The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development by Christopher Penczak

Author:Christopher Penczak
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: wicca, witchcraft, magic, ritual, coven
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
Published: 2013-02-15T05:00:00+00:00

Figure 14: Pentacle

The Law of Symbolism

As discussed in chapter 6, symbols are the language of the psychic mind. Our conscious mind does not necessarily understand raw, pure energy. We need an interface, a translator between us and the magickal word. Symbols and words of power are often that interface.

Magickal words and symbols change our inner and outer realities, and we do not necessarily have to consciously understand them to use them. Some people believe that they accumulate power from being used over centuries. The energy of all the previous uses grows into a collective “psychic memory,” or energy bank, in the divine mind, allowing anyone who knows the symbol to draw from this collective pool. Others feel symbols and sounds are so primal in resonance with universal forces that they contain power within them. Both views are valid and probably have a measure of truth to them.

Witches use many symbols. The pentacle, or five-pointed star in a circle, is the most common (figure 14). Most movies and books associate it with Satanism, but it existed long before the Christian concepts of evil. The pentacle can be traced back to Pythagoras of Greece, in his work with geometry. The proportions of the pentacle and pentagon can be found at many sacred sites, including the pyramids of Egypt. The star in the circle can also be found in Chinese mysticism, relating to the elemental cycles of feng shui.

In modern witchcraft, the pentacle represents many things. It is a symbol of witchcraft and the mysteries of life. The five points are for the five physical senses, and the circle is the sixth, psychic sense. The circle is the cycle of the seasons, as well as the cycles of life: birth, initiation, love, repose, and death. The points of the star represent the four traditional elements of earth, air, fire, and water, and the fifth element of spirit, or ether. The Triple Goddess and Dual God are found in the five points. The star represents humanity, the image of a person, with two arms and legs outstretched and the head at the top point. The pentacle in this form is a symbol of incarnation, a gateway bringing life force into the world, or sending it out. The star is a symbol used in invocation, to open gateways to the spirits and elements or close and banish them. Because of this, the pentacle is a symbol of protection, much like the cross or Star of David.

I’ve heard detractors say that the upside-down pentacle is the image of the devil, goat faced, with two ears and two horns. I learned, however, that the reverse pentacle is simply directing energy downward, or into the Earth. If anything, the animal symbolism fits with the original image of the horned god, Pan, Cernunnos, or others, and has nothing to do with Satanism. Satanists use the upside-down cross, too, but most people do not associate all crosses with Satanism. It is an unfortunate misunderstanding, leaving many in fear.

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