The pentagram is a graphic symbol composed of five interlocking line segments in the shape of a five-pointed star. It was also known as the pentalpha because it resembles the uppercase letter A repeated five times and arranged radially so that the legs of the letter overlap (pente is the Greek word for five, and alpha is the name for the first Greek letter, which is shaped like the English A). It is also sometimes called a pentacle or pentangle in older texts.

It is important not to confuse the pentagram with the pentagon, which is a regular plane figure composed of five equal line segments. The military building in Washington known as the Pentagon is based on this shape. Sometimes the term pentagon is used for any plane figure with five sides and five angles, but it is more customarily applied to such a figure with five equal sides and five equal angles. A pentagram contains a pentagon in its center.

The significant aspect of the pentagram is that it have five points, and can be drawn with a single continuous line that reflects from point to point until it joins back on itself. This makes it very useful in practical magic. The five points are associated with the five occult elements. Because the pentagram can be drawn with a single line, it is simple and elegant to inscribe upon the air during ritual magic.

The origins of this symbol are lost in prehistory. It is found on Neolithic rock carvings, and was probably always regarded as a symbol of mystical power, along with a limited number of other simple symbols such as the circle, the cross, the spiral, the square, the zigzag, and so on. It was one of the earliest magic symbols for the Jews -- the Seal of Solomon in its earliest form was a pentagram.

Given its ancient history, the modern use and understanding of the symbol are surprisingly recent. It was not until the 19th century that the pentagram assumed the prominent place it now occupies in Western practical magic. It was popularized by French occultists such as Eliphas Levi, and from this venue found its way into the system of magic used by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The technique for using the pentagram in Golden Dawn magic has become almost a universal feature of all systems of magic in English-speaking nations over the past century.

In the Golden Dawn, the quintessence or fifth element of Light or Spirit is associated with the single upper point of the pentagram. The remaining four elements are assigned the lower points in the same pattern that is observed in the Fixed signs of the zodiac, which are Aquarius, Scorpio, Leo and Taurus. Each of these signs has an elemental attribution in astrology.

The sign Aquarius, located at the upper-left of the zodiac wheel, is linked with the element Air, and consequently Air is placed on the left arm of the pentagram. The sign Scorpio, located at the upper-right of the zodiac, is linked with Water, and so Water is placed on the right arm of the pentagram. The sign Leo, on the lower-right of the zodiac, is linked with Fire, so Fire is placed on the right leg of the pentagram. The sign Taurus, on the lower-left of the zodiac, is linked with Earth, so Earth is placed on the left leg of the pentagram.

Once the elements are related to the points of the pentagram, it becomes possible to use this figure to invoke or banish the powers and spirits of each element by inscribing the pentagram in different ways. The Golden Dawn system for invoking and banishing the elements is, in my opinion, unnecessarily complicated, but I will describe it here since it is employed almost universally in modern magic, and many readers will want to learn it.

During rituals, it is customary to inscribe the pentagram upon the air in the direction that is associated with the element being invoked or banished. To invoke is to call forth, and to banish is to send away. Pentagrams are inscribed with the right index finger, or more formally with a ritual instrument of projection such as the wand or sword. Modern witches use a dagger called an athame.

The correct way of drawing the pentagram is seldom taught, and perhaps is not that widely known. It was described in one of her books by the late Dion Fortune, a member of the Golden Dawn, and later the founder of her own occult society known as the Society of the Inner Light.

Inscribe the pentagram on the air in front of your body with strong strokes as though drawing it with chalk upon a blackboard. It is important that the figure be regular. Regular symbols have a natural affinity with the spirits of light, and irregular symbols resonate with the spirits of darkness. It is also vital to make the pentagram large -- at least several feet across its points. The most common error of beginning magicians, according to Dion Fortune, is to draw the pentagram too small on the air. Finally, be sure to connect the end of the continuous line that forms the pentagram with its starting point. The pentagram is a closed figure.

There is a general rule for Golden Dawn invocation and banishing by the pentagram, which helps somewhat to remember the method: "Invoke towards, and banish from, the point to which the Element is attributed."

