Ch.8 The Magick Circle (WMB 8.f)

Extract from: Wicca: Magical Beginnings written by d’Este & Rankine, 2008 (Avalonia.) PB / Kindle @ https://amzn.to/3Ay4HJr.

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As well as magickal tools, words are part of the construction of the magick circle. In many of the grimoires there is no mention of words being spoken during the construction of the magick circle, a practice which is very much used in the Wiccan tradition. There are however exceptions which hint at possible origins for this practice. In the Grimoire of Pope Honorius, dating back to 1670, we find instructions on words to be spoken whilst making the magick circle. Although the phraseology bears no resemblance to the words used in Wicca, the heading of “That which must be said whilst making the protective circle” is clearly descriptive of the union of words with actions and can also be seen to contain recognisable themes expressed in the Wiccan circle casting. Here we may note that Gardner possessed a manuscript copy of the Grimoire of Pope Honorius in his collection. The grimoire gives the following wording:

“I make this circle to bind and restrain the evil spirits, in the Name of the Father + and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost + that it may be impossible for any of the evil spirits to enter into the circle or to work evil to any who may be present in any way whatsoever”

Significantly more than a century earlier, Trithemius in The Art of Drawing Spirits into Crystals gives words to be spoken whilst tracing the magick circle, with a black ebony wand as previously discussed. Again the protective nature of the magick circle is stressed:

“In the name of the blessed Trinity, I consecrate this piece of ground for our defence; so that no evil spirit may have power to break these bounds prescribed here; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Another grimoire, the Munich Manuscript (Clm 849), is covered in detail by the author and researcher Richard Kieckhefer in his book Forbidden Rites. This fifteenth century German grimoire, written in Latin, contains interesting examples of a pre-Key of Solomon circle casting with many of the same components later seen in the Wiccan magick circle. The conjuration of the spirits at the end is repeated at each cardinal point, summoning the spirits in a similar manner to the guardians of the watchtowers.

“…in a secret place outside of town, under a clear sky, on level ground, trace a circle such as appears here, with a magnificent sword, writing these names and everything shown along with them … when you have done this, take blessed water and sprinkle yourself and the circle, saying ‘Asperges me, Domine …’ [Ps 50:9]. When you have done this, kneel facing the east, and in a strong voice say, ‘I, so-and-so, conjure you, O Fyriel, Mememil, Berith, Taraor, powerful, magnificent, illustrious spirits’,”

Extract from: Wicca: Magical Beginnings written by d’Este & Rankine, 2008 (Avalonia.) PB / Kindle @ https://amzn.to/3Ay4HJr. Shared here with the intention to inspire and inform the now and future generations interested in Wicca and other Pagan traditions inspired by it.