The True History of the Pentacle

The Oracle Institute chose the Pentacle as a symbol for its humanitarian work after considering dozens of potential logos. We selected the Pentacle because of its noble history and the fact that the Truth about this ancient symbol – like all Truth – needs to be revealed.

The oldest known use of the Pentacle dates to 3,000 B.C.E., when it was used by the Sumerians and Babylonians to depict angles and provide directional orientation. Scholars believe that these civilizations also used the Pentacle for astrological purposes, assigning the five points to the planets: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus.

The great Greek mathematician Pythagoras was fascinated by the Pentacle. He recognized in its geometry a division of lines which resulted in the “golden ratio,” an emblem of perfection that was incorporated into Greek art and architecture. Pythagoras was the first person to refer to the harmony and balance of the Cosmos, and his followers embraced the mystical concept of the soul’s eternal existence through the process of transmigration. His followers also ascribed the points of the Pentacle to the five classical elements: earth, air, fire, water, and ideas.

Later, Roman Emperor Constantine used the symbol as a seal and an amulet. When the Roman Catholic Church was formed, some Christians adopted the Pentacle as a representation of the five wounds of Jesus Christ, which pierced: his two hands, his two feet, and his side. Other Christians associated the Pentacle with the five senses: touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight.

In medieval times, the Pentacle was associated with the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, who were said to possess five virtues: friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety. And during the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci revived the Pentacle when he illustrated that the proportions of the human body symmetrically align within this sublime shape.

Today, at the close of the Fourth Spiritual Paradigm, it is fair to say that the Pentacle represents the five primary religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam. May these now ancient religions update their teachings and unify their wisdom traditions in order to guide humanity toward the utopian state described by their prophets as “heaven on earth.”

And at the dawn of the prophesied Fifth Spiritual Paradigm, may we recall the most glorious and enduring use of the Pentacle – as a symbol for Venus, the goddess of Love. We, at The Oracle Institute, believe that it is this very aspect of the Supreme Being and of our own Divine nature which will inspire each of us to seek the perennial promise of the Pentacle:

Laura George on the Founding of Oracle

This movie, recorded in August 2010 at Swannanoa Palace in the Shenandoah Mountains, provides an excellent history of The Oracle Institute.
It also presents a sterling lesson in how Synchronicity abounds in the world.

Run Time :1h 10m

Optionally - Click here to download the movie.
(Approx 390MB)