Casting a Circle

Before working any for of Ritual Magick, it is best to cast a circle. The circle is a sacred place of purifed earth where one can communicate with the divine. Here is how I cast my circle.

Find a secluded area that seems to "call" to you. Many times this area is a clearing in the woods, or a stop underneath a favorite tree.
measure out the diameter of your circle. This is usually five, nine, twelve, or thirteen feet, depending on the ritual and how many people are to participate in it.
Set up your altar facing the North, the direction of the earth.
In the North, place a chalice, or plate of pure earth.
In the South, place a cauldron filled with kindling, (a very large, steel can will do if a cauldron is not accesable, also, it is sometimes helpful to have some lighter fluid mixed in too).
in the East, place a censer (incense burner) filled with incense.
In the West, place a chalice, or glass of water (rain water or river/lake/stream water is prefered)
Now concentrate on the earth at the North point, and say the following or similar:

Hail, great spirits of the North, powers of earth, hear me! I humbly request that you watch over my circle.

as you say this place some of the earth in a cup on your altar.
now move to the East and say the above or similar again, this time replacing North with East, and earth with air. While saying this, light the incense.
Do the same with the South (fire, cautiously toss a lit match into the cauldron), and West (water, pour some of the water into a glass on your altar.
Now with your athame (or wand if you do not carry an athame), starting at the north point, draw the outline of the circle. As you walk the perimeter, visualize an electric blue (or what ever color you are most comforatable with) mist or light seeping out of the place where you have pierced the earth.
As you move, picture this mist or light slowly forming a dome over you and under you, untill you return to the north point, when you should find yourself standing in a large, magickal "bubble" (the bottom half of which will be underground.
Return to the center of the circle, and, standing before your altar in Goddess position (feet shoulder width apart, arms in the air in a 'Y' position), say the following or similar:

Hail o great mother Goddess! Hear my cries, and watch over my circle. Be with me this day (or night, which ever is appropriate), glorious lady of the moon, and bless my circle. So mote it be!
After you have finised saying this, visualize a silvery-white moonbeam shooting down from the moon above and kissing you lightly on the forehead. (If the circle is being cast duing the day, simply visualize white energy coming out of the earth and filling your body).
Now stand in the God positon (legs together arms folded over each other in an 'X' position) and say the following or similar:
Hail o great father God! Hear my cries, and watch over my circle. Be with me this day (night), horned lord of the sun, and bless my circle, and bless my circle. So mote it be!
After you have finished saying this, visualize a golden ray of sun (or red energy form the earth) filling your body.
Stand before your altar, and look around at your fully cast circle. See it, in all it's beauty. The Circle is cast. Blessed Be!

Notes: Once a circle is cast, it should not be left untill the ritual is over. If you absolutely must leave the circle, what you should do is cut a doorway. This is done by taking you athame or wand and, starting at the ground, cut a portal large enough for you to exit through (make sure you cut counter clockwise). As you do this visualize the walls of the circle receding int that area. You may now walk out of the circle (the air may feel different outside the circles boundries, this is normal). When you return to the circle, re-seal it by closing the door with your athame in a clockwise direction. Visualise the energy stored in it's blade streaming back out and shutting the circle.