Ramarious

November 29th, 2004, 01:18 PM

Ok...now we get into summoning elementals/calling the guardians of the watchtowers :)
It's important that you read all the information I've provided in order to have a better
understanding of this part of a ritual.

Written By: House Shadow Drake

In Wicca, guardians known as Watchtowers are called. These guardians are summoned in
each of the four corners or directions of the circle: East, South, West, and North. They are
set there to guard and protect the circle. The origin of the Watchtowers is in Cabbalistic
magick. This calling of the Watchtowers usually takes place during what is known in
Wicca as "Calling the Quarters."
Traditional Witchcraft does not utilize the calling of Watchtowers; it does however, call
Guardians. These Guardians are often the spirits with whom a person feels comfortable
with and has developed some form of a relationship with. Possible guardians might be
one of the Ancestors, a "spirit guide," or other spirtual entity with which the person is
familiar with.
Some traditions call Guardians, whereas others do not. Guardians are often called to
protect the sacred area. As many traditions do not have specific boundaries for their
sacred area, the guardians can roam the area freely and protect the area from unwanted
influences. In general, they are not necessary, but still a good idea.

In some traditions they are known as the Old Ones. Those who were the fathers and the
mothers of the Beginning, The Spirits who Were, before the first spirit. Some traditions
say that the Watchers are an ancient race who have evolved beyond the need for physical
form, or that they are our own ancient ancestors who have passed beyond the circle of
rebirth. Other traditions hold that they are the Adjatti or "eyes" of the Lord and Lady of
the realms of night.
Nowadays in Wicca the Watchers are simply thought to be the Elementals, creatures of
pure elemental energy. Each element has its own: Sylphs for Air, Salamanders for Fire,
Undines for Water, and Gnomes for Earth.

By whatever name they are called these beings are considered by most Witches to be the
representatives and Witnesses of our most sacred rites. They play a part in the Initiation
rituals of most covens that use systems of Degrees. The Portals through the barriers or
veils between this world and the otherworld(s) are guarded and maintained by these
beings. They are considered the court of final recourse and are called the 'Lords of
Karma'. Many Witches believe that any act of magic is judged by these Guardians and is
permitted or denied based upon their careful assessment. This is why the new initiate is
introduced to the Watchers at the end of the First degree initiation - so that they can keep
an eye on him/her, so to speak.

It may be that the Watchers represent the space-time parallel of the Witch's own magical
nature. Four key magical or sacred points in space and time which anchor and balance
our world in the same way as the four spirit bodies, the Mind, the Soul, the Heart and the
Body are bound together at the Solar Plexus chakra with the Spirit of the Witch.

In Magick, we have a close attunement to the classical elements (earth, air, fire, water,
and spirit). We recognize this in our rituals by incorporating each of the elements into
them in several ways: First we use a symbolic representation of the elements on our altars
and to strengthen and consecrate our circles, then we acknowledge each of the elements
during our circle casting through the four quarters.

To represent the elements on our altar we can either use four distinct representations or
combine them (salt water for earth and water, incense for air and fire). And as outlined in
the elemental correspondences we start our circle in the east since it represents the
morning, birth and start of our day.

The watchtowers are physical representations of each of the elements. We invite the
guardians to join our circle so that we may have a balance of energies with us. The four
classical elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water each represent qualities we can invite into
our lives: Strength and Protection, Inspiration and Critical Reasoning, Passion and Drive,
Wisdom and Empathy. When we summon the element we can state the qualities we wish
to bring into the circle for this particular rite.

Alternately we summon, stir or call forth each of the elements depending on how we wish
to envision them. Calling forth is done for real beings, Stirring is done for raw elemental
energies and Summoning is done for a representation of those energies. Regardless these
energies should be treated as real and with great respect for they are here to assist in our
rites.

Basic Quarters
Draw an invoking pentagram for the direction and visualize a representation of that
element and say: "Hail and welcome guardian of the watchtower of the direction and
keeper of the element of element. I do hereby summon, stir and call you forth to witness,
guard and protect this rite. Mark well what we do here. Hail and Welcome."

