Magic Circle |
Magic Circle
An important part of ceremonial magic was the drawing of a magic circle around the magician to protect him from the malice of evil spirits that he might invoke to perform his will.
The circle was symbolic of a sphere that was believed to surround the magician. It both isolated him from the chaos outside and held in the magical power that he raised.
Magic circles were used for thousands of years and often took elaborate forms, requiring the inscribing of magical symbols, such as the Seal of Solomon (a double pentacle). In ancient Hindu folk customs, the bed of a woman in childbirth was encircled by red lead or black pebbles to ward off evil influences.
In medieval magic practice, the circle was usually marked or drawn around the magician with a magic sword or knife. It might be some nine feet in diameter to allow the movements of the magician in his evocations. Portable forms of magic circles were sometimes drawn on parchment and used as talismans.
(See also magic square; necromancy)
An important part of ceremonial magic was the drawing of a magic circle around the magician to protect him from the malice of evil spirits that he might invoke to perform his will.
The circle was symbolic of a sphere that was believed to surround the magician. It both isolated him from the chaos outside and held in the magical power that he raised.
Magic circles were used for thousands of years and often took elaborate forms, requiring the inscribing of magical symbols, such as the Seal of Solomon (a double pentacle). In ancient Hindu folk customs, the bed of a woman in childbirth was encircled by red lead or black pebbles to ward off evil influences.
In medieval magic practice, the circle was usually marked or drawn around the magician with a magic sword or knife. It might be some nine feet in diameter to allow the movements of the magician in his evocations. Portable forms of magic circles were sometimes drawn on parchment and used as talismans.
(See also magic square; necromancy)