No other symbol is more widely associated with Witchcraft then the pentacle, a round disk engraved with a pentagram { a five pointed star }. The circle surrounding the pentacle is the universal symbol of totality. The pentagram itself symbolizes the human microcosm. It also represents the five elements; Air, Fire, Water, Earth and 'Spirit'.
The origins of the Pentacle go far back to remotest historical antiquity, as far back as Pre-Babylonian Sumer. Ceremonial Magicians throughout the Middle Ages considered the pentacle to be among the most potent, holy, and protective of symbols - being stronger in this way, than even the cross. Those involved in metaphysical practices could be certain that wherever the pentacle was displayed, there, evil had no power.
Throughout history it has been venerated by many other civilizations as well. To the Jews, it symbolically designated the Pentateauch, The Five Books of Moses. Early Christians recognized it as pointing out the five Stigmata - the wounds Christ suffered on the Cross. To the followers of Pythagoras, it was called The Pentalpha, being composed of five interlacing A's or Alphas. With Alpha being the first letter of the Greek alphabet, we can view the pentacle as symbolically portraying the Unity of all things in the midst of multiplicity. It has survived under many different names: pentagram, Solomon's Seal, Star of Bethlehem, Three Kings' Star, Wizard's star, Star of Logres, devil's sign, Witch's cross, goblin's foot, or the Druid's Foot. From this assortment of names it can be seen that the pentacle is associated with Magick, paganism, Deviltry, and Christian Mysticism all together.
In ancient times the pentacle meant 'life' or 'health'. It was derived from the apple core pentacle of the Earth Mother. To this day, Gypsies cut an apple transversely to reveal the pentacle, which they call the Star of Knowledge. The pentacle was sacred to the Celtic Death Goddess Morgan and was carried in her honor on a blood-red shield, according to the tale of Gawain and the Green Knight. It is still the sign of the Earth element in the Tarot suit of pentacles, which evolved into the modern suit of diamonds. With one point downward, the pentacle was supposed to represent the head of the horned God.
The pentacle not only forms a continuous, 'gateless' protection sign; it also relates to numerological mysticism. To draw a pentacle one divides a circle into five arcs of seventy-two degrees each. Seventy- two is the prime magick number, divisible by all other numbers from 1 to 9, except for 5 itself, and the other magick number, 7; it is also divisible by the zodiacal number, 12, and multiples of 12 by 2, 3, and 6.
During the Middle Ages it was also said that Witches and Pagans used the pentacle to make the sign of the cross. Since the pentacle was thought to be such a powerful protection sign, it is quite possible that people used to cross themselves with a pentacle as much as, or more than, with a four-pointed cross or Hermetic 4.
The self-blessing with a pentacle is done with the right hand, as follows; touch the left breast, the forehead, the right breast, the left shoulder, the right shoulder, and finally the left breast again to complete the last point of the pentacle.
Traditionally, five angles have been attributed to the five elements. Starting at the top point, and circling clockwise: Spirit, Water, Fire, Earth, and Air. This becomes the graphic portrayal of Spirit ruling over the four elements and when the pentagram is placed within a circle {a symbol of eternity and totality or unity}, its energy is focused and directed.
The averse pentagram, with the single point buried in the depths of matter, has for many centuries been misinterpreted by the misinformed and those of ill intent as emblematic of the powers of evil and darkness. however, to the true student of symbolical philosophy, it represents Spirit submerged and bonded into the material elements. While the inverted pentagram is representative of Spirit's descent into matter, the pentagram aright, to those of Spiritual perception, represents the redemption of spirit from matter by ruling over it.
The pentacle is associated with the element of Earth and symbolizes the feminine ability to create. On a mundane level, the pentacle embodies the essence of materialism and the ability to escalate secular objectives. It is literally the Witch's canvas on which abstract thought-forms are brought to life. From a spiritual or esoteric view point the pentacle represents the realm of birth, life death and renewal.
In its original form the pentacle was the shield of the ancient hunter and warrior and was viewed purely as a defensive weapon. Symbolically, keeping in mind that symbolism is the language of magick, it is not a weapon of war, but one of peace. It is because of its association with the shield that the pentacle became a symbol of protection and a tool used to ward off psychic attack.
During nearly all magickal rites the pentacle is used as a point of convergence. The desire's symbolic representation is placed in the pentacle and then all raised energy is focused toward it. The pentacle acts like a magnet, drawing energy toward it, infusing whatever is on top of it with psychic power. Once the symbolic object has been charged or activated it will begin to work on manifesting the desired outcome. The pentacle depicts the spirit above matter and is a symbol of the Goddess.
When its points faces down the pentacle is generally regarded as a symbol of negativity, black magick and Satanism. However, in some traditions an upright pentacle does represent the Goddess, while a reversed pentacle represents the Horned God.
Through the ages, the symbol of the pentagram, or pentacle has been viewed with great suspicion. It has been seen as a symbol of evil and as a trademark of the Christian Devil and Devil worship. As any Pagan could tell you, we do not believe in a "Devil" of any form, let alone use a symbol that is suppose to be its "trade mark." On the pentacle, our sacred symbol, each point of the star represents one element, being Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The top point of the star stands for the fifth element, that of the Spirit. It means centering, transformation, and that its limits are beyond time and space as we understand them. This element is often called "Akasha." The circle around the star represents the endless circle of life we know as Birth, Growth, Death, and Re-birth.
Air- Compass point: East. Represents intellect, communication, knowledge, concentration; the ability to "know" and to understand; to unlock secrets of the dead; to contact the angels; telepathy, memory and wisdom; the hawk, the raven and eagle; prophecy; movement, Karma and speed.
Fire- Compass point: South. Stands for energy, purification, courage, the will to dare, creativity; higher self; success and refinement; the arts and transformation; the lion, the phoenix and the dragon; loyalty and force.
Water- Compass point: West. Associated with intuition, emotions, the inner self, flowing movement, the power to dare and cleanse all things; sympathy and love; reflection; currents and tides of life; the dolphin, the swan and the crab; dreams and dreamtime.
Earth- Compass point: North. Mystery and growth, fertility, material abundance, the combined forces of nature and its bounty; birth and healing; business, industry and possessions; the bear, the stag and the wolf; conservation and nature.
The pentagram is often seen as a symbol of Paganism, and Pagans use it not only for protecting themselves, but also for representing their beliefs. For a Wiccan, there is no symbol more powerful or meaningful than this.
The reversed pentagram is sometimes seen, but rarely used in Paganism. In some covens it is used as a sign of second degree initiation. Not used to indicate evil, but to fulfill a function of growth. Do not assume when you see an inverted pentagram, that the person worships with a satanic cult. Again, learn before you judge.
