The Circle, Elements and Properties
An Exoteric Hypothesis

 

 

In magick many of the components are products of touted schools of philosophical belief intermingled with etymological and lexicographic elements of the derivation and re-emergence of traditional ancient Rite. Exoteric knowledge of Shamanic techniques have become a factor in the neo-practices of these Rites. A question often posed is the modern validity or necessity of the ceremonial aspects of magick. As many of the Rites have been lost in the passage of time, it was made necessary to decipher and intellectualise ancient texts for the practical purposes of continuance. The ritualised elements of these rites provide not only the power of thus continuance but also the reverential ceremony thought proper in a bygone age, where magick was of the ruling class and in service thereof.

 

In the following pages are an inspired hypothesis compiled on the practical workings of  common magickal rite and the theory thereon.

 

I. PROPERTIES OF MAGICK

 

As with any compound substance, many elements combine to form the quintessence of magick. As the fifth sense and perception are integral ingredients to a magickal rite, the physical senses must also be paid heed to. The emotive quality of the magician is vital to the manifestation of the controlled and subconscious will.

 

SIGHT

The 'temple' atmosphere of ritualised circle is the initial step to constructing the transient space toward the manifestation of intent which the rite will bring. An altar laid with the icons of magick will not only bring the power of the symbol but also unlock the subconscious knowledge of this thought pattern. The robes being the vestments of transformation. Candles and lamps aiding not only the atmosphere of the Rite but also assist in the opening other world portals. The implements and vessels providing the traditional ritual use as well as being symbolic of the teaching of the abstract form of the implement.

 

SOUND

The words of Rite bring not only the power of the spoken word, the utterance of will or reverence but also resonate the power syllables or vibrations necessary for the change of consciousness to access altered state of mind. These invocations or evocations bring the union of the outer and inner form so as to indicate a manifestation of willed self-movement (inner consciousness active) or willed/willing external movement - (an external manifested action - inner consciousness being the passive force). The stated purpose of intent.

 

SMELL

The incenses and perfumes used not only higher or lower the vibrations of the circle but also open and stimulate the nerve endings of the body in order to attain clarity of thought. Within certain traditions herbs, incenses and perfumes are burnt along with specified breathing techniques to the Gods to which they are sacred. Certain of the hymns used in devotional circle state the incense to be used and the means of thus. It is the offering and the aetherial transporter of the idea. Mythological resource material will provide the necessary information as to the sacred herbs or tree of the God to be called upon. It is suggested to offer white sacrifices at rites of devotion.

 

TASTE

The sacraments shared within the Rite representing the communion of body, mind and spirit. Within certain traditions, specific sacraments are adhered to in honour of the God. The ingredients of this are given upon initiation into the tradition. In the case of solitary worship, these may be found in the historical and sacred texts/odes/poems of that particular tradition.

 

TOUCH

The uses of the implements invoke in the subconscious - the action necessary and often imparted by the invoked and/or present Higher Energy Form. They are the physical action which is transported within the Idea. (For example - in a rite of Union - the athame or blade placed with the chalice is representative of thus union and sent out as such to the aetherial plane)

 

MIND

The state of mind/being during the ritual with the fusible aid of the implements, sacraments and vestments of the Rite and the post-Rite contemplation thereof.

 

II. THE ELEMENTS OF MAGIC

 

The historical, lexical and philosophical definition and understanding of the elements of magick is necessary for the complete understanding of not only the religious significance of the Rite but also the historical origin of the practice as pertaining to the tradition practised. This combine in the modern practice thereof. Certain actions prompt specific reactions as specified in the continuance of that which is the Original or Transformational Idea which is external to personal opinion and consistent with the patterns existing within Nature.

 

Each of the individual abstract elements combined with the traditional elements will be discussed individually on the levels mentioned. These elements may be viewed on many other levels but for the purpose of this hypothesis are arranged as follows.

