The Pentacles

The 1st Pentacle of Mars

Eight characters of Mars radiate within four angelic names. The opening figure summons spirits of this planetary nature, especially the company written around its circle. [1]

Mathers 1889 · Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 63; figure 25, Plate V; plate PDF page 76

Pentacle profile

Tradition and Group: Mathers 1889 · Mars [1]
Position within the Set: Pentacle 1 · figure 25 · plate V [1]
Attributed Purpose: To invoke spirits of the nature of Mars, especially those whose names are written in the pentacle. [1]
Design: Eight spokes end in varied characters, within a Hebrew band naming four angels of Mars. [1]

Eight spokes radiate to different triangular, crossed-circle, crescent, barred and curved characters. Four groups of Hebrew angelic names surround the wheel. — **Source reproduction** The 1st Pentacle of Mars: eight mystical characters enclosed by four angelic names. Mathers 1889, Plate V, figure 25; notice on p. 63.

The written company

The first Mars pentacle invokes spirits of the nature of Mars, with particular emphasis on those named in the design. Mathers gives four angels: Madimiel, Bartzachiah, Eschiel and Ithuriel. Their Hebrew names form the four groups around the outer band. [1]

Characters at the ends of the spokes

Four lines cross at one point to form eight rays. Each reaches a different character: triangles with crossing bars occupy the upper diagonals; a circled cross stands on the right; paired crescents and curved strokes appear elsewhere. Mathers calls them mystical characters of Mars. The surrounding band contains names rather than a biblical sentence. [1]

Sources and editions

The Key of Solomon the King · The 1st Pentacle of Mars
S. L. MacGregor Mathers, 1889; printed edition, including editorial restoration of Hebrew characters. Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 63; figure 25, Plate V; plate PDF page 76; Complete Mars notices and notes, printed pp. 63–64 (PDF pp. 80–81); Preface p. vi; general Book I VIII pp. 39–41 and XVIII pp. 56–57

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