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[Crystal Dragon]

I don't limit mine to a specific size ... it ends up being whatever size I need at the time.

[earthmuffin]

While I do tend to visualize a sphere for my Wiccanesque rituals, my visualizations are not perfect enough for the 9 ft sphere problem to matter. I might be encased in a bubble more shaped like an egg. During my shamanic practice, I don't visualize a sphere at all. I just honor the 6 directions, which has a bit of the same effect as casting a sphere, but there are no bounds on it.

I rather like this thread because I enjoy learning why certain aspects of Wiccan practice were chosen, who came up with them in the first place and how they have been interpreted or enhanced by others because Wicca is such a mish-mosh of ideas and religious practices. Because I like the things I do to make sense (and very much dislike being a sheep), this type of examination helps filter out the stuff that is incongruous or just plain goofy.

[Eternal Seeker]

That's what I was trying to say with the "Syncretic process" thread- http://www.paganjourneys.com/index.php?topic=212.0  I don't care what you do, but you should know why you're doing it.

peace,
ES

[Ghost Wolf]

To answer my own question (did a little research) it was in the Gardnerian BOS; however there was no mention of a sphere ever being envisioned so that was apparently a later add-on of somebody or other.

No, that is oral knowledge.

[FairyQueen]

I have a different visual- for me, raising the circle progresses first from empowering the ring, then growing it to a fence, then to an infinite tube, rather than a sphere.

This might be more what I was imagining than a cone or funnel. Just some way to channel the forces I would like to work with in, but keep those I'm not ready to use or do not need to use respectfully at bay. Also, it seems more logical (darn logic) to "cut a door" into something with straight sides rather than a bubble.

Does the shape of the "sacred" space even matter?

ES - I read the thread you linked too. It goes hand in hand, doesn't it?

Oh boy, is my head spinning :/

[earthmuffin]

That's what I was trying to say with the "Syncretic process" thread- http://www.paganjourneys.com/index.php?topic=212.0  I don't care what you do, but you should know why you're doing it.

peace,
ES

I totally agree.

[earthmuffin]

To answer my own question (did a little research) it was in the Gardnerian BOS; however there was no mention of a sphere ever being envisioned so that was apparently a later add-on of somebody or other.

No, that is oral knowledge.

How do you know?

[VisionFromAfar]

To answer my own question (did a little research) it was in the Gardnerian BOS; however there was no mention of a sphere ever being envisioned so that was apparently a later add-on of somebody or other.

No, that is oral knowledge.

How do you know?

He read it in a book somewhere, no doubt. 


edit: fixed my reply to outside the quote. I are engineer, am good at computers.

[Ghost Wolf]

  Never mind. Carry on.

[Zlat]

You guys are funny 

[Crystal Dragon]

Does the shape of the "sacred" space even matter?

That will depend on who you ask.

My "gut" says it doesn't ... sacred space is sacred space.

I use the sphere for reasons that make sense to me.  If a cylinder or cube makes more sense to you, by all means use it.  If you are in tune with the energies, it will be obvious if something is "off" with whatever shape you use.

[treeforest]

I like to cast a circle, sometimes. Sometimes it is very fun - I'll make a little show if it with myself, by dancing in a circle and carefully placing stones or sticks or leaves at the border. When I visualize the energy, it is always a sphere, penetrating into the ground and above me, meeting the surface plane where the border is set down. My spheres are also very magickal in that they will adjust size if I accidentally step outside :P
Other times I do not feel the need for such fancy-ness

[FairyQueen]

Okay, I have to ask this question. If casting a circle is like an invitation to the "good" energy you want to use in ritual and keeps the "bad" energy away - would a verbal invitation and visualization not accomplish the same goal?

For instance:
"I ask for assistance from [insert energy forces here] to [insert reason here] but respectfully decline the aid of other forces not mentioned and request that forces with ill-will keep moving?" Maybe more poetically than that, but you catch my drift. And maybe envision speaking directly to an audience (personify the energy, if you will).

I just don't understand the reason for the pomp and circumstance or the "shield". I know you keep saying it isn't, but that is all I can picture. "Nasties" leering in on my workings through the wide angle a bubble makes.

