Tarot of Shadows - 78: Magic Circle

[EmpyreanKnight]

 

 

78: Magic Circle

Магический круг

Ace of Pentacles

 

A circle is drawn bordered by strong twine. Inside are various sacred and protective devices such as the Christian Cross, an Urn with Water, the Tetragrammaton, and two magical herbs, Verbena and Anise.

 

It indicates a good defense, perhaps an entity or an egregoreal one. It also indicates a well-chosen time for the installation of sundry protection or for the creation of amulets.

 

Security. Protection. Confidence. Concentrated energy. Initiation of a successful venture. Solidity. Comfortable environment.

 

[EmpyreanKnight]

From Vera Sklyarova's Таро Теней

 

Аркан 78 «Магический круг»

 

Соответствие в классическом Таро — Туз Пентаклей

 

Круг является древнейшим мистическим символом божественной целостности. В магической практике круг издавна служил границей священной или защищаемой области. Вавилоняне делали круг из зерна около постели больного, дабы не подпустить к нему новые болезнетворные силы; немецкие евреи рисовали круг вокруг постели роженицы; римские послы, доставляя сообщения иностранным и враждебно настроенным правителям, рисовали вокруг себя круг как знак неприкосновенности. Теофраст, ученик Аристотеля, рекомендовал обнести кругом опасное растение прежде, чем вырывать его из земли. Собирая черную чемерицу, корни которой обладают сильным слабительным действием, следовало очертить вокруг нее круг, встать лицом на восток и произнести молитвы богам; три круга полагалось сделать вокруг самого опасного растения — мандрагоры.

 

В греко-египетских текстах магические круги фигурируют нечасто, зато в средневековой и современной магии символ круга имеет первоочередное значение. Такой круг должен иметь девять футов в диаметре, и рисовать его нужно острием магического меча, мелом или углем; он также может быть нанесен киноварью, которая обладает силой благодаря тому, что состоит из ртути и серы — компонентов камня. Второй круг — восемь футов в диаметре — рисуется внутри первого, по его линии пишутся имена власти, располагаются кресты, сосуды с водой и растения — вербена и анис, которые не любит дьявол. Снаружи круг следует окропить святой водой. В круге не должно быть разрывов или промежутков — через них нечисть может пробраться внутрь. Промежуток оставляется только для прохода

мага и его помощников, после чего круг замыкается.

 

СИМВОЛИЧЕСКИЙ АСПЕКТ

 

На поле Аркана изображен двойной магический круг. Вдоль линии внутреннего круга — крест, сосуд с водой, растения — вербена и анис, тетраграмматон.

 

ПРОРИЦАТЕЛЬНЫЙ АСПЕКТ

 

Этот Аркан свидетельствует, что клиент нуждается в защите, так как его положение очень опасно. От чего и как следует защищаться — покажет расклад.

 

[EmpyreanKnight]

Arcanum 78 «Мagic Circle»

 

Correspondence in the classical Tarot - Ace of Pentacles

 

The circle is the oldest mystical symbol of divine integrity. In magical practice, the circle has long served as the boundary of a sacred or protected area. Babylonians sprinkled a circle of grain near the bed of the patient so as not to expose him to new pathogenic forces; German Jews painted a circle around the bed of a woman in childbirth; Roman ambassadors, delivering messages to foreign and hostile rulers, drew a circle around themselves as a sign of immunity. Theophrastus, a disciple of Aristotle, recommended that a dangerous plant be surrounded with a circle before tearing it from the ground. When collecting black chamois, whose roots have a strong laxative effect, it was necessary to outline a circle around it, face east and say prayers to the gods; three circles were supposed to be made around the most dangerous plant - the mandragora or mandrake.

 

In the Greek-Egyptian texts magical circles appear infrequently, but in medieval and modern magic, the symbol of the circle is of prime importance. Such a circle should be nine feet in diameter, and it should be drawn with the tip of a magic sword, with chalk or charcoal; it can also be etched with a cinnabar stone that is strong due to the fact that it has mercury and sulfur, which are its components. The second circle - eight feet in diameter - is drawn inside the first, along its line the names of power are written, crosses, vessels with water and plants - verbena and anise, which the devil does not like. Outside, the circle should be sprinkled with holy water. In the circle there should be no ruptures or gaps - through them the evil spirits can get inside. The gap is left only for the passage of the magician and his assistants, after which the circle closes.

 

SYMBOLIC ASPECT

 

The Arcanum depicts a double magic circle. Along the line of the inner circle lies a cross, a vessel with water, verbena and anise blossoms, and the Tetragrammaton.

 

DIVINATORY ASPECT

 

This Arcanum testifies that the client needs protection since he is in a very dangerous position. From what and how to defend themselves - its alignment with other cards will show.

[EmpyreanKnight]

The Arcanum

 

A circle, a magic circle, or a sphere is a clearly designated, though intangible, temple of magic. For most sorcerers today, rituals and magical works occur within this structure through personal power. The circle defines the magical realm of personal dominion and excludes distracting energies, in effect creating the atmosphere necessary for the rite.

