No, Virginia, The Pentacle (or Pentagram) is Not a Sign of The Devil!
Having nine planets in the ninth house in Aquarius gives me a deep, natural tendency to learn and to educate. I think the pentacle is the most misunderstood religious symbol of the day.
So for those of you who may be put off by the symbol, or think that it refers to something dark and evil, let me enlighten you just a little bit. (I will explain many spiritual and religious symbols to you in future blogs, but this is the first).
The primary significance of the pentagram is the representation of the five elements. Five you say? Yes five. Many are familiar with the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, but overlook the fifth element........SPIRIT.
DaVinci's anatomical sketch of the human body is a perfect exemplification of the pentacle, or pentagram. The five points of the star correspond to the human body, the head, hands and feet making the points of the star. The pentacle is a human symbol referring to the elements of the human condition.
It is a popular misconception that the pentacle is somehow connected to The Devil. This is simply not so, although an inverted pentacle does refer to the goathead, and some of the darker energies of the human spirit, it is not connected to The Devil. (I will explain to you where The Devil came from in another blog.)
It is also a popular misconception that the pentacle is only a pagan symbol, many believe it to be solely a Wiccan symbol. This is a misconception also. The pentacle actually has it's roots in ancient cultures, it is found in cultures including, but not limited to Mayan, Indian, Chinese, Greek and Egyptian. It has also been found scratched into walls in Neolithic Caves. The Wiccans do not hold the copyright to the pentagram, although the recent rise in Wiccan Converts has increased the misconception.
Astrologically, the pentagram marks the path of the Planet Venus.
Ancient Hebrews refer to pentagrams in their Kabbalic texts in numerous ways.
Ancient Christians wore the pentagram to symbolize the wounds of Christ at the crucifixion.
Christian Kabbalists, Wiccans, Free Masons and many other religious sects use the pentagram in ritual and prayer.
Although Satanists do utilize the pentagram, (inverted), they did not invent the pentagram, nor is it evil even in their religion. To Satanists, it is a symbol of freedom from religious and sexual taboos, it is the release of repressed energy.
In Free Masonry, the pentacle frequently is used to represent the Star of Bethlehem.
In Tarot, the pentacle is used to represent the element of Earth, and those things material, the energies of which can manifest in negative ways at time, like greed etc., but it is by no means evil.
The pentagram is also an important part in the symbolism of the United States Government, most likely because many who held power when establishing this great land were Free Masons. The pentagram appears in our flag, on The Great Seal, and also on our money.
When you next see a pentacle, see someone wearing one or used to decorate a website, don't think evil, think of the power of the human spirit. There is no evil about the pentacle at all.
It is used in many ritual magick ceremonies in a respectful and potent way, calling on the energies of the five elements to try to help us cope with our human concerns.
Bright Blessings!
Brigid Bishop