This casting is derived from the Book of the Dead. The four sons of Horus and the goddesses who are paired with them on the corners of the coffin are invoked at the quarters and implored to give protection to specific aspects of the soul. The casting itself is a journey from the physical body to the shining body or spirit body. In setting up the ritual space, put offerings at each quarter station: grain for earth in the north, wine for fire in the east, water for water in the south and incense (preferably frankincense and myrrh) for air in the west.
One may wonder why Isis is invoked (here in song, but you can do another invocation if you like) but Osiris is not. Since Osiris is the circle, invoking him would be redundant. Depending on the purpose of your ritual, other Egyptian deities (except Sekhmet and Set) may be invoked at the appropriate time. If other deities are invoked, be sure to remember them when you bring the circle down. Generally speaking, Sekhmet and Set are forces of chaos and destruction, so they do not typically “mix” with the other deities (this is especially true for Set). If you are going to be calling upon either or both of them, you should employ another casting.
Since this casting is a journey from the physical body to the spirit body, it is best if one person performs the whole casting. After all, no one can take any part of another’s journey. Each person in the circle should follow the casting and focus on the process as if they were making the same journey, as indeed they are by proxy through the priest or priestess who is putting the circle up.
Aspurge the circle with water and salt. Drink the remainder when you are through.
By Earth and Water do I declare
This circle pure and free.
Let all within be filled with light,
Bound by love and blessed be.
Light the altar incense and consecrate the circle with it.
By Fire and smoke do I invoke
Spirit from above.
Fill this rite with your might,
With sacredness and love.
Call the quarters, drawing the invoking pentagram of each element in turn before you start the welcome there.
In the North:
Welcome Ahephi, Lord of the Pillar of the North, land of darkness and the unknown, wherein all things are formed, and to which all shall return. Protect my aufu from danger, but if I must leave this realm, keep my khat undefiled.
Greetings, Nebt-Het, dear sister, Mistress of the Palace and mother of Anubis. Be ever with me at my right hand and disperse all danger that would assail my ka.
Lift the grain offering:
This grain is for you, that you may flourish and be pleased. May the bread of life be granted to me.
In the East:
Welcome Tuamutef, Lord of the pillar of the East, where the spark of life dawns and the sun rises. Guide my ab in all of its journeys and protect it from destructive passions.
Greetings, Neith, Queen of Sais, Mother of the House of Life. Stay with me always, and guard my ba from all that would destroy me.
Lift the wine offering.
This wine is for you, that you may always be in good spirits. May the spirit of life always be with me.
In the South:
Welcome, Amset, Lord of the Pillar of the South, the land of the living. Guide my khaibit in all of its travels and protect it from all harm.
Greetings, Auset, Queen of the South, Lady of the Sea. Stay with me always, and keep my sekhem safe from all dangers.
Lift the water offering.
This water is for you, that your thirst may be quenched forever. May the fluid of life never be destroyed in me, and may I never be destroyed in it.
In the West:
Welcome, Qebhsenuf, Lord of the Pillar of the West, gateway to Amenti, the land of the dead. Guide my sahu in its journeys through all the worlds, and protect it from all that would threaten it or interfere with its purpose.
Greetings, Selkhet, you who increase by giving breath and food, Protectoress of marriage. Bless the rite we perform tonight. Be with me always, and guard my khu from all peril.
Lift the incense offering.
This incense is for you, that you may be pleased, and that your abode will ever be purified. May the breath of llife in me remain pure forever.
At the altar:
We invite all of you to share our joy and blessings as we perform this rite. All blessings and protection I ask for myself, I ask also for my companions. Bless us and protect all within this circle from any evil or unwanted influences that would interfere with our purpose.
Take the working candle from the altar and carry it clockwise around the circle, saying:
By holy flame of heart’s desire,
The circle is cast in Spirit-fire.
The worlds are parted, Time’s Web unspun,
Until our work within is done.
Sing the Isis invocation.
Do your work or ritual in the circle.
Bring the circle down. At the altar:
Lord Osiris, Lady Isis: thank you for watching over this rite, celebrating with us and giving us your inspiration. Guardians and Guides, thank you for your presence, guidance and protection. Our thanks and love are with you always. Blessed be.
Take the working candle from the altar and carry it counter-clockwise around the circle, saying:
By holy flame of candle-fire,
The ritual ends at our desire.
The circle is down, and is no more,
All things are as they were before.