In Wicca and other pagan traditions, there exists a practice known as casting a circle or "circle casting". Circle casting is generally done with salt, crystals, candles or other purifying materials, and requires special rituals to be considered effective.
By tracing a circle or pentacle, the practitioner consecrates an area within this shape for either temporary or permanent protection. This circle affords those within it to carry out magical rituals or spells without interference. Most traditions will say that one must go around the circle deasil (clock-wise) three times: once to cleanse the circle with salt, a second time to cleanse it with water, and a third time to cleanse the circle with incense. A common incense to use is frankincense or myrrh.
However, the main reason for casting a circle is to contain the energy raised within it. As more and more energy is raised from chanting and dancing the energy becomes more concentrated. After the circle has been cast it is believed that if forms a "cone of power"; which starts on the ground as the circle shape and extends upwards to make a point, thus creating a cone shape (this is also where the shape for a "witches' hat" comes from). When magic is done being performed, the energy is then released through this point to enter the universe and serve its purpose.
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This circle is also believed to be an area which straddles two dimensions or realities. It becomes a sacred space between the mudane world and the otherside. Also known as the "veil between worlds".
The most common set-up for a Wiccan circle would be with four (4) candles, one at each cardinal direction:
North: green for the element of Earth
East: yellow for the element of Air
South: red for the element of Fire
West: blue for the element of Water
Optionally, one could put a purple candle in the center to represent the spirit elemental or even use only white candles for each direction.
The effectiveness of any barriers being created can strongly depend on how much meditation the practitioner has done, the concentration they put into the rituals, and even what direction they are facing. Most Wiccans face East and put their altars in the East to petition the sunrise, but others face North for the North Star or to start with the Earth when casting a circle.
Other purposes
The purpose of circle casting sometimes may not be for protection, but for allowing the practitioner to achieve harmony with Earth or self-purification. They may put themselves within the circle as a way to focus the power that they are conjuring into a small area rather than allow it to extend all over the place.
Maintaining the circle
The barrier is fragile and sensitive to things passing through it. Leaving or passing through the circle often weakens or dispels the barrier. Most Wiccans agree that animals and small children do not disturb the circle and can pass freely through it. Although dogs have been known to acknowledge the boundaries of the circle and will not enter.
In order to leave a circle and keep it intact, Wiccans believe you must cut a door in the energy of the circle. Using the athame, an archway is "cut" in the circle, at which point anything may pass through without harming the circle.
Closing the circle
The circle is usually closed or "grounded" by the practitioner after they have finished by drawing in the energy with the athame or their hand (usually in an anticlockwise or widdershins fashion), then sending it back into the ground. Sometimes the effect of the barrier may remain after closing it. The term "closed" or "grounded" is used since the circle is not seen as being "broken". Rather, the practitioner will close down the circle as a kind of retirement instead of breaking the circle, which would imply that the spell or ritual itself is broken as a result.
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