The Pentagram symbol (as I have stated before in other blog postings), is one that is near and dear to my heart. And surprisingly, many people do not understand it's true meaning. Some find it a sign of evil and others a very treasured and sacred symbol. To me, it is a very sacred and powerful symbol. The pentagram, throughout history, has long been believed to be a potent protection against evil, a symbol of conflict that shields the wearer and the home. The pentagram has five spiked wards and a womb shaped defensive, protective pentagon at the center. The pentagram (amulet/talisman) can be made of nearly anything - stone, metal, wood, or even a combination of them. Just choose something that appeals to you.
The Pentagram is a symbol of a star and at times, it's encased within a circle. Always with 5 points (one pointing upward), each has its own meaning. The upward point of the star is representative of the spirit/self. The other four points all represent an element; earth, air, fire, and water. All these things contribute to life and are a part of each of us. (For example, your astrology sign can tell you what element you are closely related to). To wear a pentagram necklace or other form of jewelry, is to say you feel the connection with the elements and respect the earth.
A pentagram may be open, without a surrounding circle. This is the active form symbolizing an outgoing of oneself, prepared for conflict, aware, active. (One wearing an open pentagram must be physically aware of the danger of sharp points sticking in their skin from time to time). As a pagan religious symbol, the open pentagram represents an open, active approach.
A circle around a pentagram contains and protects. The circle symbolizes eternity and infinity, the cycles of life and nature. The circle touching all 5 points indicates that the spirit, earth, air, water and fire are all connected and is the passive form implying spiritual containment of the magic circle, in keeping with the traditional secrecy of witchcraft, and the personal, individual nature of the pagan religious path, of its non-proselytizing character.
Up until medieval times, the five points of the pentagram represented the five wounds of Christ on the Cross. It was a symbol of Christ the Saviour. Today, the pentagram is criticized by modern Fundamentalist Christians, as being a symbol of evil. The church eventually chose the cross as a more significant symbol for Christianity and the use of the pentagram as a Christian symbol gradually ceased.
The pentagram may be inverted with one point down. The implication is of spirit subservient to matter, of man subservient to his carnal desires. The inverted pentagram has come to be seen by many pagans as representing the dark side and it is abhorred as an evil symbol. Fundamental Christians, indeed, see any form of pentagram as such. However, these are recent developments and the inverted pentagram is the symbol of Gardnerian second degree initiation, representing the need of the witch to learn to face the darkness within so that it may not later rise up to take control. The center of a pentagram implies a sixth formative element - love/will which controls from within, ruling matter and spirit by Will and the controlled magickal direction of sexual energies. This is another lesson of initiation.
Now let's talk about the number five. The number five has always been regarded as mystical and magical, yet essentially 'human.' We have five fingers/toes on each limb extremity as well as five senses - sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. We perceive five stages or initiations in our lives - eg. birth, adolescence, coitus, parenthood and death. The number five is associated with Mars, representing and signifying persuasiveness, spontaneity, daring/bold nature, action or a change in course. In Christianity, five were the wounds of Christ on the cross. There are five pillars of the Muslim faith and five daily times of prayer. Five also represented the virtues of the medieval knight - generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry and piety as symbolized in the pentagram device of Sir Gawain. The Wiccan Kiss is Fivefold - feet, knees, womb/abdomen, breasts/chest, lips/mouth. The number 5 is prime. The simplest star - the pentagram - requires five lines to draw and it is unicursal; it is a continuous loop.
So, as you can see, wearing the pentagram as a pendant is a great way to express your faith, but also to wear your protective talisman any where you go. I hope this helps to dispell the negative stories that the pentagram has so underserving received.
When Pentagram Night rolls around (February 26), it is a symbolic gesture to reaffirm your dedication to the craft of Wicca and The Old Ones. Most who celebrate this night, will do a dedication and make offerings-which is the norm.
Blessed Be/Brightest Blessings to all. In light and love.
(First posted by L.A. in 11/08).
The Pentagram is a symbol of a star and at times, it's encased within a circle. Always with 5 points (one pointing upward), each has its own meaning. The upward point of the star is representative of the spirit/self. The other four points all represent an element; earth, air, fire, and water. All these things contribute to life and are a part of each of us. (For example, your astrology sign can tell you what element you are closely related to). To wear a pentagram necklace or other form of jewelry, is to say you feel the connection with the elements and respect the earth.
A pentagram may be open, without a surrounding circle. This is the active form symbolizing an outgoing of oneself, prepared for conflict, aware, active. (One wearing an open pentagram must be physically aware of the danger of sharp points sticking in their skin from time to time). As a pagan religious symbol, the open pentagram represents an open, active approach.
A circle around a pentagram contains and protects. The circle symbolizes eternity and infinity, the cycles of life and nature. The circle touching all 5 points indicates that the spirit, earth, air, water and fire are all connected and is the passive form implying spiritual containment of the magic circle, in keeping with the traditional secrecy of witchcraft, and the personal, individual nature of the pagan religious path, of its non-proselytizing character.
Up until medieval times, the five points of the pentagram represented the five wounds of Christ on the Cross. It was a symbol of Christ the Saviour. Today, the pentagram is criticized by modern Fundamentalist Christians, as being a symbol of evil. The church eventually chose the cross as a more significant symbol for Christianity and the use of the pentagram as a Christian symbol gradually ceased.
The pentagram may be inverted with one point down. The implication is of spirit subservient to matter, of man subservient to his carnal desires. The inverted pentagram has come to be seen by many pagans as representing the dark side and it is abhorred as an evil symbol. Fundamental Christians, indeed, see any form of pentagram as such. However, these are recent developments and the inverted pentagram is the symbol of Gardnerian second degree initiation, representing the need of the witch to learn to face the darkness within so that it may not later rise up to take control. The center of a pentagram implies a sixth formative element - love/will which controls from within, ruling matter and spirit by Will and the controlled magickal direction of sexual energies. This is another lesson of initiation.
Now let's talk about the number five. The number five has always been regarded as mystical and magical, yet essentially 'human.' We have five fingers/toes on each limb extremity as well as five senses - sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. We perceive five stages or initiations in our lives - eg. birth, adolescence, coitus, parenthood and death. The number five is associated with Mars, representing and signifying persuasiveness, spontaneity, daring/bold nature, action or a change in course. In Christianity, five were the wounds of Christ on the cross. There are five pillars of the Muslim faith and five daily times of prayer. Five also represented the virtues of the medieval knight - generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry and piety as symbolized in the pentagram device of Sir Gawain. The Wiccan Kiss is Fivefold - feet, knees, womb/abdomen, breasts/chest, lips/mouth. The number 5 is prime. The simplest star - the pentagram - requires five lines to draw and it is unicursal; it is a continuous loop.
So, as you can see, wearing the pentagram as a pendant is a great way to express your faith, but also to wear your protective talisman any where you go. I hope this helps to dispell the negative stories that the pentagram has so underserving received.
When Pentagram Night rolls around (February 26), it is a symbolic gesture to reaffirm your dedication to the craft of Wicca and The Old Ones. Most who celebrate this night, will do a dedication and make offerings-which is the norm.
Blessed Be/Brightest Blessings to all. In light and love.
(First posted by L.A. in 11/08).
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