Many people use a pentagram for two things, a symbol of our faith, and protection.  Here are some other examples of what you could use a pentagram as, along with some different means for the points.   An upside down pentagram can be looked at in different ways.  In some pagan traditions, a pentagram with 2 points pointing upwards symbolizes 2nd degree initiation.  In most however, it symbolizes physical over spirit, meaning that they put worldly pleasures, over their spiritual health.

If you have any questions or comments

 and I'll be more than happy to discuss it with you.

Iron Pentagram This pentagram is used primarily for Protection, and Strength.  The Iron Pentagram symbolizes the 5 aspects of life, those being 1) The Self: which is one's identity 2) Sex: Which is the embodiment of attraction, usually between the God and Goddess 3) Passion: the force of one's Emotions. 4) Pride: What one thinks of oneself, your inner worth. 5) Power: The strength that comes from within.
Life Pentagram This pentagram is used most often in Physical healing.  It is symbolic of the 5 life phases we go through. The Celts associated trees with each aspect. 1) Birth was the Silver Birch 2) Initiation was the Fir 3) Consummation was Heather 4) Repose was the Aspen tree 5) Death was the Yew Tree
Pentagram of Pearl This pentagram is most commonly used for over all healing. It is symbolic of the five forces that govern our lives.  1) Love: Which is the motivating energy of life.  2)Wisdom: The ability to apply what you know 3) Knowledge: The ability to learn. 4)Law: Natural Law, not manmade 5) Power: The power that comes from within.
Elemental Pentagram This is the most common pentagram, and is often used for Protection.  It's symbolic of the 5 elements that comprise life.  1)Akasha: the spirit, or soul that is the spiritual/emotional/mental embodiment of life.  2-5) Earth, Fire, Water, Air: These are the 4 physical elements that make up life.

Common Tools

These are the most common tools used in Ritual and Spell work, as well as symbols used to signify them.

Other Tools: Altar cloths, Boxes, Bells, Herbs, Baskets, String, Thread, Spoons, Mortar and Pestle , Matches, Salt, Crystals, Seeds, Pouches, Divination tools, Oils, Parchment, Quills, ink, Jars, Vials, Blessed water

As with any ritual or spell, you are only limited by the Rede and your imagination, if you feel anything should be changed, by all means do so.  Just be sure not to offend the Spirits or the Lord and Lady.  The circle is a place set apart; its physical location makes no difference, because in the mind it becomes a sacred place through its casting and purification. It is a place between worlds where the gods are met.

Opening and Closing the Circle

Circles are usually nine feet in diameter but any size comfortable enough to work in is fine. Bring all the tools you will need for your work (nothing disrupts a spell or ritual like having to leave the circle in search of a key item) Depending on your preference, the cardinal points can be marked by candles, green for North, Yellow for East, Red for South and Blue for West, or with the tool that represents that direction (Athame for South, Chalice for West, Broom or staff for North, wand or incense for East) and a physical circle can be drawn with salt, crystals or even rope (use your imagination here, and your circle will be that much more attuned to you- I've used flowers, sand, potting soil, and leaves) While setting up the circle, chant the elemental invocation (See Below) once the circle is cast, stand in the center, facing North, in the Goddess position (arms raised in front of you palms facing toward your face, feet shoulder width apart) and chant the Goddess Invocation (See Below) until you feel calm and grounded.  Turn and face the South in the God position (arms folded over your Chest with your hands palm down against your chest, feet shoulder width apart) Chant the God Invocation (See Below) until you feel renewed and centered. Your Circle is open, and ready for any work you have to do.  When your work is done, it is customary to thank all the spirits for attending, and bid them fair journey back to their realms.  It also never hurts to add “with harm towards none, this is my will, so mote it be”

INVOCATIONS

Spells and Rituals

Some were created by me, some were created by others of the Craft.  If you have any spell you'd like to see here E-Mail me  and I'll be sure to get it on here....just be sure it's not designed to hurt someone, or it won't even be considered.