 

THE CIRCLE

 

The Lexical Circle

Defined as:

One Dimensional Circles (Flat Circles) -

(1)    A plane figure bounded by a curved line, equally distant from the centre. Also the circumference of an object.

(2)    An enclosure, ring or halo

(3)    A series ending at the starting point - a repeated succession or system

(4)    A circular path or circuit.

(5)    A crown or diadem

(6)    The orbit of a heavenly body - formerly the supposed sphere of a planet or other body.

(7)    The domain of a special influence.

(8)    An association of persons

 

These should be meditated upon in their abstract form from a stationary observance.

 

Three Dimensional Circles

 

The Personal Passive Sphere

(1)    A globe, ball, orb

(2)    One of the heavenly bodies - the sun, the moon, a planet or star.

(3)    The apparent outer dome of the heavens on which the heavenly bodies appear to be suspend.

(4)    Compass or field of activity, endeavour or influence.

(5)    A three dimensional system for indicating the shape of a solid by means of a sphere with a pole (the body) at the centre.

 

The Personal Active Sphere

(1)    The surface described by a semi-circle making one complete rotation on its diameter as a fixed axis.

(2)    To encircle, encompass.

(3)    To set among the celestial spheres

 

These should be meditated upon in their abstract form.

 

THE NUMERICAL CIRCLE

 

(0 = 1)

 

In their individual values as follows

 

0

The tangible idea versus the intangible thought. Manifested in the primordial proto-birth as a dot yet is spherical in its minute form. That which is the imprint of individual life in infinitesimal space. Monad. Emerges the Zero in which must be sought all substance on the physical plane.

Zero then become finite by its limitation within itself.

 

Zero enfolds to a single line which rotates to 1

 

1

Extended 0 may only be recognised as a straight or curved line. In the final analysis all would end up as a combination spherical manifestation comprising within and without a dual aspect. The emanation from the 'One' .

1 is a positive within its own negative and demonstrates as white.

 

This is a first degree understanding of this concept and should be meditated upon as a single rotation of the emergence of 0.

 

THE PHILOSOPHICAL CIRCLE

 

Sacred Geometry - The Sacred Circle

The philosophy of the Pythagoreans which was inspiration to the Ideas of Plato was mathematics. Plato understood the Universe to be organised in the accordance with the mathematical Ideas of number and geometry. These ideas are invisible, apprehensible only to the intelligence and yet can be discovered to be the formative causes and regulators of all empirically visible objects and processes. The Platonic and Pythagorean concepts of mathematics differed. Plato understood circles, triangles and numbers to not merely be quantitative structures imposed on the mind by natural phenomena but rather as numinous and transcendent entities, existing independently of both the phenomena they order and the mind that perceives them. To Plato there exists a deeper, timeless order of absolutes behind the surface confusion of the temporal world. The transcendent reality could be encountered through the astronomical contemplation and understanding of the heavens, which displayed the moving geometry of the visible Gods. The transcendent could also be approached through myth and the poetic imagination as well as attending to an aesthetic resonance within the psyche touched off by the presence of the archetypal in veiled form within the phenomenal world.

 

THE HISTORICAL CIRCLE

 

Ancient Babylonians drew a circle of flour on the floor around the bed of a sick man to drive off demons. Mages drew up exact circles, marked with symbols and signs sacred to the Art to evoke Daemons from the Aetherial planes. Circlets of Ivy have been worn by brides for age upon age whilst garlands have been hung at entrances to doorways and houses to keep prosperity within and drive misfortune out. Circles of trees with clearings have been considered natural scared areas in any country they occur in. Rounded stones are the signs of blessing of the Goddess Diana. Whilst stones placed in a round have been used to keep energy in an enclosed space as well as demarcate a sacred area such as Stonehenge. Circles or wheels of willow have been intertwined and interwoven to illustrate the turning of the seasonal year. The circle or sphere is the finite within the infinite. The sphere was made one dimensional and then flattened in order to understand and illustrate a widening perspective of global sea travel and then made spherical again and spun in order to understand gravity. The teaching of as it is in the heavens as it is on Earth or As above so below , leaves us spinning on our axis perceiving in our subconscious the eternal sphere and knowing the turning to be the life of Earth. This we unconsciously translate as the circles and spheres of protection that we place around ourselves and around others as the symbol of Creation.

