Post by VananLawbreaker on Jan 3, 2009 0:10:38 GMT -5
Witchcraft Symbols:
PENTACLE
Other names:
Five-pointed star. Star of the Microcosm. Witch's Foot. The Morning Star. The Evening Star. Endless knot.
History:
The five-pointed star is the result of astrological research done over 6,000 years ago resulting in no connection whatsoever to Satanism or Christianity. Pythagoras utilized the Pentacle to represent the human being with the points of the star representing the head, arms and legs, adding the circle unifies and creates Spirit. On a side note, the Pentacle or Pentagram represents phi: 1.618, the perfect number. This number symbolizes perfection in all things that exist on this plane, for one instance, the human face, broken down in shape has the basic core and structure of a Pentagram. How's that for perfection?
The Elements:
The Pentacle represents the five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.
Magickal Uses:
As a protective device: Wear a pentacle around your neck to protect yourself.
Ritual Use:
A Pentacle is synonymous with Wiccan Rituals. It represents Spirit and Protection. A Pentacle is one of the most important devices in your Ritual Circle and can be simply represented by drawing a Pentacle in the air above your working space, in the dirt if working outside, or on a piece of paper to be discarded later.
PENTAGRAM
Other names:
Five-pointed star. Star of the Microcosm. Witch's Foot. The Morning Star. The Evening Star. Endless knot. The Wild Rose.
History:
The Pentagram represents the five elements and was therefore used as a Yule tree topper in ancient Celtic Traditions, hence the star on top of the Christmas Tree. For more history, please see Pentacle above.
The Elements:
Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit are represented by the five points of the Pentagram.
Magickal Uses:
It is a sign of secrecy and can be drawn upon your Book of Shadows or your Altar Box in which you store all your Ritual materials.
Ritual Use:
Since the Pentagram represents the elements it can be used instead of a Pentacle for all ritual workings.
SPIRIT CIRCLE
Other names:
History:
The Spirit Circle is not just useful to Wiccans, in many cultural histories a person would walk around an object, person, or place during a ceremony of birth, marriage or death, or to bring good luck or destroy evil.
The Elements:
Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit
Magickal Uses:
A Spirit Circle can be used in place of a Pentacle.
Ritual Use:
The Spirit Circle represents walking or casting of the Ritual Circle. All Rituals call for the casting of a circle and calling of quarters to seal and create a sacred working environment for the Witch.
TRIPLE CIRCLE
Other names:
History:
The Elements:
Magickal Uses:
Ritual Use:
In Ritual, the Triple Circle is used to call upon the Triple Goddess: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. This gives power to your Ritual Circle by boosting the body, mind, and spirit.
TRIPLE MOON
Other names:
The Goddess
History:
The Triple Moon has been associated with the life of the Goddess: Maiden, Mother, Crone. As the moon waxes, becomes full then wanes, it is a never ending cycle which also represents life.
The Elements:
Goddess
Magickal Uses:
Some Wiccans use this symbol to simply indicate their walk of life, whether it be on a necklace or t-shirt.
Ritual Use:
This symbol can be placed anywhere on your altar to signify the turns of life, birth, living and death or also our great Mother or any Female Deity you wish to connect with.
HORNED GOD
Other names:
Green Man
History:
The Horned God represents the male aspect in Wicca and is as old as the Goddess herself.
The Elements:
God. Nature.
Magickal Uses:
Can be worn as a necklace to subtly represent your belief in Wicca.
Ritual Use:
The Horned God is wonderful in ritual when you want to celebrate a male deity. When used together with the Triple Moon, it perfectly represents the nature of opposites.
HEPTAGRAM
Other names:
Seven pointed star. The Star of Venus
History:
The original basis for the heptagram came from astrology and the seven known planets of the time along with the seven days of the week. The heptagram, for modern day Wiccans, represents the distribution of the planetary energies through the seven days of the week. The Heptagram has also been adopted as the symbol for magic in the Faerie Wicca traditions.
