The pentagram is symbolic of the relationship of the head to the four limbs, and so from this of the concentrated essence of anything (or the spirit) to the traditional elements of matter - Earth, Water, Air and Fire. The pentagram has long been believed to be a potent protection against evil, a symbol that shields the wearer and the home.

It has five spiked wards and a womb-shaped defensive, protective pentagon at the center. There are five elements in the pagan world, four that are matter (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), and Spirit. These are arranged around the points. The elements are placed in order of density - Spirit, Fire, Air, Water, Earth. Earth and Fire are basal, fixed. Air and Water are free, flowing.

In ritual, the pentagram is sometimes drawn in the air either using the hand or a ritual knife known as an athame. Drawn one way it is used for invoking, the opposite for banishing. Single point upwards signifies the spirit ruling matter. It is a symbol of rightness. With two points up and one (spirit) downwards, is signifies subservience, the emphasis is on the carnal nature of man.

                                           

 

Open Pentagram A pentagram may be open, without a surrounding circle. This is the active form symbolizing an outgoing of oneself, prepared for conflict, aware, active. As a pagan religious symbol, the open pentagram represents an open, active approach.

Closed Pentagram A circle around a pentagram contains and protects. The circle symbolizes eternity and infinity, the cycles of life and nature. The circled pentagram is the passive form implying spiritual containment of the magic circle, and the individual nature of the pagan religious path.

Inverted Pentagram The implication of inversion of a pentagram is the spirit is subservient to matter, man subservient to his carnal desires. It has come to represent the dark side and is considered a symbol of evil by Christians. In the 1940s Gerald Gardner adopted the inverted pentagram as a symbol of second degree initiation in the newly emergent, neo-pagan rituals in what was to become wicca. It represents the need of the witch to learn to face the darkness within so it will not rise to take control. First degree uses a downward pointing triangle, third degree uses one-point up pentagram together with an upright triangle.