Magic Circle

A magic circle is circle or sphere of space marked out by practitioners of many branches of ritual magic, which they generally believe will contain energy and form a sacred space, or will provide them a form of magical protection, or both. It may be marked physically, drawn in salt or chalk, for example, or merely visualised. Its spiritual significance is similar to that of mandala and yantra in some Eastern religions.

Common terms and practices

Traditionally, circles were believed by ritual magicians to form a protective barrier between themselves and what they summoned. In modern times, practitioners generally cast magic circles to contain and concentrate the energy they believe to raise during a ritual.

Creating a magic circle is known as casting a circle, circle casting, and various other names.

There are many published techniques for casting a circle, and many groups and individuals have their own unique methods. The common feature of these practices is that a boundary is traced around the working area. Some witchcraft traditions say that one must trace around the circle deosil three times. There is variation over which direction one should start in.

Circles may or may not be physically marked out on the ground, and a variety of elaborate patterns for circle markings can be found in grimoires and magical manuals, often involving angelic and divine names. Such markings, or a simple unadorned circle, may be drawn in chalk or salt, or indicated by other means such as with a cord.

The four cardinal directions are often prominently marked, such as with four candles. In ceremonial magic traditions the four directions are commonly related to the four archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel (or Auriel), or the four classical elements, and also have four associated names of God. Other ceremonial traditions have candles between the quarters, i.e. in the north-east, north-west and so on. Often, an incantation will be recited stating the purpose and nature of the circle, often repeating an assortment of divine and angelic names.

In Wicca

In Wicca, a circle is typically nine feet in diameter, though the size can vary depending on the purpose of the circle, and the preference of the caster.

Some varieties of Wicca use the common ceremonial colour attributions for their “quarter candles”: yellow for Air in the east, red for Fire in the south, blue for Water in the west and green for Earth in the north (though these attributions differ according to geographical location and individual philosophy).

The common technique for raising energy within the circle is by means of a cone of power.

The barrier is believed to be fragile, so that leaving or passing through the circle would weaken or dispel it. This is referred to as “breaking the circle”. It is generally advised that practitioners do not leave the circle unless absolutely necessary

In order to leave a circle and keep it intact, Wiccans believe a door must be cut in the energy of the circle, normally on the East side. Whatever was used to cast the circle is used to cut the doorway, such as a sword, staff or knife [athame], a doorway is “cut” in the circle, at which point anything may pass through without harming the circle. This opening must be closed afterwards by “reconnecting” the lines of the circle.

The circle is usually closed by the practitioner after they have finished by drawing in the energy with the athame or whatever was used to make the circle including their hand (usually in a widdershins, that is counter-clockwise, fashion). This is called closing the circle or releasing the circle. The term “opening” is often used, representing the idea the circle has been expanded and dissipated rather than closed in on itself.

Image & Source

Ash Circles

Ash circles are used as a measure of defence against and imprisonment of the Man in Black. Together with the DHARMA Initiative’s sonar fence, this is one of the only known methods to keep the Monster at bay. Several ash circles have been seen on the Island.

Jacob’s Cabin

3×20 – The Man Behind the Curtain

An ash circle surrounded the cabin that allegedly belonged to Jacob. When Ben encountered it, he was careful to step over it without disturbing it. Inside, Ben pretended the person he believed to be Jacob was there. (“The Man Behind the Curtain”) (“The Incident, Part 1”) Later, when Hurley encountered the cabin, he did not see the ash circle. When he looked inside, he saw Christian Shephard and a face similar to the man Ben said was Jacob, which suddenly appeared at the window. (“The Beginning of the End”) Shortly afterwards, Locke found the circle, but the cabin was missing. (“The Economist”) When Locke, Ben, and Hurley trekked to the cabin for new orders, they did not appear to find the ash circle. Inside, Locke met Christian, who said he would speak on Jacob’s behalf. (“Cabin Fever”)

5×16 – The Incident, Part 1

When Ilana, Bram, Frank, and the rest of their party found the cabin, Bram noticed the ash circle was broken in one spot. This alarmed both Bram and Ilana, who exercised caution as she entered the cabin and found no one inside. (“The Incident, Part 1”)

The Temple

At the Temple, Hurley revealed to Dogen and Lennon that Jacob was dead. This alarmed them, and the Others began precautions, sounding alarms, launching a flare into the sky, and sprinkling ash circles around the courtyard. When asked why they were doing this, Lennon said it was to keep “him” out. (“LA X, Part 1”)

In the testing process of Sayid, Dogen blew ash across his chest. (“What Kate Does”)

6×06 – Sundown

It is implied that Dogen’s life force is somehow connected to the circle of ash surrounding the Temple. Upon Dogen’s death the Man in Black was able to cross the ash and enter the temple. (“Sundown”)

Inside the Statue

6×01 – LA X, Part 1

Ilana, Bram, Frank, and their group arrived at the remains of the statue of Tawaret with the body of John Locke, which they showed to Richard. After several delays, Bram became impatient and forcibly entered the statue with three men and Ben. Inside, the Man in Black (in the form of Locke) revealed Jacob was dead. This prompted Bram’s men to shoot at him; he then transformed into his smoke form and attacked. While his men were being killed, Bram produced a pouch of ash and sprinkled some in a circle around himself. The Monster was unable to touch him in this circle, but it instead brought a chunk of the ceiling down, knocking Bram outside of the circle where he could be be killed. (“LA X, Part 1”)

Images Source | Source

Sonar Fence

The high-frequency sonar fence was a continuous stream of high-intensity sound waves generated by a series of evenly-spaced pylons surrounding the Barracks. It was built by the DHARMA Initiative. (“LaFleur-Enhanced”) The range of the waves reached only as high as the top of the pylons. (“Par Avion”) With the potential to render someone walking through the fence unconcious, or even killing them, the waves could cause severe cerebral hemorrhaging to humans who passed through them. Although humans could physically breach the barrier before the sonic waves triggered side effects, the Man in Black could not pass between the pylons or overcome them while the fence was active. (“Left Behind”) (“The Package”)

On the Main Island

The sonar fence was first mentioned in the DHARMA Initiative Barracks video, seen by Ben Linus when he first arrived on the Island. The film described the fence as serving to protect the Barracks area from the Island’s abundant wildlife. Ben encountered the sonic barrier as a child, while running out of his home. He later obtained the code to deactivate the sonic barrier and, as a test, sent a rabbit through the barrier before crossing it himself. (“The Man Behind the Curtain”)