Dear Friends,
You’re no doubt associated with the pentagram, or five pointed star, that is the key symbol in Wicca. I’ve had pentagrams displayed in my home, and sometimes in my car or on my person, throughout most of my walk on this path. And believe me, it is one of the most misunderstood religious symbols. Although you and I know it to represent a religion of nature worship and love, the entertainment industry has perverted into a negative symbol. I’ve seen it used as a symbol for Satanists, ritual murderers, and on one episode of CSI vampires! I wish these writers would do a little research.The pentagram is not evil, just as practitioners of Wicca and witchcraft are not evil. The pentagram is an ancient symbol of protection from evil. It is also called ‘the endless knot’ referring to the overlapping qualities of the five lines. In ancient times, the pentagram was often displayed on doors, in windows and on the hearths of homes across Pre-Christian Europe. The symbol can even be traced back to Egyptian and Sumerian culture. Believe it or not, there is evidence of the pentagram on Native American medicine tools.
The pentagram has five points and five lines that make up the star. (As opposed to the Star of David which is a six-pointed star made up from two triangles). The pentagram is a symbol of our faith , the lower four points represent the essential elements of earth, air, fire and water. The fifth point, which crowns the other four, represents the spirit (sometimes referred to as the fifth element, not to be confused with the Bruce Willis movie!). Together the five points of the pentagram represent the wholeness of the universe and points out the interconnectedness between ourselves and the world around us.
Although the above interpretation is the one that I think of most often when considering the symbology of the pentagram, I have also heard other analysis of its meaning. Some people have said that there is not one point upward, but three (including the two “arms” of the star). In numerology, three is the number of harmony. The middle point harmonizes the outer points, which face opposite directions. It is a reminder that no matter how many contradictions we see in life, there is a unifying force that harmonizes all. If you look at the Celtic love of triads, you can see repetition of the emphasis of ‘three’? This is also present in the Catholic model of ‘three Gods in one’ (and they claim to be monotheistic!). Yet another aspect that the ancient Christian church modeled after paganism, in my opinion!
Another interpretation of the pentagram symbol is that it represents the deities in Witchcraft, the Triple Goddess and the Horned God. The top three points of the pentagram are symbols for the Goddess in her three states of Maiden, Mother and Crone. The bottom points are symbolic of the Horned God and his twin aspects of God of Light and God of Darkness. it’s also notable that all of the points are connected, symbolizing the union between all aspects of the Goddess and all aspects of the God. They are part of the same whole.
Keep in mind that the word pentacle is sometimes used in place of the word pentagram, albeit incorrectly. If you want to be technical about things, a pentacle is a shallow dish used on the altar that is normally inscribed with a pentacle. It is used to burn incense and do other spell related work. But I find myself using the two interchangeably, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Taking anyone of these interpretations into account when you view the pentagram will deepen your understanding of the symbol. Far from a simple symbol, it is layered with meaning. Think about it next time you view a pentagram, and remember what it means.
Brightest Blessing,
Rose Ariadne, Your Warm And Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”
:grin:Bravo Rose you did it again , to the point and easy to understand .
:wink:the star is also a symbol for the planet Venus if I’m correct…how can that be bad?!!!:smile:
hi rose,
i have onli just started on my path and i have studdied the pentagram and want to buy 1 to where on my person, but i am scared that all my friends will think i worship the devil or something:evil:… i have read that the pentagram does not protect as well when worn under your clothes… is this true or not???
dear rose, just read latest rant on the pentagram. it amazes me how uneducated most people are and how narrowed minded. people look at you with disdain if you are wearing a pentagram. yet these same people praise their child for getting a five pointed star on their test ( in catholic school. no less). ever notice law enforcement officers wear this same star. next time any of us get pulled over we should ask if they are wiccan or satanists.
Hi. Brand new here, but I’ve been practicing my entire life (although there have been a few “lazy” periods here and there … ) and it’s been my experience that it really does not matter whether the pentagram is under your clothes or not, magically speaking.
The only time I can see it making a difference is if your protection spell specifically calls for a certain level of secrecy or general discretion, in which case you would definitely want to consider wearing it inside your clothing, not so much to increase the effectiveness of the spell, but to keep from undermining it’s effectiveness by broadcasting it for the whole world to see. But to empower it as a talisman/amulet for general protective purposes, it doesn’t make any difference, so just go with your mood/instincts at the time.
Blessed be.
Fox
By the way, thank you, Rose for inviting me to your forum! I’m very happy to be here.
Merry Meet indeed and Blessed Be.
Fox
FYI
“This is also present in the Catholic model of ‘three Gods in one’ (and they claim to be monotheistic!). Yet another aspect that the ancient Christian church modeled after paganism, in my opinion!”
We need to be correct with other persons religious belief also…..The correct interpretation of the “Trinity” is 3 persons (Father, son and holy spirit) Only “the Father” is considered God. Jesus Christ is the son of God the human form sent to earth for mans salvation, and is never called, taught or refered to as GOD. The 3rd person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit who is a guide or teacher. Again never refered to or taught that it is God.
Thanks for listening…..And yes there are many pagan practices used in organized religion and everyday life…we are not as different as many would like or want to think.
Love and acceptance
Hey I love the new blog you did. Its great. I hope to see more of them form you. They are very inspiring and help to me.
I had to move back in with my parents during a period in the late 1980s. At the same time, I was studying Wicca in Proteus Coven. I got home from circle late one night, and left my pentacle necklace on my desk. Next afternoon, my Dad informed me “I borrowed your Star of David for good luck before going to the racetrack.” I explained that he needed to count the points of the star more carefully! Six points was a Star of David; FIVE points was a star of Solomon! Dad was a little weirded out, but he’d won at the track, so not too much…
I also once had a government job interviewing Welfare applicants. A middle-eastern young woman came to my window wearing a silver pentacle. “Are you Wiccan?” I whispered. “Goodness, no! I’m a Moslem. This is the Moslem moon and star.” I explained to her that the Moslem symbol had a cresecent Moon.
There are lots of misconceptions about the pentacle!