Everything Under the Moon

how does one know if your deity is there??

You should be able to sense a shift of some sort, could be real gentle and subtle or it could be a gust of wind, a warm feeling or a cool feeling like goosebumbs.
I call the casting, creating sacred space, and the taking down, releasing the circle or sacred space. So rather than dismissing deity or other helpers, they are thanked and released..."go if you must, stay if you can, you have our blessings and thanks" working with cooperation rather than domination. Buts that's just my opinion.

Mental circles are a good practice and another great way to worship "in your mind and heart"

Bb, Firebird

I did the mental circle while I was watching t.v is that fine

Depends on why you cast the circle. As practice, or exercise, sure it's ok. As a sacred space ... Does it welcome or honor deity if we're not fully tuned in?

well its welcoming the elements ( and) Gaia and pan
(it's) exercise until I can muster the courage to cast my real one again for you see my are always a bit crooked...0-o
that's why.

I visualize a circle of light widen into an energy ball from the center of my heart, and I also visualize my hands creating it's shape.

CASTING A WICCAN CIRCLE

Summary:
We use a circle to act-out the creative principles of the Universe. We invite the Elemental energies & Deity to assist in building a temple upon the energy foundation. The Elements are positioned at the cardinal directions & flow E-S-W-N/Air-Fire-Water-Earth in sequential order by density, from least to most dense, which helps materialize the circle. A nine-foot diameter circle is standard but realistically you work with the space you've got. When the energy is nicely balanced we tend to feel at-ease with a quiet assurance.

Candles or stones can be set at the four directions as they're being called a. as a sign ofwelcomee, b. to act-out squaring the circle & c. to visibly mark the boundary so you don't walk over it.

Preparation:

. Wash up & don your ritual garb. Remove clutter & debris. Set up the altar.
. Ground & center. Raise energy as you like.
. Light the altar candle(s). Bless the salt, water & incense.

Note: Repeat any phrases as often as needed until you walk all the way around your space. Wiccans walk the circumference deosil-> to build energy & <-widdershins to release it.

Make Sacred Space:

Walk the circumference -> and

1. Purify by sprinkling (-) Earth & Water combined as salt-water as you make the 1st circuit. You might repeat Doreen Valiente's words: "Round, round 'n round about. All good in & all bad out."

2. Bless by wafting (+) Air & Fire combined symbols of smoldering incense smoke around the rim to make the 2nd circuit.

Note: Steps 1 & 2 together introduce the 4 physical elements & a (-/+) polarity balance.

3. Cast circle in a 3rd pass by projecting Earth energy through 2-fingers or blade; direct the power & charge the border repeating: "As I walk the circle is cast, guarding all and holding fast."

4. State the reason you have come so the Powers will be informed.

That is all there is to the casting of a simple circle. You can stop there if you want. When using only the simple circle casting as in steps 1-4 above there's no dismissal needed & just walking through the circle afterwards dissipates it; re-grounding yourself is beneficial. A simple circle can be used for divinations, meditation, trance & spells.

You can combine the circle casting rite with the rites for calling of four directions & deity to add more layers in reinforcing the temple. The full-length ritual builds a better balanced sanctuary. I'm keeping this simple & start at the East as is traditional.

Calling Quarters. Face each direction in turn & illuminate it to open a door. Address the applicable quarter as you invite them in. You can say at the East: "i call Air for power to Know; (S) I call Fire for power to Go; (W) I call Water for power to Flow; (N) I call Earth for power to Grow; (center) I call Ether to make it So. As above, so below."

Calling Deity: Greet, do not summon, the Deities from the circle's center. Face east & say "Hail and be welcome here, lady & Lord of Nature."

Then do whatever task for which you'd cast the circle, ex., a holiday or lunar observance or do up to three individual spells: 1 each for self, family goals, others at-large.

Cakes & Ale: Traditionally wheat & fermented brew are shared but any food & beverage is OK as a thanks offering. Eat 1/2 & later leave the other 1/2 outdoors for Nature.

Dismissing & Farewell: Bid farewell to Deity with thanks: "Lady and Lord, accept my thanks for your kindness here. If go thee must, be it in love &'trust." Release each direction in reverse order thus ritually closing the doors you had opened. "Powers of the (N-W-S-E) with my thanks now go in peace. The rite is ended." Snuff any candles as you go.

Releasing: Dissipate the remaining circle energy by walking the circumference in reverse & brushing it away. Your rite has concluded. Always ground yourself when you're finished and clean up. Leave the offering on the Earth.

With time, practice and focus of intent, one can hold the circle, when it is on the edge of being worked, in the mind. It can then be snapped "on" as a cantrip. If it's more complicated because of the protective effect desired or an attached ward or other "piggy backed" incantation, you will have had to have developed a word of power as your "on" switch. Please be courteous to others and the environment and ground all residual energy when done with your working.