A pentagram is a five-pointed unicursal star drawn with five straight strokes, sometimes known as pentalpha or pentangle. Dating back to the first known civilizations, in Sumer, the pentagram is an ancient symbol indeed. Pentagrams, contrary to popular literature and Hollywood movies, are not inherently “Satanic” or “evil.” Quite the contrary. They have been used as a sign of protection, faith and divinity across many religions and belief systems. Pentagrams have been used to symbolize the 5 wounds of Christ in Christianity; have associations within Freemasonry; have represented the planet Venus; have magical correspondences (such as to the elements of earth, air, fire, water & spirit;) and were used by the medieval neo-pythagoreans. Many Neopagans, especially Wiccans, use the pentagram as a symbol of faith and protection similar to the usage of the Christian cross or the Jewish Star of David.

Eliphas Levi’s Pentagram

from Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa’s Libri tres de occulta philosophia

used in Neopagan tradition to represent earth, air, fire, water and spirit

A pentacle, or pantacle, is an amulet used in magical evocation, generally made of parchment, paper or metal. It does not neccessarily have 5 points, and is often a hexagram or square. The Tarot suit of coins is often called Pentacles, and show discs inscribed with Pentagrams.

The Second Pentacle of Jupiter

The First Pentacle of the Moon

The Golden Dawn’s Earth Pentacle

The Pentacle of the Art, as given in Pietro d’Abano’s Heptameron

The Pentacle of the Art as given in a 19th century publication of The Sixth Book of Moses, incorporating characters of the Alphabet of the Magi. This is an instance when a pentacle happens to be in the shape of a pentagram.

~Anyanka

Note: This is an rewrite of a guide I wrote for eBay in 2007.

Looking for a pentagram necklace, amulet or talisman? Check our webstore

Related posts:

1. Why a Pentacle May Not Have Five Points
2. Understanding the Differences & Similarities between Wicca & Witchcraft

1: Know Yourself

2: Know your Craft

3: Learn

4: Apply Knowledge

5: Achieve Balance

6: Keep your thoughts in good order

7: Keep your words in good order

8: Celebrate life

9: Attune with the cycles of the Earth

10: Breathe and eat correctly

11: Exercise the body

12: Meditate

13: Honor the Goddess and God

As you can see from the preambles the worship of deities falls last on the list. I would like to approach that first before we go in depth into each article.

13: Honor the Goddess and God

The Goddess and God are within us as they are also within all living things on this Earth. In this case by following the first 12 articles you are already honoring the Goddess and God because they are a part of you. The 13th article is more about honoring the spirit or energy of the Goddess and God. This can be better achieved after one has attuned themselves by following the other articles. So though at first the 13 Preambles may seem egotistical in a way they are not once you explore them more fully. These 13 Preambles are nothing new, in fact many religions and cultures have them, though they are less stressed in other religions unless you plan on becoming a Priest or Pastor. They are known to us all on some level or another, and we may even follow these preambles without being a Wiccan. That is ok too; these are 13 good things to live by and can benefit anyone regardless of religious background or inspiration.

1: Know yourself

Self knowledge and awareness is something that we all strive to have. How are we going to work with the delicate energies that surround us if we first do not know what is self? This is a difficult one to achieve as there are still so many things out in our world that do not allow us to fully express ourselves as individuals that are aware and filled with love of the self. Once you come to a full understanding of who you are then it becomes easier to accept others for who they are as well. This acceptance becomes one of the first paths to peace. This is not only knowing the self, but accepting the self as well both must be achieved.

2: Know your Craft

How many people do you know that are fully aware of their religion? I’m not just talking about what their places of worship teach them, or what their holy book says. I am talking a full understanding from the conception of the religion to the modern day interpretations of it. Chances are that you do not know many. People tend to follow the teachings that they hear but do not look further into their religion as a whole, unless of course they have a degree in Theology that is. This article talks about having the full knowledge of what your religion is about. Wicca, like most religions is much deeper than the surface information that we are all aware of. It has tradition, it has its guiding forces and it has its incarnation. I know a lot of people that claim to be Wiccan or Pagan and yet have never read or studied the origins of the religion. How are you going to gain a deeper understanding and spiritual awareness if you do not know where you came from to start with? Know your Craft is just that, it is attaining the wisdom and knowledge of your religion.

3: Learn

What does the word learn mean? The dictionary defines Learn as “To gain knowledge, comprehension, or mastery of through experience or study” Learning is something that we do everyday. Each moment that we are alive we are learning and experiencing things. It is the knowledge that we get from experience and study that allows us to make choices in life as well as live our lives to the best and fullest that we are capable of. Think about what the world would be like if no one ever learned anything? Chances are you wouldn’t be reading this article right now because you didn’t learn to read! When we talk about learning here we are not only talking about the lessons that we have each day, we are also talking about the knowledge of the craft and learning our lessons on a spiritual and karmic level as well. To learn is to know, and to know is to grow.