The Elements:
Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn
Magickal Uses:
Can be engraved or painted on your Book of Shadows to defend and protect the contents inside.
Ritual Use:
Used to calculate planetary hours. In ritual, each planet holds specific elements and energies (see charts below) and the heptagram can help focus those energies on a specific planet.
CELTIC CROSS
Other names:
History:
The history of the Celtic Cross is a mishmash of information that is difficult to sort through and is also difficult to find the true history. Following is as close to history and the truth that we could get without writing a book and spending years researching. From a Pagan's standpoint the history goes something like this: These crosses started out as a simple circle representing the moon. When Christian's came to convert the Druids, they used symbols, which in their case was the cross. They drew the cross into the circle to show that their religion was of higher value, thus creating the "Celtic Cross." On another note from Paganism: The circle again represents the moon, while the cross or four lines intersecting represent the sun. Therefore, the Druids were worshipping the sun and the moon. The Christians and Catholics claim it is has always been a symbol of their religion, however to prove a point on the Pagan side, Christianity is a new religion, while Druids have been around for centuries. Still others, claim it as a phallic symbol. You be the judge.
The Elements:
Sun and Moon
Magickal Uses:
Can be used for beautiful decoration as most Wiccans celebrate the Celts and their beautiful artwork.
Ritual Use:
Use to represent the Sun and Moon, God and Goddess, or Male and Female
ALCHEMICAL SYMBOLS
ALCHEMY
Meaning:
"Alchemy is a bridge between Earth and Heaven, matter and spirit, the solid and the fluid, the visible and the invisible, bringing the horizontal and the vertical together." ~ J. Ramsay. Alchemy, in short, is to turn thought into matter. By focusing on the following symbols of alchemy, one is said to reach a goal such as a change in life. It is how you, as a Wiccan use this symbol to enrich and engage yourself in your Ritual. Alchemy, if studied and practiced hard enough has been said to turn lead into gold.
Energy:
The Void
SUN
Energy:
Will and Success
Element:
Fire
Color:
Yellow or Gold
MOON
Energy:
Emotion
Element:
Water
Color:
White or Blue
MERCURY
Energy:
Communication and Speed
Element:
Air
Color:
Blue or Silver
VENUS
Energy:
Socialization
Element:
Air
Color:
Green
EARTH
Energy:
Strength and Stability
Element:
Earth
Color:
Yellow or Green
MARS
Energy:
Action
Element:
Fire
Color:
Red
JUPITER
Energy:
Expansion
Element:
Fire
Color:
Purple
SATURN
Energy:
Order, Restriction, Authority, Crossroads
Element:
Earth
Color:
Black or Midnight Blue
URANUS
Energy:
Experimentation
Element:
Air
Color:
Light Blue
NEPTUNE
Energy:
Transformation
Element:
Water
Color:
Aqua
PLUTO
Energy:
Regeneration
Element:
Water
Color:
Black or Brown
ZODIAC SIGNS
ARIES
Dates:
March 21 - April 20
Ruling Planet:
Mars
Element:
Fire
Body Part:
Head
Color:
Red
Energies:
The Leader: Leadership, beginnings, action, energy
TAURUS
Dates:
April 21 - May 21
Ruling Planet:
Venus
Element:
Earth
Body Part:
Throat and Neck
Color:
Yellow
Energies:
The Pragmatist: Security, endurance, sensuality, manifestation, persistence
GEMINI
Dates:
May 22 - June 21
Ruling Planet:
Mercury
Element:
Air
Body Part:
Lungs, Arms, Hands
Color:
Red or Purple
Energies:
The Communicator: Talkativeness, movement, mental energy, ingenuity, versatility
CANCER
Dates:
June 22 - July 22
Ruling Planet:
Moon
Element:
Water
Body Part:
Breasts and Stomach
Color:
Green
Energies:
The Mother: Home environment, emotions, sensitivity, affection, sympathy
LEO
Dates:
July 23 - August 22
Ruling Planet:
Sun
