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Pentagram ~ (Picture to the right) The pentagram tends to be THE religious symbol of the Pagan religions. It encompases our elemental beliefs and is one of the strongest protective amulets ever "designed". The Pentagram dates back thousands of years to pre-Babylonian Sumer ... roughly about 3500 BC. Many religions have once used this symbol ... the Jewish people saw it as a symbol of the Five Books of Moses, and Christians once used it as a protective amulet. It has been called such things as the Druid's Foot and the Witches' Star. |
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| Each point of
the Pentagram traditionally represents one of the five metaphysical elements of the
ancients. The topmost point represtents Spirit, The upper left point represents Air,
the upper right point represents Water, the lower left point represents Earth,
and the lower right point represents Fire. In this fashion, the pentagram
represents Spirit ruling over the four elements. The pentagram is readily worn as jewelry and used upon the altar for spell work. As jewelry it can bring protection, wisdom, and empowerment. For spell work it connects us with the five elements. |
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| The
Pentacle ~ (Picture to the right) The Pentacle is simply a pentagram with a circle around it. This symbolizes eternity, totality, and unity. It emphasizes the interconnectivity of all of the elements. The direct and indirect relation of one element to the other. It would seem as though the Pentacle is gaining a new meaning in Modern-day Paganism ... in that it is seen as a unifying symbol of the Pagan community. In modern day WitchCraft, the Pentacle tends to be used more than the pentagram. |
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| Air (East): Intellect, Imagination, Knowledge Earth (North): The Body, Foundation, Strength Fire (South): Will, Vitality, Passion Water (West): Emotion, Intuition, Compassion |
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| In The
Inverted form ~ In antiquity, the Inverted Pentagram/Pentacle was used to draw the energy of the Spirit into the body , or as the Spirits decent into the material elements. Even though there is a use for the inverted pentagram, (such as a second degree symbol) Pagans VERY RARELY use it in modern times, since it has become associated with Satanism.  In modern times, the inverted pentagram has become a symbol of Satanism. It represents the Baphomet's Goat head. It also represents the lack of power "above", the addition of power below, and/or the belief that a person is their own God/Goddess. (Note: Some European countrys still widly use the inverted pentacle, but in the US, its use has dropped dramatically) Satanism has NO connection to Paganism .... |
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