The pentagram is one of the most revered symbols of Wicca. However, few really understand much of the symbolism behind the device. In this post, we will explain the symbolism of the pentagram with which every Wiccan should be knowledgeable.
Orientation:
The issue of a pentagram being point-up or point-down only gained relevance in the 19th century and has everything to do with the arrangement of elements. A point-up pentagram came to symbolize spirit ruling over the four physical elements, while a point-down pentagram symbolized spirit being subsumed by matter or descending into matter. Since then, some have simplified those associations to simply represent good and evil. This is generally not the position of those who commonly work with point-down pentagrams, and is often not the position of those associating themselves with point-up pentagrams either.
Elements:
Each point of the pentagram is identified with a specific element.
Orientation:
The issue of a pentagram being point-up or point-down only gained relevance in the 19th century and has everything to do with the arrangement of elements. A point-up pentagram came to symbolize spirit ruling over the four physical elements, while a point-down pentagram symbolized spirit being subsumed by matter or descending into matter. Since then, some have simplified those associations to simply represent good and evil. This is generally not the position of those who commonly work with point-down pentagrams, and is often not the position of those associating themselves with point-up pentagrams either.
Elements:
Each point of the pentagram is identified with a specific element.
- SPIRIT: (at the topmost point) represents the All and the Divine.
- WATER: (upper right hand corner) represents emotions and intuition.
- FIRE: (lower right hand corner) represents courage and daring.
- EARTH: (lower left hand corner) represents stability and physical endurance.
- AIR: (upper left hand corner) represents intelligence and the arts.
Drawing:
The method for drawing a pentagram is different depending upon which element is to be used and if the element is being invoked or banished. Invoking is used to call upon the element prior to use and banishing is used to dismiss the element when work is complete. One never invokes or banishes Spirit with a pentagram.
The method for drawing a pentagram is different depending upon which element is to be used and if the element is being invoked or banished. Invoking is used to call upon the element prior to use and banishing is used to dismiss the element when work is complete. One never invokes or banishes Spirit with a pentagram.
Cycles:
Cycles are important facets of many occult systems. Looking at daily, monthly and yearly natural cycles, we find periods of growth and dying, of fullness and barrenness.
Visualization:
Pentagrams are visualized small, usually at about the size of a large dinner plate. The color of the pentagram is dependent upon which element is being invoked or banished – an Air pentagram will be visualized as yellow, a Fire pentagram red, a Water pentagram blue, and an Earth pentagram green.
Cycles are important facets of many occult systems. Looking at daily, monthly and yearly natural cycles, we find periods of growth and dying, of fullness and barrenness.
- Fire is the element of fullness and life, and it is closely associated with the Sun. Therefore, it's unsurprising that noon and summer would be associated with fire, and by that same logic, the full moon should also be in the same category.
- Earth, in the opposite direction as fire, therefore corresponds with midnight, winter, and the new moon. While these things might represent barrenness, more often they are representative of potential and transformation, the point where the old gives way to the new, the empty fertility ready to feed new creations.
- Air is the element of new beginnings, youth, increase and creativity. As such, it is associated with spring, the waxing moon, and sunrise. Things are growing warmer and brighter, while plants and animals give birth to a new generation.
- Water is the element of emotion and wisdom, particularly the wisdom of age. It represents a time past the peak of livelihood, moving toward the end of the cycle.
Visualization:
Pentagrams are visualized small, usually at about the size of a large dinner plate. The color of the pentagram is dependent upon which element is being invoked or banished – an Air pentagram will be visualized as yellow, a Fire pentagram red, a Water pentagram blue, and an Earth pentagram green.