A Tarot-Based Ritual Opening and Closing: How to Set Sacred Space For Spellwork, Divination, and Other Magical Work
Magical ritual work is divided into three steps: an opening, an operation, and a closing. The opening serves to clear away unwanted energies, set the physical space, and align the physical with the spiritual. It typically is based on symbolism that resonates with the magical work you want to do or with the broader tradition you are following. Next, the operation is the magical work you are doing, such as spellwork, divination, meditation, etc. Finally, the closing thanks and releases the spiritual energies you invited, closes the open connection to the spiritual, and clears the energy of the space back to normal. Creating sacred space using tarot symbolism is easy and offers some of the following benefits.
Using a ritual opening and closing allows us to greatly increase our spiritual connection for a limited amount of time in order to perform the spiritual work we want to do. Having a formal method to increase and then decrease this flow of energy greatly increases your control over your psychic connection. Using formal methods like this is an easy way to establish healthy psychic hygiene (here is an article on non-ritual methods of psychic self-care).
A Tarot-Based Script to create Sacred Space
I wrote the following ritual opening and closing for tarot readers who didn’t have a background in performing rituals but wanted to do magical work or open a deeper connection in which to perform their divinations. In this script, we use the spinning Wheel of Fortune like a fan to blow away unwanted energy. Then the Magician helps us draw the circle. After that, the Sun brings the Light of the Divine into the space. Next, we call the four quarters with the four Aces (see last week’s post to write your own quarter calls or use the ones I wrote below). At last, we invoke the Divine with the Star card. This method is an easy and elegant way to set a sacred space for for your tarot readings, open your intuition, and more fully connect with your spiritual guidance.
Set Up
You can make your space as simple or elaborate as you like. At basic, you need enough space to turn around in with your arm outstretched. But it’s nice to have a little more room and place a small table at the center as an altar. If you’ll be working at the altar, such as doing a divination, you might like a chair as well. Your choice of decorations and symbols for the altar and the space in general can align with and support the theme or topic for the magical working or divination you wish to perform.
To do the Opening as written below, you will need to pull the four Aces, Magician, Wheel, Sun, and Star cards from your deck. These can be organized appropriately on your altar or otherwise placed around the room where you will need them.
Ritual Opening
Start by sitting or standing at the altar, spending a few minutes of silent meditation. The fourfold breath is perfect for this.
Step 1: Cast the Circle
Cleanse the Space
Pick up the Wheel of Fortune card. Stand, facing the altar, holding the card out in front of you and say:
“With the spinning of the wheel I cleanse this space.”
Step to the east, which is your starting point (go around the left side of the altar so you’re always walking clockwise in the circle). Walk in a circle around your ritual space, holding the card before you. Imagine the spinning wheel clearing away all debris and unhelpful energies. It might seem like a swirling gust of wind that leaves everything feeling still and clear. When you are back in the east, return to the altar in a clockwise manner. Put the Wheel card down.
Cast the Circle
Pick up the Magician card. Hold the card out in front of you and say:
“With focused intention I cast the circle.”
Again, moving around the north side of the altar, go to the east. Hold the Magician card in front of you and slightly down as you visualize a bright laser beam of light coming through the card and inscribing a circle on the floor as you walk around. When you’re back in the east, return clockwise to the altar. Put the Magician down.
Call Down Divine Light
Pick up the Sun card. Hold the card out in front of you and say:
“I invite the bright light of the Divine to fill this space.”
Move clockwise to the east, and then walk the circle as you hold out the card, slightly elevated towards the sky, as you imagine the whole space filled with bright light, as if the sun came out from behind a cloud. Once you are back to the east, return clockwise to the altar and put the Sun card down.
Standing at the altar, say, “Welcome to the circle!”
Step 2: Call the Quarters
If you wrote your own quarter calls, use them here!
East
Pick up the Ace of Swords. Walk clockwise around the altar to the East. Hold out the Ace of Swords and say:
“A new day rises in the east with fresh clarity. I breathe deeply of inspiration and speak aloud my clear intention. From the east, I call forth elemental air and its gift of pointed focus.”
