Casting the Circle
by Sgeir
This is a poem to be recited as you cast your circle. It assumes you have something representing the four elements within your circle - I generally use incense (air), salt (earth), water, and a candle (fire). Either light the candle, set the incense burning, and dip your athame into the water/salt as you are reciting the poem, or draw a pentagram over them with your athame while saying it. Whatever you normally do, really.
Before the altar/images of the Gods
I bow my head before You,
I worship and adore You,
You have birthed me,
And You sustain me,
I am forever Yours.
Guard me as I cast this circle,
Protect me as I Craft,
Open for me the Doorway,
Let me see all things to be seen.
Before Air
First to You, in sweeping wind,
Do I my homage pay,
In power and in majesty robe me,
In Your element of Air!
Before Earth
Then in green lushness soaked
I see You standing tall,
Lend to me the world's power,
Clothe me in the nature of Earth!
Before Water
In roaring seas alone I see
The beauty of Your face
The power of the waves surround me,
Bathe me in the element of Water!
Before Fire
In sustaining and devouring light
I see Your flaming face
Consecrate me with its power
Join me with the element of Fire!
With upraised arms, or athame
Goddess, hear my request!
And open doors between the worlds
Set me outside of Time itself
And guard my circle of Art!