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Pentacles
The pentacle is the most famed symbol of Witchcraft, Wicca and Paganism. Without the circle, it is known as a pentagram.
Pentacles and pentagrams are often worn as necklaces to symbolize the religion of Wicca (as well as other spiritual faiths), but they have a deeper meaning than just a symbol.
The five points all relate to the elements which we believe everything is made from. Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.
The pentagram above shows the symbols of the elements by the points of the pentagram with their respective colours.
White = Spirit
Yellow = Air
Green = Earth
Red = Fire
Blue = Water
(NOTE: sometimes the order of the elements on the pentagram is different.)
The Pentacle or Pentagram from www.PaganCulture.com
The Pentacle, or pentagram has probably gotten the worst rap, over the centuries, thanks to the uninformed and media hype. It is not, as always portrayed, a symbol of evil or Satan. Wiccans do not believe in the Christian version of evil anyway, so this does not even apply!
The Pentacle is one of the tools of the trade of the witch, and represents the unity of life, the elements and the divine as well as a tool for protection.
The only time you will see the Pentacle used with the point down, is when the spiritual aspect is buried in favor of the material things in life. Nothing more! Satanists use the upside down Pentagram like the upside down cross as an anti-Christianity symbol. In a manner, they are following a Christian belief in the Pentagram as a symbol of evil.
The circle around the five points represents the God/Goddess aspect, reflecting negative energy and drawing positive light energy, thereby providing an increase in life, psychic energy and protection to the wearer.
The origins of the Pentagram go back as far as 8000 years. As far back as pre-Babylonian Sumer, it has been utilized and upheld by many cultures. To the Jews, it is referred to as the Pentateuch, the Five Books of Moses. It has been known under many titles, such as "The Druid's Root", "The Witches Star", and "The Star of Solomon".
Followers of Pythagoras, called it the "The Pentalpha" being composed of five interlaced A's or Alphas. The Alpha being the first word of the alphabet, we can perhaps view it as showing forth unity in the midst of multiplicity. The individual as part of the Universe - the All.
In other views, it can represent man with his arms and legs outstretched, symbolizing health, life and power.
Meanings
EARTH: (lower left hand corner) stability, strength, healing, fertility
FIRE: (lower right hand corner) courage, daring, emotions, passion
WATER: (upper right hand corner) emotions, intuition, healing
AIR: (upper left hand corner) intelligence, creativity, breath and the arts
SPIRIT: (at the topmost point) the Great Spirit in us all; the Goddess/God
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