The symbol that is, perhaps, the most recognizable in the Craft is the five-pointed star, better known as the pentacle or pentagram, sometimes called the Star of the Microcosm (because the upright star can be seen to represent a human being with arms and legs outstretched), Eastern Star, the Morning Star, the Evening Star, Endless Knot (because it can be drawn without lifting the pen or pencil from the paper), the Druid’s Foot, the Witch’s Foot, and the Goblin’s Cross (here, “Goblin” refers to the King of the Earth Elementals, called “Ghob,” who presided over earthly power and riches in medieval terminology). Technically, the star without the circle is called a pentagram, and the star with the circle is the pentacle. Not only have modern Witches adopted both symbols, but the design of the pentacle is also the herald of the feminine counterpart of the Masonic Lodges, called the Order of the Eastern Star, and figures in various American law enforcement and military symbology. The pentagram/pentacle is a linear symbol in that you don’t have to raise your pencil from the paper to draw the entire symbol, which means that the line is unbroken and the power of the design remains intact.
The five-pointed star is most likely the result of astrological/astronomical research done in the Euphrates-Tigris region (modern-day Iraq and Iran) about 6,000 years ago,74 which already tells us it has nothing to do with the devil, Christianity, Satanism, or the medieval madness of the Inquisitions—all that nonsense came thousands of years later. Archeologists have found pot shards in Palestine at the 4000 b.c. level inscribed with the pentagram, and there is evidence that the design was commonly used by Sumerians around 2700 b.c.75 From other research found in this book we know that the Babylonian/ Sumer cultures were the first of the stylized “Ancient Civilizations,” so this tells us that the pentagram is one of the oldest signs used by humankind. In 4000 b.c., if you signed your letter with a pentacle, you were offering good luck and good health to the recipient. The pentagram appears in Italy around 700 b.c. and later, in the sixth century b.c., the pentacle (star with circle) was used in Pythagorean mysticism, where it was said to symbolize the human being, with the five points representing the head, arms, and legs of a person, and the circle added for the unity of humanity to Spirit and the idea of the cosmic egg (uroborus). This is the definition supported by modern Witches today, and is the explanation they will give you on the meaning of the pentacle they wear around their necks.76 The pentacle played an important role as a sign on the official seal of the city of Jerusalem during the period 300–150 b.c.,77 and has been called Solomon’s Seal or Solomon’s Shield in medieval Jewish mysticism. The Six-Pointed Star is also called the Seal of Solomon, which is a double triangle and a symbol of As above, so below, and is used in Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. Legend has it that King Solomon wore the pentacle on his left pinky finger.
The pentagram, however, has an even more dynamic mystery than all of the above combined because astronomers have found that the pentagram is actually the geometric design depicting how the planet Venus moves in the heavens, and it is from this design that they believe the peoples of the Euphrates-Tigris region drew the first pentagram eight thousand years ago. The pentacle is reflective of Venus’ pattern in the sky from our point of view and the circular motion of Venus around the sun. This explains why the pentagram is sometimes called the Morning Star and the Evening Star, and why in the Sumer culture the symbol was related to Innana, Ishtar/Astarte (a powerful goddess of love and war whose ruling planet was Venus, though of course under a different name) and, later on, Venus/Aphrodite herself (Morning and Evening Stars—which are the same planet) in the Greco-Roman cultures. “If we chart Venus synodic orbital time in the zodiac, we find she moves through five positions as the Morning Star, which takes exactly eight years plus one day . . . and forms the design of the pentacle in the vault of the heavens.”78 In the occult, the number eight stands for mastery and is the symbol for infinity (or the uroborus), and in the Craft, the eight cycle stands for the eight paths of power and the eight phases of the moon.
But there’s more.
If we look at the study of alchemy (yes, we’re going to touch on that again), each point stands for an element (earth, air, fire, water) and the quintessence (remember that word?), which means Spirit—the fifth element. Surrounded, then, by the circle, we have divine transformation, the idea of the philosopher’s stone, and the total purification of body, mind, and Spirit—far from the ridiculous notion of evil presented by Hollywood horror films!
