Pentacle Or Pentagram

A pentacle (or pantacle in Thelema) is an amulet used in
magical evocation, generally made of parchment, paper or

But we now come to speak of the holy and sacred
Pentacles and Sigils. Now these pentacles, are as it were

metal (although it can be of other materials), on which the
symbol of a spirit or energy being evoked is drawn. It is

certain holy signes preserving us from evil chances and
events, and helping and assisting us to binde, exterminate,

often worn around the neck, or placed within the triangle of
evocation. Protective symbols may also be included

and drive away evil spirits, and alluring the good spirits,
and reconciling them unto us. And these pentacles do consist

(sometimes on the reverse), a common one being the
five-point form of the Seal of Solomon, called a pentacle of

either of Characters of the good spirits of the superiour
order, or of sacred pictures of holy letters or revelations,

Solomon or pentangle of Solomon. Many varieties of pentacle
can be found in the grimoires of Solomonic magic; they are

with apt and fit versicles, which are composed either of
Geometrical figures and holy names of God, according to the

also used in some neopagan magical traditions, such as
Wicca, alongside other magical tools.

course and maner of many of them; or they are compounded of
all of them, or very many of them mixt.

Many believe that the pentacle acts as a defense against

Francis Barrett, in his influential work The Magus of 1801

witch craft. In the past people would scratch the
five-pointed star pattern onto their doors in order to deter

(Book 2, part 2), repeats these instructions almost
verbatim.

witches. Witches and sorcerers also formed the pentacle in
magic circles in acts of ritual magic. They believed with

Another common design employed in pentacles is a magic

its powers it could act as a vehicles of transmission in the
world of spirits.

square, such as the Sator-Arepo-Tenet square.

The words pentacle and pentagram (a five-point unicursal

star) are essentially synonymous, according to the Online
Oxford English Dictionary (2007 revision), tracing the

weapons are "symbolical representations of the forces
employed for the manifestation of the inner self, the

elements required for the incarnation of the divine." Other
pentacles for the evocation of spirits are also employed in

refer to any talisman. In an extended use, many magical
authors treat them as distinct. In many tarot decks and in

the Golden Dawn system; these are engraved with the name and
sigil of the spirit to be invoked, inside three concentric

some forms of modern witchcraft, pentacles often prominently
incorporate a pentagram in their design.

circles, having painted on their reverse a circle and cross
like a celtic cross.

According to Aleister Crowley's instructions for the Ordo

Pentacles, despite the sound of the word, often had no

Templi Orientis, the pentacle is a disc of wax, gold,
silver-gilt or Electrum Magicum, eight inches diameter and

connotation of "five" in the old magical texts, but were,
rather, magical talismans inscribed with any symbol or

half an inch thick; the Neophyte should "by his
understanding and ingenium devise a symbol to represent the

Universe", and engrave this on the disc.

a great variety of shapes and images appear in the old
magical grimoires, such as the Key of Solomon; as Heinrich

There is, therefore, nothing movable or immovable under
the whole firmament of heaven which is not included in this

Cornelius Agrippa summarises it, their use was to "fore-know
all future things, & command whole nature, have power over

devils, and Angels, and do miracles." Agrippa attributes
Moses' feats of magic in part to his knowledge of various

a combination of elements; air almost entirely a mixture of
elements; earth contains all both in admixture and in

pentacles.

combination. So must it be with this Pantacle, the symbol of
earth.

A Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy (c. 1565) spuriously
attributed to Agrippa gives detailed instructions as to how

A pentacle is also employed as a magical tool within Wicca

pentacles should be formulated:

and other modern forms of witchcraft, generally to summon
certain energies or summon spirits.