Pagan Sigils: Illustrated Guide to The Non Christian Symbols of Western Occultism

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The realms of earth, sky and water; heaven, hell and earth; genesis, middle and end; and the states of solid, liquid and ether all point to a trinity that comprises a whole. The direction in which the pentagram points is of significance. When the single point points upwards, it is indicative of the human spirit rising above earthly desires. The inverse depiction represents the human spirit embracing his carnal and materialistic side. A pentacle has magical properties associated with the element of Earth, but it contains aspects of all the other elements as well. In June 2007, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated activists, the United State Veteran's Association approved the use of the pentacle for display on the headstones of Wiccan and Pagan soldiers killed in action.

It is interesting to note that the Horned God is part of the symbol for the Triple Goddess turned on its side. His eye was said to watch over the faithful wherever it was emblazoned. Egyptian fishermen painted it on the hulls of their boats; it was placed on coffins to watch over the dead as they made their journey through the netherworld to the Afterlife. A sigil used in rituals invoking Lucifer, first recorded in the 18th-century True Grimoire. Known among Theistic Satanists as the Seal of Satan, the symbol is also associated with music groups including Zeal & Ardor.The sun is associated with fire, the most masculine and virile of the four classic pagan elements. Use the Sun Wheel to garner success in new ventures where a firm hand is desired.

The ankh is the ancient Egyptian symbol of eternal life. According to The Egyptian Book of Living and Dying, the ankh is the key to life. Sigil making isn’t difficult, but it isn’t something you can do in a crowded room. Sure, maybe you’d love to create and activate a sigil in the middle of a school cafeteria to help you with your exam, but, chances are:

Understanding cultural context and giving credit and appreciation is important, says Hundley. "But I think if you relate to an image and like it, sometimes you don't have to know why. There's a magic in just the appreciation of the aesthetic. There's a reason why we connect and maybe we don't always have to go deep and understand what it means." The Swastika is truly the worst case of an ancient symbol being appropriated and completely distorted for selfish gain. Used originally by the proto Indo-European race, the Aryans, it was seized by Hitler’s Nazi party as the symbol of race-based discrimination. Sigils created with magical powers by the Icelandic people. Pictured is the stave known as Ægishjálmur.

A symbol invented by John Dee, alchemist and astrologer at the court of Elizabeth I of England. It represents (from top to bottom): the moon; the sun; the elements; and fire. In some traditions of Wicca, Air is represented not by the triangle, but by either a circle with a point in the center or by a feather or leaf-like image. In other traditions, the triangle is used to mark the association of degrees or initiation rank -- typically first degree, but not necessarily. In alchemy, this symbol is sometimes shown with the horizontal line extending beyond the sides of the triangle.The eye of God within a triangle, representing the Holy Trinity, and surrounded by holy light, representing His omniscience.