As we discussed under Elements, in some Craft traditions (usually those that lean more toward ceremonial practices) the pentacle is drawn in different ways to invoke and dismiss the various elemental energies. It is also used by some groups as a centerpiece for their altars or is drawn on the floor, which combines the two energies of circlecasting and the invocation of the Goddess (as the pentacle is normally associated with the divine feminine) in one ritual act. This process also symbolizes the ascent of the human spirit. If you draw the design from the top down, you are saying that Spirit comes down to matter, and if you draw from the bottom to the top, you are symbolizing matter in its highest form. The horizontal line across represents our development of intellect and the connection of force and form. Using the pentacle in this way has been associated with the ceremonial Great Star of Light or Flaming Pentagram in affirmation of the divine forces found within the symbol.79
In modern-day magick, the pentacle is worn for a variety of reasons that are associated with its history:
• As a protective device.
• As a symbol to promote personal power.
• As a representation of the Wiccan religion.
• As a magickal device, whether invoking or banishing.
The pentacle, like any other symbol, can be worn by anyone, including people who don’t follow the Wiccan Principles of Belief, nor do they have any idea of the vast history tied to that cool-looking star. It might also be worn by “dabblers”—those individuals who use bits and pieces of magick from various systems, yet study none thoroughly and do not ascribe to the Wiccan religion. This is why many modern Witches wear their pentacles under their shirts if not among friends or family, seeing it as a personal, private, religious symbol that is useful and meaningful as opposed to being simply decorative. Another difficulty in the use of the pentacle is the association of the inverted (upside-down) pentacle in horror flicks and other unfortunate acts associated with the criminal element of our society. However, when traditional Witches go through their second-degree training and experience the Descent of the Goddess in ritual (where one casts off all evil and negativity and confronts the shadow side of the persona), the inverted pentacle is used as a representation of that descent and of the power you have to control the dark side of your own personality (as opposed to letting your negative feelings run rampant all the time). In a few traditions, these students are required to wear the inverted pentacle out of sight until they reach third degree (the clergy level), where the symbol is again righted, showing their movement from inner contemplation to the outer work of the third degree. You will find this same association with the Hermit card of the Tarot deck, where the spiritual student is required to work on balancing the personality before he or she is ready to illuminate the world with his or her discoveries. In this inverted use, the upside-down pentacle represents the light of Spirit hidden by matter.80
It appears that the pentagram was first brought into ceremonial magickal circles by Eliphas Zahed Levi (see part 1, Ritual), who invented the invoking and banishing pentagrams used in ceremonial Witchcraft today. He recommended drawing the sign in the air according to a particular pattern above each quarter to call up the elementals, and drawing it in the opposite direction to banish them at the end of the ritual.81 Empower the pentacle for the following:
• Bothered by unwanted calls? Cut a star out of tinfoil. Empower for protection. Place the shiny side faceup under the phone. Replace every thirty days.
• Draw on notebooks to protect them against theft and prying eyes.
• Draw on your hands and forehead with holy oil or skin-safe anointing oil before ritual, magick, or meditation to banish unwanted energies and enhance your psychic powers.
• Disturbed by bad dreams? Draw the pentacle on a piece of paper, sprinkle with lavender, and place under your bed. Renew once a week.
• Carve on candles to banish negativity and empower with the energies of the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, Spirit).
• Spending too much? Carefully draw a pentacle on garlic skin, then burn to keep money in the home.
• Banish sickness by making small clay pentacles. String them together with red yarn and place in a red conjuring bag along with the name of the person who is ill.
• Add to bind runes.
All-Purpose Pentacle Spell
Supplies: A piece of construction paper (you choose the color to match your working); a pen; incense to match your intent; scissors; cellophane tape; a bowl of water.
Instructions: Draw a large star on the construction paper. Cut out. Write your desire in the center of the star. In a magick circle (in the appropriate moon quarter), begin with your hand in the air over your head, as if you are reaching up to grab something. Then, as you recite the charm, lower your arm and touch the points of the star in a clockwise direction (to draw something toward you) or counterclockwise direction (to push something away from you). Repeat the following charm three times:
From the heavens to the ground
stars above send energy down.
Earth and air, fire and water
soul of man, son and daughter.
Circle round without an end
evil flees and time will bend.
Star of power, points aflame
unify in Goddess’ name!
Beginning with the top point, fold each point clockwise toward the center of the star. Tape to secure. Carry in pocket or purse until your desire has manifested. Be sure to say thank you and burn, scattering the cool ashes in the wind.