How to Call the Corners

Co-authored by Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: December 10, 2022 References

Calling the corners is a short ritual that Pagans, Wiccans, witches, and other magical practitioners do before they begin spellwork or spiritual work. It involves calling on the 4 corners (or directions) of the Earth and the elements they represent. This ritual is used to cleanse your space, ask for protection, and ask for help. Write or choose your quarter calls prior to beginning your ritual. Then, cast your circle and call the elements.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Crafting Quarter Calls

1
Try basic, non-rhyming quarter calls if you're a beginner. The purpose of quarter calls is to call on the elements of the 4 corners of the earth, which represent earth, air, fire, and water. When you're first getting started, it's easiest just to appeal directly to the elements and ask them to come help you.
- In your calls, you can use “guardians” and “spirits” interchangeably. Similarly, it's okay to use the direction and the element interchangeably, such as north/earth, east/air, south/fire, and west/water.
You might say...

"Guardians and Watchtowers of the North, I call on you to protect this circle.”

"Spirits of earth, I call on you to oversee my work and bless this circle.”
2
Use quarter calls from a book or ritual for an easy option. Most books on Paganism, Wicca, or witchcraft have basic rituals that you can try on your own. This is a really great option for beginners, as it takes out the guesswork. Look for a book at your local library, bookstore, or online. Alternatively, search online for a ritual that appeals to you.
- There are a lot of different ways to do quarter calls, so the prepared rituals you find will often look very different from each other.
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3
Write your own quarter calls if you want them to be personal. Before you write your corner calls, reflect on what you plan to do in your ritual, and how you think the elements can help you. Then, write down the gist of what you want to say.
- You might want to write your own calls so that more of your personal energy is present in your ritual. Additionally, you can customize your calls for what you want to achieve.
- You might need to rework your quarter calls a few times to get them the way you want them.
4
Decide if you want your quarter calls to rhyme. Quarter calls don't have to rhyme, but you may prefer to make them rhyme because you like the sound or want them to feel like spells. It's completely up to you if you want your quarter calls to rhyme. Do what feels right for your ritual or what helps you get into the right headspace for the spiritual or magical work you want to accomplish.
- If you do want to write rhyming quarter calls, you might use a rhyming website or rhyming dictionary to help.
5
Write short 4 line poems about the elements for rhyming quarter calls. It's easiest to stick to short lines with 3-6 syllables. Try to make your lines an even length so they have a good rhythm. Read them aloud to see how they sound, then revise your calls, as necessary.
- If you want to write longer quarter calls to fully express your intentions, that's totally okay. Do what works best for you.
You might say…

“Spirits of earth, I call to thee, ground my work, and make it be.“

"Element of air, come to me, lift my words, hear my plea.”

"Spirits of fire, join me here, charge my words, burn my fear.”

"Element of water, cleanse me now, carry me through, hear my vow.”

