Witchcraft: Pentagram, Pentacle, And Goat Of Mendes
Pentagram:
The pentagram is a five-pointed star, geometric figure that is used in many different types of magickal traditions. The pentagram can also be called pentangle, pentalpha, Seimei-star, blazing star, or star polygon. It is said to be one of if not the most powerful magickal symbol. This is a symbol that represents many things too many different types of people. Though I believe all the representations are correct in their own way. The points of the pentagram represent the elements of earth, fire, water, air, and spirit, but different magickal traditions tend to have different spots where they put the elements except for spirit which is always placed at the top of the pentagram. This shows the divine ruling over the material world. The pentagram is also associated with the directions in which each direction corresponds to its related element, and spirit is the center, consciousness, or above, and below. Certain gods, and goddesses in pairs of 5 were also assigned to points along the pentagram, but these changed depending upon tradition, culture, group, and person that was using it. The Seimei-star, or the Japanese pentagram represented the understanding of Wu Xing, and the phases of wood, water, fire, metal, and earth, and is also used to ward off evil. This symbol was also used by Christians to represent the five senses, or of the five wounds of Christ. Anything that could be represented in 5 could also be represented through the pentagram, and used in magickal workings. The pentagram is a symbol of power, and protection. Its power comes from its ability to call down all five elements to work in perfect synergy in order to be used for a certain goal.
Pentacle:
The pentacle is a pentagram with a circle around it. The easy way to remember this is pentacle, and circle have the same suffix. The pentacle also embodies all of the previously mentioned powers of the pentagram, but it is now unified, and protected by a circle. Allowing the elements to work together to focus their energy in a more harmonious way. This symbol is used to represent Wicca, and other Pagan faiths. The pentacle can also represent male, and female energy mixing together in a symbiotic relationship. The pentacle being the male energy, and the circle being the female energy. The pentacle is a symbol that better connects the elements of the pentagram together, and can be quite helpful, and powerful in your magick.
Inverted Pentagram:
The Inverted Pentagram is just the pentagram, but inverted. Being inverted changes the pentagrams meaning, and thereby its energy. The inverted pentagram is still connected to the elements, but now spirit is always at the bottom, showing the material world ruling over spirit. It is meant to show the power of the individual, and not the powers of a divine, or dogmatic system. This symbol is generally thought of as satanic, but it has been used in other forms of magick, and is not always satanic, and is not inherently “evil”. The inverted pentagram has been used to represent the horned God, and is the symbol for the second degree in Gardnerian Wicca. This symbol is also used in Mormonism, and is called the Nauvoo pentagram. The Freemasons are also known to use the inverted pentagram in their workings. It is a symbol that has been ostracized from society, and has had its meaning warped, and shifted. It may be the other side of the coin, but through understanding of both of the pentagrams you will be able to find a very interesting balance.
Inverted Pentacle:
The inverted pentacle is a inverted pentagram with a circle around it. It shows the unity of the elements inside the individual power, and it’s still a powerful protection tailsman. The rest of its meaning, and energies are pretty much a mixture between the inverted pentagram, and the pentacle.
Chaos Pentagram:
The chaos pentagram is a pentagram with its main head pointing to the right. I believe it originates from the Liber AOM a chaos magick manuscript though it is quite hard to find information about. I would love to tell you its meanings, and its energies, but for some reason I can’t remember, and I can’t seem to find the information, but I know it is important so I’ll leave it here.
Goat of Mendes:
The Goat of Mendes is an inverted pentacle esque symbol that is trademarked, copyrighted, and used by the Church of Satan. It depicts the goat head overlaying an inverted pentacle with five Hebrew letters that spell out the word leviathan on the outside of each point of the inverted pentacle, then encircled by another circle. This is one of the main symbols of satanism. The Goat of Mendes is also called Sigil of Baphomet, Sabbatic Goat, and Mendes Pentacle. The energies are primarily the same as the inverted pentagram though they do call upon satanic entities, and energies at the same time.
Originally published at http://wolfofantimonyoccultism.com on July 11, 2017.
