The alchemical magic circle

  Dear readers and friends,                               

Today I present to you a topic of my Magic Alkemic Path : The Alchemical Magic Circle.  

Articolo in italiano su OlisticaMente Kokoro 

The alchemical magic circle

The magic circle is a ritual of very ancient origins which had particular use in ceremonial magic, practiced above all between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, then later returned to use in the 19th century.

The tracing of this circle was used as a form of protection, to keep out potentially negative and evil energies that were evoked in a triangle placed outside it. The magic circle draws its symbolic essence from the archetype of the circle, a geometric figure which is a symbol of fullness but also of continuity and cyclicality. The shape of the circle itself is intended to symbolize harmony, completeness and perfection, therefore a state of consciousness projected into a symbol which, according to studies conducted in psychoanalysis by Carl Gustav Jung, represents the archetype of psychic individuation (i.e. the affirmation of one's Self).

In the ritual context, the Magic Circle expresses the practitioner's will to recreate a space around him in which to recall energies, linked to the universe and its dynamics, necessary for the fulfillment of his rituals. The magic circle therefore represents the sacred spiritual space in which to perform rituals, acts of devotion, meditation and spiritual practices.

Magic circles can be created from small stones, ropes, ores, candles, among other items.

How to make the magic circle

The first thing to do is to clean the place where the magic circle will be created. Sweep the floor if it is indoors, light incense or create one with herbs that we will see later. If it's outdoors, which I highly recommend, you don't need to do anything, nature does it all. You could go to a wood, a pine forest, obviously away from prying eyes and noises. Obviously there are many theories on its construction according to the times and places in which it was conceived. Here we will give the basic rules that have been adopted in Europe as in all the topics of this course. Before building the circle, we gather in meditation, breathe deeply and manifest the intention for which we want to create the circle, to create a sacred space for example. We start from the East, then invoke the elemental spirits or deities that are closest to you, we have seen many in agreement with the elements. Then the power of the air element is invoked, an offering is made to mark the cardinal point, like lit incense. So different methods and visualizations can be used here, the most common being visualization with the use of a wand. But like all objects they are not essential, they are just extensions of ourselves. So I always use the 3 magician's fingers. You visualize the color energy of the air coming out of your fingers or wand and turning clockwise you trace the first line until you reach north. Here the same procedure is carried out and a donation is made (a bowl with earth for example) then with the energy of the color of the earth the second stretch is traced up to the west. Here again the invocation and the offering (for example a bowl with water) and we continue to trace the circle with the energy of the color of the water element until we reach the south. Where obviously the same procedure is performed: invocation and offer (for example a lighted candle) and continue to trace the circle with the color of fire, red, until you reach east again. Once here, the circle is consecrated with an invocation such as: "With the power of the elements that has been granted to me, I close and consecrate this circle for my protection. Thanks thanks thanks". This is the version with the 4 elements.

The version with the 5 elements only changes the visualization: the energy that comes out from the fingers or from the brilliant white rod of the fifth essence that we will see in the third course.

North – Earth

East - Air

West – Water

South - Fire

Obviously, before creating the circle for any purpose, bring everything you need to carry out your ritual with you. Once the circle is closed It is best not to break or cross it before the ritual is over.

To remove or open the circle you will start from the north this time and you will visualize the energy with which you created the circle entering you again through your fingers or through the wand. When you have finished opening the circle, thank the four elements, the elemental spirits and all the deities you have invoked. At the end of the closure, return the energy of the circle to the earth. What is generally accepted and performed. A simple visualization of the excess energy that returns to the earth through your feet (preferably barefoot). At the end of the meditation with visualization always at your discretion, remove all offers and if you can donate them to nature, bury them if they are not polluting or throw them in the trash. If you are outdoors always leave the area you worked in better than you found it.

 

Medicine wheel of the natives, example of a magic circle from another vision.