Expert: Alayne Grey - 9/5/2007

Question
I've been searching for info on the wiccan religion and spells and i keep coming across cleansing rituals and protection circle and I'd really like to know what exactly they are. i found one thing about cleansing ritual but i want all the facts and info before i decide to join the wiccan religion and/or try to cast any spells. and if i am to try to cast any spells how do i make sure I'm protected properly?

Answer
Hi Jessy,

The Wiccan use of the circle is to define "sacred space" or a place in which to work magic from the ordinary space all around. (As I'm a Druid, I believe all space is sacred, therefore I don't make circles.) In Wicca, the circle gets drawn around the Wiccan prior to casting a spell or performing a ritual; it has to be "opened" ceremonially with an athame, or a finger acting as one, before it can be left, and closed the same way once inside. It takes practice to do.

Cleansing rituals are generally for consecration - to make tools special and specifically for ritual purposes. The besom (broom) is used to sweep negative energies out of the circle as part of the consecration, and incense and salt water can be used to cleanse tools prior to use. Some people say you should do it before every use, but you could just decide to do it only once in a while, and keep your tools in a special box.

Surprisingly, spell casting isn't such a big part of Wicca as people think; not are these rituals. You only do them when doing magic. Personally, I think the intent - not all the itsy bitsy preparation - is the most important thing in spell-making. The circle is to contain magical energies or keep ordinary energies out; trust me when I say there aren't invisible entities that will get you if you don't cast a circle.

Hope this helps!

Alayne