The Planets, the Elements and the Directions

There are (at least) three interrelated systems (evidence cited later) connected with the Pentagram: (1) The Five Planets, (2) the Four Elements + Quintessence, and (3) the Four Directions.

Henceforth, Four Directions: NESW

Four Elements: EAFW + Q

Five Planets: (K = Saturnus [Kronos], J = Juppiter, M = Mars, H = Mercurius [Hermes], V = Venus), plus S = Sol, L = Luna.

A further complication is that we can go around the pentagram two ways:

• (1) circularly, around the outside, and
• (2) linearly, tracing the "three interlaced triangles."

If we number the points in a circular circuit 12345, then the linear circuit (in the same direction) visits them 13524; this is important when the p.g. represents the stages of a process.

Working backward in time: An alchemical image of "Man as Microcosm" gives one of the only direct associations of elements with the pentagram: Q A F W E It is reproduced in Godwin (Alchemical Mandala, 11), but I don't know its original source.

Another alchemical diagram (Godwin, 20; original source unknown) gives the following: F A Q E W

There is ancient support (see below) for the center of the square being equivalent to the apex of the pentagram, so this would correspond to: Q F A E W which is a logical arrangement (given the square of opposition of the elements), but not the usual GD/Wiccan one; it's also the mirror image of the first p.g. given above.

Other alchemical sources (e.g. Jamsthaler 1625) arrange the planets pentagonally, typically to represent stages in the alchemical procedure: S L H M J V K The Moon (L) indicates the passive ascending process and the Sun (S) indicates the active descending process (Burckhardt, Alch. 193).

The five lesser planets (HMJVK) form the pentagram, with Mercury (H) at the apex; a position which has much ancient support (see below). Some alchemists (e.g. Valentine, 1659) invert both processes: H V K M J

Burckhardt shows that another arrangement (Boehme 1628, Stolcius 1624), which brings Venus and Jupiter together, aligns corresponding steps of the ascent and descent: S L H M V K J The latter arrangement also agrees with the standard association of the planets with the hand known from palmistry (the p.g. being 1=J, 2=K, 4=H, palm=M, thumb=V), though it unfortunately reverses S (3) and L (heel).

Despite the confusion, all seem to agree in attaching special significance to Mercury and in putting Jupiter/Saturn on one side and Venus/Mars on the other.

The pentagrams in Agrippa (De occulta phil., 1533) are associated with the planets; these are what we find (Lib. II): M L S V V S J J (the latter not really a p.g., but easily L M connected with it via the human figure) H K H K

He also shows the planetary assignment of palmistry, which seems unrelated to these others, but matches better some alchemical associations (see above).

The planetary associations can be converted to elementary associations by means the the Scala Quinarii (also in Lib. II), which gives K/W, J/A, M/F, V/E, H/M (mixtum), and hence for the first pentagram: F E A M W

However, I don't have great confidence in his planet/element associations (though if F and M were switched I'd buy it).

In Lib. III we find the HUGIEIA (Soundness) Pentagram of the Pythagoreans, with U/G/I/EI/A clockwise from the top over an inverted pentagram.

However, this doesn't help us with elemental associations, though it falls in a tradition of writing magic words around pentagrams (e.g. te/tra/gram/ma/ton) and other pentacles, which dates back to at least the 4th or 5th cent.

BCE (Jewish jar handles from Palestine). (The pentagram itself goes back to Mesopotamia -- early 3rd mill. BCE; see below.)

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This is what I've found so far on the Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek evidence on the relation of the Pentagram and the Elements. It should be considered work in progress, and any suggestions or other help would be greatly appreciated.

by John Opsopaus November 1993