 

THE WORKING MAGICKAL CIRCLE

 

In order to explain the workings of a magickal circle and the correct casting thereof, there must first be a short discourse on the Ancient Elementals and the Chemical Elements thereof,  from the numerical value of 5 along with their properties and magickal teaching symbol. All discourse on the casting of circles will be given from a neutral perspective in order for various traditions to use the basic circle procedure regardless of supra or sub lunar affiliation. Traditionally a circle is cast from east to east in a clockwise direction but deeper insight as to the transcendent properties of the elements leads to a composition on the emotive qualities of the philosophical elements and the manifestation of magickal intent linked thereto.

 

THE ELEMENTALS

 

The Lexical Elements

 

Element

(i)                  An ultimate and essential principle in the make-up of anything.

(ii)                In ancient times thought to be of the substances supposed to make up all things - earth, air, fire and water. Still in popular use.

(iii)               The natural sphere or environment.

(iv)               One of the forms or data that which together compose a figure, as a line, a point, a plane, a space.

(v)                A group actuated by certain beliefs or traditions.

 

Elemental

(i)                  Connected to the fundamental or basic constituent of anything primary.

(ii)                A rudiment or First Principle

(iii)               Pertaining to the four elements of ancient physics - fire, air, earth and water.

(iv)               The Forces, phenomena or powers of physical Nature often personified as Elemental Spirits - the animating fifth element.

(v)                The great primal powers of Nature.

 

The Philosophical Origin of the Elements

 

The Elements were identified by Anaximander in the 6^TH Century BCE in term of two pairs of opposed qualities - hot/cold and dry/moist, almost one hundred years before Empedocles introduced the four elements. One hundred years after Empedocles, Aristotle introduced his systematic analysis of the elements in terms of qualities.

 

Earth  -           Dry and Cold                -           predominantly Dry

Water -           Cold and Moist             -           predominantly Cold

Air      -           Moist and Hot               -           predominantly Moist

Fire    -           Hot and Dry                  -           predominantly Hot

 

Aristotle viewed that the whole cosmos was finite and circumscribed by a perfect sphere, within which were set the fixed stars. Aristotle based the Earth's uniqueness, centrality and immobility not only on self-evidence and common sense but also on his theory on the elements. The heavier elements, earth and water, moved according to their intrinsic nature toward the universes centre ( then considered the Earth - as a meditation consider this philosophy), while the lighter elements, air and fire, intrinsically move upward away from the centre. The lightest element being Aether - transparent, purer than fire and divine - the substance of which the heavens were composed, and its natural motion was circular.

 

The  Individual Elements and Properties of Ancient Physics

 

Air

(i)                  The mixture of gases that forms the apparent blue envelope of the earth - the atmosphere.

(ii)                The open space above and around the earth.

(iii)               An atmospheric movement or current; wind, breeze.

(iv)               Something light and ethereal: atmospheric perspective.

(v)                Unformed

 

Properties of Air

(i)                  By means of Air

(ii)                Atmospheric Air

(iii)               Conducting, refining and regulating Air

(iv)               Performed by Air

 

Fire

(i)                  The evolution of heat and light by combustion

(ii)                A spark or sparks, a light, lustre or flash.

(iii)               Lightening

(iv)               A luminous object in the sky, as a star or meteor.

(v)                Intensity of feeling or action, ardour; passion, vivacity.

 

Properties of Fire

(i)                  By means of Fire

(ii)                Burning Fire

(iii)               Combustible, purifying, refining Fire

(iv)               Performed by Fire

 

Water

(i)                  A colourless, transparent, limpid liquid compound

(ii)                A body of water - the sea, ocean, river, lake.

