Unicursal hexagram
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The unicursal hexagram is a hexagram or six sided and six pointed star that is unique in that it can be traced or drawn as one complete symbol, rather than two overlaid triangles. This is significant as the triangles are often used to represent opposites such as fire and water or male and female. The unifying of the symbol into one represents the union of opposites.
The unicursal hexagram is so-called because it can be drawn unicursally - that is, in one continuous movement. This is significant when forming figures in ritual magick, where a continuous line is preferred to an interrupted movement.
The unicursal hexagram was created for the purpose of drawing the figure in one continuous movement, as the other magical polygons are created- the pentagram is one example. This is significant in ritual magick when invoking and banishing hexagrams must be made.
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[edit] History
The hexagram, like the pentagram, was and is used in practices of the occult (where it is known as a magician's, or sorcerer's star) as well as Satanism and Odinism. In these traditions the hexagram is inscribed inside a circle with the points touching it.
[edit] Pennsylvania Dutch
This sign today is traditionally seen on houses and barns, most common among the Dutch. The Hex signs are a form of folk art, thought by some to be of a talismanic nature, found in the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. For more information on this see Hex sign.
The hex signs are a powerful framework to ward off negative or attract positive energies. The circle around the hex represents the universe.
[edit] Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
The traditional design of the unicursal hexagram symbol was devised by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and later adapted by Aleister Crowley as a device of personal significance. It is often worn by Thelemites as a sign of religious identification and recognition.
Crowley is credited with creating both designs by some historians. But many believe that he amended the original and placed a five petaled rose in the center. The original was devised and used by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The unicursal hexagram originates from the Golden Dawn document "Polygons and Polygrams". When Israel Regardie published his book "The Golden Dawn", he did not have access to document, and it was first published by Crowley, which lead to the general misconception that Crowley originated the unicursal hexagram. Now however, he credits them with this. Combined with the Marian Rose, the unicursal hexagram becomes Crowley's personal sigil, which is the magical union of 5 and 6 giving 11, the number of magick and new beginnings. For more information see 'Notes' and 'References' at the bottom of the page.
[edit] Germanic Paganism
The hexagram or more so the hex sign is a significant sigil or talismanic hermetic symbol to Odinists. Although the ‘Unicursal Hexagram’ is not a traditional symbol within the ancient practice of Odinism and it’s subsequent symbology, today it is seen as a significant graphic representation used within ritual magick.
As mentioned, it is a symbol to generate the positive or negative forces within nature to effect change, to invoke or banish and ward off negative or attract positive energies.
The circle around the unicursal hexagram represents the universe. The unbroken ring is the sign, or is also known as, the ring of troth, or faith. The circle within Odinism is also a symbol representing fire, as it has no weight, and immortality, perpetual motion, absolute unity, the universe and the monotheistic deity.
Although Crowley was far from an Odinist, nor this specific symbol his rendition, he is respected for his magickal workings and binding of natures forces to effect change in a ritualistic manner.
[edit] Aleister Crowley and the Thelema tradition
The unicursal hexagram, as pictured to the right, is one of the key symbols within the Thelemic tradition founded by Aleister Crowley in the early part of the twentieth-century. Crowley did not invent the unicursal hexagram, the emblem was created by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and adapted by Crowley for his own use. [1]
Crowley's adaptation of the unicursal hexagram placed a five petalled rose, symbolizing a pentacle (and the divine feminine), in the center; the symbol as a whole making eleven (five petals of the rose plus six points of the hexagram), the number of divine union.
When Crowley introduces the unicursal hexagram in his Book of Thoth he writes that "The lines, however, are strictly Euclidean; they have no depth."
The ritual where he makes use of the unicursal hexagram is 'Reguli' (He also uses the "averse" pentagram in it). In the commentary he writes that "...for the True Will has no goal, its nature being To Go. Similarly, a parabola is bound by one law which fixes its relation to two lines at every point; yet it has no end short of infinity, and it constantly changes its direction." and he goes on to say that "Perhaps he may come at long last, leaping beyond the limits of his own law, to conceive of that sublimely stupendous outrage to Reason, the Cone! Utterly inscrutable to him, he is yet aware that he exists in the nature thereof, that he is necessary thereto, that he is ordered thereby, and that therefrom he is sprung, from the loins of so fearful a Father."
For more information on this please see 'Crowley and the Unicursal Hexagram' [2] [3] by Comrade August.
[edit] External links
- Unicursal Hexagram - About.com
- Crowley and the Unicursal Hexagram: From Comrade August
- Hexagram (Shatkona, Seal of Solomon) from AltReligion
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic by Israel Regardie, Christopher S. Hyatt
- http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefsunicursal.htm
- http://www.smokindragon.com/new_page_2.htm
- http://www.geocities.com/Paris/2110/unicursal.html
- The unicursal hexagram originates from the Golden Dawn document "Polygons and Polygrams" - When Israel Regardie published his book "The Golden Dawn", he did not have access to document, and it was first published by Crowley, which lead to the generel misconception that Crowley originated the unicursal hexagram. Now however, he credits them with this.
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