Should you cast a circle if you are manifesting?

As an apprentice (okay a baby, let's be honest) witch, I've been reading-up on casting circles and manifesting and I'd like to ask if I should cast a circle before my manifesting ritual? I have a ritual planned for the full moon with a candle, a crystal or two, moon water from Samhain and my intention written kind of as a poem which I will recite. Does all of this taken together make it more of a, IDK, spell than just manifesting and so do I need a circle for protection?

My thought is that if I'm manifesting I should allow myself to be as open as possible, so no circle. But on the other hand, if all of my ritual steps taken together make this more of a spell/ritual (not really sure what to call it), then maybe I do need to cast a circle?

(I did my first ever spell, a releasing one, on Samhain with a black candle and a smoky quartz crystal and it went really well -- I feel so less burdened now -- but I was physically drained for days afterwards, taking multiple naps per day. I guess the spell did that?)

Thanks everyone in advance for your help!

in apprenticewitchesby Heather_whatever

100%

3.5y

operahermit

3.5y

In my experience, you don't /need/ to cast a circle for anything. You might /want/ to, but it's totally not necessarily. Especially if you feel you shouldn't cast a circle, then don't worry about it! A circle is just a tool - sometimes it's useful, sometimes not.

n0bodysGirl

3.5y

I’m also new and I found that the day after I cast a circle, I was exhausted and maybe a little depressed. I asked my mentor about it and she told me I usually don’t need to cast a circle - maybe a shield if I feel like it. But for manifesting I’d tend to agree with you. I did some new moon stuff without casting a circle or shield and not only does it seem to be working, I feel great too.

Edit: autocorrect is a drunken gnome after whom I have to clean up

kaeliz

3.5y

(I did my first ever spell, a releasing one, on Samhain with a black candle and a smoky quartz crystal and it went really well -- I feel so less burdened now -- but I was physically drained for days afterwards, taking multiple naps per day. I guess the spell did that?)

You weren't the only one feeling drained.. a lot of us all over the world felt it.

You don't need to case a circle for manifesting but it is your protective measure.

AetherDraco

3.5y

Casting a circle is just making a sacred space to work in, you dont need to at all its just good if youre working with something vulnerable.

Lost_Soul_KT

3.5y

A circle is your protection. Always cast a circle when doing circle magic. Hell, I cast a circle just to do most basic ritual magic at my alter just to stay in practice. That, plus I'm a Leo, a fire sign. I love casting circles.
And be sure to remember to ground with a pinch of salt on your tongue and sit your bottom on the earth (not a sidewalk or a chair or stool) after you finish.

IAmCarmental

3.5y

Haven't heard that one before, the pinch of salt on the tounge. Is that to clear the throat chakra?

Lost_Soul_KT

3.5y

Have you ever done something for so long that you forget the 'why' of it? lol! I just know doing the 2 works. Also, I imaging my backbone extending all the way to the earth's core.

IAmCarmental

3.5y

Some rituals can get rather engrained in us, that is certain. I love that a grounding ritual for you has become so.

Myself, I need only touch a tree or walk barefoot on grass or dirt or rock or water. For a basic, everyday, anywhere grounding. If I'm heading into or out of rituals there is a more involved grounding with stretching my energetic being below and above.

Heather_whatever

3.5y

Thanks everyone for your help; I learned a lot!

No doubt I'll have more questions so am grateful to have found such a welcoming and helpful group here :)

coffee-mcr

3.5y

If you are not sure always cast a circle, just to be safe. Blessed be

aryaelajae

3.5y

A circle is for protection. If you feel safe without one then don't worry about casting one. I rarely use circles anymore unless I feel prompted by my intuition or my guides.

Redz0ne

3.5y

I would suggest working with the circle especially as a beginner because the circle is one of the ways you can prevent your working from backfiring or going wrong... because when you don't use the circle to protect yourself and your working, you're putting the working at risk because there may be a wayward spirit that could come and inject their own energy/intent... or they could just keep shouting at you psychically so you lose focus and the working falls flat.

It's generally a good idea, especially as a neophyte, to work on protective measures first and manifesting once you've mastered basic protection measures. (this is my opinion, in case it needs to be said... so have some grains of salt handy.)

sophia333

3.5y

Being "as open as possible" may not be safe, depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Being "open to the possibilities of achieving my goal/intention" may be a more helpful perspective. Manifesting is about intent, not the rituals. We use ritual to help put our consciousness in the right mindset to make manifestation happen more easily.

Feeling drained after casting sometimes means you are drawing energy from yourself rather than the field of energy around you. It just takes a little more practice. And sometimes the spell will do that, healing is often best accomplished by sleep after all.