Pentacles

“The Pentacle that I hold is the symbol of Earth. Know and remember that this is the Element of Law, of endurance, of the understanding which cannot be shaken…”.

The Pentacle is the elemental weapon representing Earth and its qualities of steadfastness, dependability, endurance, stability, realism, greed (think food or money), sensuality and protection.

A Pentacle is the centrepiece of the witch’s altar and is used in ritual to place items upon which are to be blessed and consecrated. A blessing is often performed by inscribing a Banishing Pentagram of Earth – using the athame - over the items, whilst intoning words of appropriate intent.

The Preface to Gerald Gardner’s published Book of Shadows cautions, “Let the pentacles be of wax that they may be melted or broken at once.”

Historically, it is said, that Pentacles were were inscribed upon wax to permit their instantaneous destruction upon the fire. Other Magickal tools may have been easily hidden and justified as normal household objects… brooms, three-legged cast iron cooking pots and cups would all have held a place in any home. A Pentacle, on the other hand, would have been a little more difficult to explain away in the days of persecution.

These days, the Pentacle may be a disc formed from any of a number of different materials – wax, plaster, resin, metal, clay or wood – with a pentagram inscribed upon it. Of course, whilst today witches may no longer be actively persecuted, it is still wise to bear in mind (and exercise!) the Powers of the Sphinx… particularly the part about “to be Silent”. Overt or ostentatious displays of the Pentacle upon your person or within your home may elicit a range of responses – from raised eyebrows, through curious questions to outright hostility. Be prepared…

There is a good deal of fear around the symbol of the pentagram - often due to misunderstandings about what it represents and the belief systems of those who use it. It is your choice whether or not to remain in the proverbial Broom Closet yourself, but bear in mind that outing brothers and sisters of the Craft is most certainly frowned upon – irrespective of whether or not  you have sworn an oath to protect the identities of others.

Mildred & Myrtle are in the process of manifesting Pentacles, which will be coming soon… please feel free to contact us if you would like to express your interest.