cast out or keep near?

I've posted this on another forum as I am really interested to hear people's thoughts. I am pretty happy with my own opinion but love to hear others so I can possibly re-evaluate it.

When casting a circle it is "normal" to invite the elemets in at the start and send them away at the end.... but if you are working outside is it right to send them away? Maybe in a building yes, but outside they are everywhere, so how can you send them away?

Also, we do the same with the god and goddess... but would it not be an idea to ask them to stay near to help with guidance?

I've never been on for "summoning" and "banishing", I am much more a "invite" and "thank" gal....

What do you do and can you say what your thinking is behind it? There may be something I have missed that I should be taking into consideration....

[norseman]

I am with you Sungirl - invite and thank fits perfectly. Inside or outside - I am not one for formality and I doubt that the spirits care one way or another. Lets face it, the powers of the elements hold true wherever.
Where I differ is in the god/goddess. I invite Mother Earth to bless and protect.

Originally Posted by Sungirl

I've posted this on another forum as I am really interested to hear people's thoughts. I am pretty happy with my own opinion but love to hear others so I can possibly re-evaluate it.

When casting a circle it is "normal" to invite the elemets in at the start and send them away at the end.... but if you are working outside is it right to send them away? Maybe in a building yes, but outside they are everywhere, so how can you send them away?

Also, we do the same with the god and goddess... but would it not be an idea to ask them to stay near to help with guidance?

I've never been on for "summoning" and "banishing", I am much more a "invite" and "thank" gal....

What do you do and can you say what your thinking is behind it? There may be something I have missed that I should be taking into consideration....

We call the elements and the quarters in my trad (inside or out) and we do not send them away. The wording to "dismiss" is more or less "Thank you for attending this rite, stay if you wish, go if you must."

so where does the word "farewell" in "hail and farewell" fit as that is very much a parting word?....

Originally Posted by Sungirl

so where does the word "farewell" in "hail and farewell" fit as that is very much a parting word?....

Just someone's particular way of calling and dismissing. You don't have to use the exact words. That's the great thing about Wicca. You can adapt and create to make it your own :)

Originally Posted by Medium_Laura

Just someone's particular way of calling and dismissing. You don't have to use the exact words. That's the great thing about Wicca. You can adapt and create to make it your own :)

Yes, I am aware of that and that is what I do, but I am interested in hearing what other people say about why they do what they do.

Like I say, I'm pretty cool with what I do but I am facinated by what other people do.

[Finnster]

Originally Posted by Medium_Laura

The wording to "dismiss" is more or less "Thank you for attending this rite, stay if you wish, go if you must."

That's exactly what I do. It leaves the door open for the energies to stay and most times they do. Samhain's energies lasted well into the night after the circle was closed....

It was an awesome night!

We had some drama on Samhain. Not a great start to the new year. :) After though my father stayed around and ate his food :)

I think too many Wiccan's are stuck in the "trad" or the official "books".

Hi all, that is a very good question and great answers.
I say "merry we meet, merry we part, merry we'll meet again" at the end.
I do think there's a lot of people who read and use books and go by the books. I like kate west's books as she just gives you the basic and then it's up to you.

[norseman]

Too many are just stuck in books of any kind. The Paths are to be experienced and lived, not just read about in books. Most of the books are dubious to say the least.