This from Laurie Cabot’s site. She is wonderful. You can find more info at http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/1614/Celtwicc/Wicca/Wicca05.htm

1.Remove all animals & small children from the area & any furniture that
you do not want to be inside your circle.

2.Set up your altar before you cast your circle.

3.Locate magnetic North with a compass & holding the wand out from your body,
go into alpha & see the wand’s aura extending out from it, especially at the
tip.

4.Visualize the tip of the wand creating a circle of light & energy, like
a laser, as you walk clockwise three times around the area. The circumference
drawn by the wand’s tip will be the edge of your circle. Project white light out
from the wand to create the circle as geometrically perfect & say to yourself
that it is.

5.Walk the circle the second time around & say out loud: “I cast this
circle to protect me/us from all negative & positive energies & forces
on any level that may come to do me harm. I draw into this circle only the energies
& forces that are right for me & the most correct for my work.”

6.Walk the circle the third time & say: “I create sacred space. So mote
it be.”

7.Invoke the four directions & energies of the elements, angels & powers
that reside in them by using the athame, wand, sword or index finger to draw an
invoking pentagram as you face each direction. Use a ritual spell of invocation
or one you write for yourself.

8.To open a circle hold the wand out over the circumference of the circle &
beginning at magnetic North, walk once around the circle counterclockwise as you
say, “I send this circle into the cosmos to do my bidding. the circle is
undone but not broken.”

Casting a Circle in a Hurry

Stand, sit or lie, according to the situation. raise energy by tightening your
muscles. Visualize it glowing as a ball of purplish-blue flame within you. Using
your projective hand, direct this energy out from you into a small magic circle.
The hand acts as the energy director. Alternately, send out the energy in a clockwise
circle around you without moving your hand. feel the circle shimmering & pulsing.
If desired & possible, sprinkle salt &/or water around you to bless the
area before creating the circle.

Closing the Circle

To close a circle, just reverse the opening process. Go to the blue candle at
the North and say: “Thank you and Farewell to The Element of Earth, and the
Lady and the Lord of the WatchTower of the North. May it stand in strength, ever
watching,now and in the future.”

Snuff out the candle. Go to the green candle at the West and say: “Thank
you and farewell to the Element of Water, and the Lady and Lord of the WatchTower
of the West. May it stand in strength, forever watching, now and in the future.”

Snuff out the candle. Go to the red candle at the South and say: “Thank you
and farewell to the Element of Fire, and the Lady and Lord of the WatchTower of
the South. May it stand in strength, forever watching, now and in the future.”

Snuff out the candle. Go to the yellow candle at the East and say: “Thank
you and Farewell to the Element of Air and to the Lady and the Lord of the WatchTower
of the East. May it stand in strength, forever watching, now and in the future.”

“Thankyou and farewell to the Four Quarters, and Goddess and God. I bid the
Lady and Lord farewell and to join me in future circles.”

Snuff out the candle. “Hail to the Goddess and God.” “The circle
is now closed.” “So mote it be!” Ring the bell 3 times.