, no spell or adverse purpose last, not in complete accord with me, and as my word, so mote it be. While chanting this, stir the water 3 times in a clockwise (deosil) direction. Carry the chalice around, beginning in the east (be sure to walk in the same direction each time according to the type of magick being done) and sprinkle the cleansed water as you go, and chant the words softly to yourself (a total of 3 times). You will begin to feel a definite change in the atmosphere. Now, whether you use charcoal or cones, you will need to prepare your incense for the second circle. Use something protective like sandalwood, or frankincense and myrrh, or sage. As you add the herbs to the already burning charcoal, or as you are lighting the cone, use this chant: Creature of fire, this charge I lay, no phantom in my presence stay. Hear my will addressed to thee, and as my word, so mote it be! The burning charcoal is your Fire element, and the smoke is representative of the Air element. Carry this around in the same manner you did the water and salt, and softly say the chant to yourself.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT?

Tyr:

Question: I am asthmatic and I have only found one incense that I can handle.. does that matter?

LIONFLOWER:

Tyr, what is it?

melilott:3 times while walking or a total of 3 times?

LIONFLOWER:

3 times chanting, walking once around.

Hugmeister:

TYR IM SURE THE GODDESS WILL UNDERSTAND

Tyr:

Its a powered one that my local herb store carries I think they make it themselves

Red Deer:

aye

LIONFLOWER:

what's in it, Tyr, do you know?

Tyr:

No spells that I know of. I don't know Lion.. it has a soft pleasant scent though

LIONFLOWER:

well, Tyr, if it works for you. that's what matters most. Shall we move on to the third circle?

Tyr:

So far it has, Thanks though it helps to have validations sometimes

Morrigan:

yes

Red Deer:

please

LIONFLOWER:

The Third Circle.

Sylverhare:

Try herbs steeped in hot water for the air element Tyr, they are easier on asthma

LIONFLOWER:

Now comes the most important part: the drawing of the circle. carefully draw your circle using your staff, athame, or wand, and draw it directly on the floor. Make it as perfect as possible... some people even use string or tape to help them. Use silver light streaming into your being (representing moon light) and send electric blue, bright purple, or white light out your ahtame, staff or wand as you are walking around the circle. Always begin and end in the east. Again, make sure that you keep the elemental candles on the OUTSIDE so that you can find your way back into the world. Once you have come back into the East elemental point, pound your staff (athame, whatever) onto the floor three times and say something like: "The Magickal Circle is now cast. May it protect me in my work." Now your circle is cast, but you are not done. You are about to do a powerful spell, and therefore you need to be guarded against things that might want to take your energy for their own purposes. To ensure against this you must call the Elemental Guardians of the four Directions. The Calling of the Elemental Guardians: Who, or what are the elemental guardians and why do you need them to work magick? Every time you perform a spell you are sending out strong vibrations to the entire universe. You are calling upon the powers that be to assist you and carry out your will. No matter how good your intentions are, or how positive your magick is, you are at risk every time you work a spell. For this reason, we, as witches, need to be able to call upon those we love, they who make up nature, for protection.

Cosmic Wave:

Why is that Lionflower, the risk?

LIONFLOWER:

The essences of the four elements, earth, air, fire and water, are used every time you work a spell: Fire and Air in candle magick, Earth in herbal magick, etc... It is the essences of the elements that make up all things, and help us in our magick. (For details about the Elemental Guardians, you may want to pick up a book on Ceremonial Magick.).

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT?

Cosmic - You are at risk when you do a spell because you are manipulating forces ... you are opening your true self up, and unless properly protected, you could be harmed. does that help? Was that explained thoroughly enough?

Cosmic Wave:

Thank you Lionflower. Yes,

LIONFLOWER:

To continue: In the Welsh Tradition, we invoke these essences, or Guardians, to watch over us and lend us their protection. It is important to know what each element means to you when doing this. Does Air mean the breath of life? or destructive gale forces?

Cosmic Wave:

Both

LIONFLOWER:

Is the water element the ocean to you, or is it the Water of the Mother's Womb? This needs to be contemplated before you begin to cast your circle so that you can decide what aspect of the element you wish to call.

Hugmeister:

IT IS BOTH LION

Hugmeister:

IT IS THE KINDNESS OF MOTHER

LIONFLOWER:

read last statement

Hugmeister:

AND HER HARSHNESS WEHN SHE PUNISHES US

LIONFLOWER:

it depends upon which aspect of the element you wish to call upon, in harmony with your magick.

