In more dangerous times, the pentacle was crafted from disposable materials such as clay or dough. To be caught in the possession of a pentacle in those days could very well endanger your life.
Nowadays, pentacles are crafted in metals such as copper, brass, silver or gold. Many witches make their own from stained glass or by etchings stones or wood. The pentacle can also be personalised by adding appropiate astrological symbols, runes and other sigils (magickal symbols) that have special meaning to the practitioner.
Many witches wear a pentacle pendant or ring as a sign of their religion or as an amulet or talisman. The pentacle crafted from silver represents Moon energy and psychic forces. The same symbol in gold represnts the Sun energies of power and strength. Many pentacle come with embedded stones which can represent birth months or a particular energ that the wearer wishes to attract.
During magickal operations, the pentagram can be drawn in the air by the atheme or sword. When drawn a certain way, it is used to either invoke or banish energies. The simplest spells of this kind are those involving candle magick. A candle of the appropriate colour is charged and placed on the pentacle.
Traditionally, each of the five angles has been attributed to the 5 metaphysical elements of the ancients:
EARTH: (lower left hand corner) represents stability and physical endurance.
FIRE: (lower right hand corner) represents courage and daring.
WATER: (upper right hand corner) represents emotions and intuition
AIR: (upper left hand corner) represents intelligence and the arts
SPIRIT: (topmost point) Represents the All and the Divine.
The circle around the star reprsents the God/Goddess, it refracts and reflects all light, bringing to the wearer total intelligence, universal wisdom and protection.
