elements & directions

[Silverm00n]

MM,

For those of you who cast circles, which direction do you associate to each element? Do you use the standard east: air, south: fire, west: water, north: earth? Or do you have your own setup?

I personally think to achieve balance, you should put an elements opposite right across from it, i.e: east:fire, south: air, west: water, north: earth.

Just curious! :)

[DarkFairy]

Hmm...that sounds interesting. I would probably get too confused though. Where did you find this out about there being more balance?
DarkFairy

[Silverm00n]

It's just a personal preference for me, but any which way is just fine and works just as well.

[DarkFairy]

That's totally cool that you have found something different from the traditional way of doing it and it works for you. I was reading in Buckland's "Complete Book of Wtichcraft" that you have to start from the east instead of north while casting circle. Is this true? Also you have to have your altar facing east as well as the "door." What do you think? I have been taught to start at the north and go from there and that there is no particular direction to have your altar facing. I don't know. Should I go with what i feel is right? Or listen to all the technicalities?
DarkFairy:confused:

[VictorianBelle84]

Personally, I would go with what you feel is right. Afterall, if it works well for you, who is to say it's wrong?

[DarkFairy]

That's so true. I know how technical Buckland is anyways.:rolleyes:
It's been working for me so far. I don't even have my altar in the middle cuz it's my dresser and it's pushed up against the wall towards the west, which is my element/direction. Thanks Belle.
DarkFairy

[Silverm00n]

That's totally cool that you have found something different from the traditional way of doing it and it works for you. I was reading in Buckland's "Complete Book of Wtichcraft" that you have to start from the east instead of north while casting circle. Is this true? Also you have to have your altar facing east as well as the "door." What do you think? I have been taught to start at the north and go from there and that there is no particular direction to have your altar facing. I don't know. Should I go with what i feel is right? Or listen to all the technicalities?
DarkFairy:confused:

I always cast my circle starting at east, and cut my door at east when necessary. If I remember correctly a lot of my research seemed to have that as common ground. But not the altar. I've seen that as being placed in the north or east, the center, and some even south or west. I used to place my altar in the center facing north. But that was a portable altar I used and in my living room. Now my permanent altar is in my bedroom, facing south. Sometimes I go back and forth between the two, but I like sitting at my south altar better. Feels more comfortable, and I guess that's what it always boils down to, isn't it? Do what you feel is right. You can always change if you want. Everything takes time and practice. I think there's only a handful of things that are a real NO-NO, like summoning up trouble making deities that have been dormant for hundreds of years! :eek:

[DarkFairy]

I always cast my circle starting at east, and cut my door at east when necessary. If I remember correctly a lot of my research seemed to have that as common ground. But not the altar. I've seen that as being placed in the north or east, the center, and some even south or west. I used to place my altar in the center facing north. But that was a portable altar I used and in my living room. Now my permanent altar is in my bedroom, facing south. Sometimes I go back and forth between the two, but I like sitting at my south altar better. Feels more comfortable, and I guess that's what it always boils down to, isn't it? Do what you feel is right. You can always change if you want. Everything takes time and practice. I think there's only a handful of things that are a real NO-NO, like summoning up trouble making deities that have been dormant for hundreds of years! :eek:
No doubt! I haven't summoned any old deities that have not been in my circle before, as far as I know. Perhaps they come in when I welcome helpful spirits and I only invite good spirits into my circle. I have known when bad ones snuck in and called them out and told them to leave. It usually works. I haven't had a negative energies stick around and cause trouble. Has anyone had problems with spirits?

[Silverm00n]

No doubt! I haven't summoned any old deities that have not been in my circle before, as far as I know. Perhaps they come in when I welcome helpful spirits and I only invite good spirits into my circle. I have known when bad ones snuck in and called them out and told them to leave. It usually works. I haven't had a negative energies stick around and cause trouble. Has anyone had problems with spirits?
I suppose I do. I especially did when I was first learning how to cast circles and doing rituals. Now it seems that there's certain "somethings" that collect in my house when I let myself get weak, fall off my path every once in awhile, or have negative people around. But nothing a little TLC, smudging, and strengthening of perimeter barriers won't take care of!