Circle of the Watchtowers
A ceremonial casting of the elemental watchtowers at the four quarters, building a fortress of protective elemental force.
Ritual Overview
The Circle of the Watchtowers is a hermetic rite rooted in the Enochian system of angelic governance revealed to John Dee and Edward Kelley. The watchtowers are the four great angelic citadels that stand at the corners of the universe, each governing one of the four classical elements.
Unlike simpler protective circles that merely define a boundary, this working constructs a citadel. Each quarter is sealed with the specific Great Name of God corresponding to that element, followed by a complex Enochian call.
Once all four watchtowers have been invoked, the circle becomes a fortress. The archangels stand sentinel and the elemental kings take their places within the walls.
Ritual Steps
Cast the Outer Circle
Walk deosil with the athame, tracing a circle. Intone the Enochian call "OL SONUF VAORESAGI."
10 minutes
Visualization
A ring of blue-white fire springs up along the path of the athame.
Invoke the Watchtower of Air (East)
Face east. Raise the wand and trace the invoking hexagram of air. Intone: "Raphael, Lord of the East, I invoke you."
10 minutes
Visualization
The eastern sky becomes a vortex of golden light.
Invoke the Watchtower of Fire (South)
Face south. Raise the athame. Intone: "Michael, Lord of the South, I invoke you."
10 minutes
Visualization
The southern quarter erupts with ruby flame.
Invoke Water (West) and Earth (North)
Face west with chalice, then north with pentacle. Intone the calls to Gabriel and Auriel.
10 minutes
Visualization
The west fills with cascading silver water; the north becomes a mountain of emerald and obsidian.
Seal the Circle
Return east and trace the final seal. The circle is now a fortress.
10 minutes
Visualization
The four watchtowers blaze with elemental light, forming an impenetrable fortress.
Warnings & Ethics
Do not break the circle once cast.
Variants
Ingredients
- Frankincense incense
- Red candle
- Bowl of water
- Sea salt
- Wand or staff
- Rose petals
Tools
- Athame
- Wand
- Chalice
- Pentacle