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Casting Your Circle

1
Set your intention for your magical workings. Bring your mind to center by focusing on your breath. Then, imagine what it is you want to accomplish during your ritual. Picture yourself having success in achieving what you want.
- For instance, your intention may be to attract money or abundance, or you might want to find love.
2
Collect items to represent the 4 corners. Generally, you'll represent the 4 corners with items that correspond to their element. This helps bring the guardians or spirits to your circle. If you're first getting started, here are some basic correspondences that you can use to represent the 4 corners:
- East/Air- a yellow candle, feathers, incense, dried lavender, citrine, white quartz, athame
- South/Fire- a red candle, volcanic rock, heated stones, ruby, gold, brass.
- West/Water- a blue candle, water, shells, mirrors, silver, chalice, pearls.
- North/Earth- a green candle, soil, fresh herbs, oats, salt, clay figures, wooden tools.
Tip: You can find many different books and websites that list the stones, herbs, and natural materials that are associated with the different directions and elements. Some of these stones, herbs, and other natural items are used to work toward a particular goal, which you might consider when deciding which one to use for your ritual. For instance, citrine can be used to represent the air, but it's also used to bring joy and abundance.
3
Use a compass to identify which direction is north. You can use a handheld compass or download a free compass app on your phone. The compass will point you toward the north, and you can easily find south by turning opposite of north. To find west and east, remember that they read "WE," which helps you know that west is to the left of north, and east is to the right of north.
- For instance, you can use Digital Field Compass on Android or Smart Compass on iPhone. If you want more features, there are other apps you can try, as well.
4
Arrange your altar for your ritual, if you're using one. You may prefer to use an altar to hold your magical supplies, including your representatives of the 4 corners. Place your corresponding items in the corner they represent. Then, place your goddess or god items in the center of the altar. Position any other items you're using around the center of the circle.^{[1]
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Variation: If you're not using an altar, place your representatives for the 4 directions/elements in their respective corners. Use them to create a circle around you while you work. For instance, place a feather toward the east to represent air, a red candle toward the south to represent fire, a bowl of water in the west to represent water, and a bowl of salt in the north to represent earth.
5
Cleanse your space using sage or salt water. Light a sage bundle, then walk clockwise around the circle. Move your arm back and forth to spread the sage smoke around the area. As an alternative or additional step, stir salt into a cup of water until it's dissolved. Hold your hand over the salt water and imagine a white light flowing into the water. Then, sprinkle the water around the circle.^{[2]
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- As you cleanse the space, you might prefer to say something, such as “With this sage, I banish all negativity!”
6
Light the candles around the perimeter of your circle, if you're using them. It's up to you if you want to mark your circle with candles. You might enjoy the ambiance of the candles. However, they can pose a fire risk and may be unsafe if you have children or pets in your home.^{[3]
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- You can also mark your circle with non-flammable items, like seashells or stones.
7
Walk around your circle clockwise 3 times to cast your circle. As you walk, imagine that a white light is emanating from the circle. Keep your mind focused on the positive energy you're building, and take deep, steady breaths.^{[4]
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- Depending on your tradition, you may hold an athame while you do this.
Tip: When you're performing Pagan rituals, clockwise is often called “deasil,” which is a Gaelic term. Similarly, counterclockwise may be called by the Old German and Gaelic term “widdershins.” You may see these words in books and rituals.^{[5]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Calling the Elements

1
Begin in the north or east, depending on your preference. You may start in the north because it represents earth, which means it provides a stable foundation for your magical work. Alternatively, you might start in the east because it's where the sun rises. Choose what feels right to you, or follow your traditions if you're learning a formal practice.^{[6]
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- It's helpful to follow your own intuitions and do what's right for you. This is your spiritual path, so it may differ from someone else's.
2
Call each corner using your quarter calls. Turn toward the direction you are calling, then use a confident voice to recite the words you wrote or borrowed. It's best to say the words from memory, but you can read them from a book or sheet of paper, if you prefer.
- You may write your calls into your Book of Shadows, if you have one. Then, you might prefer to read them from the book as part of your ritual.
- Remember to turn to the next direction before making your next quarter call.
3
Light the candles associated with each corner, if you're using them. After each call, light the candle that represents that element, if you're using corresponding candles. Use a lighter, match, stick of incense, or another candle.^{[7]
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- Later, you'll extinguish these candles when you release the corners.
4
Stand in the center and acknowledge your goddess, god, or spirit. You can simply acknowledge their presence or call them to your circle, depending on your beliefs. Some practitioners appeal to the goddess, god, or spirit in general. However, you can also call on specific deities, if you'd like.^{[8]
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- You might skip this step if it doesn't fit into your spiritual path.
You might say…

”Dearest goddess, thank you for being in my circle.”

”Great goddess, I call to you, be with me here in my circle.”

”Oh, great goddess, come to me, hear my words, and make them be.”

”I call on these, Brigid, to come to my circle.”

Community Q&A

Question

It's a circle, and there are no corners in a circle. Isn't the correct terminology "calling quarters"?

Community Answer

No. It is speaking of the corners of the pentagram, not the corners of the circle.