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The Pentacle - steeped in history

jaspenelle's picture
Fri, 06/08/2007 - 12:11 — jaspenelle
pentacle

The pentacle has many names, both of folk origin and more modern labels by those who find it a symbol of evil. A few names that I have heard are: Druid's Root, Endless Knot, Goblin's Star, Pentalpha, Satan's Star, Star of Knowledge, Star of Life, Witches' Cross, Witches' Foot and Witches' Star.

For many, the pentacle is one of the most recognizable symbols of modern Paganism, but, for others, it is a symbol of ultimate evil and Satan. Naturally this kind of polarization makes it interesting to me. Something with so many names and so many interpretations must have a rich history. Leading me to wonder, what does the pentacle really mean?

Lets start by defining what a pentacle is. A pentacle is, simple enough, a 5-pointed star (a pentagram) enclosed in a circle. The star is generally drawn in one continuous stroke and then the circle is added. In Neo-Paganism it is also generally drawn with only one point facing upward.

The Pentacle and The Earth

Neo-Paganism aside though, the pentacle has very deep historical roots, it has been around for upwards of 8000 years - which easily places it in the box of one mankind's most ancient symbols. Perhaps this is why many considered it a very controversial symbol. How much do modern day views link up with history though?

In many circles now-a-days the pentacle is used to represent the earth. This certainly seems to link up with several ancient beliefs.

  • In ancient Egypt it was the symbol of the underground womb.
  • It is believed that the Celts associated it with the underworld goddess Morrigan
  • To the Greeks it was the symbol of the Maiden Goddess Kore Persephone; also the queen of the Underworld. The link between Kore and the pentacle exists probably because the apple was her sacred fruit and when one is cut on the equator it reveals a star at it's core.

The Pentacle and Kore

The pentacle's connection to Kore seems to expand its definition than just a representation of the earth though, but rather a representation of life itself. In legend (from www.theoi.com):

"Once upon a time when she [Kore] was playing in a flowery meadow with her Nymph companions, she was seized by Haides and carried off to the underworld as his bride. Her mother Demeter despaired at her disappearance and searched for her the throughout the world accompanied by the goddess Hekate bearing torches. When she learned that Zeus had conspired in her daughter's abduction she was furious, and refused to let the earth fruit until Persephone was returned. Zeus consented, but because the girl had tasted of the food of Haides - a handful of pomegranate seeds - she was forced to forever spend a part of the year with her husband in the underworld. Her annual return to the earth in spring was marked by the flowering of the meadows and the sudden growth of the new grain. Her return to the underworld in winter, conversely, saw the dying down of plants and the halting of growth."

This is not a story about the creation of the seasons but a vivid metaphor of life, death and rebirth as well as the divine force behind it all. Perhaps that is why one of the pentacle's names is the Star of Life.

The Pentacle In Religion

The pentacle has also long been associated with various religions, even Christianity. This makes the demonification of the symbol now-a-days somewhat amusing. To early Christians (pre-Burning Times) it was used as a secondary symbol of their faith (after the cross.) The five points in this case represented the 5 wounds of Christ. Also, because it could be drawn in one continuous movement of the pen, it was seen as representing the “Alpha and the Omega” in one. Of course I have never seen a Christian wear the pentacle, but they have as much of a right as any Pagan does to do so. The pentacle is truly a symbol found in many upon many religions:

  • Judaism: Though the six-pointed star of Solomon is more recognizable then the pentacle when it comes to Judaism; the pentacle has it's place in this faith too. It is used to represented the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses.) It is also the first of the Seven Seals, in the Old Testament.
  • Freemasonsry: In the Masonic Guilds it is used as the symbol of the sitting Past Master of the Lodge. In the Order of the Eastern (an international humanitarian organization composed of women who are wives of advanced Masons.) They use an inverted pentacle as their symbol and it represents the five heroine in the Bible.
  • Gnosticism: The pentacle found as early as the 4th century Gnostic texts. It was also an expression of a secret Gnostic heresy, as a symbol of Isis/Venus as the secret goddess, the female principle.
  • The Rosicrucian: This is movement that consists of groups of Christian mystics. They frequently use a wand, sword, cup and pentacle in their rituals. The pentacle represents "earth, matter and stability" for them.
  • Satanism: The inverted pentacle is one of their most recognizable symbols. Due to most people's misunderstanding of what Satanism is, this association is part of the reason modern day people frown upon the pentacle.
  • Summarian: In ancient Summaria (approx 2600 BCE), the pentacle is believed to represent (in cuneiform) the “Heavenly Quarters” as well as the four directions (forward, backward, left, right and above.)
  • Wicca: This is probably best known for bringing the use of the pentacle back into the modern age. It is used as a symbol of protection, to represent the five elements (earth, air, fire, water and spirit) and to represent the 5 points of diety – the Triple Goddess (maiden, mother, crone) and the duality of the God (the Oak King and the Holly King.)

The Pentacle and Protection

As you can see from the Gnosticism reference, the pentacle has also often represented secrecy. More specifically, the need for secrecy our of self-preservation (protection.) Even in modern Wicca, it is used as an amulet of protection, to “guard” against negative energies.

The earliest reference I can find to it being used linked to secrecy is by Pythagoras (approx 550 BCE), who supposable used it as a secret sign to his followers after they were driven underground. Interestingly enough they called it the five syllable word “Hugieia” which roughly translates to “Health” or “Wholeness”.

