History of the Satanic Pentagram, and Wicca
“Personally I think you need to take the pentagram off, that a discrase to all pagans and wiccans alike. I am wiccan, We do not belive in satan nor the christains “god” but we are not satanists, So please Do use our scared symbol to make people think that anyone who wars it is a satanist.”
– from a youtube user that identifies as Wiccan, in a private letter to me
Greetings;
The pentagram is a sacred symbol to wicca, that’s true. It is a symbol of the second degree gardinerian witch.
It is also used within other magical practices such as Satanism and the Left Hand Path.
While your symbol is representative of the degree of witchcraft, the Satanic pentagram is often considered to be representative of the five elements. It also is symbolized [as Satan] through the image of Baphomet.
The inspiration for this pentagram was derived from the book written by Maurice Bessy [A Pictorial History of Magic and the Supernatural], based on an earlier pentagram design created by Oswald Wirth, almost 20 years prior to the publication of the Satanic bible.
Anton LaVey, the creator of satanism, made the use of the pentagram as a satanic symbol, from these sources.
From this, I hope that you can see that LaVey did not invent the pentagram, or invert it from the associations of Wicca. He was, instead, inspired by other earlier sources which labeled the inverted pentagram as ‘evil’ or associated with witchcraft, and the image of Baphomet.
Both symbols are not unique to satanism or wicca; The pentagram with the point downwards was a symbol used by the ancient Greeks [pentemychos], representing the knowledge and wisdom that comes from the underworld [us satanists symbolize this as the power of the elements found within, or from below]
Blessed Beast!
VenusSatanas
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About The Author
Venus Satanas
My name is Venus Satanas and this is a bit of copy about me. I have been a Satanist since 1992, and I am the author of SpiritualSatanist.com, author and administrator of the Left Hand Path Books Review Blog, and creator of educational videos on Satanism at Youtube. That's not telling you much, so find out more about me here
a pentagram was to symbolize all thats good (white magic). a pantagram was to symbolize all that was bad (black magic). it was an earlier form of the ying and yang.
“First, though, perhaps it would be best to address the name, and concept, of Lucifer. Most people would, if asked, say that Lucifer was the name of the Archangel who rebelled against God, was cast out of heaven, and became Satan. Indeed this is a correct summation of Luciferâs back-story as described in Christian Mythology, a mythology that we, at least in part, draw from ourselves. However, this mythos is not, as most believe, taken whole cloth from its Jewish predecessor.
The name Lucifer appears only once in the Old Testament, Isaiah 14:12, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”
Of course the original Hebrew contained no Latin words (the Latin language not having yet come into existence). The Hebrew reads âHeleyl, ben Shachar” (âshining one, son of dawn.”). When the Hebrew text was translated into Greek during the Hellenic period the word Heleyl became Phosphoros, or Heosphoros, (Morning Star). This word would be used again in John of Patmosâ Apocalypse (aka âThe Book of Revelationsâ) when Jesus Christ (appearing to John in a vision) refers to himself as âthe bright and morning starâ (Rev. 22:16).
The name Lucifer derives from the Latin lucem ferre (light bearer), and was a name for the planet Venus, as well as a title of the Goddess Diana. To the early Christians, this name not only had no negative connotations, it was a popular name among priests and bishops. When St. Jerome was translating the Latin Vulgate, he interpreted the Greek Heosphoros as Lucifer, probably as a jab at his rival Bishop Lucifer Calaritanus of Cagliari.
In no time flat, the Church combined the characters of Lucifer (the original text was probably a reference to Nebuchadnezzar) and Ha-Satan (the loyal and obedient accuser angel who serves in Gods court by tempting man, and in one case Jesus, to forsake God) with the rebellious âWatcher Angelsâ of the pseudepigraphal Book of Enoch (the leader of whom is identified variously as Satanael, Azazel, and Samyaza among others) into a single mythological Devil with a cohesive narrative and purpose.”
“Many modern Luciferians take great pains to distinguish between Lucifer, the Light Bringer, and Satan, the Accuser/Adversary. However, I find the cohesive mythology behind the Christian Lucifer/Satan complex to provide a more satisfying representation of the Promethean figure, which, like the Ophite Gnostics we identify as the serpent in Eden, who offered Man the light of Knowledge (Gnosis) in order that he might be free of the tyranny of the Demiurges. Also in common with the Ophites we recognize The Christ as another form of Lucifer, the Morning Star, sharing the same mission of liberation and the transmission of the Gnosis.”
quoted with permission; http://solarphallic-cult.org/gnosticluciferian.html
Lucferianism, particularly Gnostic Luciferianism, is not about worship but rather about personal freedom. It is a philosophy of mental and spiritual liberation highly reminiscent of the Victorian age libertine Satanists. I do not acknowledge the authority of God or Satan because I recognize they are both puppets in the fake power struggle created by a false dichotomy. Lucifer is my patron angel – not only. I certainly do NOT view him as a horned demon. Luciferians are usually more likely to identity with Miltonian image of Lucifer.
How about Inverted?
Satanism v Luciferianism
If you worship the christian fallen archangel of light cheribum, Lucifer, then I would say that you would be a Luciferianist
Satanism. from satan, only means adversary, so if satanism is adverse to christian sheep herding and beliefs then this would fit for them
Devil worship I think is something completely different. Lucfier was suppose to be cast into hell but I don’t think the bible said anything about his transmorphing into a demon/devil much less grew horns.
"And, generally, satanism is considered to be a philosophy, not a religion."
Wow. Again, I am just stunned to see this coming from a self-proclaimed Theistic Satanist. Now, granted, I have only recently started reading your blog so maybe we are mincing words. I would expect this from a LaVeyan Satanist because that was what LaVey was about but by definition Theistic (meaning: belief in the existence of a god or gods; specifically: belief in the existence of one God viewed as the creative source of the human race and the world who transcends yet is immanent in the world – in short the worship of deity) Satanism is a religion.
"I would like to see anyone bring forth any kind of evidence that Satanism existed prior to 1966."
I preface with this – in order not to mince words – I am defining "Satanism" as "Theistic Satanism" meaning the literal worship of Satan:
Luciferians in thirteenth century Spain & France. Georgel & Delort 1335. Gilles de Rais 1440. Fraticelli monks in the sixteenth. Madame de Montespan recorded as being a living, naked altar in 1676. Jean Bodin – Demonomanie des Sorciers. Sir Francis Dashwood & The Hellfire Club? Jules Michelet – La Sorciere 1861. The Mass of Saint Secaire. Abbe Boullan 1890.
Just to name a few.
“First, the pentagram also represents the elements in Wicca”
Yes. it does. Since the person who asked the question was wiccan, i assumed that they already knew that their symbol represented the elements. Thank you for adding this info.
“I personally do not like using the term “averse” because it implies that there is a “right” side up and a “wrong” side up”
I can agree with that. Which is why i generally call the point up a Pentacle, and the point down, the Pentagram. this is my own use of labeling, others believe that they are the same thing [both are pentagrams, or pentacles]
“Also, Anton LaVey, created Satanism about like Martin Luthor created Christianity.” Really? I would like to see anyone bring forth any kind of evidence that Satanism existed prior to 1966. Another thing to consider is that Satanism emerged amongst a backdrop of a social movement of the 60’s/ this, and the earlier decade produced many new religious movements, both Wicca and Satanism included. Prior to this there have been no socially accepted movements of Satanism in existence.
And, generally, satanism is considered to be a philosophy, not a religion.
I must respectfully disagree on a few points. First, the pentagram also represents the elements in Wicca (and many other branches of magick). A version of the pentagram is used to signify each of the degrees. Second degree, as has already been mentioned, is the “averse” pentagram. I personally do not like using the term “averse” because it implies that there is a “right” side up and a “wrong” side up. I prefer simply point up and point down. In Left Hand Path traditions, as well as some Wiccan and Hermetic paths, point up represents female and point down male – the double pentagram being male and female united (flame and water/sword and cup/etc).
Also, Anton LaVey, created Satanism about like Martin Luthor created Christianity. I am rather surprised that you, as a Theistic Satanist, would say this. LaVey never practiced, nor advocated, Theistic Satanism. Giving props where props are due, he popularized the concept of Satanism and paved the way. That is a far cry from birthing a religion.
Well, in Gardnerian Wicca, the upright pentagram symbolizes the first degree, and it is inverted for the Second degree initiation. Anyways, the pentagram is also mentioned in the Testament of Solomon–one of the oldest written works concerning individual demons–as the seal with which to control them.
The person who wrote me this letter, actually wrote back and apologized, and thanked me for explaining the meaning behind the pentagram in an informative manner. It makes me very happy that others are willing to set their beliefs aside for a moment to learn how others see the world in a different way
V.s
Ira; I agree – I know, there are those from both satanist and wiccan sides that disagree on fundamental issues. Knowledge, and an interest in the truth, sincerity and a willingness to communicate these issues is important to all sides.
Thank you for commenting đ
VenusSatanas
As a Pagan I apologize for my sometimes ignorant brothers and sisters.
As pagans and occultists and hopefully seers of the subtle I would hope that we would see context when needed, such as inverted or not. How can we really be sensitive to the world around us if we aren’t even perceptual in the mundane world, let alone learn about other’s and their beliefs enough not to throw the proverbial stone.
Of course, I can’t actually apologize for them, so this posting, but just to let you know we aren’t all so clouded in our thinking.