Meaning behind the Pentacle
Basic Wiccan FAQ Sabbats 13 Goals of a Witch Wiccan Ethics Witches Creed Meaning behind the Pentacle Divination Glossary Dictionary of Pagan Paths, Traditions and Organizations Pagan Dictionary Meditation Astrological Compatability Feather Magick Charge of the Goddess Charge of the Horned God Totem ~ Power Animal Qualities UsArmy Chaplains Handbook Excerpt on Wicca Outline of a Ritual for the Solitary Practitioner Self-Dedication Ritual Finding a Teacher Altars for the Frugal Witch The New Psalms 23		The pentacle, a very common symbol of Paganism, is a five pointed star drawn with a single line, but it is far more meaningful than its simple design might suggest. Most Pagans identify the points with the 5 elements and the Spirit: Earth - represents stability and physical endurance. (bottom left point) Fire - represents courage and daring. (bottom right point) Water - represents emotions and intuition. (right point) Air - represents intelligence and the arts. (left point) Spirit - represents the All and the Divine. (top point) The pentacle has long been regarded as a powerful symbol of safety and protection. The circle around the star represents eternity, completeness, and a connection with the universe as a whole. The circle that is never ending concentrates and increases the protective power of the pentacle. It is also known as "The Star of Life" because five-fold symmetries are so prevalent in living organisms. The pentacle is not a sign of evil or devil worship, as many people mistakenly believe. This confused ideal of the symbol's meaning may come from the fact that Satanists have adopted the use of an inverted pentacle (one point facing down and two points facing up) in their ceremonies. However, the pentacle has never in itself meant evil or Satanism. In fact, in ancient times, the pentagram was used by various groups - including early Christians, for whom it symbolized truth and the five wounds of the Jesus Christ (one in each palm/wrist, one on each ankle and those made by the crown of thorns). Some believe that the inverted pentacle also represents the horned God, although it is avoided by most pagans because of the negative association with Satan.