Cosmic Wave:

So then you are saying that you consider it preferential not to call into your circle a hurricane?

LIONFLOWER:

Begin in the East/Air quadrant. Be strong and don't falter. You are essentially requesting the spirit of the air element to watch over you while you are working your magick. Stand tall, raise you strong arm, athame in hand and say words similar to: Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Element of Air, I Morgaine summon thee. Breath of life, Cleansing Breeze, Seed Mover, be here now. Stand there until you feel the presence of the essence of Air.

Cosmic Wave:

"feel"?

LIONFLOWER:

You can seal the element by drawing an invoking pentagram in the air, visualizing it as bright blue or white light, or the color you associate the element with. Do the same with the other elements/directions. Now ask your spirit guide, if you have one, to be with you and to watch over you while you are working your magick.

Cosmic Wave:

interesting

LIONFLOWER:

This is usually a very personal moment, and the request or invocation should be in your own words. Also, you can ask your spirit guide to watch over your loved ones in case any negative energies are attracted to your work area. Now is the time to ask the Goddess and/or God, in whichever aspect you use, to be present and guide you in your work. You have successfully cast a magickal circle. You can now raise energy and work your spell.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT?

No questions on the Elemental guardians?

Morrigan:

why do you refer to yourself as Morgain to the air element?

LIONFLOWER:

Morgaine is my public witch name. I just used it as an example.

Morrigan:

oh...that was just for you personally. duh

LIONFLOWER:

Consider it insurance. LOL, Morrigan. Opening of the Magickal Circle To open the circle once you are done casting your spell, first, thank the Goddess and/or God for their attendance. Next, release your spirit guide and don't forget to thank it. Then, beginning in the East and working deosil or widdershins, thank the Guardians of the Four Directions for their protection, and dismiss them in words similar To: Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Element of Air, I thank thee for your attendance and protection. Blessed be. When this is done, go to the northeastern arc of your circle, where all things in magick come to an end, and with athame or staff, cut the circle and bring the energy back into yourself. It may take a little while.

Now, go eat something. Magick always makes me hungry! ... and you will probably need to restore your energy. Some witches eat or "ground the energy" while still in circle. I'm usually too beat and want to use the rest of the energy to properly open the circle, then I eat... either way, just make sure that before the circle is open you have somehow collected all of the residual energies and channeled them in a constructive manner. The reason for this is that the magick you work, your own personal vibrations, are like a fingerprint. And again, you don't want someone tapping off what is yours.

This concludes this instruction of How to Cast A Circle for Magick: Welsh Tradition. Texts used to construct this class are:

Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson

Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs by Scott Cunningham and

The Lionflower Book of Shadows.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

Red Deer:

How about a comment?

Morrigan:

nice touch ... to add the texts!

LIONFLOWER:

sure... :::blowing on smoking fingers ::::

ZoeFoe:

Lion, I thought you used something from Buckland. Neat.

LIONFLOWER:

:) thanks

Morrigan:

lol

ZZenMastr:

very damned good, Lionflower....thank you!

Kildeer:

Is class still in session??????

Tyr:

Very informative. Thank you for letting me stay melilott: very very good class lion

Morrigan:

yes I thought so too Zen! thanx Lion!

Le Pup:

Thanks Lion. :)

Phranq:

nice presentation

LIONFLOWER:

Well, I'm glad you liked it, and I hope it helps you all. Thanks for the compliments.

zArachnaBabe:

thanx Lion :>

Ily Ad:

Thoroughly enjoyed this. First time here. Thank you Lionflower.

Red Deer:

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Xpl:

<---wasn't in long enough to see much...but seemed kind of interesting

Burningwolf:

very good job lion, thanks

Sylverhare:

Excellent Lion, I loved it

Tyr:

How often are classes held here? I would like to attend more

LIONFLOWER:

Tyr, every Sunday, same bat time.. same bat Chat Room

Hyssop:

Will a log of this class be available for those of us coming in late?

LIONFLOWER:

Thank you all for attending.

Hyssop:

Thank you for all your hard work.

LIONFLOWER:

It is a pleasure.

ZoeFoe:

Thanks for the wonderful presentation.......{{Lion}}

Morrigan:

yes it will Hyssop on the Wicca BB

Red Deer:

sure Hyssop... just need time to edit and post

Tyr:

Cool.. I might round up a few friends to sit in with me. Do the fundies always act this way too?

LIONFLOWER:

unfortunately, yes, Tyr

Morrigan:

yes Tyr...always

Hyssop:

Wonderful. Thank you.