Pentacle/Pentagram - Article 1
The Pentagram (a five-pointed star in an upright, one-point-up position) is the symbol of our religion. The top point symbolizes Spirit (the Creator) being 'above', or ruling, the Four Elements of Life -- Air, Fire, Water, & Earth -- which are the four lowerpoints.
The Circle, being without beginning or end, symbolizes the Deity. It is completely encompassing the Star within it (which represents the out-stretched human body, reaching out in search of its connection with Spirit). Together, they represent the Creator's Protection & Wisdom.
Inverting the Pentagram, as is done by Satanists, symbolizes that the Elements (the "material world") are superior to the Creator. Unfortunately, through misunderstandings that have been repeated by the media, the Pentagram -- in whatever position -- has become wrongly equated with Satanism. (Please note, though, that in England, there are several traditions that use the inverted pentagram as a symbol for a second degree -- which obviously has nothing to do with Satanism).
The Pentagram was known and used by the Pythagoreans (followers of the philosopher-mathematician Pythagoras) of ancient Greece, where it was known as the PentAlpha, being constructed of five interlocking letter A's (A=Alpha in Greek, hence AlphaBet from Alpha, Beta, Gamma etc). It's origins, like those of the Hexagram, the Magickal Circle, the Cross of the four Elements (Watchtowers) are ultimately and demonstrably rooted in the ancient Art and Science of Astrology. Most of the symbolism in Wicca of the Magickal circle, the Pentagram/Pentacle (as circumscribed Pentagram) were absorbed from the traditions of High or Ritual Magick and can be found delineated in the many medieval grimoires of Magick. These were well-documented and reformed into Golden Dawn and Rosicrucian Magickal Renaissance of the late 1800's. The (proceeding deosil from the top) Spirit, Water, Fire, Earth, Air attribution of the elements to the upright pentagram is typically Golden Dawn, as are the color attributions of the elements. The Alexandrian/Gardnerian system of degree symbols was based on a Qabalistic diagram, the Tree of Life. They are: first degree - downward pointing triangle (bottom of tree) second degree - downward pointing pentagram (lower middle of tree) third degree - upward pointing pentagram piercing upward pointing triangle (upper middle and top of tree) Budding Qabalists and Geometers, try and diagram it out The use and symbolism of the downward pointing pentagram in Satanism is irrelevent to wicca, in the same way that the modern Nazi use of the Swastika is irrelevant to Tibetan Buddhism (in which it has been used for several thousand years) Wicca is not unlike any other religious system in that in reinventing itself in the 1950's it reclaimed the Magickal Practises of the previous age, blending them with the more primeval philosophies. The very term 'The Craft' and even the way it is used referentially to describe the body Wicca is lifted from Freemasonry, as is the system of degrees. The Wiccan Rede is known to have been coined by British Witchcraft founder Gerald Gardner, from the philsophy of Thelema, itself created by English Magickian Aleister Crowley. Gardner: "An it harm none, do what ye will." Crowley: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law, Love is the Law, Love under Will." Crowleys aphorism was itself taken from the antecedent 'Pantagruel' work of French writer, Rabelais: "Fay ce que voudrais" or "Do what you Will" (please excuse my awful french, aided and abetted by reconstruction from memory) This does not in any way invalidate the usefulness, sacredness or validity of Wicca. Wicca In my view, it only enhances it. Every religious system and religious text incorporates whatever it finds useful from any ancestral body of work. Xtianity mostly based it's story of Jesus on the competing popular Roman Mystery Cult of Mithraism, which the Romans adopted from Persia. Meanwhile they also incorporated the entire Hebrew old testament, and later, most of the European, Greek and Roman Pagan festivals. A good example is Easter, I mean you can't really recast the Moon-timed Menstrual/Ovulatory/Reproductive symbolism of Eggs and Hares (rabbits) successfully in any supposed Xtian framework. Even if you do manage to wrap your sensibilities around that, there's still the question of the name Easter, I mean it couldn't in any way be related to the Ancient Goddess of Menstruation, Oestre, who's festival also happens to be lunar-scheduled around the Vernal Equinox, could it?
8Pentacle Correspondences
RIGHT LEG
Element-Earth Heaviest Element Aspect-Body Effect--Slow acting, long lasting
LEFT LEG
Element-Water Heavy Element Aspect - Emotion Effect - Slow acting, long lasting
LEFT ARM
Element - Air Light Element Aspect - Intellect Effect - Fast
acting,
modest staying
power
RIGHT ARM
Element - Fire Lightest Element Aspect - Will Effect -
Very
fast
acting, little staying power
POINT
Element - Spirit Ephemeral Element
Aspect
- Spirit
Effect - Interaction with God/desses
8The Pentagram (a five-pointed star in an
upright,
one-point-up position) is the symbol of our religion. The top point
symbolizes Spirit (the
Creator) being 'above', or ruling, the Four Elements of Life -- Air,
Fire,
Water, & Earth --
which are the four lowerpoints. The Circle, being without beginning or
end,
symbolizes
the Deity. It is completely encompassing the Star within it (which
represents the
out-stretched human body, reaching out in search of its connection with
Spirit). Together,
they represent the Creator's Protection & Wisdom. Inverting the
Pentagram,
as is done by
Satanists, symbolizes that the Elements (the "material world") are
superior
to the Creator.
Unfortunately, through misunderstandings that have been repeated by the
media, the
Pentagram -- in whatever position -- has become wrongly equated with
Satanism. (Please
note, though, that in England, there are several traditions that use
the
inverted pentagram
as a symbol for a second degree -- which obviously has nothing to do
with
Satanism).
The Pentagram means different things to different people. Some may argue as to what it represents, but I will tell you the real meaning of it. The Pentagram right side up represents God ruling over the world of matter. The 5 points represent the 5 places that Christ was wounded. This is why Devils are afraid of it! It also represents man with his arms stretched out. Let us not forget that it also represents the elements (water, air, earth, fire) and spirit. Now there is also the upside-down Pentagram. It represents Satan or the world of matter ruling over God. It is the same as denouncing God! To wear it is to attract evil around you. Normally it is only worn by Satanists or devil worshipers and wanna be's who like to pretend that they are evil! So those like me who wish to have power over evil will wear it right side up!
Here we have an example of both the right side up and the reversed Pentagram... Right side up (God ruling) Upside-down (Evil ruling) Many mainstream religion believers think that they are both evil and represent the Devil. But that is because they are so...ignorant and blind to the fact that there is a difference. It shows their lack of study on the true facts of history.