Pel
Philosopher
Some are born to move the world
Posts: 216
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Post by Pel on Apr 5, 2006 20:58:21 GMT -5
I'm not exactly sure where to put this post, but I thought here would be as good a place as any.
I recently got a tattoo. It was my first and probably last one. I've been thinking about getting one for a long time, but I had no idea what I would want permanently etched into my skin. Well, about 2 or 3 weeks ago, that idea popped into my head. I now have a pentacle on my back. It's in the middle, between my shoulder-blades, just under the point where a shirt would fall so it will be covered up under normal circumstances. It's about the size of the palm of my hand. It also has Libra's scales inscribed in the center (I'm a Libra if you haven't already ascertained). The pentacle design is technically the endless knot, being one continuous progression. It's a double line, of course, or you wouldn't be able to see the path going under/over itself as it crosses. It also has shading to add some depth and further bring out where it crosses. I might be able to get a picture sooner or later.
The reason I decided to put it on the ceremonial magic board is because I decided to get this tattoo on March 29th, which was the most recent new moon. I thought it added some weight to the symbol itself.
On a side note, I was wondering if anyone had any input on the interaction of drawing a pentacle and the phases of the moon. I've looked up a few things myself, before and after the fact, but I'm not privy to much of a body of information.
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Post by Sojrn on Apr 5, 2006 21:39:25 GMT -5
Pel,
The 4 (earth, air, fire, water) elements play heavily in the tracing "formula" of the pentagram as according from what direction you initiate the tracing can be either invoking or banishing of one of these elements. Since the moon "grows" to full, then this is a time of invoking, creating to name a few. And when the moon "shrinks" from full to dark, this is a time of banishment, destruction again to name a few. This explanantion is woefully sparse as entire books have been written about the subject.
Sojrn
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Post by moonwind333 on Apr 5, 2006 21:51:32 GMT -5
OK, I went back and checked and March 29th the moon was in Aries and it was the new moon (as you said). Both of these stand for starting new things, creative ventures, new ventures ... so you chose to do something new (get the tat) on a day and at a time that stands for new starts. Sounds to me like you intuitively were making a statement ... new things all around.
Just out of curiousity, what does the pentagram mean to you from a Christian background? I know it was at one time also a Christian symbol.
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Pel
Philosopher
Some are born to move the world
Posts: 216
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Post by Pel on Apr 5, 2006 22:19:36 GMT -5
ah well, background in Christianity ... it was used to symbolize the five wounds of Christ and the five virtues of bounty, brotherhood, courtesy, clean heart, and compassion. The five virtues are also said to be: generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry and piety.
for me, it's more a symbol of power. The symbol itself is seen in so many cultures throughout time attached to numerous beliefs. I doubt anyone can deny that it has some type of mystical significance. Seen from the perspective of one's own [religion], the pentacle is usually a symbol of protection, perhaps pleading a deity's attention either by communication or representing an aspect of the deity (or entity) itself. As always, if something is seen as different from one's own [religion], a person is hesitant to accept the symbol as benevolent because a different system of beliefs usually threatens an established religion.
Whatever the pentacle's significance, it represents power to me. The power to see or understand aspects of the supernatural, or the power to align/relate myself to it.
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Post by KittyLane on Apr 6, 2006 13:13:52 GMT -5
i am sure i dont have to point this out, but if it does get seen people are going to have an idea in their head about it being evil.
no matter where the pentacle got started from it is not accepted in the christian church. NOT any around here anyway.
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Post by moonwind333 on Apr 6, 2006 13:38:18 GMT -5
i am sure i dont have to point this out, but if it does get seen people are going to have an idea in their head about it being evil. no matter where the pentacle got started from it is not accepted in the christian church. NOT any around here anyway. The Pentagram, like the Swastika, has been used negatively and that is what people remember. The Pentagram has the ability to make a comeback, but the Swastika, which what once a very positive symbol, I'm afraid has been ruined forever. |
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Post by KittyLane on Apr 6, 2006 13:46:31 GMT -5
i am sure i dont have to point this out, but if it does get seen people are going to have an idea in their head about it being evil. no matter where the pentacle got started from it is not accepted in the christian church. NOT any around here anyway. The Pentagram, like the Swastika, has been used negatively and that is what people remember. The Pentagram has the ability to make a comeback, but the Swastika, which what once a very positive symbol, I'm afraid has been ruined forever. yes that is it exactly. its how people relate to those symbols, and what they have been taught. |
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Post by Newlyn on Apr 6, 2006 13:48:54 GMT -5
I was at Barnes and Noble the other day, and the counter guy had a Pentacle ring on. It made me smile - like I had found a kindred spirit.
