From the Key of Solomon: “Write thou this Pentacle upon virgin parchment or paper, because it is terrible unto the Demons, and at its sight and aspect they will obey thee, for they cannot resist its presence.”
Navigating the world of magic can be incredibly rewarding, but also incredibly dangerous. More than one practitioner has been brought low by the malicious actions of another. Additionally, certain magic is inherently dangerous, though sometimes equally rewarding if successful. Even relatively benign magic can make the practitioner shine like a beacon that attracts parasitic spirits.
Having strong magical protection in case of contingencies can sometimes be the difference between success and tragic failure.
Many cultures associate scorpions or scorpion imagery with authority and the repelling of malefic magic and entities. In this same way, the Fifth Pentacle of Mars marshals powerful allies to protect the bearer from unseen dangers.
“Write thou this Pentacle upon virgin parchment or paper*, because it is terrible unto the Demons, and at its sight and aspect they will obey thee, for they cannot resist its presence.”
While the description from the Key of Solomon (Clavicula Solomonis) may seem narrow and specific, this pentacle does so much more than that. The spirits associated with the planet of war and aggression will rush to your side as bodyguards, ready to aggressively defend you from many types of unseen dangers.
The protection against demons extends to other types of spirits and monstrous subterranean creatures. These martial spirits additionally protect against deliberate or accidental psychic attack, and other directed non physical danger. This includes curses, spells, and other malefic workings as they are being thrown (but will not break a curse that has already taken hold).
As with all things, no magical protection will protect against every type of danger. The military and warrior spirits of the Fifth of Mars will not protect against harmful magic that was not directly targeting the bearer. As an example, if someone has general anti-gossip magic, the bearer would not be protected while engaging in gossip against that target. The spirits have difficulty distinguishing passive magic, especially when it only confuses the bearer and does not harm them- just like you would not expect a soldier to protect you from fog.
An interesting feature of this pentacle involves reports of a wide variety of spirits coming to aid the bearer. When questioned about which spirits come when the Fifth of Mars is used, spirits replied: “It invoketh in everything the desire to defend the bearer, and to them come in support. It doesn’t matter who comes, by God’s name and power you are defended.”
As seasoned practitioners know, even if they have personal protection, attacks can sometimes roll off and harm innocent family members. Certain magical practices may also make your house more noticeable to passing spirits. To provide peace of mind against these and more, this pentacle can be worked to defend a household of multiple people, provided they consider themselves a household and are introduced to the talisman as being part of the household. Hang it over the door of the house with an iron nail.
To swiftly call spirits to your side, simply hold it and recite Psalm 91:13, the verse around the outside of the pentacle: ‘Thou shalt go upon the lion and adder, the young lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet.’
Practitioners of more traditional goetic evocation will find this an excellent choice to defend them during rituals, especially in the absence of hard to obtain protection like a lion skin belt. Even modern practitioners who favor a more casual take on invocation would be wise to have a strong line of defense if things go awry.
People who belong to occult communities also know how petty disputes and disagreements can turn practitioners against each other, sometimes escalating into “witch wars.” This strong protection will grant peace of mind so you can speak your mind.
In conclusion, the Fifth of Mars is an excellent choice for those engaging in work with spirits that may become hostile, insurance against targeted malefic work by other practitioners, and personal and household protection from unseen entities.
“Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.” Miyamoto Musashi, Japanese swordsman and philosopher
*While the grimoire specifies virgin parchment, Mars pentacles made in metals that express its planetary virtues, like iron and steel are equally strong.
This post was originally a Practical Occult newsletter dated September 17th, 2020.
Author: Alison Chicosky
Alison Chicosky is a scholar and practitioner of a variety of forms of thaumaturgy with a focus on results-based magic. While especially interested in both Solomonic magic and the Graeco-Egyptian magic of the Greek Magical Papyri, she is also well versed in soul-flight and psychic magic of various kinds. The founder and force behind Practical Occult (www.practicaloccult.com), she strives to provide pentacles and other enchanted items drawn from a broad background of rigorously studied ancient arts, leveraging the systems of the past for practical modern use.