(iii)               Lubricant

(iv)               Passive principal capable of all elemental possibilities in forms

(v)                Primordial birth waters

 

Properties of Water

(i)                  By means of Water

(ii)                Moist Water

(iii)               Undulating, nourishing, swelling Water

(iv)               Performed by Water

 

Earth

(i)                  The solid portion of or surface of the globe; ground

(ii)                In primary form the soil as distinguished from rock

(iii)               The ground that forms part of an electrical circuit

(iv)               Temporal and transient interests as contrasted with spiritual pursuits

(v)                Those who inhabit the globe at large

 

Properties of Earth

(i)                  By means of Earth

(ii)                Fertile soil

(iii)               Charged, conducting, fixed Earth

(iv)               Performed by Earth

 

SYMBOLISM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           1                                                            2                                                 3

 

The symbolism of the Rite is as follows:

 

1                     The Circle - universal symbol (discussed in detail previously)

2                     The Elemental Pentagram

3                     The Pentagram of Protection

 

THE ELEMENTAL PENTAGRAM

A figure composed of five straight lines making a star that includes a pentagon.

The elements are arranged at each of the five points. These ancient elementals may only be conceived as a plane awareness made possible by an intangible essence or spirit substance called Aether. The three triangles which form the five pointed geometric symbol indicate that solid, liquid and gas will find their counterparts, earth, water and air through fire. This is indicative that the visible fire has its source in a higher invisible energy. Thus solar radiation has been related to that intangible substance infusing all matter. This five pointed figure may also be associated with the five senses discussed earlier. Touch, taste, smell, sight and auditory recognition. The evolution within this symbol exercises the prerogative to bring forth its progression to further its essential performance. This has its own Quintessence. Emerging as an active principle this registers as a positive polarity.

 

 

                                                                     SPIRIT    

                                                                       

 

 

 

                                                AIR                                           WATER

                                                East                                          West

 

 

                                                EARTH                                      FIRE

                                                North                                        South                           

 

 

THE ELEMENTAL PENTAGRAM - based on the Golden Dawn directional association

 

 

THE PENTAGRAMS OF INVOCATION

 

 

 

 

           AIR                                                                                                                    WATER

           East                                                                                                                   West

 

 

These are the pentagrams used to call the individual Elementals from their planes of existence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        EARTH                                                                                                      FIRE

        South                                                                                                        North

 

THE PENTAGRAMS OF EMISSION

 

 

 

 

 

     AIR                                                                                                              WATER

     East                                                                                                             West

 

These are the pentagrams used at the end of the Rite to send forth the Elementals to their planes of existence.

 

 

 

 

  

      EARTH                                                                                                        FIRE

      South                                                                                                          North

THE MAGICKAL PENTAGRAM

 

A circle containing certain mystical symbols inscribed upon the points of a pentagram, (also called Pentacle). This is a permanent feature of a ceremonial circle. This symbol along with the markings is of the second magickal degree.

 

THE NUMERIC MAGICKAL PENTAGRAM

 

The pentagram as a universal absolute has the numerical value of five or Quinta in Latin. The positive active principle is stabilised and unaffected by the 0 value of the circle thus remaining a positive polarity.

 

THE ENERGY

 

The energy that is to be contained, conducted, directed and released during the Rite firstly needs to raised, there are various means of doing this. Energy is defined as the power by which anything acts effectively to move or change other things or accomplish any results. According to physics, energy is the capacity to overcome inertia by means of light, heat, radiation or compound forces.  The levels of energy are any of several discrete states which an electron may assume, transmission between which is associated with the emission of quanta, known as the quantum state being one has quantity or is concrete.

 

III. THE PRODECURE OF THE RITE

 

Prior to the beginning of any rite, a cleansing of the area where the ritual will take place should occur. Depending on the vibrations that are required will determine the type of cleansing and general purification of the area. A ritual bath should take place immediately prior to the Rite. All implements needed should be placed in the ritual area prior to the bath.

