A representation of the God ~ can also be a small statue, a picture of a stag, a small branch of Oak.
A crystal or stone ~ It represents the North, the element of Earth.
Incense ~ It represents the East, the element of Air.
Candles for the alter ~ Colour depending on what type of work you intend to do, but white a safe colour for any workings. It represents the South, the element of Fire.
A bowl of water for cleansing ~ It represents the West, the element of Water.
A Besom ~ To sweep all negativity from the circle. Alternatively, you can also cleanse the circle with a sage smudge stick.
Ritual Tools ~ Athame, wand, staff, sword. This doesn’t have to be a costly item. It could be a knife from your kitchen, a piece of wood from your garden shed. Tools are tools and the power comes from within.
Cake and Ale ~ this can be anything, cake, bread, fruit ~ mead, ale, wine, water.
A Compass to determine the placement of the quarter candles.
Pentacle ~ representing, Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.
Bell ~ ringing a bell is an ancient form of cleansing the air of all negativity.
Suggested herbs would be Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Fennel.
Marking the circle ~ delineated with a cord or ribbon, drawn in the dirt, drawn with chalk or marked with salt
( be careful with the salt method ~ it kills grass) or simple visualized.
Place a candle in a heat ~ proof container at the north, east, south and west quarters. Green for Earth ~ Yellow for Air ~ Red for Fire ~ Blue for Water. White candles for any quarter.
The Alter ~ If you are having an open fire or cauldron in the centre, place your alter halfway between the centre and north. If you are not having a fire put your alter in the centre and face north when working.
Walk the circle enclosing whatever you have guarding the quarters. Do this only once starting and finishing in the east.
You could say something like: I cast this circle where time itself parts, in a place that is not a place, in a time that is not a time.
If you walk the circle at a slow place by the time you get to the north you will have repeated this three times. Of course your own words are always more effective because they come from your heart.
NORTH ~ Element of Earth and Winter ~ stones, rocks, trees, gnomes, dryads, all creatures that live beneath the earth.
EAST ~ Element of Air and Spring ~ the sky, the winds, all flying creatures.
SOUTH ~ Element of Fire and Summer ~ flames, volcanoes, mighty dragons and all fire breathing creatures.
WEST ~ Element of Water and Autumn ~ seas, lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, all creatures of the waters.
They have many names but they are always the Goddess and the God.
Call them from you heart, love them and honour them. Be honest, be respectful never insult them because they love and care for you. Always remember to thank them.