Element:
Fire
Body Part:
Heart
Color:
Yellow, gold, orange
Energies:
The Performer: Confidence, self-expression, success, courage, vitality
VIRGO
Dates:
August 23 - September 22
Ruling Planet:
Mercury
Element:
Earth
Body Part:
Intestines
Color:
Sky blue, violet
Energies:
The Analyst: Service, analysis, efficiency, discernment
LIBRA
Dates:
September 23 - October 22
Ruling Planet:
Venus
Element:
Air
Body Part:
Kidneys
Color:
Violet
Energies:
The Lover: Diplomacy, relationship, beauty, socialization, balance
SCORPIO
Dates:
October 23 - November 21
Ruling Planet:
Pluto
Element:
Water
Body Part:
Sex Organs
Color:
Reddish brown
Energies:
The Controller: Secrecy, power, justice, regeneration
SAGITTARIUS
Dates:
November 22 - December 21
Ruling Planet:
Jupiter
Element:
Fire
Body Part:
Hips and Thighs
Color:
Orange or Purple
Energies:
The Traveler: Idealism, study, exploration, honesty
CAPRICORN
Dates:
December 22 - January 20
Ruling Planet:
Saturn
Element:
Earth
Body Part:
Knees and Bones
Color:
Brown or Blue
Energies:
The Father: Rewards, building, business, ambition, diligence, conscience
AQUARIUS
Dates:
January 21 - February 19
Ruling Planet:
Uranus
Element:
Air
Body Part:
Ankles and calves
Color:
Sea blue or Green
Energies:
The Humanitarian: Detachment, independence, humanitarian
PISCES
Dates:
February 20 - March 20
Ruling Planet:
Neptune
Element:
Water
Body Part:
Feet
Color:
White, Purple or Aqua
Energies:
The Visionary: Spiritual, transformations, visionary, compassion, imagination, receptivity
PENTACLE
Other names:
Five-pointed star. Star of the Microcosm. Witch's Foot. The Morning Star. The Evening Star. Endless knot.
History:
The five-pointed star is the result of astrological research done over 6,000 years ago resulting in no connection whatsoever to Satanism or Christianity. Pythagoras utilized the Pentacle to represent the human being with the points of the star representing the head, arms and legs, adding the circle unifies and creates Spirit. On a side note, the Pentacle or Pentagram represents phi: 1.618, the perfect number. This number symbolizes perfection in all things that exist on this plane, for one instance, the human face, broken down in shape has the basic core and structure of a Pentagram. How's that for perfection?
The Elements:
The Pentacle represents the five elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.
Magickal Uses:
As a protective device: Wear a pentacle around your neck to protect yourself.
Ritual Use:
A Pentacle is synonymous with Wiccan Rituals. It represents Spirit and Protection. A Pentacle is one of the most important devices in your Ritual Circle and can be simply represented by drawing a Pentacle in the air above your working space, in the dirt if working outside, or on a piece of paper to be discarded later.
PENTAGRAM
Other names:
Five-pointed star. Star of the Microcosm. Witch's Foot. The Morning Star. The Evening Star. Endless knot. The Wild Rose.
History:
The Pentagram represents the five elements and was therefore used as a Yule tree topper in ancient Celtic Traditions, hence the star on top of the Christmas Tree. For more history, please see Pentacle above.
The Elements:
Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit are represented by the five points of the Pentagram.
Magickal Uses:
It is a sign of secrecy and can be drawn upon your Book of Shadows or your Altar Box in which you store all your Ritual materials.
Ritual Use:
Since the Pentagram represents the elements it can be used instead of a Pentacle for all ritual workings.
SPIRIT CIRCLE
Other names:
History:
The Spirit Circle is not just useful to Wiccans, in many cultural histories a person would walk around an object, person, or place during a ceremony of birth, marriage or death, or to bring good luck or destroy evil.