[earthmuffin]

Interesting thought, but by definition would any ill-willed entity be respectful of your request? The wording made me think of the effectiveness of politely asking someone who is about to mug you to please go on his way.

[FairyQueen]

Interesting thought, but by definition would any ill-willed entity be respectful of your request? The wording made me think of the effectiveness of politely asking someone who is about to mug you to please go on his way.

Oh bother. You're so right. Lets just find a neon arrow to float over my head that says "this person is way too trusting and a little naive"

[BronwynWolf]

Interesting thought, but by definition would any ill-willed entity be respectful of your request? The wording made me think of the effectiveness of politely asking someone who is about to mug you to please go on his way.

Oh bother. You're so right. Lets just find a neon arrow to float over my head that says "this person is way too trusting and a little naive"

No dear. You are just a bit excited about the concept of 'divine'. It really isn't always a good (positive) thing, but most people raised within the Judeo-Christian world get stuck on the idea that to be divine MUST mean it is good, not "evil"

[earthmuffin]

I don't know if I agree, Bron. I think the Judeo-Christian worldview may have been one of the first to really emphasize the duality of good and evil with the construct of Satan.

I struggle with the concept of evil myself, FairyQueen, so don't feel bad about my comments. 

[FairyQueen]

No dear. You are just a bit excited about the concept of 'divine'. It really isn't always a good (positive) thing, but most people raised within the Judeo-Christian world get stuck on the idea that to be divine MUST mean it is good, not "evil"

I was lost to Christianity a long time and never saw the "good" in what was taught there. Really, it is that I can't believe anything but humanity is evil. Wow, isn't that a bit cynical?

[BronwynWolf]

EM, I wasn't talking about the duality aspect. J/C kinda seperated "good" from "evil" and everything had to be either/or. We know that's not usually the case.

Fairy, it does seem only human beings can do certain things deliberately, by concious choice. Nothing cynical about that.

[FairyQueen]

So, I guess there really is no better way to go about it then casting a [insert shape here]? 

[Tirya]

Try variations and find out - just because it works for one person doesn't mean it will feel right for you. My sacred space is more of a dome, now that I think about it, and it's yellow. For me, it works. For someone else, trying to visualize it as yellow might totally throw them, because they "see" it as white or silver or something else. For me, my sacred space is not only a way for me to invite and welcome the energies and entities, it also sends a essage to my subconscious along the lines of "hey, we're doing something special here, time to focus and pay attention". It sets it apart from the ordinary.

[earthmuffin]

EM, I wasn't talking about the duality aspect. J/C kinda seperated "good" from "evil" and everything had to be either/or. We know that's not usually the case.

I see what you mean now and agree.

[Eternal Seeker]

I agree with Tirya- try it. "We learn by doing".

peace,
ES

P.S. By the way, I love your questions, and the way you address the answers. You have a natural gift that just needs encouraging.

[Crystal Dragon]

I just wanted to clarify that the intent of whatever you use (circle/sphere, shield, intent) to create a sacred space is not just to keep out "evil", "bad" energy, or "ill-willed" beings.

One would not necessarily need to intend a negative outcome to be counterproductive to a working.  If you don't set limits on who can help, you may get "help" you don't want.

Let's say you want to do a spell or ritual to improve the energy in your home.  If Eris, Loki, or Coyote were to come and lend a hand, you'd end up with a lot of chaotic energy floating around.  Yeah, it could "improve" things, but it would likely be going about it the hard way.

Better to only get the sort of help you need or want. 

[FairyQueen]

I just wanted to clarify that the intent of whatever you use (circle/sphere, shield, intent) to create a sacred space is not just to keep out "evil", "bad" energy, or "ill-willed" beings.

One would not necessarily need to intend a negative outcome to be counterproductive to a working.  If you don't set limits on who can help, you may get "help" you don't want.

Let's say you want to do a spell or ritual to improve the energy in your home.  If Eris, Loki, or Coyote were to come and lend a hand, you'd end up with a lot of chaotic energy floating around.  Yeah, it could "improve" things, but it would likely be going about it the hard way.

Better to only get the sort of help you need or want. 

Okay then, besides trial and error, how can one be sure they've set the appropriate limits and only the truly helpful have come to party?