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Pentagram & Pentacle
The Western world's relationship with the pentagram is controversial. It has been regarded as a symbol of Satanism, and has only lately been recognized as an appropriate emblem of religious affiliation on the headstones of United States veterans. This stock symbol is frequently used in the horror and fantasy genres. Despite the vast amount of infographics, memes, and articles regarding the “real” significance of the pentagram on the internet, they are often omitting its use in general Western Esotericism and its history outside of current Wicca.
Is There a Difference?
To begin, there is a significant distinction between a pentagram and a pentacle that should be addressed. Is there a way to find out? Since the two are so frequently interchangeable, what's the point in separating them? Honestly, it's not that difficult.
A pentagram can be used as a pentacle, and this is a common occurrence. But pentagrams are not present in every pentacle. The word “pentacle” first appears in the English language in The Heptameron by Pietro d'Abano and The Key of Solomon, which were both written in the 1600s. There is no mention in these books that pentacles are exclusively pentagrams, or that they even contain a pentagram at all.
The theory that the pentagram was a magickal symbol was popularized by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, an occultist who lived in the 15th and 16th centuries, who believed that it represented the five Neo-Platonic elements – namely associating each of the five points to fire, water, air, earth, and idea (spirit) respectively.
Looking at the origins of “pentacle” in other languages, we notice they have terms that sound familiar. “Pentaculum,” from the prefix “penta-,” meaning five, and the suffix “-culum,” signifies instrumentality in Latin. “Pentacolo” means “anything with five points” in Italian. “Pentacol” is a 14th century French term that refers to a different magickal or apotropaic* charms that are placed on necklaces or similar devices. The prefix “pend-” means “to hang” and “-col” means “from neck.”
In a nutshell, pentagrams are frequently seen in pentacles, however this is not always the case. Modern Wiccan pentacles are, in fact, pentacles containing a sacred and magickal symbol, the pentagram.
*Apotropaic: Having the power to avert bad luck or evil influences.
Distinguishing Between the Two
An easy way to distinguish between a Pentagram and a Pentacle is this:
Pentagram — A five-pointed star. The symbol of Wicca and Witchcraft used all over the world. May or may not be enclosed within a circle, although many would debate that the circle therefore creates a Pentacle, as it now represents a plate or tile. Again, it is completely up to you, as these two terms have been inextricably linked and used interchangeably for hundreds of years.
Pentacle — Typically made from stone, wood, ceramic, clay, or another type of material in the form of a “tile” or “plate.” A five-pointed star or Pentagram MAY be engraved or embossed onto a Pentacle, but it can portray an array of different magickal symbols or seals, sigils, mandalas, or sacred geometry.
A Brief History
After been popularized by French occultist Éliphas Lévi's (1810–1875) 18th-century work, the term “pentacle” entered Western occult slang in the late 1800s. Lévi spelt it “pantacle” by accident, which reflects the fluidity of language and how the term has changed through time and between countries. However, we shouldn't get too caught up on these differences because they are inherent in the development of any language.
English mystic Aleister Crowley, who claimed to be a reincarnation of Éliphas Lévi, would also use the “pantacle” spelling in a number of his writings as a result of Lévi's influence. Gerald Gardner, the originator of contemporary Wicca, was influenced by Crowley. It's worth mentioning, even if the impact isn't huge. During his lifetime, Crowley had a significant impact on Western occultism, particularly in the English-speaking world.
Occult themes, such as the Rider-Waite representation of pentacle cards as pentagram-inscribed discs, would inspire Gardner's work. The Rider-Waite tarot deck was published in 1910, and Gardner is likely to have encountered it. It's also possible that Gardner was unaware that the term “pentacle” can apply to a variety of magickal symbols, not just pentagrams, because of his familiarity with the Key of Solomon literature. It's unclear what Gardner had in mind when he chose to define “Pentacle” in this way.
As a symbol, the pentagram dates back to at least 3000 BCE. Ancient Babylonians utilized it in sacred rituals, and relics from Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome all bear witness to its importance. As a symbol of Christ's five wounds, it has been used in early Christianity for more than 500 years. Because the pentagram can be drawn in one continuous line, the five points indicate the beginning and end (or Alpha and Omega). When Jerusalem was the capital of Judah between 300 and 150 BCE, the pentagram was the city's official seal.
Being around for thousands of years, what does it mean? The pentagram is a symbol of justice, kindness, knowledge, insight, and sublime magnificence in Jewish Kabbalistic tradition. It was regarded by the Sumerians to represent Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. They also called it the “Vault of Heaven.” According to Pythagoras, each point of the pentagram represents one of the four elements, with the fifth (spirit) at the uppermost point. His Pythagorean followers thought it was the perfect math formula, so it became known as the “Golden Ratio.”
Today, the pentagram is most commonly employed in witchcraft rituals and as a symbol of protection. Nature's elements and the Spirit's attribution from Pythagoras is still recognized, and it illustrates how they operate together harmoniously.
Right-Side Up? Or Upside Down?
The pentagram is commonly shown with a single point that rises upwards as it is drawn. When the pentagram is turned upside down, with the solitary point facing downward, there is some disagreement on what is signifies. It can be an indication that the wearer has reached the second degree of study in Wiccan tradition. The term “graduated” here refers to a person who has reached a new degree of expertise in their field or craft. Others see an inverted pentagram as a devilish or evil symbol.
The pentagram, like playing cards, began to appear inverted in the tarot's use of the symbol. Is the pentagram upside down a Christian demonic symbol? Is the right-side up a sign of spirituality and goodness? Depends on who you ask, that is.
The pentagram's link with evil may be traced back to the beginning of the Inquisitions of the Catholic Church's endeavor to exterminate heresy from the people. It was Pope Lucius III, in 1184, who launched the first Inquisition against heresy, which he defined as any view or thought that conflicts with accepted religious teaching, particularly Christian. After this, there was one other Medieval Inquisition that took place before the most famous one of all, the Spanish Inquisition.
In 1855, the pentagram was firmly associated with evil. Alphonse Louis Constant, who wrote under the pen name Éliphas Lévi, was a long-time Roman Catholic priest and occult author. He wrote 'Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie,' which Arthur Edward Waite, who helped create the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, translated into English as Transcendental Magic.
A pentagram with two points upward is a sign of evil that attracts nefarious energies, according to Alphonse in his book. Pentagrams have long been associated with evil energies, but this was the first time it had been shown to be so.
The pentagram also received (and continues to get) media attention. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was an increase in both serial murders and occultism. Many publications and news reports attributed murders to satanic cults, citing the pentagram as their emblem. This symbol of Satanism or black witchcraft has been employed in movies, TV programs, and novels since then. Its place in history has been changed, like the downward facing cross, which is actually Peter the Apostle's sign. They are perceived as rejecting the beneficial power that their right-side-up counterparts bring.
I hope this has assisted you in developing a new or better understanding of the pentagram and pentacle. The ability to comprehend the history and context of such taboo matters is a valuable tool, as it allows us to dispel misconceptions that do not need to exist and appreciate how useful something like the pentagram has been to people for generations.
Source: Witchcraft for Beginners – A Practical 2-in-1 Book of Shadows & Grimoire for the New Witch written by J. C. Marco
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