 

The circle is created by a personal force that is felt and visualized as a stream that leaves the body through the ceremonial dagger (assam/athame) and into the air. A completely magical circle is a sphere that limits the inner work area. The use of the word "circle" is wrong - in reality it is a sphere of energies. The circle is simply the designation of the area where the sphere touches the ground or the floor and continues above and below the surface.

 

There are several ways to designate a magic sphere separated by the Earth's surface. This can be a rope laid in a circle, a finely drawn circle or one indicated by other objects. It can be flowers (ideal for spring and summer rites), pine branches (winter holidays), stones or shells, quartz crystals and even Tarot cards.

 

In Witchcraft

 

The magic circle is a sacred and purified place in which all ceremonies are performed, including the work of wizards and their rituals. It offers its boundaries to build a reservoir of concentrated energy that acts as a doorway to the world of the gods. The circle symbolizes integrity, perfection and unity, the creation of the cosmos, the womb of the mother Earth, the cycle of seasons and rebirth after death. Within the circle, it becomes possible to transcend the limits of the physical, to open the mind to deeper and higher levels of consciousness.

 

Circles have been of great magical importance since ancient times. They were then painted around the beds of sick people and mothers who had just given birth to protect her and her newborn from demons. Remains of stone circles in Britain indicate their importance in pagan rites. Sorcerers entered a magical circle to anticipate a reunion with the gods and the harmonious forces of nature. Though one cannot command deities in a circle, they may nevertheless be invited there so that they may witness and take part in rituals. All spirits are to be treated respectfully.

 

Negative energy is expelled as soon as the magic circle is drawn, but sometimes it is symbolically swept out by the broomstick of a high priestess. The circle itself serves to prevent unfriendly spirits and negative energy from entering it. The Witch's circle is usually nine feet (about three meters) in diameter, although sometimes they draw larger circles if it is necessary to assemble a large group of people. The altar and ritual instruments are a magic wand, a five-pointed star, an incense burner, a kettle, a sickle, a sword, a goblet, ropes, etc. These are placed inside the circle.

 

The circle is usually drawn with a spear, although sometimes a sword or a magic wand are used. When the circle is drawn on the floor or on the ground (or laid out with a rope), the sorcerer confirms that the energy field is fixed. The working space of the circle is usually a three-dimensional sphere. Lit candles are placed on the floor in each quarter of the circle. These points are deemed "cardinal". Participants of the gathering are invited to enter the gates, which are then closed after they have all assembled inside.

 

From time immemorial, the circle is considered to be a powerful weapon in magic, although the reasons for this are unknown. Perhaps this is because it is a perfect figure, each point of which is equidistant from the center. But whatever the reasons may be, the circle as the boundary of a sacred or protected area has been used for a very long time. It should be painted with the tip of a magic sword or knife, chalk or charcoal. It can also be etched with a cinnabar stone that is strong due to the fact that it has mercury and sulfur, which are its components.

 

The second circle (eight feet in diameter) is drawn inside the first, so that the finished circle looks like a round plate with a narrow rim. On this rim, the names of the requisite authorities are written as a defense against the forces being summoned. The magician should also pout crosses, vessels with water and plants such as verbena and anise, which, it is believed, are heavily disliked by demons. Outside, the circle should be sprinkled with water, preferably sanctified.

 

The magic circle used by modern witches is somewhat different. It is nine feet in diameter, and outside it is surrounded by two more circles, each of which exceeds the previous one by six inches.

 

There should be no ruptures or gaps in the circle through which impure forces may enter. It is necessary to pay special attention to the fact that the lines are neither accidentally erased nor smeared. The gap is initially maintained to serve as the passage of the magician and his assistants. After they get inside, the circle must be closed.

 

Sometimes assistants are placed outside the main circle in their own smaller circles. The true magical circle embodies the symbolic position of the macrocosm and microcosm, that is, of the ideal person. This is the base of the Beginning and the End, of Alpha and Omega, as well as of Eternity, which has no beginning and no end. Therefore, the magical circle is a symbolic scheme of the Infinite, Divine in all its aspects, as can be comprehended by the microcosm. That is, it represents the true adept, the exalted magician. Drawing a circle means trying to symbolize the Divine in His splendor, to get in touch with Him.

 

This happens, first of all, at the moment when the magician is in the center of the magic circle, through which the act of contact with the Divine is shown graphically. This then is the magician communing with the macrocosm in the highest degree of his awareness. From the point of view of true magic, it is quite logical that standing in the center of the magic circle is equivalent to connecting with the Universal Divine. From this we can conclude that the magic circle is not just a scheme for protecting against undesirable negative influences. This security and immunity are actually caused by this conscious and spiritual contact with the Highest.

 

A magician who stands in the center of a magical circle is protected from any influence, whether good or bad, in effect symbolizing the Divine in the universe. In addition, by standing in the center of the magic circle, the magician also represents the Divine in the microcosm, the absolute commander and ruler of all things in the universe.