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Author Topic: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar  (Read 5701 times)

Hippie-Witch

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Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« on: August 17, 2016, 03:28:01 pm »
For those of you who work with an altar or set up a sacred space for worship or divination; do you prefer using a pentagram or a triquetra to draw energy/represent earth/whatever else you choose to use it for.
I found a small pane of glass, a perfect little rectangle, and I want to make it into an altar piece. I've never placed either symbols on my altar before and I was considering both.
What do you prefer?
Why?
Do you choose both/neither?

Thanks y'all <3


Edit: I'll probably do triquetra, but I would really like to hear your perspective on the two symbols. Both their similarities and differences.
« Last Edit: August 17, 2016, 03:30:31 pm by Hippie-Witch »
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Scales

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2016, 09:15:55 pm »
Quote from: Hippie-Witch;195115
For those of you who work with an altar or set up a sacred space for worship or divination; do you prefer using a pentagram or a triquetra to draw energy/represent earth/whatever else you choose to use it for.
I found a small pane of glass, a perfect little rectangle, and I want to make it into an altar piece. I've never placed either symbols on my altar before and I was considering both.
What do you prefer?
Why?
Do you choose both/neither?

Thanks y'all <3


Edit: I'll probably do triquetra, but I would really like to hear your perspective on the two symbols. Both their similarities and differences.

 
Neither, because neither is a part of my practice or representative of my life. I'm more likely to use home drawn symbols (sigils, emblems) or symbols that relate to my interests (eg the BDSM triskelion), something from a pop culture source (eg the VFD eye), a family symbol (actually can't think of one right now), etc.

Dynes Hysbys

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2016, 04:16:07 am »
Quote from: Hippie-Witch;195115
For those of you who work with an altar or set up a sacred space for worship or divination; do you prefer using a pentagram or a triquetra to draw energy/represent earth/whatever else you choose to use it for.
I found a small pane of glass, a perfect little rectangle, and I want to make it into an altar piece. I've never placed either symbols on my altar before and I was considering both.
What do you prefer?
Why?
Do you choose both/neither?

T


I also use neither. They have no  meaning in my practice. Like Scales I use other symbolism which is much less generic and much more personally meaningful.

If you need to ask it doesn't sound as if you are strongly drawn to either of the symbols so maybe something else would be more appropriate for you too?

Kylara

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2016, 08:22:41 am »
Quote from: Hippie-Witch;195115
For those of you who work with an altar or set up a sacred space for worship or divination; do you prefer using a pentagram or a triquetra to draw energy/represent earth/whatever else you choose to use it for.
I found a small pane of glass, a perfect little rectangle, and I want to make it into an altar piece. I've never placed either symbols on my altar before and I was considering both.
What do you prefer?
Why?
Do you choose both/neither?

Thanks y'all <3


Edit: I'll probably do triquetra, but I would really like to hear your perspective on the two symbols. Both their similarities and differences.

 
I have a pentagram that I made out of salt dough, but it's not always on my altar.  I have a triquetra necklace.  For me, the pentagram represents earth, which is why I made one for my altar.  But, my altar has a lot of rotating things, I change it up every Sabbat and put what feels right for that season in it.

Definitely go with what you like and what feels right for you!
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Jenett

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2016, 08:45:32 am »
Quote from: Hippie-Witch;195115
For those of you who work with an altar or set up a sacred space for worship or divination; do you prefer using a pentagram or a triquetra to draw energy/represent earth/whatever else you choose to use it for.

 
As with others, I'm going with "Depends what your goal is here."

My tradition uses a pentagram on the altar as a tool: usually a flat symbol (as carved on a wooden plate, into soapstone, or something similar) that is used both a symbol of earth (we also always have salt, so it's not the only such symbol) but also as an actual tool. Following the Great Rite, the chalice and a pinch of bread for a libation outside are put on it for the rest of the ritual. (hence the need for it to be a flat shape or dish). It's also sometimes used as the place to put things which are being charged in the ritual, so again, flat.

Why not a triquetra? Well, first, our practice is not especially Celtic as a tradition, so wrong place, wrong symbol, not relevant. But more importantly, the pentagram is used in other places in our ritual practice (quarter calls, notably, but also other places) and that echoing of symbols is deliberate.

The symbology and functionality of three is different than the symbology and functionality of five, and that matters.
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Hippie-Witch

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2016, 04:28:23 pm »
Quote from: Scales;195125
Neither, because neither is a part of my practice or representative of my life. I'm more likely to use home drawn symbols (sigils, emblems) or symbols that relate to my interests (eg the BDSM triskelion), something from a pop culture source (eg the VFD eye), a family symbol (actually can't think of one right now), etc.

 
Very cool :)
I love hearing more about people who do their own thing
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Hippie-Witch

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2016, 07:22:37 pm »
Quote from: Kylara;195137
I have a pentagram that I made out of salt dough, but it's not always on my altar.  I have a triquetra necklace.  For me, the pentagram represents earth, which is why I made one for my altar.  But, my altar has a lot of rotating things, I change it up every Sabbat and put what feels right for that season in it.

Definitely go with what you like and what feels right for you!

 
Thank you very much :):)
"There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn't that kind of the point?"

Hippie-Witch

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2016, 07:26:42 pm »
Quote from: Dynes Hysbys;195136
I also use neither. They have no  meaning in my practice. Like Scales I use other symbolism which is much less generic and much more personally meaningful.

If you need to ask it doesn't sound as if you are strongly drawn to either of the symbols so maybe something else would be more appropriate for you too?

 
That is a really good point! I like subtle witchcraft. Maybe something that so strongly says "this is a witch's altar" isn't for me. I have a rock with the goddess engraved on it that I display, maybe that is good enough for me at the moment.

