Pentacles

Pentacles: power and mystery Throughout time people have tried to peer deeply into the abyss and find power through rituals and incantations. They have used many devices in this pursuit, from wands and daggers to tea leaves and entrails. But the most powerful and mysterious (and thus sought after) of all have to be talismans. And of the talismans, the class that captures our imagination the most has to the be pentacle. Pentacles are often associated with pentagrams (the OED claims they are synonyms) but they are very very different creatures. The pentacle is a general name for any sort of talisman inscribed with a symbol of power (not necessarily 5-sided).

That symbol can be intended to invoke many sorts of power depending on the tradition the practitioner follows. They are most often either symbols of elemental power (earth, air, fire, water) or instruments of protection. Many people are confused as to the origins of the word. Some think it comes form the Greek penta-(five), and -culum (diminutive), but it seems more likely that it comes from the Italian and French root pend- meaning to hang (Possibly from the Middle French pandacol meaning ornament hung around the neck). The uses of pentacles are as varied as the traditions that use them.

They can be worn as an amulet for power or protection, they can be included in circles of summoning to protect the summoner, or focus the call, or they can be a part of the commanding of summoned spirits. The pentacle is also a suit of the Tarot used in many forms of divination and scrying. In this arena they replaced the older suit called coins. They are intended to invoke the element of Earth, or possibly divinity made real in the world. The most famous references to pentacles are in the Key of Solomon (a grimoire often attributed to King Solomon), the Golden Dawn and Aleistar Crowley, all of which hold the pentacle in high esteem.