4: Apply Knowledge

Once you have the knowledge from the learning you need to put it into practical application. Wisdom cannot be spread if people were to hide all of the knowledge that they have attained. This isn’t to say that you need to be pushy, but freely share what you know so that you can learn from someone else what they know. This also talks about the application of knowledge of the Rede as well as the Preambles in your life. Apply them fully and you can experience a life you had never thought was possible to explore.

5: Achieve Balance

Balance is important in any metaphysical way of thought just as it is in any religion or philosophy. You strive to achieve a balance of body, mind, and spirit through various forms and knowledge. Many of us have moments when we feel like this balance has been achieved, and yet it fades after a while. Remember that we are all human, and therefore a prone to making mistakes and it is ok to do so. There are of course some individuals out there Sai Baba for instance that has fully attained this type of balance, but for most of us it will come and go. The main lesson is to allow it to come and when it leaves learn and apply what you have learned to attain it once again.

6: Keep your Thought is Good Order

This article is twofold in nature. First it talks about the power of positive thought. Not allowing negative thought patterns to enter your mind is a large part of keeping thoughts in good order. The more that you focus on positive things the more that you will attract those things, as we know from learning about the power of intention. Second, it talks about thinking before you speak. So many people blurt out what they want to say regardless of if it is going to damage someone else in thought or emotion. Think hard about what you are going to say before it is said. Make a conscious effort to plan your words carefully so that what you say can aid in allowing for the greatest good for the persons that you are speaking to.

7: Keep your Words in Good Order

This follows suit to article 6 above. After you have thought about what you are going to say carefully speak those words. Speak in a manner that is soothing and peaceful and try to avoid emotions like anger, hate and frustration in your speech. We can get so caught up in an emotional swirl that we sometimes forget to not express that in our speech. We can certainly tell the person how we are feeling and that sort of discussion is great, that way no one leaves feeling unwanted or insecure with themselves.

8: Celebrate Life

Live each and every day to the fullest that you can experience it. See each day as a new lesson to be learned and do not hold grudges or allow things to bring you down. Sometimes focusing on the day to day living can be the most rewarding, then we are not feeling any anxiety about what the future may hold for us and instead can truly experience life.

9: Attune with the Cycles of the Earth

For Wiccans this one is done quite often. Every Sabbat that we celebrate aids us in attuning to the cycles of the Earth, but there is more to it than just that. Attuning with the Earth also means to love and care for the planet on which you live. Strive to aid the Earth in life. Living Green, planting trees, aiding nature and its inhabitants all help you to attune yourself with the Earth. If we learn to attune ourselves sand aid in taking care of our planet than Mother Gaia will see to it that we are taken care of as well.

10: Breathe and Eat Correctly

Remember that old adage “The Body is a Temple”? As we talked about before with article 13 the Goddess and God inhabit us all, just as they do all creatures. Taking care of the body by incorporating healthy living plays a part in honoring the Goddess and God. This does not mean in any way that you have to live on nuts, twigs and berries! It only means that you are being cautious of what you put into your body. Be aware of what you ingest and how it is going to affect your body and its systems.

11: Exercise the Body

This falls into the article above in a stronger fashion. Not only taking care of the body through eating correctly but also through exercise. It is the strength of the body that aids in the strength of the spirit and mind. Doing these can aid as well in achieving the balance from article 5.

12: Meditate

We are all aware of the importance of meditation. It helps us to know what is self and what is not self as well as to connect us with our Higher Self and Guides. Meditation is exercise for the mind and spirit. Meditating in addition to the two articles above become the base foundations for achieving the balance in life. Finding the time to relax the mind can aid us in so many ways and becomes an important aspect to living.
These are the 13 Preambles of Wicca. They are guidelines to follow in order to experience life to the fullest and attune oneself with the spiritual world as well as the physical. Work slowly when following the Preambles, don’t rush them or jump ahead, or you will only cheat yourself in the long run. Take each for what it is and learn the lessons that they have to teach you fully.

Rev. Thomas Moore is High Priest of The Coven of L.I.G.H.T in South West Florida, as well as a professional Psychic and Healer. He teaches a variety of classes in the metaphysical field as well as Wicca and is the Store Manager for Starchild Books in Port Charlotte Florida.

www.starchildbooks.com

http://inperfectloveinperfecttrust.webs.com

Article Source: NewAgeArticles.com

Don’t forget, we offer a full range of new age, metaphysical and wiccan supplies for your needs in our witchcraft store, and a full featured website which links to our witchcraft blog, Book of Shadows pages, cyber coven, psychic readings, and more . Thank you for reading, and have a blessed day!

