1.
Candles: You will need several candles. Five white candles will be required. You will place one of these candles at each quarter of your circle. You will place one white candle in the north. The north is governed by the elemental of Earth. You will place a second white candle in the east. The elemental of the Air governs the East. The third white candle is placed in the South. The South is overseen by the elemental of fire. The fourth white candle is placed in the West. Water is the elemental of the West.
The fifth white candle is placed upon your altar. Try to keep an altar cloth (a piece of velvet works well and is aesthetically pleasing, but each practitioner has distinct ideas regarding intricacy or simplicity for this item). Just be certain that the altar cloth is used for no other purpose.
2.Cord:
You will need a piece of rope or braided twine measured at exactly 4 1/2 feet long. You can wear this rope to cinch your robe until it is needed. The practitioner's magicke circle is exactly 9 feet in diameter. If you choose to practice alone, you may fold the cord in half and use it the same way. This way, you will have a 4 1/2 foot circle. This will almost surely be enough for you, your altar, and any other tools you may require. The practitioner stands in the center of the chosen spot. This spot may be indoors or outdoors. Some witches may disagree (in fact, I'm pretty sure about this, but it works either way); we have found that though it is true that looking up at the full moon may help you to keep your magickal objective in mind, it may also draw attention from neighbors. This can be disruptive. Concentration is of the utmost importance. Remember that the Goddess will hear you no matter where you are. When you have found the center of the circle, you anchor the rope with tape or a book (whatever is handy). Then you stretch it out to its full length. You then walk around in a clockwise direction (always clockwise--known as deosil--for positive magicke). If you move in a counterclockwise direction, it is called "widdershins." This activity is used for negative magicke (hopefully, the only thing you will ever use this for is to kill weeds in your garden or to get rid of household pests. One other use is getting rid of a "Freddie(old boy/girl friend who has worn out his/her welcome)." We won't go into this too much right now.
3. You will need a colored candle on the altar, too. The color of the second candle is determined by your magickal objective. Red for love and passion, blue for healing the sick, purple for royalty or power, green for money.(Note: Be sure your candles are the same color on the inside that they are on the outside. Many supermarket candles are colored on the outside but white in the center.)
4.
Next, you will need a chalice and a bottle of wine. During the rite you will pour a libation and drink a toast to the Goddess.
5.
Censer~~Incense is also important for setting the mood and sometimes for achieving your magickal ends. There are several different kinds, all of which work. There are different incenses for different spells. The worst smelling one I know of is Dragon's Blood. But,for now, just buy your favorite. Sandlewood is my favorite and my family usually humors me. If you don't currently have a preference, try several different ones.Note: Don't forget matches! You'll also need a "thurible" or incense burner. You'll save time if you get the kind that will allow you to sprinkle your incense of choice on a small piece of burning charcoal.
6.
The Athame~~ Some witches find this ceremonial knife (blade sharpened on both sides) indispensable, but I find that the index finger of your right hand works just as well. If you decide to use an Athame you may wish to consider making your own. The same goes for all magickal and divination tools. The more of your essence you pour into the tool, the stronger the magicke and the more at home you will feel with the object. If you have no idea how to go about making a knife, we will try to help. Some Craft friends of mine made their own Athames and consecrated them as they went through the stages of tempering the blade. They poured saltwater over it, stuck the blade into the fire, stuck the blade into the Earth and cooled it with a bellows--you get the idea. The Athame works as an extension of your hand anyway. Once you cast your circle with salt (always moving in a clockwise direction), then you go round again pointing your athame or, alternatively, your index finger, at the circle and envisioning a blue circle of flames rising up and surrounding you.
7. Asperger~~ A small container of saltwater for consecrating (blessing) the articles you use in the circle. If you can add seasalt to tapwater that is a good choice. If you have access to ocean water or true saltwater that's even better. But if adding kitchen salt to tapwater is your only choice at the time of the full moon, then by all means, do it. Be sure to consecrate the containers and tools by the four elements.
You light the altar candles and then you cast your circle with salt. If you've drawn it on with chalk beforehand, it should be easy to follow the lines. Then you light the four quarter candles, beginning at the East and ending up back in the East. Your altar should be facing this direction. Now, to finish casting the circle, you use your Athame (or your index finger) to point at the circle of salt. Moving always in a clockwise direction you should envision a circle of blue flames rising up from the salt. The circle of blue flames will protect you from any hostile entities who might wander across the diminisional barrier! You should also have with you paper or parchment (if possible), a pen, your spellbook (if you use one) and your book of shadows to record what happens. Once you cast the circle, NEVER leave it for any reason.
