From: Paul Seymour Area: Metaphysical To: ALL 28 Sep 94 17:14:54 Subject: The Circle UpdReq * Forwarded from "AUST_WICCA" * Originally by Julia Phillips * Originally to All * Originally dated 27 Sep 1994, 20:25 ============================================================================= * Forwarded by Julia Phillips (93:9180/9) * Area : OPEN.MAGIC (OPEN.MAGIC) * From : Julia Phillips, 37:200/101 (22 Aug 94 23:26) * To : All * Subj : The Circle ============================================================================= Hello All! This was something that I wrote quite a few years ago, which I thought might be useful to post here as a starting point for a discussion about circle casting. It isn't meant to be holy writ, so please don't read it that way :) It is only one way of looking at the circle casting, which I did to exercise the brain cells . Text begins: One way to analyse the circle casting is as follows: The Point: Where you start. The beginning before shape or form. The Circle: The expansion of the point, without beginning or end. The Line: The point becomes two points, represented in the circle by the magus (lingam). The Triangle: The third point, giving depth and stability, represented in the circle by the priestess (yoni). The Square: Of the four Quarters. Form and structure defined into physical manifestation: the cardinal directions and first stage of the spiral. The Pentagram: The five elements - symbol of mankind within the circle of the mysteries. The Hexagram: The Spiral - the cone of power created through the equal and opposite interraction of the four quarters, heaven and earth, and through the energy which is raised. The Heptagram: The number seven represents the Seven Sacred Planets, which have as much place in a Craft circle as in formal astrology. Modern Wiccan tradition draws upon many sources for its beliefs and rites; commonly the beliefs of ancient Pagan societies, particularly those of Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Celtic pantheons. Today the emphasis in many Wiccan groups centres around the Moon and The Sun, allocating one (normally the Moon) feminine characteristics, and the other male characteristics, but nevertheless, the Seven Sacred Planets are all implicit within Wiccan rites, and whilst it is unecessary to understand the mathematics or procedures for erecting charts, it is important to have an understanding of the qualities which each of the planets possesses. The seven sacred planets are symbolic representations of energy types, and express certain qualities. The number eight contains a mystery which is in some ways the counterpart to the pentagram. The number eight represents magick itself; in Wicca it is often combined with the number five to create the number forty, which is held to be sacred to the God/dess. In other words, the pentagram (mankind) and the number eight (magick) together create that which is sacred to the God/ dess; mankind enlightened. In the light of this, reconsider the thongs/ knots on the scourge; the five-fold kiss; the jet and amber necklace of the HPS; the eight paths of power and the five essentials; the eight magickal weapons, etc. It is also worth noting that Qabalisticically, the number forty is the sum of all the sephiroth in each of the worlds. The Nine is represented in the Wiccan circle in a number of ways, most originating from a basis of 3 times 3. Following this basis, some groups make nine passes when casting their circle; traditionally the circle is nine feet in diameter; in some traditions, there are three cords, each being 3 metres in length, and so on. It also represents the three phases of the Priestess (yoni = 3) in being Maiden, Mother and Crone. The number ten is represented through a working partnership: mankind is represented by the pentagram, thus two people working harmoniously together as in a partnership will create the number ten. Qabalistically, ten is completion and manifestation upon the Earth plane. It is possible to analyse the circle casting Qabalistically; the following gives one example (and one only!) of how this can be done: The beginning of manifestation: the point (Kether) which equates with the circle. The circle is still beyond our physical senses but through raw power (Chokmah) being given purpose and direction by Binah, it is brought through to physical form and structure by squaring the circle (Chesed). To begin working, uncontrolled energy and power is raised (Geburah) then balanced and focussed (Tipareth). But to take it further, one must draw upon both the intellect (Hod) and the emotions (Netzach) - these are also balanced through Tipareth, and combine there with the power of Geburah and the structure of Chesed. The four qualities combined in Tipareth are allowed to flow into the imagination (Yesod), and the final stage is to bring it through to material manifestation in Malkuth. Remember: magic is a combination of heaven and earth. You can draw earth energy, but you must create in the mind; you can create in the mind, but to be effective it must be brought through to physical manifestation on earth. As Above So Below. ***Text ends Have fun folks :) B*B Julia -+- GoldED 2.42.G1219 + Origin: Hiraeth BBS Australia (37:200/101) ============================================================================= SEEN-BY: 102/943 128/101 382/502 9010/0 9030/0 9040/0 9081/0 9090/0 9100/0 SEEN-BY: 9180/6 9 10 13 14 18 9183/0 9184/0 9187/0 9190/0 9300/0 9400/0 SEEN-BY: 9500/0 9540/0 9580/0 9600/0 9660/0 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718