~Anyanka

Related posts:

1. Understanding the Differences & Similarities between Wicca & Witchcraft

~~~

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old also called Artemis; Astarte; Diana; Melusine; Aphrodite; Cerridwen; Dana; Arianrhod; Isis; Bride; and by many other names.

Whenever ye have need of anything, once in a month, and better it be when the Moon be full, then ye shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me, who am Queen of all Witcheries.

There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not yet won its deepest secrets: to these will I teach things that are yet unknown.

And ye shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that ye are really free, ye shall be naked in your rites; and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise.

For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and mine also is joy on earth; for my Law is Love unto all Beings.

Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever toward it; let naught stop you or turn you aside.

For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth; and mine is the Cup of the Wine of Life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality.

I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart. Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand sacrifice, for behold I am the Mother of All Living, and my love is poured out upon the earth.

Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess, she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven; whose body encircleth the Universe; I, who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white Moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the heart’s desire, call unto thy soul. Arise and come unto me.

For I am the Soul of Nature, who giveth life to the universe; from me all things proceed, and unto me must all things return; and before my face, beloved of gods and mortals, thine inmost divine self shall be unfolded in the rapture of infinite joy.

Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth, for behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you.

And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not, unless thou know this mystery: that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never find it without thee.

For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

~Doreen Valiente

~~~

Many Wiccans include a version of the Charge in their Book of Shadows. Use this version if it resonates with you, or perhaps edit it until it feels right. The Craft is about ones personal relationship with the divine, so do not feel the need to conform to the words of others.

You can find books on Wicca and Paganism, and the tools of practice, by visiting my webstore. Blessings!

~Anyanka

No related posts.

• “wicca” A wizard, soothsayer, sorcerer, magician. A male practitioner of magic Pronounced wee-cha (Old English noun)
• “wicce” A witch or sorceress. A female practitioner of magic. Pronounced wee-chay (Old English noun)
• “wicche” A witch or sorceress. (Middle English noun)
• “Wikken“ to use witchcraft or to predict (Low German verb)
• “Wicken” to use witchcraft or to predict (Low German verb)
• “Weik” having to do with magic or religion (Indo-European) This word is possibly the originator of the others.

To summarize what those words meant, and now mean:

Wicca (historical term) – referred to sorcerers, diviners and soothsayers, and was subsequently translated as “witch.”

Wicca (modern term) – an adherent to the modernized religion of Wicca.

Witch (historical term) – a practitioner of magic and or divination.

Witch (modern term) – can refer to both 1. an adherent of modern Wicca or 2. a practitioner of magic or divination by someone of any religion.

Witchcraft (historical term) – the practice of magic or divination.

Witchcraft (modern term) – can refer to both 1. The practice of magic or divination or 2. The practice of (modern) Wicca.

The terms “witch” and “witchcraft” are derived from words historically used to describe any practitioner of magic and or divination. Although these practitioners likely had a religious practice they ascribed to, the terms did not describe adherents to a particular religion. The modern term of “Wicca” is derived from the teachings of Gerald Gardner in the 1950’s. He used the word “Wica” (later changed to “Wicca,” the first evidence of which is in 1969) to refer to adherents of his particular tradition of witchcraft. Although I should note, he did not use the word at all in his first book. The religion that sprung from his teachings was then named Wica/Wicca. His teachings are thought to be based on a combination of an established witchcraft tradition, supplemented by additions by himself, Crowley and the Golden Dawn. But his story, and the debate surrounding his claims, are beyond the scope of this topic.

In summary, the terms “witch” and “wiccan” are not synonymous, nor are the terms “witchcraft” and “Wicca.” There are non-Wiccan witches and there are practitioners of witchcraft that do not practice Wicca. What makes it more confusing is that practitioners of Wicca call their religion the “Craft” or “witchcraft,” so those that have not fully researched the subject may assume that all witches are Wiccan and that witchcraft refers to religion. To further confuse the issue, many notable authors (including Raymond Buckland and Doreen Valiente) took Gardner’s lead in failing to differentiate the practices.

And as if all that was not confusing enough, what happens when someone calls themselves Wiccan, Wicca, or Wicce, using the original meaning (in Old English) of a practitioner of magic, and they are not part of the religion of Wicca?

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying I am for or against the modern religion of Wicca. I am just saying that when early Wiccans adopted general terms to define their specific practice, they caused infinite confusion. And the only way I personally see the confusion being cleared, is if non-Wiccan (modern term) witches coin a new term for themselves. Not unlike the way the term “magick” was brought back in place of “magic” to differentiate it from illusionary magic. Which seems rather unfair since the general terms to describe a witch predate the modern dual definition by quite a bit, at least according to the evidence. But, such is the continued abuse of the English language.

So the next time someone tells you they are a witch, you may want to clarify by asking what religion (if any) they are.

~Anyanka

P.S. Might I add that this is a very good example of why it is a poor idea to reuse words. Especially when they have meanings that relate to each other in part, but are not synonyms.

I’ve done my best to separate the Wicca books from the witchcraft books in my store, but there will always be some overlap

Related posts:

1. 13 Preambles of Wicca by H.P. Thomas Moore
2. Differences Between the Pentacle and the Pentagram
3. Witchcraft Ethics & the Law of Karma