Consecration Of Magickal Tools

 Cast Circle, you may use the invocations found toward the end of the book.  Have your Pentacle, a bowl of salt, a bowl of water, a candle and some incense (Rosemary or Sage) arranged in front of you within easy reaching distance.

 Place the tool to be consecrated on the Pentacle.  Hold your Projective hand (dominant hand) over the tool and say:

 I consecrate you O’ Knife of steel (wand of wood, etc)
To cleanse and purify you to serve me within the Circle,
In the names of the Mother Goddess and the Father God
You are consecrated.

Send energy into the tool to cleanse it of any negativity, and past associations.   Then pick it up, and sprinkle it with salt, pass it through the incense smoke, pass it through the candle flame, and sprinkle it with water.  Finally hold it to the sky and say:

I charge you by the Old Ones:
By the Love and power of the Goddess
By the strength and power of the God
By the Virtues of the Stars, Sun and Moon
By the Powers of Earth, Air Fire and Water.
That I shall obtain all I desire through you
As it harms none, and Love to all!
I charge This (knife, wand) By Your power, Old Ones!

The tool should then be immediately put to use the Bind and strengthen the Consecration.

For Depression-

 I created this spell when I was dealing with a vicious bout of depression, which I later came to realize was clinical.  That realization I feel I owe to this spell (along with the 'gentle' coaxing of my mother)

Materials needed: Dried Rose petals, or Cedar chips, three candles, one white, one black, and one blue, Healing oil, or rose Oil, Sandalwood, or Rose incense, fire proof plate (or cauldron), bowl of cleansed water (or bottle, or glass) and wooden matches.

~you need to find a wide open space, where you can feel the breeze (since I lived in the middle of a city, I went out on my roof)
~ Sit facing West (Optional: open your circle, and call the Quarters)
~ Place the candles at arms length in front of you in a semi circle, with the Blue in the middle, black at the right, and white at the left.
~ Place the incense in front of the candles; light all three candles, and the incense.
~ Place the bowl of Water off to the side, and the fire proof plate in front of you.
~ Place the cedar chips, or Rose petals on the plate, and sprinkle some of the Healing Oil on them, as you do, start to chant:
Earth, Fire, Water Air
Hear my prayer, Hear my Prayer
Take this Depression, take it away
Give me the strength to face a new Day
~ While still chanting, light the cedar chips.
~ Continue Chanting till the fire dies down, or till you feel your spirits being lifted.
~ Pour some Water on the ashes, making sure the fire's out (be sure to thank the Fire spirit for listening)
~ Once the Ashes are out, and cool, gather them into your Right hand and throw them as far from you as you can, saying:
With These Ashes go my Pain
From the Healing Fire a new strength regained.
~ the spell is complete, thank the Elements for attending, and close your circle if you opened one.

You can repeat this spell as often as you feel the need to.

Chant for Self Esteem- This wonderful little chant was submitted some time ago.....
I call upon my light inside,
to ask for much needed pride.
My self esteem it needs a boost,
let it grow high and roost.
Please bring it to me and send self doubts away,
and give me the strength to face a new day.

With harm towards none and help towards me
I say the words and so mote it be.

I recommend it be said in a sacred place that you cleansed
~*~DolphinSound~*~

Herbal Sleeping Aid- The herbs I used were chamomile and spearmint because that is what I had available...herbs such as St. Johns Wort or any other herb with properties of relaxation or sleeping would do nicely. (Dragon's Note: Lavender and Vanilla are excellent for this sort of work)

Devote the herbs for sleep and relaxation properties.
Sprinkle herbs in pillow case on top of pillow.
And recite this incantation next to your bed with your hands raised above
your head, and picture the energy leaving your finger tips and going into
your bed.
Asleep I (you) shall fall tired and sound,
as drowsiness sweeps me (you) all around.
Asleep in my (your) bed until the morn,
and until the darkness by light is torn.
As I (you) close my (your) eyes and drift asleep,
out of my (your) bed I (you) wont creep.
With harm towards none so mote it be.

another potent spell submitted by DolphinSound