Spell
Circle Initiation Requirements
Spell
Circle Training Materials
Cearcall a Drùidheachd,
the Circle of Spell, works strictly with magick. While it
can be argued that Sword and Song Circles are working magick
of their own, their focus is not entirely on the energy work
itself. As Sword Circle is the body of Sean Ciall and Song
Circle the mind, Spell Circle is the Spirit. Spell Circle's
function is to raise and direct the energy of the group.
This is not to say that only Spell circle works energy, but
rather that we are the ones whose purpose is to guide,
direct, and give shape to the Will of the Spirit. Our
symbols are the stave, mistletoe and the colour white. A
studious reader will note the commonalities of our symbols
with those of
other 18th and 19th century
reconstructions of Druidism.
Members of the circle
are not priests or priestesses of Sean Ciall line, we are
the magicians. Spell Circle works with both
drùidheachd-àrd (high magick)
and drùidheachd-ìosal
(low magick).
This system of classification is used to refer to magicks
specific to the Sean Ciall line or high magick, and all
other magicks or low magicks. The differentiation is not to
place value on one way of working magick over another, but
simply to state that our line has methods of working energy
that are apparently unique. The techniques are no more or
less valuable than duct tape is in comparison to
neurosurgery. Each has its place, and neither can replace
the other.
High magick, as we define it, is the alchemy of Sean Ciall.
It is the alchemy of the balance of the elements, and also
the alchemy of life and death, creation and destruction,
male and female. As such, there is no magick that is not sex
magick. This is not to say that all magick involves
the physical union between two (or more) people, nor that
heterosexual union is uniquely divine. Rather, it implies
that all magick is a unification of the willed reality with
your current reality. These two forces meet, and create a
new and different reality in which your will manifests. The
single most powerful, profound and beautiful force humans
can harness is the union of female and male to create a new
mind, body and spirit. This is the essence of all magick.
When working with high magick, the Sean Ciall cleft pentacle
or compass rose is drawn or otherwise placed on the ground
as a symbolic reminder of this, and to contain and focus the
energies raised within.
Low magick is all other magicks. Spell circle works with
other Celtic and NeoDruidic magickal systems in addition to
Qabalah, Wicca, Hindu magicks and many other systems and
techniques. This is for the simple reason that they work,
and they work well. We will not hesitate to combine old and
new styles of magick to create a form that works well for
our purposes; ours is not a static tradition.
We have no required tools, but instead place far more value in the magick of found things. Ours is the magick of the earth, sky and sea. Ideally our work is done outdoors in a woodland or other wilderness setting. The mild maritime northwest climate generally allows for our rituals and workings to be done in a natural setting and in our traditionally skyclad manner. This represents the state of physical and mental nakedness each member strives to have with each other and the group as a whole.
Initiates of Spell Circle are expected to master a wide range of skills. Divination, using both tradition-specific techniques such as the ogham and non-specific techniques such as scrying and augury. Mastery of energy working techniques includes skill sets from Wicca, ceremonial magick, and Sean Ciall. All initiates are trained in physical and psychic first aid and healing, including herbalism. Initiates of Spell Circle also have a basic understanding of a variety of topics ranging from meteorology and astronomy to conversational Gaelic and natural history.
"Essay (c)C. Adler"
