Everyone needs a little Magick in their life.
It's important (especially for beginning Wiccans) to cast a Magick Circle before every spell you cast.
Yes... a lot of students have complained about this...but it's a small price to pay for successful spells, and protection from negative energy.
Are you a man or a woman?
And remember, your Magick Circle not only protects you while you are casting spells, but it also helps you build up more energy within the circle... which will all be released when you finish the spell. (Hint: the more energy you build up, the higher your chance for spell success...)
You will cast the"Magick Circle" right over (or on top of) the "physical" circle you mark off around your altar.
Yes... there are certain spells where it is difficult (or impossible) to cast a Magick circle... or even to perform them at an altar... but those are few and far between. If you're a beginner, I recommend only doing spells where you can cast a circle around.
Ignore this advice, and you leave yourself open to negative energies entering into your spell which can render it ineffective.
Here's a simple process any beginning spell caster can use to cast a Magick Circle before doing a spell.
STEP 1: After you have setup the "physical" circle boundaries, make sure all of the items you'll need for the spell are on your altar, or in the circle.
STEP 2: Make sure you represent each of the 4 elements in the four quarters of your circle...or at least make sure they are represented on your altar. These are "water", "air" (incense), "fire" (a candle), and "earth" (salt).
STEP 3: Use your finger, athame, butter knife, or wand to walk around the inside edge of your circle... clockwise... 3 times. As you do this repeat:
"Cast the circle 3 times about, to keep bad energy out."
STEP 4: Call on any dieties you wish to have help you with the spell... and ask them to protect the circle as well.
STEP 5: Cast your spell...
STEP 6: "Open" the circle by walking 3 times counterclockwise. Say, "Open the circle, 3 times about, release the energy." You are done. Make sure to thank any deities or spirits you called on during the spell...and also thank the elements.
Are you a man or a woman?