The symbol shown above is known as the pentacle. In Wicca the pentacle plays a large role. It is sometimes considered the chief symbol of Wicca; it is to Wicca as the cross is to Christianity. There are a great number of misconceptions about this symbol. Most are connected with it's connection to Wicca and the history of Witchcraft (not Wicca). Some of these misconceptions even spring from associations with Satanism.
The pentacle has been around since ancient times. It is thought to have orgianted in ancient Europe, but this of course is not a sure thing. It's usually said to be connected with the apple because when you cut open an apple through its core the seeds are in a pattern of the five-pointed star (commonly refered to as a pentagram). This makes the five pointed star, or a pentagram important in many religions, ecspecially that of the Roma (Gypsies). In ancient Greece the school establised by Pythagoras used the pentagram as a secret sign to identify each other, much like the way in which the fish symbol was used among ancient Christians. The pentagram is also used in the Masonic Orders of The Eastern Stars, Masons, Demaly, and Job's Daughters. The pentacle specifically is first seen in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures as one of the seven seals. At this time each point of the pentagram was interpreted as symbolic of the first five books of the Torah. Early Christians used this symbol as a symbol of protection.
Today this symbol is most commonly used as a religious symbol by Wiccans This is probably because the pentacle has long been associted with magick and witchcraft and Gerald Gardener based much of his theory on older ceremonial magick, such as The Order of the Golden Dawn. In the past it was always made of clay or dough because it was disposeable. This was important because until the 1950s in many places there were still anit-Witchcraft laws in effect and the pentacle could be used as evidence that there was the practice of witchcraft going on. For ritual uses these days Pentacles are on many items. "The Pentacle" though is usually a stone surrface placed on the alter. You can also find a number of ritual items with the pentacle on them such as chalices, athames, ritual robes, and other items often used for Wiccan rituals. Along with being on many ritual items there are a great number of jewlery items that feature the pentacle. Sometimes the pentacle is plain, other times it is adored with stones or other symbols. In some small ways the various stones and symbols the pentacle is combined with slightly ater the meaning. However, generally the pentacle is worn by Wiccans as a symbol of their faith and a symbol of protection.
The pentacle, within most Wiccan traditions, has special meaning aside from those mention above attachted to it. Each point on the five-pointed star has a certain meaning. These meanings are generally interpreated as the five metaphyscial elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Starting at the uppermost top point being Spirit and representing the Divine. Going down one point clockwise is the upper right hand point representing Water; emotions and intuition. Next, there is the element Fire in the lower right hand point representing daring and courage. Then the lower left hand point is the element Earth representing physical endurance and stability. At last ther is the upper left hand point, that of Air, representing the arts and intelligence. The circle which the star is surrounded by is representative of the God and Goddess. When we see the pentacle in an upright position (as such in the majority if Wiccan useage) it shows the Spirity over the physical elements, or 'body." In Satanism the reversed pentacle is used and this is representative of the physical and carnal over the spiritual and divine. |