Gifts of the Quarters

Draw an invoking pentagram for the direction and visualize a representation of that
element and say: "Hail and Welcome guardian of the direction and keeper of the powers
of element. I summon, stir and call you forth. Bring to us your gifts of gifts."
Some examples of gifts: (Air) inspiration, discernment, (Fire) passion, energy, (Water)
mystery, intuition, (Earth) protection, strength.

This elemental information was gathered from here

http://www.ladybridget.com/w/elements.html

Some say that you should not call upon the elements themselves in a circle, rather call
upon the Guardians of the elements - also called the Mighty Ones - the evolved beings
who direct and guide the elemenal powers. The elements can be playful and capricious,
so call upon the Guardians to watch over them. So, when we are calling in the attributes
of fire, we call only for the attributes, and not for the fire itself to come to our circle.

If you talk with experienced witches, you will certainly hear some stories of how an
element was called so strongly (or not dismissed properly) that it caused a flood, or pipes
to burst, or a fire to occur - by calling on the Guardians of the elements rather than the
elements themselves, we seek to avoid such "accidents". We seek rather for the qualities
of fire, and not for fire itself, in other words.

I have also been asked what is the difference between an element and an elemental. An
elemental is a manifestation of the spirit of the element and can be used to personify, so
to speak, that element. Thus, sylphs are used to represent air, in that they are of the air
and they fly. Similarly salamandars are the elemental of fire, and when you gaze into a
fire you can certainly see them there racing about the logs and playing peek-a-boo with
each other. Undines are quick moving, wet and slithery creatures that can undulate in the
water, and likewise Gnomes are slow moving , green and brown creatures that love plants
and rocks and can speak with them. You can also call upon the elementals in your
magickal workings, but do some research and meditate and communicate well with them
before doing so. They can be helpful if you have an affinity for them, or they can be
troublesome if you are not able to communicate effectively and clearly exactly what you
wish them to accomplish for you. This can take time and practice.

Now I'll include different rituals to call the elements/watchtowers/guardians :)

1. This first one is by Laura Whyte:

Go to the eastern quarter of the circle. Light the Red(Yellow) candle and hold your hand
up in greeting. (You may also salute the element with your dagger, sword, or wand):

I call upon you, powers of Air,

to witness this rite and to guard this circle.

In the southern quarter light the White(Red) Candle and greet the element:

I call upon you, powers of Fire,

to witness this rite and to guard this circle.

Move to the west; light the gray(Blue) candle and hold up your hand in greeting:

I call upon you, powers of Water,

to witness this rite and to guard this circle.

End by going north; Light the black(green) candle and greet the element:

I call upon you, powers of Earth,

to witness this rite and to guard this circle.
Move back to the central altar, and stand facing east. Raise your arms in greeting:

This circle is bound,

With power all around,
Between the worlds,
I stand with protection at hand.

Proceed with your planned spellwork ceremony....

(To close the circle at the end, perform this AFTER every ritual)

When everything is completed, hold your hand or dagger over the altar and say:

By the powers of the Ancient Gods,

I bind all power within this circle into this spell.
So mote it be!

When you are ready to end the ritual, go to the East and extinguish the Red(Yellow)
Candle. Say:

Depart in peace, O powers of Air.

My thanks and blessings.

Go to the South and extinguish the White(Red) candle. Say:

Depart in peace, O powers of Fire.

My thanks and Blessings.

Go to the West and put out the grey(Blue) candle. Say:

Depart in peace, O powers of Water.

My thanks and blessings.

Finish by going to the north and put out the Black(Green) candle. Say:

Depart in peace, O powers of Earth.

My thanks and blessings.

Return to the altar in the center and say:

To all beings and powers of the visible and invisible,

Depart in peace. May there always be harmony between us.
My thanks and blessings.

Cut the circle counter clockwise with your dagger/sword to release all remaining traces of
power for manifestation. Say:
The circle is open, yet ever it remains a circle.
Around and through me always flows its magical power.