The Elements:
Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit
Magickal Uses:
A Spirit Circle can be used in place of a Pentacle.
Ritual Use:
The Spirit Circle represents walking or casting of the Ritual Circle. All Rituals call for the casting of a circle and calling of quarters to seal and create a sacred working environment for the Witch.
TRIPLE CIRCLE
Other names:
History:
The Elements:
Magickal Uses:
Ritual Use:
In Ritual, the Triple Circle is used to call upon the Triple Goddess: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. This gives power to your Ritual Circle by boosting the body, mind, and spirit.
TRIPLE MOON
Other names:
The Goddess
History:
The Triple Moon has been associated with the life of the Goddess: Maiden, Mother, Crone. As the moon waxes, becomes full then wanes, it is a never ending cycle which also represents life.
The Elements:
Goddess
Magickal Uses:
Some Wiccans use this symbol to simply indicate their walk of life, whether it be on a necklace or t-shirt.
Ritual Use:
This symbol can be placed anywhere on your altar to signify the turns of life, birth, living and death or also our great Mother or any Female Deity you wish to connect with.
HORNED GOD
Other names:
Green Man
History:
The Horned God represents the male aspect in Wicca and is as old as the Goddess herself.
The Elements:
God. Nature.
Magickal Uses:
Can be worn as a necklace to subtly represent your belief in Wicca.
Ritual Use:
The Horned God is wonderful in ritual when you want to celebrate a male deity. When used together with the Triple Moon, it perfectly represents the nature of opposites.
HEPTAGRAM
Other names:
Seven pointed star. The Star of Venus
History:
The original basis for the heptagram came from astrology and the seven known planets of the time along with the seven days of the week. The heptagram, for modern day Wiccans, represents the distribution of the planetary energies through the seven days of the week. The Heptagram has also been adopted as the symbol for magic in the Faerie Wicca traditions.
The Elements:
Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn
Magickal Uses:
Can be engraved or painted on your Book of Shadows to defend and protect the contents inside.
Ritual Use:
Used to calculate planetary hours. In ritual, each planet holds specific elements and energies (see charts below) and the heptagram can help focus those energies on a specific planet.
CELTIC CROSS
Other names:
History:
The history of the Celtic Cross is a mishmash of information that is difficult to sort through and is also difficult to find the true history. Following is as close to history and the truth that we could get without writing a book and spending years researching. From a Pagan's standpoint the history goes something like this: These crosses started out as a simple circle representing the moon. When Christian's came to convert the Druids, they used symbols, which in their case was the cross. They drew the cross into the circle to show that their religion was of higher value, thus creating the "Celtic Cross." On another note from Paganism: The circle again represents the moon, while the cross or four lines intersecting represent the sun. Therefore, the Druids were worshipping the sun and the moon. The Christians and Catholics claim it is has always been a symbol of their religion, however to prove a point on the Pagan side, Christianity is a new religion, while Druids have been around for centuries. Still others, claim it as a phallic symbol. You be the judge.
The Elements:
Sun and Moon
Magickal Uses:
Can be used for beautiful decoration as most Wiccans celebrate the Celts and their beautiful artwork.
Ritual Use:
Use to represent the Sun and Moon, God and Goddess, or Male and Female
ALCHEMICAL SYMBOLS
ALCHEMY
Meaning:
"Alchemy is a bridge between Earth and Heaven, matter and spirit, the solid and the fluid, the visible and the invisible, bringing the horizontal and the vertical together." ~ J. Ramsay. Alchemy, in short, is to turn thought into matter. By focusing on the following symbols of alchemy, one is said to reach a goal such as a change in life. It is how you, as a Wiccan use this symbol to enrich and engage yourself in your Ritual. Alchemy, if studied and practiced hard enough has been said to turn lead into gold.
