The origins of the pentagam symbol are lost in time. There are objects in nature such as types of fossils. The shepherds crown, which is a fossil sea urchin, another is the true star stone. Both these fossils have the shapes of a five pointed star and are regarded by some as having magical powers. The pentagram has been used by many groups of people through out history as a symbol of their magical beliefs. It was the badge of the followers of Pathagras, as it's proportions contain the mathmatical secret known as the "golden section" used by artists and architects. The pentagram is known as the star of the of the microcosm, or little universe, as it represents when drawn in the upright position a human figure with arms and legs outstreched. As man is him self a little universe containing all that is in the great universe, the macrocosm. The pentagram in medieval Europe was known as The Druid's Foot, or Wizzard's Foot or sometimes The Gobblins Cross. Christians have used it as representing the five wounds of Christ, and it is sometimes found in old church arichitecture.
The top most point of the pentagram is regarded as representing Deity, the divine source of life. From this point a line is traced to the lowest left-hand angle of the figure. This represents life descending from its divine source into the lowest and simplest forms of living matter. The line is then continued up and across to the upper angle on the right. This represents the ascent of life from primitive forms, by the process of evolution, to its highest physical form on this planet, the human being. The line then continues across the figure to the upper angle on the left, This represents man's earthly progress, his achievements on the material plane, as he becomes cleverer, richer, more powerfull, building himself great empires and civilizations. However, in his progress in this way he sooner or later reaches the danger point and begins to fall. To show this the line goes down and across from this angle to the lowest angle on the right-hand side. This is the story of all man's empires; but because the human spirit is one with its divine source, it must and will strive upwards to find that source again. Hence the line of the pentagram rises up again from the lowest level to rejoin the topmost point from whence it issued.
EARTH,WIND,WATER,FIRE,SOLE
are the five points on a Pentagram and the elements of magick and life.
EARTH: (lower left hand corner) represents stability and physical endurance.
FIRE: (lower right hand corner) represents courage and daring.
WATER: (upper right hand corner) represents emotions and intuition.
AIR: (upper left hand corner) represents intelligence and the arts.
SPIRIT: (at the topmost point) represents the All and the Divine
The Elements
The four basic elements: EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER, are considered as the four basic components that make up life itself. They play an enormous role in the natural magick that most Wiccans use. Something to represent each of them is present in the Circle when a spell is cast. This usually is earth--salt, air--incense, fire--candles, and water--water. They are more than physical, spiritual and emotional attributes. These elements all have different vibrations which, when properly aligned, can help to produce the desired results in your magick.Consider these elements in their physical form first, then see what spiritual and emotional aspects you give them. All the elements have certain characteristics:
AIR is a masculine element and governs the magick of the four winds. Though magicians have different views concerning this elements, all agree that its vital for survivial. Without it, we die. It is the element and power of the mind. It is intellect, inspiration, imagination and has ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes. It is the power of movement, of freshening.It is the element of new life and is essential to spells and rituals of instruction, finding lost items, freedom, travel and some types of divination. It aids us in visualization, a vital technique in magick.Direction: East (the place of sunrise)Colors: Blue, Yellow, GreenPoint in Life: InfancySeason: Spring (the time of new life)Ritual Symbol: Wand or SwordMetals: Tin, CopperFavored Moon Phase: 1st QuartersFavored Time: DawnNatural Symbols: incense, smoke, fragrant flowersElemental Spirit: SpritesHerbs: Fragrant as flowers, Pungent as in culinary herbsAstrological Sign: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
EARTH is a feminine element and governs stone and knot magick. In its physical manifestations, Earth represents the densest of the elements. It is the element of stability and of the body. It is the physical earth and the very heart of life. We couldn't exist in this form without the earth. It is wisdom, strength, growth, prosperity and is essential in spells and rituals of prosperity, business, fertility and stability. True earth energy also exists within ourselves and within the universe at large.Direction: North(the place of Great Darkness)Colors: Brown, Black, Purple, GreenPoint in Life: Advanced AgeSeason: Winter (the time of DarknessRitual Symbol: Pentacle, Stone, PentagramMetals: Iron, LeadFavored Moon Phase: 4th QuarterFavored Time: MidnightNatural Symbols: salt, rocks, acorns, sheaves of wheatElemental Spirit: GnomesHerbs: Earth smelling plants, such as patchouly, mosses and lichensAstrological Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
FIRE is a masculine element and governs all candle magick. It is the element of change and passion. It is the creator and the destroyer. It cannot exist in physical form without consuming something else. It is creativity, motivation, will power, drive and sensuality. It is sexuality, both physical and spiritual and is essential to spells and rituals of healing, purification, sex, breaking bad habits or destroying illness and disease. It is also the element of authority and leadership.Direction: South (the place of heat)Colors: Red, Orange, GoldPoint in Life: YouthSeason: Summer (the time of heat)Rityal Symbol: Athame or SwordMetals: Gold, BrassFavored Moon Phase: 2nd QuarterFavored Time: NoonNatural Symbols: Flame, LaveElemental Spirits: SalamandersHerbs: Thistles, stinging, thorny or hot such as chili peppers, desert dwelling plantsAstrological Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
WATER is a feminine element and governs spells involving mirrors. It is a cleansing, healing, psychic, loving element. It is the element of emotion and subconscious. The energy of this element is vital to us as humans, for it contains within it the essence of love. Love is the underlying reason for all magic. Water is love. It is love, purification, intuition, mysteries of the self, compassion and family. It is pyschic ability and is essential in spells and rituals of friendship, marriage, happiness, fertility, healing, pleasure and psychic abilities.Direction: West (the place of the setting sun)Colors: Blue, White, Light Grays, Pinks, Light GreenPoint in Life: MaturitySeason: Fall (the time of harvest)Ritual Symbol: Chalice, CauldronMetals: Mercury, Silver, CopperFavored Moon Phase: Full MoonNatural Symbols: Shells, a cup of waterFavored Time: DuskElemental Spirit: Merfolk, UndinesHerbs: Aquatic, such as seaweed, loving as in roses & gardenias. Generally flowers.Astrological Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Piscus
Elements are found wherever an element makes itself known. Some people have a natural affinity for a particular element, natural abilities to make contact there. This can relate to one's astrological sign.Elementals, except Earth are dangerous to work with. They are very powerful but unpredictable. Once summoned, they can be hard to banish.For this reason most witches and pagans work with Gods and Goddesses. They are not as powerful but much safer. They do get the job done though. Work with Elementals at your own risk is a very good statement.