Walk clockwise back to the altar and return the Ace of Swords.
South
Pick up the Ace of Wands. Walk clockwise around the altar, this time past the east and continuing to the South. Hold out the Ace of Wands and say:
“The noonday Sun in the south burns with lively force. I move boldly with determination and create my heart’s desire. From the south I call forth elemental fire and its gift of vital energy.”
Step back the short distance to the altar and return the Ace of Wands.
West
Pick up the Ace of Cups. Walk clockwise around the altar all the way to the west. Hold out the Ace of Cups and say:
“The sinking sun fades in the west with gentle release. I care deeply with compassion and dream my soul’s connection. From the west I call forth elemental water and its gift of unconditional love.”
Return to the altar, stepping around to the north side of your chair, and return the Ace of Cups.
North
Pick up the Ace of Pentacles. Walk to your left to the north. Hold out the Ace of Pentacles and say:
“The midnight darkness in the north sits silent, immovable as a rock. I center my body and trust my space in the world. From the north I call forth elemental earth and its gift of unwavering strength.”
Walk all the way around the circle clockwise back to your spot at the altar. Return the Ace of Pentacles.
Standing at the altar, say, “May the four elements guard and protect this circle.”
Step 3: Invoke the Deity
Pick up the Star card. Stay where you are, in the center, standing at your altar. Hold out the Star card and say:
“Brilliant Star, Stella, Astra, I name you The Daughter Of The Firmament, The Dweller Between The Waters. You are the unending flow of life, the freedom of the soul, the swirl of cosmic sparks into tangible matter. Heavenly spiral and earthly cycle, you give the power to nourish, grow, and release. Forever beyond the heavens, you perpetually touch the earth. You are the height of spirit and the depth of soul. You are the point of light that is the source of all. You are the safe and trusting support under our feet. You are the circle of stars, the blazing path we walk to find ourselves. From you whirl all the planets each to their own place. High above me, you brighten my way with twinkling, joyful, ever wakeful fire. Sacred light, be here now in my circle to guide me with your conscious rays.”
Replace the Star card. Stand silently, basking in the glow of the Divine descending from above, emerging from below, and fully present all around you.
(I used the Golden Dawn title for the Star card and borrowed from the Orphic Hymn to the Stars when writing this invocation. I’m pretty sure I pulled from another classical source, but I can’t remember what–If you recognize something, please let me know!)
Magical Operation
At this point, do the magical work you intend to do, such as spellwork or divination.
Ritual Closing
Step 1: Thank and Release the Divine
Stand at altar in center and say, “Brilliant Star, thank you for your sacred light and for guiding the work we performed tonight. We honor and revere you and all named and unnamed beings that helped us in our celebration: We thank you for your presence and bid you now depart.”
Step 2: Thank and Release the Four Directions
Walk from the altar to the North and say, “Thank you earth for your centeredness, trust, and strength. Keeping within ourselves all that we have learned from you, we release and dismiss you and your attendant energies from the circle. Begone!”
Walk counterclockwise to the West and say, “Thank you water for your compassion, connection, and love. Keeping within ourselves all that we have learned from you, we release and dismiss you and your attendant energies from the circle. Begone!”
Walk counterclockwise to the South and say, “Thank you fire for your determination, desire, and vitality. Keeping within ourselves all that we have learned from you, we release and dismiss you and your attendant energies from the circle. Begone!”
Walk counterclockwise to the east and say, “Thank you air for your clarity, inspiration, and focus. Keeping within ourselves all that we have learned from you, we release and dismiss you and your attendant energies from the circle. Begone!”
Step 3: Open the Circle
In some traditions, you can cut the circle with a sharp “X” movement of your hand or using your wand to quickly disperse the energy.
Otherwise, still standing in the east after dismissing the element air, you can walk counterclockwise around the space three times, imagining that you are leaving sacred space, unwinding the circle, and returning to everyday space.
Say, “The circle is open but unbroken! Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again!”
