It’s often crossed my mind that what one person sees as a negative energy may be positive energy for someone else and vice versa. For Australians, a simple question we often ask and discuss is that if a circle is cast in the traditional clockwise (deosil) direction because that reflects and works with the natural direction the sun takes across the sky in the northern hemisphere, then here in the southern hemisphere, we should be casting the circle in the opposite direction. In the winter sky, the sun clearly travels in a widdershins direction down under. So following traditional constructs, to cast a circle in a deosil direction would mean we would be dismantling energies, working against them rather than working with them. I offer this as a simple illustration that what one person sees as being a form of negative, positive or specific energy is not necessarily what is universally the case. So what I consider positive and constructive, you may consider negative ad destructive yet we’re both right in our own contexts.

However in exploring the mixture of energies more specifically, an eclectic practitioner must first determine in their own minds what exactly they are trying to achieve and what constructs of deity they deem are important. Their circle casting and other rites can then emphasise, reflect and revere their chosen deity construct. 

With a clear picture in their mind of their belief, they can then develop a circle rite that reinforces their personal approach to deity. However, the real responsibility comes when the effects of those rites enter into their own lives, those of others and even more so when and if they begin teaching others the fundamentals of ritual development. First and foremost a ritual is effective when it reinforces your own beliefs even if those beliefs are in opposition to others. For instance Satanic, Christian or Muslim rituals may be in direct opposition to what I consider appropriate but for the holders of those beliefs, those rituals are not just appropriate but probably sacred.  

Having said all that, a “generic” Wiccan circle, cast by an eclectic practitioner needs to incorporate a number of elements that allow it to remain true to the faith it’s supposed to be aligned with whilst not contradicting its own activity. i.e. a Wiccan who sees themselves as a traditional Alexandrian would probably not be comfortable taking on aspects of Faerie construction or fundamentalist Dianic workings. This is where we concern ourselves even more with the concept of mixing energies. To bring in one form of energy for a specific reason, or indeed because you know no different or have been taught a specific way, can be counterproductive when you call in an opposing set of energies. For example in the circle I’m used to casting, we call in the elementals to observe our rites. We ask them to serve us as we serve them. However we then also generate energy through magickal workings and release that energy according to our design yet we don’t ask the elements to protect that energy. 

I guess all I’m saying here in a nutshell is that energy just is. Magick just is. It’s the way you use it that makes it negative or positive, destructive or productive. Our responsibility as Wiccan practitioners is to understand the concept of energy and do our best to use it wisely, ethically and in accordance with our construct of deity.

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst