Crossword clues for pentacle
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pentacle \Pen"ta*cle\, n. [Gr. ? five.] A figure composed of two equilateral triangles intersecting so as to form a six-pointed star, -- used in early ornamental art, and also with superstitious import by the astrologers and mystics of the Middle Ages.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1590s, from Medieval Latin pentaculum "pentagram," a hybrid coined from Greek pente "five" (see five) + Latin -culum, diminutive (or instrumental) suffix. OED notes other similar words: Italian had pentacolo "anything with five points," and French pentacle (16c.) was the name of something used in necromancy, perhaps a five-branched candlestick; French had pentacol "amulet worn around the neck" (14c.), from pend- "to hang" + a "to" + col "neck." The same figure as a pentagram, except in magical usage, where it has been extended to other symbols of power, including a six-point star. Related: Pentacular.
Wiktionary
n. 1 A pentagram, especially a physical one used for magical or mystical purposes. 2 (context Neopaganism Wicca English) A pentagram enclosed within a circle, especially a physical one.
WordNet
n. a star with 5 points; formed by 5 straight lines between the vertices of a pentagon and enclosing another pentagon [syn: pentagram]
Wikipedia
A pentacle (also spelled pantacle in Thelema, following Aleister Crowley) is an amulet used in magical evocation, generally made of parchment, paper or metal (although it can be of other materials), on which the symbol of a spirit or energy being evoked is drawn. It is often worn around the neck, or placed within the triangle of evocation. Protective symbols may also be included (sometimes on the reverse), a common one being the six-point form of the Seal of Solomon, called a pentacle of Solomon or pentangle of Solomon. Many varieties of pentacle can be found in the grimoires of Solomonic magic; they are also used in some neopagan magical traditions, such as Wicca, alongside other magical tools.
The words pentacle and pentagram (a five-point unicursal star) are essentially synonymous, according to the Online Oxford English Dictionary (2007 revision), which traces the etymology through both French and Italian back to Latin, but notes that in Middle French the word "pentacle" was used to refer to any talisman. In an extended use, many magical authors treat them as distinct. In many tarot decks and in some forms of modern witchcraft, pentacles often prominently incorporate a pentagram in their design.
There is a specific differentiation between pentacle and pentagram within Wicca and other neopagan traditions. Namely, a pentacle refers to a pentagram circumscribed by a circle. This form of pentacle is formed upon a disk which may be used either upon an altar or as a sacred space of its own. The pentacle is representative of the Earth in occult usage.
Pentacle is a Neopagan magazine that began publication in February 2002. It was created by Marion Pearce and Jon Randall. It is a quarterly magazine published on the dates of the old festivals of Imbolc, Beltaine, Lammas and Samhain, and has a worldwide distribution of 2,500. It was conceived to provide an independent voice for today's Pagan, those not wanting to be told what to believe by the two main organization-backed pagan magazines of the time.
Pentacle has published articles on folklore, ritual, magic, archaeology. Articles have covered many aspects of pagan traditions, including , Druidry, and other classical and modern traditions. The magazine has also included announcements of workshops, conferences, moots, festivals, activities, training, groups and exchange magazines. Most of the articles have been once again aimed at the beginner/intermediate level reader, often written by the Pagan community and readership, whose members cover many levels of expertise. Furthermore it has contained a large amount of pagan and visionary art throughout, supporting all levels and abilities.
Pentacle can mean:
- another term for Pentagram
- Pentacle (magic), a type of magical symbol
- Suit of coins, also called the Suit of Pentacles, in tarot card decks
- Pentacle (magazine), a Pagan magazine
- The Pentacle, a short-lived DC Comics supervillain team
Pentacle (The Virtual Business School) is an independent business school providing bespoke executive education and executive development. Pentacle uses a teaching approach that makes innovative use of virtual technologies coupled with a unique curriculum of practical business tools.
The UK office is at Burke Lodge (also known as Burke House), a landmark 16th century coaching inn in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England. Pentacle also has offices in France, the USA, Ireland, the Netherlands and South Africa.
Usage examples of "pentacle".
Five circles were inscribed upon it, each with its own pentacle, runes, candles, and incense pots.
Fritang departed in corkscrew motion through the center of the pentacle, as if sucked noisily down a plughole.
He would sit in the center of his pentacle, stylus on his knee, listening with rapt attention, ticking me off when I introduced a more than usually obvious fib, and frequently interrupting to clarify some ambiguity.
I was still in the middle of my ululation when I caught sight of the figure in the pentacle opposite, and was completely put off my stroke.
Much to the relief of my wounded essence, the towering demon shrank and shimmered and adjusted itself down to fit the pentacle more snugly.
A lilac-colored flame rose from the center of my pentacle and administered a swift jab in a private area.
Since his accident at the margins of the pentacle, the young Egyptian boy had been facing her, chest and chin thrust out, hands sweeping this way and that to illustrate his expansive statements and occasionally return his loincloth to position.
If she broke the summons by stepping from the pentacle, Bartimaeus would be able to destroy her before vanishing.
At the far end, barely squeezing himself into his pentacle, was Hodge, all prickles, odors, and bad personality.
On the ninth minute Nathaniel detected something in the pentacle with Makepeace.
At the last minute I shall use the pentacle to summon a troupe of the strongest djinn.
Pale streams of light ran up its length and congregated by the carved pentacle at the end.
On the chair behind the desk she discovered a dirty old cushion, much used and battered, and this she placed in the pentacle as a pillow.
So astonished were the ancients to observe this phenomenon, that Venus and her pentacle became symbols of perfection, beauty, and the cyclic qualities of sexual love.
The original feminine meaning is correct, but the symbolism of the pentacle has been distorted over the millennia.