BTW - I was going to say Pentogram instead of pentacle, but I seem to recall that there is a difference. Can anyone enlighten me?
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Post by KittyLane on Apr 6, 2006 13:57:35 GMT -5
A pentagram is a five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes. The word pentagram comes from the Greek word πεντάγραμμον (pentagrammon), a noun form of πεντάγραμμος (pentagrammos) or πεντέγραμμος (pentegrammos), a word meaning roughly "five-lined" or "five lines".
The name indicates that a pentagram is not simply a five-pointed star; the symbol must be composed of five lines. That is, it must include the interior pentagon.
It is also known as a pentalpha (as it can be formed by five Α's) or pentangle.
Pentagrams are sometimes confused with pentacles, which are a kind of talisman. A pentacle may be marked with any sigil of evocation, including the common pentagram-shaped Seal of Solomon. Pentacles also feature prominently in the Tarot, where they are typically depicted as coins marked with a pentagram.
The pentagram has long been associated with the planet Venus and the worship of the goddess Venus, or her equivalent. It is most likely to have originated from the observations of prehistoric astronomers. When viewed from Earth, successive inferior conjunctions of Venus plot a nearly perfect pentagram shape around the Sun every eight years.
Some writers refer to the pentagram as the endless knot and sometimes as the seal of Solomon (although that is more commonly depicted as a six-pointed star).
Pentagrams were used symbolically in ancient Greece and Babylonia. The Pentagram has magical associations, and many people who practice pagan faiths wear them. Christians once commonly used the pentagram to represent the five wounds of Jesus, but its more modern associations are with either Neopagans or Satanists.
from wikipedia.com
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Post by Newlyn on Apr 6, 2006 14:02:46 GMT -5
Thank you so much, I knew there was a difference and I didn't want to use the term incorrectly.
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Post by KittyLane on Apr 6, 2006 14:32:35 GMT -5
Thank you so much, I knew there was a difference and I didn't want to use the term incorrectly. not a problem! |
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Post by Sojrn on Apr 6, 2006 17:15:09 GMT -5
I was at Barnes and Noble the other day, and the counter guy had a Pentacle ring on. It made me smile - like I had found a kindred spirit. Just be careful, newlyn. Wearing a symbol doesn't automatically make them "good" people. |
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Post by KittyLane on Apr 6, 2006 17:18:59 GMT -5
I was at Barnes and Noble the other day, and the counter guy had a Pentacle ring on. It made me smile - like I had found a kindred spirit. Just be careful, newlyn. Wearing a symbol doesn't automatically make them "good" people. exactly. but i tend to think we are a little bit more open minded. |
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Pel
Philosopher
Some are born to move the world
Posts: 216
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Post by Pel on Apr 6, 2006 17:22:05 GMT -5
i am sure i dont have to point this out, but if it does get seen people are going to have an idea in their head about it being evil. I know, I know. And it's terrible that people will think that. It's even worse that my family is going to think that as well. I'm going to try and conceal it through Easter at least. I don't want to hide it, but it's probably best that they not find out for a little while. I don't want to see any disappointment in my mother's eyes during the holidays when the family is together. (a little disclaimer:  Now I'm NOT saying that it's ok to hide things from your parents, especially if you're a minor. I'm over 18 and away from home. I made my own decision as an adult who is responsible for himself. The symbol will be a problem, yes, but the tattoo will be one too. My parents don't like them too much. My brother got one years ago and recently added a second one. They weren't too happy, but they got over it. I'm hoping they will with mine as well. The best I can do is explain it to them once they calm down. |
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Post by moonwind333 on Apr 6, 2006 17:28:01 GMT -5
i am sure i dont have to point this out, but if it does get seen people are going to have an idea in their head about it being evil. I know, I know. And it's terrible that people will think that. It's even worse that my family is going to think that as well. I'm going to try and conceal it through Easter at least. I don't want to hide it, but it's probably best that they not find out for a little while. I don't want to see any disappointment in my mother's eyes during the holidays when the family is together. (a little disclaimer: Now I'm NOT saying that it's ok to hide things from your parents, especially if you're a minor. I'm over 18 and away from home. I made my own decision as an adult who is responsible for himself. The symbol will be a problem, yes, but the tattoo will be one too. My parents don't like them too much. My brother got one years ago and recently added a second one. They weren't too happy, but they got over it. I'm hoping they will with mine as well. The best I can do is explain it to them once they calm down. When you do make the "reveal", show them Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci. It is the 'pentagram' also. |
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