Monday, October 13, 2008

Pentacle vs Pentagram



This posting will summarize the differences between the pentacle and pentagram

The Pentagram

A pentagram is a five pointed star and means "five line" or "five lines" which stems from the Greek word pentagrammos. The pentagram was used extensively in Greece and Babylonia. To the Greeks and Babylonians, the pentagram stood for magical energies and associations. Those who wore a pentagram or showed a pentagram adorned on their clothing would show off without fear their practice of witchcraft freely.




By the mid-19th century a further distinction had developed amongst occultists regarding the pentagram's orientation. With a single point upwards it depicted spirit presiding over the four elements of matter, and was essentially "good".




The outer circle of the "circumscribed" pentagram is sometimes interpreted as binding the elements together or bringing them into united harmony with each other. The Neopagan pentagram is generally displayed with one point up, mostly because of the "inverted" goat's head pentagram's association with Satanism; however, within traditional forms of Wicca a pentagram with two points up is associated with the Second Degree Initiation and in this context has no relation to Satanism.


The Pentacle


The most famous historical pentacle is the Seal of Solomon. Solomon was historically linked to being one of the greatest wizards that ever lived. He is often revered by wiccans and pagans and in grimoires and various texts, there are different styles and designs of Solomon's pentacles. Each of them that he had crafted were used for various difference rituals and spells that he would perform.

Even though pentacle and pentagram are similar in spelling, pentacle does not represent "five" rather, it represents magical energies and any design or shapes could be considered pentacles. If they were drawn with five points they were often referred to as hexagrams, not pentagrams.



It is often said that once a spirit has been summoned, they are "tied" to the pentacle's center often like a statue being held by a base, the spirit is tied to the center of the pentacle and cannot leave or move beyond that point.



Resources and Information:


Pentacles & Pentagrams


Mystic1 said...

Thats a great post, i have actually learnt something today. I always thought they were different but never actually looked into it too much. Thanks for the info.

Tarot Reader said...

Thank you for this information. It is really helpful!

starfire said...

Thank you for that clarification. Very helpful.

Anonymous said...

The entire Situation was a way to offer subtle clues for the "haves", distration-based theater for the "have-nots". With this document I am the end-stage "catch-all", an attempt to help everyone understand. Unfortunately, the Gods have retained the priveledge of refusal, manifested in positioning.
It is the God's way to accomplish their goals RIGHT OFF THE BAT, leaving the disfavored to scramble for understanding only when it's all over.
This event was a teaching tool for the "haves", accomplished before the dawn of the 90s. Too many of the "have-nots" will never accept they did the wrong thing for so many years and therefore never learn from this critical event.

Anonymous said...

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