If you look on the internet of the myriad of books available, you’ll find a whole host of ‘recipes’ on how to cast a circle and the rituals you can do inside a circle. But there’s much less information on the etiquette and manners that are expected when you are inside the circle.

Now if you’re working as a solitary, you could argue that it doesn’t matter about manners because you’re the only one in the circle. Well, let’s blow that idea out of the water straight away. You’re not the only one in the circle at all. The elemental quarters are there with you and even more importantly, so is the Lord and Lady. Why else are you holding the circle? Would you be on your best behaviour if someone important came to share your home with you? Probably. Well that’s exactly what the Gods and Goddesses are doing. They’re sharing your circle with you and in fact the main reason you should have cast it in the first place was to honour them, and that means being on your best behaviour and minding your circle manners.

Manners are equally, if not even more important, when you visit someone else’s coven and work with them in their circle. The old adage ‘When in Rome...’ works really well here with the exception that if they expect you to do something you don’t feel comfortable with, respectfully decline. If you break all the rules of circle etiquette and are rude or dismissive, you simply won’t be invited back so better to be safe than sorry. So what are some of the manners and etiquette expectations you should be aware of?

There’s two sets of rules really. The more traditional rules come from original circle expectations demanded by early Wiccans. The contemporary rules are those expected by more eclectic Witches as they conduct probably more flexible rituals. 

The More Traditional Must Do’s

•  Wear robes of a certain colour dependent on your degree level,
•  Go skyclad (naked) where the rites require it,
• Wear a single piece of jewellery significant with your degree level/rank,
•  Walk only in a deosil (clockwise) direction around the circle,
•  Always address people in the circle by their Craft or magickal name even if you usually use their ‘everyday’ name at other times.

The More Traditional Must Not’s

• Do not wear a watch or any jewellery in circle,
• Never turn your back to the altar,
• Do not leave the circle until it is dismantled,
• Do not walk in a widdershins (anti-clockwise) direction unless you are dismantling the circle,
• Never enter a circle if you have not been initiated or without first answering the challenge.

The More Contemporary Must Do’s

• Wear whatever you would like in circle but most participants wear a simple robe used only for circle work,
• Show respect for the fact that you are in a sacred space,
• Respect and follow the ritual actions of the host coven. (When in Rome etc…),
• Whenever the ritual leader says “Blessed Be” as part of a ritual, you repeat the same term,
• Whenever the ritual leader says “So Mote it Be” as part of a ritual, you repeat the same term,
• If you do not wish to sip from the wine chalice, kiss the front of it instead,
• It is quite acceptable to laugh when in the circle (except during mediations),
• Always address people in the circle by their Craft or magickal name even if you usually use their ‘everyday’ name at other times.

The More Contemporary Must Not’s

•  Never take a mobile phone into the circle,
• Do not enter the circle under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol,
• Do not leave the circle until it has been dismantled unless absolutely necessary,
• Never bring guests with you to a circle without permission from the ritual leader,
• Do not enter the circle when you are angry or upset. (The negative energy can be quite destructive to others present),
• No smoking in the circle,
• No eating or drinking in the circle except for cakes and ale or magickal workings,
• Do not perform individual magickal workings for your own needs inside the circle unless you have first discussed this with your colleagues,
• Never feel pressured to participate in any activity that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Ok, so with that list of do’s and don’ts, you now have a much clearer idea of how you should behave when in circle. The simple thought to bare in mind when in your own circle or that of another coven is respect. If you always remember that the circle is a sacred space where the act of ritual participation demands your respect, where the Gods and Goddesses expect your respect and where the hosts would appreciate your respect, then you can’t go far wrong.

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst