I still don't truly understand the necessity. Because I don't believe in "evil" the idea of creating a space where "evil" is uninvited doesn't make sense.
Regardless of whether or not you believe in "evil", there are things out there that can be counterproductive to your workings. these things can be simply be the negative emotional residue from a stressed out person that you have met earlier that day, to your own feelings of doubt and uncertainty. These residues at best are a distraction and at worst can manifest as malevolent entities. Maybe not evil, but certainly attracted to the energies being raised and would tap into them and pull them away from where you feel they are needed.
Casting a circle or other ward keeps you isolated from them.
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LSO because I believe respect is earned and rewarded with respect in turn, I believe I could possibly create a "relationship" with the energy givers so the energy I do not wish to pull from will respect my wishes should I just ask. I completely respect the elements and all other aspects of nature, but don't understand why "calling" the "watchtowers" to surround and protect my sacred space (which isn't supposed to be a shield, but certainly sounds like it is) as I perform my magic.
Don't think of them as a shield. think of them more as the ushers at a ceremony. they check for invitations and either show the invited to their seats or politely turn away anything that is not supposed to be there.
And I soooo know you all are going to see "just do it and you will see" but will I truly "see" if I don't believe I will see? If magic is only pulling energy from our surroundings and altering our subconscious to act in a different way to help with our desired outcome, will I truly see?
If you don't believe, then there is going to be no effect. I think you're overthinking it.
A circle or other form of sacred space's primary function is to be an area where you can do that which you need to have done. Think of it this way. When you are going off to study you tend to want to isolate yourself from distractions. People in another room watching the football game, a boisterous cookout at your neighbors house, things like that. These are the things that make you seek out a quiet space away from them. You might even shut off your cell phone and hang a sign on the door informing people that you are studying and need to be left undisturbed. The people watching the game or the people having a fun time at the cook out are not evil, just not what you need at the time. You may even on occasion call someone to come over and help you study a part that is a bit harder than you can understand the way it's being taught in a book. So invited, they can come in.
So casting the circle or creating sacred space is the metaphysical version of finding a good study location. It cuts you off from the distractions of other energies in the area that you do not lose focus dealing with them, it keeps out the random and wandering entities and still allows that which you invite to come and help you.
And even though you do not believe in evil as an entity, there are people who do evil things. There are people who will be mad at you and will though their hatred, create a connection to you and can drag you down emotionally. A circle can break the connection and allow you to set up something to prevent them from doing it again. And remember that magic is something that anyone can do even if they know they're doing it or not. Some person with a grudge and a dollar store book on voodoo dolls can do more damage than even they know. Sure one may not feel the pin jabbed into the lap of the doll personally, but there can be a negative effect.
The circle is your place to sever the links you do not want while at the same time allowing you to reattach and strengthen the links that you want.
I know. I found out that my wife's ex had one of those novelty voodoo dolls, drew (poorly) my likeness on it (the kids took a cell phone picture of it) and was stabbing "mini-me" in the lap quite a lot. When I was shown the picture and they tole me when he had purchased it, thinking back I noticed that during that time period I was feeling a little out of sorts. Nothing obvious, just felt "off". I cast a circle to sever the link and did a mirror spell. Felt tons better.
So try a ritual with the circle. Don't think of it as a shield, but start at first just thinking of it as the metaphysical "quiet room" in which to do your workings. See if it feels differently than how you are doing it now.