Spirit is unique and separate from the other four elements. The Golden Dawn method to invoke and banish it is involved, and different from the method for invoking and banishing the lower elements. According to the Golden Dawn teachings, the occult currents running on the pentagram from the active elements of Fire and Air, and the occult currents running from the passive elements of Water and Earth, are the currents of elemental Spirit. Two pentagrams are drawn to invoke Spirit, and two different pentagrams are drawn to banish Spirit.

Spirit is invoked by beginning the pentagram at the point of Fire (lower-right) and inscribing its line first toward the point of Air (upper-left). As in all cases, the reflecting, continuous line of the pentagram ends at the point where it begins. This pentagram, shown above on the left, is known as the Equilibriated Active Pentagram of Spirit, because it deals with the two active lower elements, and because it balances the forces of those elements. This is the first half of the invocation of Spirit.

Spirit is further invoked by beginning at the point of Earth (lower-left) and inscribing the first segment of a second pentagram toward the point of Water (upper-right), then continuing along the line of the figure back to its starting point. This second pentagram, shown above on the right, is known as the Equilibriated Passive Pentagram of Spirit, because it deals with the two passive lower elements, and balances the forces of those elements.

Spirit is banished by beginning the pentagram at the point of Air (upper-left) and inscribing its line first toward the point of Fire (lower-right), then continuing to follow along the line of the pentagram to the starting point. This pentagram, shown above on the left, is known as the Closing Active Pentagram of Spirit, because it deals with the active lower elements, and closes the operation by banishing the forces that were previously invoked.

Spirit is further banished by beginning the pentagram at the point of Water (upper-right) and inscribing the first segment of its line toward the point of Earth (lower-left), then going on in the usual way to complete the figure. This pentagram, shown above on the right, is known as the Closing Passive Pentagram of Spirit because it deals with the passive lower elements, and closes the operation.

After invoking Spirit, and doing whatever magical operation caused you to make the invocation, it is usual to banish this higher element to restore the original condition of the ritual place, and also to restore your own normal everyday state of mind. Sometimes it may be desirable to invoke Spirit without banishing it, in order to create a spiritual charge or atmosphere in a particular locality, or to infuse an object or person with spiritual energy. This can be a powerful antidote to demonic possession or obsession, and an effective defense against magical attack.

It is important to understand that all pentagrams of the elements are drawn in the same way, with a continuous line that ends at its starting place. It is only that different pentagrams begin at different points, and proceed around the figure either clockwise or counterclockwise. When invoking Spirit, first the Active, then the Passive invoking pentagram is drawn. Spirit is never invoked in the Golden Dawn method by only one pentagram. Likewise, when banishing Spirit, first the Active, then the Passive pentagram of banishing is drawn. These are always used together.

This is not true of the four lower elements, which are invoked or banished by only a single pentagram, not two. Remember the rule, invoke toward the element and banish away from it -- this will make the following easier to comprehend.

Earth is invoked by beginning the pentagram at the point of Spirit (top) and inscribing its line initially toward the point of Earth (lower-left), then continuing around the pentagram to the beginning. This pentagram, shown above, is known as the Invoking Pentagram of Earth.

Earth is banished by beginning the pentagram at the point of Earth (lower-left) and inscribing its line initially toward the point of Spirit (top), then continuing around the pentagram. This pentagram, shown above, is known as the Banishing Pentagram of Earth.

Water is invoked by beginning the pentagram at the point of Air (upper-left) and inscribing its line initially toward the point of Water (upper-right), then continuing around the pentagram. This pentagram, shown above, is known as the Invoking Pentagram of Water.

Water is banished by beginning the pentagram at the point of Water (upper-right) and inscribing its line initially toward the point of Air (upper-left), then continuing around the pentagram. This pentagram, shown above, is known as the Banishing Pentagram of Water.

Air is invoked by beginning the pentagram at the point of Water (upper-right) and inscribing its line initially toward the point of Air (upper-left), then continuing around the pentagram. This pentagram, shown above, is known as the Invoking Pentagram of Air.

