Is closing a circle important?

[secilia]

I want to learn more about spells. I need to know before casting a spell.How important is it to close the circle

[MeganB]

Hey @secilia I hope you don’t mind, but I moved your question to its own topic, just to make sure it doesn’t get lost.

As for your question, that’s going to depend entirely on your beliefs and use of the circle. I don’t cast circles, so whether it’s open or closed doesn’t matter to me.

[tracyS]

I practice Nordic Witchcraft and I don’t use circles either however from what I’ve read from those that do, yes closing a circle is important. It’s all to do with energy and where it is placed.

How to Cast a Circle (Wiccan & Non-Wiccan) 3-Step Guide

Hope the above helps lovely
Skal

[Feathertip]

Thank you for the link to this article, @tracyS! That is helpful.

@secilia - I can’t add much to this discussion other than to urge you to do what feels right for you. Circle casting is another ritual, but like all rituals this one may not feel right. There are two very experienced witches right here who say they don’t incorporate circle casting in their practice.

But it has appeal to me as a ritual right as I’m ready to begin. It feels like a protected space that I’ve created. I like it - and I’ve also forgotten it more than once!

If it helps you focus or set the tone, try it.

Remember there are no hard and fast rules.

[Amethyst]

Hi there! You don’t always have to use a circle, but if you do, you should always close it properly. Here is a great video on circle casting, and there is this awesome book on all the different steps for a ritual, broken down so it’s easily explained. It’s called The Elemants of Ritual.

Maybe that would help you, too!

[anon59397935]

This is a great question! I always cast a circle and when I do, I always make sure I close it too. It’s for your own protection that you should do that. Always make sure that you ground afterwards too and drink some water. Grounding can be as simple as holding a Crystal!

[BryWisteria]

Hi @secilia,

Great question! Choosing whether or not to cast a circle is up to the caster - some may always use a circle, while others use them depending on whether or not the spell calls for one, while yet other witches choose not to use circles at all.

I do want to echo what others have said: if a circle is opened, it must be closed when the spell is done. It’s not dangerous per say (depending on what type of spell was being cast and any entities involved), but leaving a circle that was intentionally set open can disrupt the energy in the space and lead to messy spell results.

There’s a helpful guide here with more information, as well as some basic ways to open and close magickal circles - Tracy kindly shared it above!

If you’re interested in reading some experiences with people using circles, we did a circle challenge a while back (you can scroll down to read the entries in the comments) :

Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Circles in Magick

Merry meet! Thank you once again to everyone who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Catch-Up The challenge clock has started once again and we are off with challenge #131! So draw in close, as we will be doing some magickal “drawing” this week The theme for this week’s challenge is… [Magickal Circles Casting Draw Circle Challenge] Casting Circles How do you use magickal circles in your practice? In its most basic …

Whether you choose to use circles or not, happy casting and blessed be!

[Nikki-Phoenix]

Hi @secilia

You’ve had great advice, and I want to add my thoughts by firstly echoing the general consensus; it depends on your beliefs, and the purposes.

There are 2 basic reasons for casting a circle - to do magick, or to practise magick. Both are deeply personal and private activities, and involve opening up your consciousness and energy to all dimensions, and for that, most practitioners feel a need to protect themselves. If you leave your circle open, some people think there are detrimental consequences and some don’t. I’ve personally forgotten to close my circle at least once and I don’t recall adverse effects, but then again, my life is a series of adverse effects so how would I tell the difference haha!

I think the main point here is to do what feels right for you, when it feels right for you, and how it feels right for you. Using or not using a circle doesn’t make your magick any less valid or powerful than anyone else’s; after all, it’s your magick!

That being said, I just want to point out that there’s a difference between a circle of protection (generally used when stationary), and a sphere of protection (a shield of protective energy for when one is out and about).

x Blessed Be x

[carrianne]

Merry meet Secilia.

I am new to witchcraft and always learning. I agree with what these lovelys are saying, but yes definitely depends on you. Me I have cast a circle and closed it, it depends on what kind of spell you are working on, but ultimately it’s how you feel. Enjoy exploring lots of information given and keep reading, you will find your own way🌟

Blessed be

[secilia]

Wow, thank you all for you, wonderful advice. You’ve given me a lot to think about

[Satans_Helper]

I don’t utilize circles often only for energy balancing or sometimes hexing.but even then typically I just call in my demons and mainly Satan. Satan is a gatekeeper. He won’t let anyone enter my space unless I say one person specifically and then he is like a instant highway to speak to exactly n only whou call upon. He is very much a guard in my life

[Satans_Helper]

@Satans_Helper

don’t utilize circles often only for energy balancing or sometimes hexing.but even then typically I just call in my demons and mainly Satan. Satan is a gatekeeper. He won’t let anyone enter my space unless I say one person specifically and then he is like a instant highway to speak to exactly n only whou call upon. He is very much a guard in my life

Satan has been insanely reliable when it comes to gate keeping. He may be very much with me but he guards the gates like the most brilliant, wise, dignified, extremely muscular and you can see every muscle super buff and chiseled. Fire energy surrounding him as he’s guarding the space. Yet he has all of the elements fire, water, air, spirit, earth. He contains them all. He makes me smirk right now. Hahaha ahhh. Remember when I told you I heard from another practitioner that Satan is not a beginner demon. He’s very no nonsense when it comes to me putting in the work. Because babygirl you is going to be putting in more than you thought you ever had. He’s gonna rock the heck outta your canoe. Bruh, like pressure makes a diamond. Working with him is like the ultimate quest of finding what you’re made up. I don’t get to practice at all really lately. But he knows I’m putting in the work and I’m dying for some time to meditate cleanse the area and give offerings. Light incense. Sit and meditate see where it takes me. Then decide what I want to do. I feel a calling to practice absolutely more chaotically than ever. Heard something that made sense. Like even some of witchcraft feels like the rules are would the word be indoctrinated? Like I already don’t follow the days of the week or lunar cycle. So they are many other ways to utilize things.

Satan is solid and if you’re ready to be thrown in the fire and shed what you thought you knew he’s your guy. He will test you like cray

I think if you open a circle you must close it the opposite way u started.