Recapping: The foundation has been laid, the primary god figures have been introduced, as well as some of the spirits, explanations on tapping into the general energy of Star Fire, and the creation of two of the most basic materia on the Path.
Now it is time to bring this together with some very basic magick.
There are several methods of creating sacred space on the Path, a simple method follows, more complex ones will be discussed later. Different ways of creating sacred space exist for different purposes and situations.
This method of creating sacred space is geared towards spirit communication, manifestation, rooting the energetic in the material, the descent of spirit into matter. It creates a space where the flow of Spirit Descending into matter is strengthened, allowing spirits to manifest more strongly. This is a space for this type of magick, but it is not a protective or banishing working.
To create sacred space appropriate for spirit communication you’ll need your Salt of Star Fire.
Do whatever preliminary practice you feel is necessary; meditate, pillars, ground and centre, align the three souls, whatever you feel is necessary.
Orient yourself facing north. If you do not know which direction is north while not ideal you can always just pick a direction. North is generally the direction our circles are drawn from, but sometimes another direction might make more sense. For instance different stellar spirits might be called opening the circle in another direction, or if you’re working with the spirit of a place, and they are centered on a specific point, a tree, a statue, etc., then you can start facing that direction instead. If you’re working with spirits more generally and less geographically/spatially oriented then face north. (Despite asking, I’ve not been told if the circle should be cast from the south in the southern hemisphere, or if north remains the appropriate direction. If anyone on that side of the equator wants to experiment I would love to know.)
Facing north breathe in Star Fire until you feel you have a good amount of the energy in your system. Breathe the fire out onto your Salt of Star Fire and your hands, see the white flames subtly dancing on the surface.
Take the Salt and shake, sprinkle, or toss it loosely around you in a circle, starting in the north and moving clockwise. See how the Salt grounds the Star Fire physically and makes a glowing ring of Star Fire on the ground.
When the circle is complete put down the Salt. Raise your hands straight up and breathe in Star Fire again from the Heavens. Once the energy begins to flow into you lower your arms until your hands are pointing towards the ring of Salt. Let Starfire descend around you and through you into the ring, falling like a gentle rain.
The point is not to create an energetic wall of this energy, but rather to create the flow of the energy from Above to Below. This is not so much like a protective circle, but rather a point in space where the subtle energy flows down into the physical reality. Essentially this is a space were spirits and energy can manifest a bit easier because it’s a space where Spirit is descending into Matter.
Still facing north breathe in Star Fire again and blow it onto your dominant hand. Reach your dominant hand out, wreathed in flames, fingers up and palm out, like the “Stop” gesture. Spread your fingers out as far as you comfortably can. If the circle is small enough put your hand against the boundary above the circle of Salt. If the circle is too big for that, when you extend your hand and reach as far as you can go, the flaming image of your hand continues forward until it reaches the edge of the space where it rests. Either way leave a flaming palm print in the air at the edge of the circle.
Do the same with the other directions going clockwise. Depending on how much of the energy you brought in initially and how much you sent out you might need to breathe down Star Fire again to have enough. After this is done in the four directions do the same upwards, but instead of stopping at the edge of your space the flaming hand continues upwards until it is a shining star above you. Then draw Star Fire down and place your palm on the ground to send the handprint down into the earth, it stops in the core of the planet.
Stand up, and address the spirits of the Path.
“Fires of Heaven walking the Earth,
Open the Ways of Form.
Take my hands and guide Spirit into our world.”
The hands you are referring to are not your actual hands, but the flaming handprints you’ve left in space. In this form of the circle you might get general spirits of the Path, or possibly the directional guardians who will be addressed later. They clasp your handprints and help to continue the bridging flow of Spirit into Matter.
At this point the space has been made, and you can call upon and address spirits however you see fit. I will say again though, this is not a protective circle, but a space where Spirit Descends more easily allowing spirits to manifest more clearly. The spirits of the Path around the circle are not there for protection, but are pillars or conduits. Because it’s not a protective circle this is the space where you would call upon allies, ancestors, spirits you are on good terms with, or even spirits that are neutral with you. If you are not sure of the spirit’s nature or intent, this is not the circle to use with them.
When you are done the circle is fairly easy to take down. Put your hand, palm out, in front of you, and see light from all the handprints flowing into your hand, threads of light from all the handprints. With a turning motion turn your palm in and close your fist, and the fist closes it pulls in all the energy from your handprints. Without the hands or spirits to hold the space it will fade out on its own. If you want it closed faster, you can reach your hands towards the edge of the circle and breathe the Star Fire ring back into yourself.
Depending on ability and preference you can keep that Star Fire energy within yourself, breathe it back into container of Salt of Star Fire, or tilt your head back and with a forceful breath send it back to the sky, or any other reservoir you might want to use.