Energy:
The Void
SUN
Energy:
Will and Success
Element:
Fire
Color:
Yellow or Gold
MOON
Energy:
Emotion
Element:
Water
Color:
White or Blue
MERCURY
Energy:
Communication and Speed
Element:
Air
Color:
Blue or Silver
VENUS
Energy:
Socialization
Element:
Air
Color:
Green
EARTH
Energy:
Strength and Stability
Element:
Earth
Color:
Yellow or Green
MARS
Energy:
Action
Element:
Fire
Color:
Red
JUPITER
Energy:
Expansion
Element:
Fire
Color:
Purple
SATURN
Energy:
Order, Restriction, Authority, Crossroads
Element:
Earth
Color:
Black or Midnight Blue
URANUS
Energy:
Experimentation
Element:
Air
Color:
Light Blue
NEPTUNE
Energy:
Transformation
Element:
Water
Color:
Aqua
PLUTO
Energy:
Regeneration
Element:
Water
Color:
Black or Brown
ZODIAC SIGNS
ARIES
Dates:
March 21 - April 20
Ruling Planet:
Mars
Element:
Fire
Body Part:
Head
Color:
Red
Energies:
The Leader: Leadership, beginnings, action, energy
TAURUS
Dates:
April 21 - May 21
Ruling Planet:
Venus
Element:
Earth
Body Part:
Throat and Neck
Color:
Yellow
Energies:
The Pragmatist: Security, endurance, sensuality, manifestation, persistence
GEMINI
Dates:
May 22 - June 21
Ruling Planet:
Mercury
Element:
Air
Body Part:
Lungs, Arms, Hands
Color:
Red or Purple
Energies:
The Communicator: Talkativeness, movement, mental energy, ingenuity, versatility
CANCER
Dates:
June 22 - July 22
Ruling Planet:
Moon
Element:
Water
Body Part:
Breasts and Stomach
Color:
Green
Energies:
The Mother: Home environment, emotions, sensitivity, affection, sympathy
LEO
Dates:
July 23 - August 22
Ruling Planet:
Sun
Element:
Fire
Body Part:
Heart
Color:
Yellow, gold, orange
Energies:
The Performer: Confidence, self-expression, success, courage, vitality
VIRGO
Dates:
August 23 - September 22
Ruling Planet:
Mercury
Element:
Earth
Body Part:
Intestines
Color:
Sky blue, violet
Energies:
The Analyst: Service, analysis, efficiency, discernment
LIBRA
Dates:
September 23 - October 22
Ruling Planet:
Venus
Element:
Air
Body Part:
Kidneys
Color:
Violet
Energies:
The Lover: Diplomacy, relationship, beauty, socialization, balance
SCORPIO
Dates:
October 23 - November 21
Ruling Planet:
Pluto
Element:
Water
Body Part:
Sex Organs
Color:
Reddish brown
Energies:
The Controller: Secrecy, power, justice, regeneration
SAGITTARIUS
Dates:
November 22 - December 21
Ruling Planet:
Jupiter
Element:
Fire
Body Part:
Hips and Thighs
Color:
Orange or Purple
Energies:
The Traveler: Idealism, study, exploration, honesty
CAPRICORN
Dates:
December 22 - January 20
Ruling Planet:
Saturn
Element:
Earth
Body Part:
Knees and Bones
Color:
Brown or Blue
Energies:
The Father: Rewards, building, business, ambition, diligence, conscience
AQUARIUS
Dates:
January 21 - February 19
Ruling Planet:
Uranus
Element:
Air
Body Part:
Ankles and calves
Color:
Sea blue or Green
Energies:
The Humanitarian: Detachment, independence, humanitarian
PISCES
Dates:
February 20 - March 20
Ruling Planet:
Neptune
Element:
Water
Body Part:
Feet
Color:
White, Purple or Aqua
Energies:
The Visionary: Spiritual, transformations, visionary, compassion, imagination, receptivity