Victory in war is the fourth Mars pentacle’s promise. AGLA occupies its centre, while Psalm 110 surrounds the cross with a Lord who strikes through kings in the day of wrath. [1]
Mathers 1889 · Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 63; figure 28, Plate VI; plate PDF page 79
For virtue and power in war and the promised attainment of victory. [1]
Design
A cross with flared ends distributes AGLA centrally, IHVH to the sides and El above and below, within Psalm 110:5. [1]
Source reproduction The 4th Pentacle of Mars: AGLA at a cross’s centre, with IHVH, El and Psalm 110:5. Mathers 1889, Plate VI, figure 28; notice on p. 63 and note on p. 64.
The victory notice
The fourth pentacle is credited with great virtue and power in war and an assurance of victory. Its surrounding verse gives the promise a scene of defeated kings: “The Lord at thy right hand shall wound even Kings in the day of His Wrath,” as Mathers renders Psalm 110:5. [1]
The names across the cross
A vertical and horizontal line meet in the circle, ending in small flared tips. The letters of AGLA occupy the four spaces closest to the intersection. IHVH is divided between the right and left ends; El appears above and below. A small six-pointed star sits at the top of the Hebrew verse band. [1]
The wrath of the Psalm
Psalm 110 opens with an invitation to sit at the Lord’s right hand until enemies become a footstool. It then speaks of ruling amid enemies and, later, of judgement, dead bodies and wounded heads across many countries. The pentacle selects the line about kings within this severe account of rule and overthrow. [2]
S. L. MacGregor Mathers, 1889; printed edition, including editorial restoration of Hebrew characters. Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 63; figure 28, Plate VI; plate PDF page 79; 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