Upright vs. Inverted

In modern day lore many people associate the inverted pentacle with evil and Satanism, while the upright one does not garner nearly as much bad press. This is really a misconception that probably came about as modern Pagans fought to not be seen as Satanists (who exclusively use the inverted pentacle.) Either way both the upright and inverted pentacle deserve and have their place in history as well as modern magick.

It was actually not until the 19th century that the inverted pentacle became a symbol of evil. Alphonse Louis Constant (aka Eliphas Levi) defined two versions of the pentacle:

levi's drawings

It shows an upright pentacle with a man/God in it (the "good" version) next to an inverted pentacle with a goat's head in it (the "bad" one.) The goat's head is said to be the head of Satan/Baphomet. Interestingly enough Baphomet was worshiped in pre-Christian times and can be linked to the modern Horned God in Wicca – personally I feel the association was created to further relegate witchcraft the realm of evil rather then healing. (I find the names wrapped around each incredibly interesting (upright: Adam and Eve – inverted: Samael and Lilith) but I think that would better be embellished in another essay.)

In modern times the inverted pentacle can represent many things:

  • It represents the Horned God in some Pagan paths.
  • It represents the Goddess – the upward points form a chalice and the upward and bottom points form a triangle pointing towards the Her/the earth.
  • It represents 2nd level initiation in Gardnarian Wicca 2nd degree initiation.
  • Upright represents Spring and Summer, while inverted represents Autumn and Winter.
  • It can be used in banishing rituals as well as during wanning moon rites.

The Modern Pentacle

In modern witchcraft there are two common (though not universal) rituals that the pentacle is used in. In invocations and banishings. Most often invocation rites are done in deosil (a clockwise direction) and banishing are done widdershins (counterclockwise.)

  • In invocations, the spirits are called starting at Spirit (top of the pentacle) and traced down to Fire (bottom right) which attracts to spirits, up to Water (top left), across to Air (top right), down to Earth (bottom left) and back up to spirit. The circle is traced deosil.
  • In banishings, the spirits are dismissed starting at Spirit, down to Earth which helps them dissipate, up to Air, across to Water, down to Fire and back up to Spirit. The circle is traced widdershins.

There are many upon many interpretations of what each elemental point of the pentacle represents. The more you look it up the more definitions you find. This is my interpretation:

  • Akasha (Spirit): The Higher Self – channeling point of all the elemental energies.
  • Earth: The Physical Self – grounding, abundance, stability
  • Air: The Etheric Self – communication, intelligence
  • Fire: The Astral Self – projection, courage, passion
  • Water: The Intuitive Self – emotions, creativity

    • When encircled this creates the diagram of my Universe, the circle is wholeness, balance and continuation.

    So what does the pentacle mean? I do not think there is any one true answer. In my opinion, the pentacle means more then just “Pagan”. It has crossed so many cultures and beliefs before coming to us “neo-Pagans” in this day and age and endured through acceptance and stigma. Perhaps the pentacle would better serve as a symbol of the commonalities found in all walks of life. Personally? I wear a pentacle, in a way it is my personal ambassador – both for finding like-minded people and to invite conversations that may induce wider acceptance of different beliefs, I find it works very well for both of those pursuits.

    And Just A Little Extra

    The pentacle has so many meanings, that I couldn't find a way to fit them all into this essay (I was trying to keep it short believe it or not.) Still I want to list some of the other tidbits I found about it that are interesting:

    • Mathematically the pentacle contains the “Golden Ratio” which is found often in the natural world. This ratio is 1.618 approximately and is called phi (not to be confused with Pi.) Why does this matter? It does because the Golden Ratio former the basis for the Fibonacci Sequence, which is well known for it frequent appearing in nature (from the construction of a seashell to the ratios found in flower petals.)
    • It can represent the five stages of life: Birth, Initiation, Consummation, Waning and Death. The continuation of this cycle (for those who believe in some form of reincarnation) can be represented in the circle.
    • The pentacle is linked to the goddess Aphrodite/Venus. This is because the planet Venus creates a pentacle in her journey through our night sky.
    • In Ancient Mesopotamia, it was symbolic of the imperial power extending out to "the 4 corners of the world".
    • In medieval times it was used as a protection against demons.
    • In medieval times it was also used to symbolized the Five Knightly Virtues: Piety, Chastity, Generosity, Courtesy and Chivalry.
    • When an apple is cut in half sideways, it's seeds form a star formation, the flesh and skin of the apple can be seen as the circle around it, forming a natural pentacle. The apple is a common symbol of the God and Goddess joined together as well as a symbol of knowledge. The fruit of knowledge that Adam and Eve ate is commonly thought to be the apple.
    • Tarot cards originally had a suit of coins. This changed in the 19th century to pentacles when the Tarot became associated with the Kabbalah. (The pentacles eventually became the suit of diamonds in modern playing cards.)

    Sources

    Jaspenelle's Disclaimer

    You should in no way, shape, or form feel obligated to agree with me 100% of the time. In fact I invite discussion wholeheartedly. It is through sharing that we expand our awareness. A free spirit is one who thinks for themselves and comes to their own conclusion (whether in agreement with the subject at hand or not.)

    When I say something is my interpretation or opinion, that means that it is only my personal views, created by my life experiences. My personal beliefs naturally influence what I write, since they are very much a part of my every day life. I only ask that people remember that these are my personal beliefs (albeit subject to constant change) and to please respect that, while we may not agree, that does not mean either of us are wrong.