Thank you! :)
"There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn't that kind of the point?"

Hippie-Witch

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2016, 07:32:49 pm »
Quote from: Jenett;195138
As with others, I'm going with "Depends what your goal is here."

My tradition uses a pentagram on the altar as a tool: usually a flat symbol (as carved on a wooden plate, into soapstone, or something similar) that is used both a symbol of earth (we also always have salt, so it's not the only such symbol) but also as an actual tool. Following the Great Rite, the chalice and a pinch of bread for a libation outside are put on it for the rest of the ritual. (hence the need for it to be a flat shape or dish). It's also sometimes used as the place to put things which are being charged in the ritual, so again, flat.

Why not a triquetra? Well, first, our practice is not especially Celtic as a tradition, so wrong place, wrong symbol, not relevant. But more importantly, the pentagram is used in other places in our ritual practice (quarter calls, notably, but also other places) and that echoing of symbols is deliberate.

The symbology and functionality of three is different than the symbology and functionality of five, and that matters.

 
I love what you wrote here, that was for sure something I took into consideration.
The triquetra is more a symbol of "mind, body, spirit" that can also be used as a symbol for earth, meanwhile the pentagram is all four elements as well as spirit at the top.

Looking over what I have, I realized I already have a symbol for earth. I have a large Himalayan rock salt candle holder that is meant to purify the air as it burns. The only thing I don't have an active symbol for is water, and that can be added during divination and craft work. (I don't like having water out. I have a cat and that's just asking for trouble)
"There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn't that kind of the point?"

Kylara

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2016, 08:16:24 am »
Quote from: Hippie-Witch;195175
The only thing I don't have an active symbol for is water, and that can be added during divination and craft work. (I don't like having water out. I have a cat and that's just asking for trouble)

 
I also have cats, so I don't leave open containers of water out (all our cats will drink out of them...and messily!)

If you want a water symbol, you can use a seashell, or a bottle (with a top!) full of charged or blessed water.  I have several different bottles of water like melted snow water, and blessed full moon water, as well as other bottles containing homemade Florida water and Vinq (which was a lovely purple alcohol with edible glitter that I brought to one of our Day of the Dead rituals)

Or you can just add the water when you need it :)
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Dynes Hysbys

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #10 on: August 19, 2016, 08:45:42 am »
Quote from: Kylara;195193
Vinq (which was a lovely purple alcohol with edible glitter that I brought to one of our Day of the Dead rituals)

Or you can just add the water when you need it :)


Oh I am so going to have to steal that idea if you don't mind! I usually provide black mead for our celebrations but adding the edible glitter would be so cool!

Hippie-Witch

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #11 on: August 19, 2016, 03:25:10 pm »
Quote from: Kylara;195193
I also have cats, so I don't leave open containers of water out (all our cats will drink out of them...and messily!)

If you want a water symbol, you can use a seashell, or a bottle (with a top!) full of charged or blessed water.  I have several different bottles of water like melted snow water, and blessed full moon water, as well as other bottles containing homemade Florida water and Vinq (which was a lovely purple alcohol with edible glitter that I brought to one of our Day of the Dead rituals)

Or you can just add the water when you need it :)

 
Thank you for the water suggestions :D
I would love to start collecting different water :) I love the idea of blessed moon and blessed sun water. Both are good for different things in different ways. Can you use distilled water so the water doesn't go stagnant? Or is spring water or filtered water better?
"There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn't that kind of the point?"

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #12 on: August 20, 2016, 11:52:34 am »
Quote from: Dynes Hysbys;195194
Oh I am so going to have to steal that idea if you don't mind! I usually provide black mead for our celebrations but adding the edible glitter would be so cool!

 
Absolutely!  It's so pretty, that's why I had to save a bottle of it!
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Kylara

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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #13 on: August 20, 2016, 11:55:05 am »
Quote from: Hippie-Witch;195201
Thank you for the water suggestions :D
I would love to start collecting different water :) I love the idea of blessed moon and blessed sun water. Both are good for different things in different ways. Can you use distilled water so the water doesn't go stagnant? Or is spring water or filtered water better?

 
I personally use the same filtered water I drink (from my kitchen water filter).  I know many people have preferences, some prefer less 'processed' water (so it is more natural and they feel it retains more of it's innate properties).  I have kind of a mental block about water....after living in a house with well-water and it making me feel ill if I drank it without filtering, so I have to use water I know I can drink (unless I'm reserving the magical water for non-drinking purposes).
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Re: Pentagram, Triquetra, or both on your altar
« Reply #14 on: August 23, 2016, 05:53:27 am »
Quote from: Hippie-Witch;195115
For those of you who work with an altar or set up a sacred space for worship or divination; do you prefer using a pentagram or a triquetra to draw energy/represent earth/whatever else you choose to use it for.
I found a small pane of glass, a perfect little rectangle, and I want to make it into an altar piece. I've never placed either symbols on my altar before and I was considering both.
What do you prefer?
Why?
Do you choose both/neither?

Thanks y'all <3


Edit: I'll probably do triquetra, but I would really like to hear your perspective on the two symbols. Both their similarities and differences.


I use a Triquetra Altar Cloth and there are also three small Triquetras on my offering bowl. (The Altar & Shrine inspiration and pics thread in the Paganism for Beginners section is great if you have not already found it, I'll post a pic sometime). I use this symbol for its ancient Celtic appearance and to me it represents Triplicity and the three realms of Land, Sea & Sky. The true specific historical meaning varies on the information source it seems.

The Pentagram I don't know a huge amount about but it is not relevant to Celtic / Gaelic religion and as I'm concentrating on this specific path I do not use it.

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