 

THE RITUAL BATH

 

The water of this ritual bath should be purified with Hyssop or sandalwood oil. The visualisation is that of a darkened womb prior to a spiritual rebirth when leaving the water. The energy contained within and around the aura may often become polluted. The visualisation needed to clear this is of your higher body entering a body of water. Visualise the murkiness around your body dissolving in the pure body of water around you. When the water is crystal clear, end the visualisation. Fresh lemon peel may be used as a purification sponge. As emerging from the bath feel your birth from the spiritual water. Robes or clean loose fitting clothing should be worn. Hair should be bound.

 

The Rite

 

The area has been purified and on the altar various symbols pertaining to the rite, as well as representations of the elements have been placed in the quarters (areas designated to the Elementals), e.g.; a feather  or incense in the east, a candle in the north, a shell or bowl of water in the west, and a crystal or mound of soil in the south. These may be placed on the altar with the other implements placed in the centre of the altar or they may be placed on the ground in their quarters with yourself in the centre of the circle. If you should want to work within a pentagram, place the items in the various compass points with an image or representation of  God/dess at the point of Spirit/Aether.

Stand in silence and centre yourself. When relaxed, starting in the East walk your way around the circle in a clockwise direction whilst visualising electric blue light pouring from your  fingertip or sword/wand. When your circle is completed and you stand once more in the East, centre yourself once more and light the incense or raise the feather. Draw an invocational water pentagram and call on the Spirit(s)/Guardian of Air/ the East to bear witness to and be present at your Rite. When the spirit is felt (a slight breeze), welcome them and turn to the North, light your candle. Draw an invocational fire pentagram and call on the Spirit(s)/Guardian of Fire/the North, when the presence is felt (a sudden heat rising), welcome them and turn to the West. Raise your shell or bowl of water  and draw an invocational water pentagram, call on the Spirit(s)/Guardian of Water/ the West, when the spirit is felt (a coolness), welcome them and turn to the South. Hold your crystal or soil up, draw an invocational earth pentacle and call to the Spirit(s)/Guardian of Earth/ the South. When the presence is felt ( a heaviness in the air), welcome them and complete the circle to the East if working within a plain circle. Return to the Centre and light the Goddess candle and invoke Her in a poetic manner. If working with both the God and Goddess, light the God candle and call to him in a poetic manner. Spoken hymns may be used rather than invocational verse. Centre yourself once more and then state the intention of the Ritual and gather any herbs, bags etc needed for the spell, blessing them and consecrating them for the purpose of the spell. Raise the energy, visualise the intent and direct and release the energy in the relevant way. When the spell work is finished, give thanks to the Gods (make an offering if wished) and bid them well. Blow out the candles representing them. Walk to the south - lift the soil/crystal, draw an earth pentagram of emission and thank them and bid them to leave. Do the same with each element in an anti-clockwise manner. When finished walk around the circle in anti-clockwise direction and visualise the electric blue light returning to you. When the circle is done say - 'the circle is broken but shall always be a circle, so mote it be'.

 

Bury any offerings and elemental symbols that you are not going to keep.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

The method of grounding the spell will depend on the nature of the intent and manifestation using the elemental order stated above will manifest in the physical realm according to the natural elemental order. Difference in intent and desired manifestation will vary in ritual elemental directions according to the nature of the spell. The above mentioned Rite is the basic ritual which may be varied according to personal taste and tradition.

 

Sources

                                                           

Clavicula Salomonis Regis                       translated by Samuel Liddell & MacGregor Mathers

Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary       Funk & Wagnalls Company         

The Passion of the Western Mind Richard Tarnas

The Rotation of the Elements                   John Opsopaus

Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft     Raymond Buckland

Praxis Spagyrica Philosophica                  Frater Albertus