How are the Quarters Called?

Again, there is rarely a consensus on this topic in magickal circles. Generally, the circle is cast and invocations, evocations or convocations are utilized for the elements, Elementals, or Guardians. Usually the practitioner faces the corresponding direction (cardinal point) while invoking. These are some of the more popular invocations and convocations used. Please refer to the quoted source for more information about particular ones that interest you. Only one invocation or convocation is listed here from each source, for the remaining invocations, often the only variance is the element (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) and the direction. (North, South, East, West)

Remember, research and study all the resources you can, but above all, use your intuition. Never use an invocation or convocation that contains words you do not fully understand. Try to develop your own style and make your practice your own. Blessed Be!

Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, ye Lords of Air; I do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our rites and to guard the Circle.   (Alexandrian, from A Witches Bible Compleat)

O Spirit of the North Stone, Ancient One of the Earth, I call You to attend this circle. Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones!   (Wiccan, from Wicca; A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner)

Ye Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, I do summon, stir and call you now to witness this rite and guard this circle. Powers of Air, move thy cool essence about me as I journey Between the Worlds. (from To Ride a Silver Broomstick)

Soft and whispering winds from afar, Greetings be unto thee in the Names of the Old Gods. Blow clear and fresh and free. In magickal presence here. Blessed Be! (from Magical Rites from the Crystal Well)

Blessings of the North upon us, Winds of strength, Bring us perfect peace and perfect trust. (from To Stir a Magick Cauldron)

Black spirits and white, Red spirits and grey, Come ye, come ye, come ye that may. throughout and about, around and around, The circle be drawn, the circle be bound. (from The Rebirth of Witchcraft, adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth", probably originally from Middleton's play, "The Witch" old Celtic. The 'Airts' of the directions of the compass in this example are represented as red=east, white=south, black=north, brown-grey=west. This is only one of many color correspondences for the Airts.)

Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Powers of Air! We invoke you and call you, Golden Eagle of the Dawn, Star-seeker, Whirlwind, Rising Sun, Come! By the air that is Her breath. (from The Spiral Dance)

Darksome night and shining moon,
East, then South, then West, then North;
Hearken to the Witches' Rune-
Here we come to call ye forth!
Earth and water, air and fire,
Wand and pentacle and sword,
Work ye unto our desire,
Hearken ye unto our work!
Cords and censer, scourge and knife,
Powers of the Witch's blade-
Waken all ye into life,
Come ye as the charm is made!
         (by Doreen Valiente and Gerald Gardner together, from A Witches Bible Compleat)

You who surround us, Guardians, Watchers, the dead we were and are and the unborn, help us, guide and bless us, for we are at one and one in spirit and in life.
          (from The Practice of Witchcraft)

Copyright © 2007 by PaganPath.com, A. Minahan (Volute) and K. Minahan (AbaKus). This article is used with permission and may be freely distributed on the internet, provided no editing is done, and this unaltered notice is included with the article. Click here to read more articles and to learn more about taking online courses in Witchcraft, Tarot or Herbs

 

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