2. Here is a second way:

TAKE UP THE ALTER BELL AND STARTING AT EAST RING THE BELL AND
SAY :

I SUMMON STIR AND CALL YE, OH MIGHTY ONES OF THE EAST,

GREAT GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF WISDOM
WITNESS THESE RITES AND GUARD THIS CIRCLE.
I SUMMON STIR AND CALL YE, YE MIGHTY ONES OF THE SOUTH
GREAT GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF WISDOM
WITNESS THESE RITES AND GUARD THIS CIRCLE.
I SUMMON STIR AND CALL YE, YE MIGHTY ONES OF THE WEST
GREAT GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF WISDOM
WITNESS THESE RITES AND GUARD THIS CIRCLE.
I SUMMON STIR AND CALL YE, YE MIGHTY ONES OF THE NORTH
GREAT GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF WISDOM
WITNESS THESE RITES AND GUARD THIS CIRCLE.

TAKE UP THE CENSER AT THE ALTER AND RAISE IT SAYING :

IN THE HEIGHT AND IN THE DEEP WATCH AND WARD ETERNAL KEEP.

and when ready to close it :

Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun,

My thanks to Thee, my magic's done.
Earth and water, fire and air,
I thank thee for thy love and care.
Merry meet and merry part,
In love and trust, by magick's art.
This magick circle now is open

3. here is a third: (these next 3 are from here

http://www.angelfire.com/games3/ladyashmon/ele.html)
East
Hail, Guardians of the airy East as Bearers of knowledge and learning,
We invoke you and call upon you,
Breath of our mother.
With sword and censer,
Witness and protect our woven Circle.
Come, be with us now!

South
Hail, Guardians of the fiery South,
as Bearers of will and healing,
We invoke you and call upon you
Spirit of our mother
With wand and flame,
Witness and protect our woven circle.
Come, be with us now!

West
Hail, Guardians of the watery West
as Bearers of love and courage,
We invoke you and call upon you,
Tears of our mother.
With chalice and bowl,
Witness and protect our woven circle.
Come, be with us now!

North
Hail, Guardians of the earthen North,
as Bearers of growth and wisdom,
we invoke you and call upon you
Body of our mother.
With pentacle and stone,
Witness and protect our woven circle.
Come, be with us now!

Center
Our circle woven,
Now we lie between worlds,
Beyond time and place,
Transformed and transcendended,
Within the soul of our mother,
The ritual begins.

4. Here is a cool seasonal one:

Seasonal Elemental Invoke

East
Hail spring, nature’s birth, and blossoms first kiss of sun. You’re warm eastern wind
carrying life’s bounty upon its wings. We call upon your youth and knowledge, skill and
learning, to watch over and join our circle. So the earth blooms.

South
Hail summer, nature’s ripening, blossoms turn to luscious fruit. You’re scorching
southern heat healing and destroying all of life. We call upon your energy and spirit,
healing and will, to watch over and join our circle. So the earth grows.
West
Hail autumn, nature’s harvest, fruit’s ripening to maturation. You’re cool waters raining
tears of love and sorrow. We call upon your intuition and emotion, courage and daring, to
watch over and join our circle. So the earth withers.

North
Hail winter, nature’s slumber, life’s death. You’re bitter cold quieting the world around.
We call upon your creativity and growth, sustenance and wisdom, to watch over and join
our circle. So the earth sleeps.

Center
Hail the year past and future. The spirit and the void. This is a time that is not a time, in a
place that is not a place, on a day that is not a day. So mote it be

5. Here is a quick simple one:

Earth and Water
Surround my body.
Air caress my skin.
Fire burn, and spirit bright,
Let this spell begin.

6. Here is another:
Hail to the East, Ancient Ones of Air
Bringers of Vision and Intellect
Honor us with your presence here
We welcome you!

Hail to the South, Ancient Ones of Fire

Bringers of Ambition and Courage
Honor us with your presence here
We welcome you!

Hail to the West, Ancient Ones of Water

Bringers of Emotion and Change
Honor us with your presence here
We welcome you!

Hail to the North, Ancient Ones of Stone

Bringers of Strength and Growth
Honor us with your presence here
We welcome you!

Important: Always remember to thank them when you dismiss them after a ritual.
Thank you for the examples. I'm new to the craft, members like yourself make it easier
for me and others to grasp the deeper aspects of Wicca.:)