Symbols - Pentacle

The Positive Pentacle

There are a vast number of religions that are practiced in the world. Each religion has its own unique use of the myriad of symbols in existence. It is not surprising that members of any given religion often misunderstand the interpretations of other religions. Often symbols have multiple meanings, and this fact causes even members of the same religion not to fully understand its symbolism. In the most general terms, there are two interpretations of these symbols, the negative and the positive. Unfortunately, the positive interpretations are not nearly as widely know as the negative ones are for some symbols. The pentacle is a symbol that typifies this thought. Most people see the pentacle as a sign of evil, as they know only the negative interpretations. Though the worshipers of Satan use the pentacle as a sign of evil, they are not the only religion that uses that symbol, and many more people use it in a very positive way. Therefore, this symbol should not be looked upon as an evil one since it was originally used as a positive symbol, and still holds so many positive and constructive symbolisms.

The pentacle is actually two separate symbols combined together to create an even more meaningful symbol by allowing the symbolisms to build on each other. The first symbol is the circle. The second is the five-pointed star, which alone is referred to as a pentagram. Together their various individual interpretations create many different meanings for this symbol.

The circle is physically simple, yet endlessly complex in meaning. The positive symbolisms of the circle deal mainly with its never-ending nature. Many Wiccans refer to the Wheel of the Year, the endless cycle of the years and seasons. Even within the Wheel, there are the smaller cycles of the moon, which relate to the menstrual cycle, and even the continual turn of days. It can be taken a step further by looking at the clocks we use to tell time, for they are circular as well. Stepping back from the Wheel of the Year, the circle stands for the journey of reincarnation, the spirit's continual rebirth. Through out the process of reincarnation a force called Karma enforces what Wiccans call the Law of Three. The Law of Three says that whatever actions a person does will be returned to them three-fold, good or evil, which proves to be likewise cyclic. If the idea of the circle is turned outward from our Mother Earth, who is herself circular, we find the symbolism relating even more. The Sun, along with all the planets and their orbits are considered circular. It also touches other systems of symbols by showing the cycle of movement through the Zodiac. Moving to the purely metaphysical aspects of the symbolism, we find the concept of the Deity, endless and eternal in all ways.

The negative symbolisms used by the Satanists focus on the dividing aspects of the circle. By drawing the circle, space is contained as well as shutting out other space. These ideas are usually used with symbolisms of the pentagram to focus on the selfish, possessive nature of that religion.

An introverted look at this symbol shows the individual, with the star representing the human body with the head at the top, the two points below that making the "arms" and "legs" made by the last two points below. This placement of the head above the rest of the body shows the importance of thinking more than other physical matters. With the Wiccan use of the pentacle with one point up this means mind over matter, or matters of spirituality over matters of the flesh. Looking even closer than the body, the five points stand for the five senses. And it is through these senses that we examine the reality around us. Even more basically, "five-fold symmetries are rarely found in non-organic life forms but are uniquely inherent to life, as in the form of the human hand, a starfish, flowers, plants and many other living things. This pattern of five exists even down to a molecular level. [The] Five [points of the pentagram], therefore, embodies the form and formation of life, the very essence of life." (NicMacha)

An extroverted examination of the pentacle reveals yet another meaning in the five elements that make up all of reality. Starting at the top point and tracing the star clockwise, we are shown these elements in the order they appear around the compass directions in the same clockwise direction. The path is traced clockwise because it is generally accepted that clockwise is the direction of positive and constructive energies when used in the rituals of the Wiccan religion. The lower right point is Earth, which is placed at the north point of the compass. Earth represents stability and physical endurance. The upper left point is Air, which is one step clockwise on the compass, putting it in the east. Air represents intelligence and the arts. The upper right is Fire, another step ending in the south. Fire represents courage and daring. The lower left point is Water, placed at the last compass point west. Water represents emotions and intuition. Above them all is Spirit, from which all things emanate and all things must again return, as was done tracing the star. This too puts Spirit in its place as ruler over the other elements.

Also in this interpretation we find a separation of the physical and the mental aspects of reality. Courage and daring are easily related to the physical realm, as are stability and endurance. These are Fire and Earth, both of which are on the right hand side of the pentagram. Similarly, the arts and intelligence, and emotions and intuition are most easily related to the faculties of the mind. This relates back to the individual, showing the circular nature of this symbol, which is enhanced by placing it within the circle itself.

By inverting the star, Satanists put the base elements in a higher position than element of Spirit. Another effect of inverting the star is that it reverses the direction that is traced through the elements to counter-clockwise, which is the direction of negative intention in rituals. Using this interpretation one must ascend above Spirit to be in the material world, and in the end descend back to it in the end, again playing down the importance of the Spirit.

When all these interpretations are looked at together, you have a symbol that is rich with positivity, which regrettably has been overshadowed by a society's focus on the symbol's negative interpretations. It is likely that every symbol has been interpreted in both a positive and negative way, with the general population latching on to one or the other. Therefore, if a symbol is generally seen as one of evil, it is our responsibility to find the interpretations that promote constructive and positive ideas, rather than perpetuating the negativity.

-Chartan