cast circles and animals

[Haedis]

I've heard quite a few people say that animals are attracted to the energy given off by casting a circle.

Well last night I went for a walk in the woods, cast a circle and sat down to meditate. About 5 mins later I heard things walking around in the trees, and noticed two or three coyotes who seemed really interested in what I was doing. I didnt think that was too odd because around here they arent afraid of humans.
I felt a little uneasy though so I opened the circle and decided to resume meditating in a nearby field. I cast another circle and a few minutes later I heard more footsteps and snorting and grunting really near by which could have only been made by a deer. I turned on my flashlight and sure enough, there was a buck who had delibrately came to see what was going on. I checked the area before casting my circle to make sure no deer were bedding down there, so he must have came after I arrived. I've never had anything like this happen when I wasnt in a circle.


How many people here find that animals are attracted to the energy of a cast circle? Do your pets seem to react differently if you're in a circle? How about wild animals (for outdoor rituals)?

[Myst]

Yep, animals are very attracted to energy. That has been my experience - with both animals and children. It's like setting up a big spiritual buffet table :D

[God Of Darkness]

yes i agree, my aunts cats liek to curl up next to where i am doing a spell or ritual - and his isnt my aunt chary i mean ...

[Haedis]

Its kind of cool since I love animals, but a little distracting when its pitch black and things are walking around outside the circle. :shaker:

[Theres]

cool gift from the coyotes Haedis!

yeah, they definitely react to the circle in my experience.
our dog Liebe only walks deosil at our garden circle, which really confuses her at Samhain! now this is probably a conditioned behavior, but it's fun when people notice.

we don't do ritual indoors very often, but when we do i have to move the love seat to give us enough space (small livingroom). and our cat Newman will deliberately walk AROUND the circle, even jumping over the couch if he needs to. he has never entered a cast circle, although the same part of the room doesn't bother him otherwise.

and at our annual Fall Equinox Festival, more often than not the deer will come out of the woods for main ritual on Saturday night. we rarely see them the rest of the weekend, but there they are for a cast circle of 250 people! they stand and watch, and then disappear right about the "Hail, and Farewell".
thanks Diana!

[Grey]

My cats always come by when a circle is near. Its distracting but sometimes its nice ya know. I dont do it up on the mountains though cause twice a black bear came and started sniffing my camp, maybe its just coincidence.

[MammaStar]

My cat always comes in when I've casted a circle. he usually just sits down next to me and goes to sleep. He could be anywhere in the house and he just KNOWS when I'm casting. ;)