PENTACLE AND PENTAGRAM

The pentacle is probably the most important symbol in witchcraft. It is a five pointed star with a single point facing upright. A written or drawn pentacle is a pentagram. In rituals and magic the pentacle is a round disk of earthenware, wax, silver, or clay. It is inscribed with magic symbols including a pentagram and is used to consecrate the magic circle. In some rituals the high priestess may asume the pentacle position. Some witches may wear a pentacle as a sign of their religeon. Some covens use the pentacle as the sigal of the witches who are initiated in to the second degree. The pentagram is the witches symbol of power and protection and used to control elemental forces. Pentagrams are usually drawn in the air with a sword. The method used to draw the pentagram depends on its purpose. Such as pentagrams to invoke are different from pentagrams to banish. Pentagrams are also used in meditation exercises where each point of the star is associated with a specific quality, attribute, concept, emotion or name of a pagan deity. The magicians pentacle is also referred to as the pentacle of solomon. It represents God or man and the four elements of nature, five senses, five wounds of Jesus, and the five points of man. The magician attaches pentacles on his robes. Pentacles are also engraved on rings. As a talisman the the pentacle enables the magician to command the spirits. 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 Wiccan 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 Wicca, and Wiccans 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 Wicca. In some covens it is used as a sign of second degree initiation. Not used to indicate evil. Do not assume when you see an inverted pentagram, that the person worships with a satanic cult. Again, learn before you judge.