The "first pentacle of the moon": The only one of the 44 pentacles inThe Key of Solomon that is not disk-shaped.A modern Wiccan pentacle pendant (definition #3)
FromMiddle Frenchpentacle, fromOld Frenchpentacol(“pendant”), frompent(“hangs”),a(“from”), andcol(“neck”), thus "hangs from neck". Likely reanalyzed in medieval times as coming frompenta-(“five”) and-culum(object forming suffix), as evidenced by the Latinized formpentaculum and the narrowing of the modern sense to a five-pointed design, especially apentagram.
A flattalisman, almost always star-shaped, made ofparchment,sheet metal, or other substance, marked with a magic symbol or symbols, used in magicalevocation.
mid- to late-16th century,British Library Additional manuscript 36674[1], London:
ouer this pott and the cyrcle hold the pentacles, and perfume them; and say deuoutly theis psalmes followynge
1572,The Clavicle of Solomon, revealed by Ptolomy the Grecian[British Library Sloane MS 3847][2], London:
of the same pentacles be certayne exorcizmes and names ineffable and carecters and signes of all the science, therefore, in them the whole science of all this art lyeth hydd
1572,The Clavicle of Solomon, revealed by Ptolomy the Grecian[British Library Sloane MS 3847][3], London:
if ye constraine any spirit to come before you and when ye haue shewed him ye secret pentacles, there is none dare say against your minde
2002, Kevin Saunders,Wiccan Spirituality: A Magical Attitude for the 21st Century, London: Green Magic,→ISBN,→OCLC,page57:
Thepentacle—apentagram enclosed within a surrounding circle—as found as the centre-piece on a witch's altar is often worn as a silver pendant bywitches and otherneo-pagans alike repesenting their beliefs in the interconnectedness and interdependence of the powers of nature and spirit.
2006, Denise Zimmermann with Gleason, Katherine and Liguana, Maria,The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, Indianapolis: Alpha,→ISBN,→LCCN,→OCLC,LCCBF1566.Z55 2006,page146:
Apentacle is apentagram with a circle drawn around it.
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions atWiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
pentacle(a talisman of parchment, sheet metal, or other substance, marked with a magic symbol or symbols, used in magical evocation)
1547,Les Œuvres Magiques de Henri-Corneille Agrippa, Par Pierre d'Aban, Latin et Français, Avec des Secrets occultes[4], "Heptameron" p. 13:
Il faut de plus, avoir les parfums propres au jour que l'on fait l'opération; il faut auſſi a voir de l'eau benite par un Prêtre, un vaſe de terre neuf, plein de feu, l'Habit & le Pentacle, comme nous l'avons dit
It is also required, to have the incenses proper to the days that one did the operation; it is also necessary to see the water blessed by a Priest, a new earthen vessel, full of fire, the Garment and the Pentacle, as we have said
1547,Les Œuvres Magiques de Henri-Corneille Agrippa, Par Pierre d'Aban, Latin et Français, Avec des Secrets occultes[5], "Heptameron" p. 14:
Le Maître qui ſe ſera diſpoſé à la cérémonie par trois jours de jeûne & d'abſtinence & de toutes ſouillures, revêtu de ſes Habits blancs, avec le Pentacle, les Parfums & autres choſes néceſſaires entrera dans le Cercle
The Master who will be prepared for the ceremony by three days of fasting and abstinence and [cleansed] of all dirt, dressed in his white Garments, with the Pentacle, the Perfumes and other necessary things shall enter the Circle
