The Four Quarters
At the start of a ritual, we ask the four elements – Earth, Air, Fire and Water – to join us in circle. We call these the four quarters (for the four directions of north, east, south, and west), or watchtowers. towers. As the term watchtower suggests, we are asking them to protect and watch over us as we do our magick. This way, we can relax and concentrate on our Witchcraft instead of having to guard ourselves against negative energy or the like.
We also ask the watchtowers to lend us their assistance in our magickal work. As I mentioned in the section on elements (which, again, I know you have memorized), each element has certain aspects associated with it, such as air being the property that rules over intellect.
So, if you were going to do magick to help you succeed on an important test (in addition to studying hard, of course, not instead of studying at all), you might ask that quarter for particular help during your ritual.
Here is an example of a typical quarter call or invocation:
I call the watchtower of the north, the element of earth.
Come guard me in my circle, and keep me safe as I work my magickal craft.
Help me to stay grounded and centered, and lend me your strength.
Come now, and enter the circle. So mote it be.
Once we have completed our magickal work and are ready to open the circle, we dismiss the quarters. Don’t be misled by the terms calling and dismissing-we don’t actually try to boss the quarter powers around. After all, you don’t want to irk the power of water and have your toilet explode, now do you? Always invoke and dismiss the watchtowers respectfully, and say thank you when you are done. As Witches, we have the power to summon the elements, but hopefully we also have the wisdom to treat them with the awe and deference they deserve.
–Deborah Blake, Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft
Witches Of The Craft® 