Air is banished by beginning the pentagram at the point of Air (upper-left) and inscribing its line initially toward the point of Water (upper-right), then continuing around the pentagram. This pentagram, shown above, is known as the Banishing Pentagram of Air.

Fire is invoked by beginning the pentagram at the point of Spirit (top) and inscribing its line initially toward the point of Fire (lower-right), then continuing around the pentagram. This pentagram, shown above, is known as the Invoking Pentagram of Fire.

Fire is banished by beginning the pentagram at the point of Fire (lower-right) and inscribing its line initially toward the point of Spirit (top), then continuing around the pentagram. This pentagram, shown above, is known as the Banishing Pentagram of Fire.

Notice that the Invoking Pentagram of Air is identical to the Banishing Pentagram of Water, and that the Banishing Pentagram of Air is identical to the Invoking Pentagram of Water. This, coupled with the double pentagrams used to invoke and banish Spirit, and sheer complexity of the Golden Dawn system for invoking and banishing the elements as a whole, led me to devise a new method. After coming up with it, I was surprised to learn that it was also used in the magical society known as Aurum Solis, apparently before I independently invented it. So you may wish to call it the Aurum Solis method.

Invoking and banishing any element is done by beginning to draw the pentagram at the point of that element. To invoke, draw the pentagram clockwise, to banish, draw the pentagram counterclockwise.

That is the entire method for actually inscribing the various pentagrams. You can see that it is considerably more logical and more simple than the method of the Golden Dawn. Even Spirit is invoked or banished by a single pentagram. None of the pentagrams is constructed in the same way as any other pentagram -- all are unique.

In order to learn how to invoke and banish using the pentagram, I suggest that you practice drawing all ten forms with pencil and paper. You must get to the point where you can draw any form with a continuous line without having to think about it. This requires some practice. Most persons know how to draw a star with five points using a continuous line, but most always drawn this star from the same point in the same direction. It requires practice to instantly be able to draw all ten forms of the pentagram.

When you project the pentagram upon the air in front of you, visualize the lines of the figure strongly as glowing or burning with white fire. Attempt to hold this image clearly in your mind even after you have gone on to other steps in your ritual work. The more clearly you can visualize the pentagram upon the air, the more effective it will be. Similarly, if you inscribe a pentagram upon an object or person, visualize its lines blazing with cool, white fire even after you have finished.

As you project the pentagram from your right index finger, or some instrument such as the wand or sword, or as you drawn it with a pen, pencil or other writing tool, try to feel the elemental energy that you seek to invoke or banish. Project your own personal energy into the pentagram. This has the effect of priming it, and makes its action more powerful. It requires practice and the ability to visualize with all the senses, something that is true of all aspects of ceremonial magic. Visualization is not limited to sight. The same basic technique is used in magic to hear, smell, taste and feel on the astral plane, where magic is actually worked.

Eliphas Levi is responsible for making a distinction between the upright and the inverted pentagram. Before his time, no such distinction existed.

An upright pentagram has a single point at its top. It is used in white magic -- magic worked for constructive, benevolent purposes. It represents the body of man standing with arms and legs spread apart. The points of the upright pentagram fall upon the head, two hands, and two feet, of the human figure.

By contrast, an inverted pentagram has two points at its top. It is used in black magic -- magic worked for destructive, evil purposes. The inverted pentagram represents the head of a goat, regarded as a Satanic symbol by Levi. The points of the inverted pentagram fall on the goat's two horns, two lowered ears, and beard.

An upright pentagram can be made into an inverted pentagram, and vice versa, merely by rotating the pentagram slightly, or by reflecting it from top to bottom -- upright and inverted pentagrams have the same shape, but a different orientation.

Usually it is stated that the inverted pentagram is Satanic because its point of Spirit is at the bottom, beneath the four other denser elements. In my opinion, a more important consideration is that the inverted pentagram has two points at its top, making duality and conflict supreme, whereas the upright pentagram has one point at its top, giving it unity and harmony.