The Pentacle: The Greek Phenomenon

The word pentacle appears to have been formed by combining the Greek word pente “five” with the Latin suffix –culum to form the hybrid word pentaculum or “pentagram”. According to Online Etymology Dictionary, the word is very similar to the Italian pentacolo meaning “anything with five points” and the French pentacol or “an amulet worn around the neck”, from pend- “to hang”, a “to”, and col “neck”. The word pentacle first emerges in 1561. According to an article in Wikipedia, originally the pentacle had no association with the number five in old magical texts, but was rather a talisman upon which many things could be inscribed. Now it most often refers to the pentagram circumscribed by a circle, with the circle being symbolic of the cosmos and the pentagram the physical world. During periods where it was dangerous to be found with a pentacle, such as the inquisition or the Salem Witch Trials, pentacles were made from disposable items, such a paper, clay or dough.

The pentacle is the ultimate representation of the cosmos. When it’s used as an altar tile representing Earth, it represents all the elements combined. It is the interconnectedness between them. It can represent both God and Goddess. It represents humans and their place in the universe. It is representative of faith. So,

The pentacle is a physical representation of ritual and is use for both protection and to evoke the spirits. When the pentacle is part of the altar tile itself, it then, as a whole piece, represents the element Earth. It is one of the elemental tools on the altar, the others being the athame, the chalice and the wand. The pentacle on the altar tile is a symbol of faith. Other symbols could be used, but this is the most popular. The altar tile can also be a location to place sacred items during a cleansing, consecration or