Fifth Pentacle of Mars: Terrible to Demons and the Solomonic Seal of Command
Fifth Pentacle of Mars: Terrible to Demons and the Solomonic Seal of Command
Of the seven Pentacles of Mars in the Greater Key of Solomon, the Fifth occupies a unique position. Where the others deal with victory in battle, healing, force against adversaries, or the invocation of Martian spirits, the Fifth is directed specifically at the demonic realm. The Mathers edition states it plainly: this pentacle "is terrible unto the Demons, and at its sight and aspect they will obey thee, for they cannot resist nor bear to look upon it."
This is not a defensive talisman in the ordinary sense. It does not simply ward off evil. It commands. Demons and hostile spirits who encounter it are said to lose their power to resist, to flee, and to obey whoever holds the seal. In the hierarchy of Solomonic talismans for dealing with spirits, the Fifth Pentacle of Mars is among the most authoritative.
Mars and Gevurah: The Authority to Command
In Kabbalistic cosmology, Mars governs Gevurah, the fifth Sephirah on the Tree of Life. Gevurah is the sphere of divine judgment -- the force that enforces the laws of the cosmos, punishes transgression, and compels compliance where compliance is required. It is not destruction for its own sake. It is the executive power of divine order.
The archangel Camael, commander of the Seraphim, governs Gevurah. His is the power that strikes down what opposes divine will. When Solomonic magicians of the grimoire tradition sought authority over spirits -- particularly hostile or demonic spirits -- they invoked the Martian current through Gevurah, because it is this sphere that holds dominion over the forces that resist order.
The Fifth Pentacle of Mars distills this authority into a physical form. By carrying it, the practitioner aligns themselves with the executive force of Gevurah. The demons do not flee because of the carrier's personal power. They flee because of whose power the seal represents.
The Fifth Pentacle: Design and Significance
The Fifth Pentacle of Mars contains specific divine names and sigils drawn from the Solomonic manuscript tradition that have particular power over the demonic hierarchy. The seal is constructed so that spirits who encounter it are compelled to acknowledge the authority it carries. They cannot look upon the divine names inscribed within it without being subjected to the power those names represent.
This is consistent with the broader Solomonic understanding of how divine names function. In the grimoire tradition, names are not merely labels -- they are concentrations of power. The Hebrew divine names inscribed in the pentacles of the Key of Solomon are understood to be living forces, not symbols. When inscribed in the correct configuration, they create a field that spiritual entities cannot enter without bowing to its authority.
The Fifth Pentacle of Mars takes this principle further than most. It is specifically designed to be intolerable to hostile spirits. It is not simply that they choose to obey -- the manuscript says they cannot bear to look at it. The seal functions as a kind of divine compulsion, bypassing the will of spirits and subjecting them directly to Gevurah's authority.
Who Carries the Fifth Pentacle of Mars
This seal has historically been used by those who work directly with spirits, whether in evocation, protection, or banishment. Solomonic operators who called upon spirits for any purpose needed assurance that the spirits would obey and not turn against them. The Fifth Pentacle of Mars provided that assurance at the deepest level -- not just making the spirits cooperative, but making them constitutionally unable to resist.
Beyond formal magical practice, the Fifth Pentacle is carried by those who feel they are under spiritual attack -- that hostile forces, whether conscious entities or ambient negative energies, are affecting their lives. Practitioners who deal with locations or situations where demonic or malevolent spiritual activity is suspected often carry this seal as their primary form of protection and authority.
It is also carried by those who simply want comprehensive protection from the demonic realm, even without specific spiritual practice. In the Solomonic tradition, a properly consecrated talisman carries its power regardless of the carrier's personal development -- the power belongs to the seal and the divine names within it, not to the individual.
Working with the Fifth Pentacle of Mars
Consecration should take place on a Tuesday during a Mars planetary hour, as with all Martian talismans. The Fifth Pentacle, however, carries a specific instruction in some manuscript traditions: it should be held firmly when dealing with any situation involving spiritual interference or hostile entities. The act of presenting the seal -- physically or by touching it -- engages its power of command.
Wearing the necklace version keeps the seal continuously active against any spiritual interference encountered throughout the day. Carrying the coin in a pocket allows the practitioner to reach for it and hold it deliberately when entering situations of spiritual risk.
In home use, some practitioners place the coin at the entrance of a space being cleared of hostile spiritual presence, or in corners where negative energy accumulates. The seal's described inability to be tolerated by demons makes it effective as a boundary marker as well as a carried talisman.
The 72 Names of God on the Reverse
The reverse of every King Solomon Coin carries a selection from the 72 Names of God, the 72 three-letter divine names derived from the three consecutive verses of Exodus 14:19-21. These names form the root system of Kabbalistic practical work and represent 72 distinct channels of divine power.
Combined with the Fifth Pentacle of Mars on the obverse, the 72 Names create a talisman that operates on two levels simultaneously. The Pentacle provides the specific Martian command authority over demons and hostile spirits. The 72 Names ground that authority in the universal divine order. Together, they produce an object that carries both specific and general power -- the focused force of Gevurah and the comprehensive authority of the divine name system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Fifth Pentacle of Mars do?
According to the Key of Solomon, it is "terrible unto the Demons" -- hostile spirits cannot bear to look at it and are compelled to obey whoever holds it. It is used for commanding spirits, banishing demonic presences, and protecting against all forms of spiritual attack.
How is the Fifth Pentacle of Mars different from the others?
While the other Martian pentacles focus on victory in battle, healing, invoking spirits, or overcoming enemies, the Fifth is specifically directed at the demonic hierarchy. It does not just win conflicts -- it compels obedience at the level of spiritual law, making it particularly valuable for those dealing with hostile spiritual forces rather than earthly opponents.
Is this seal appropriate for people who do not practice magic?
Yes. In the Solomonic tradition, the power of a talisman comes from the divine names and seals inscribed upon it, not from the practitioner's personal ability. Anyone who carries a properly made seal benefits from its protective and commanding properties. The Fifth Pentacle's authority over hostile spirits operates regardless of the carrier's spiritual background.
What planet and day correspond to the Fifth Pentacle of Mars?
Mars corresponds to Tuesday. The first planetary hour of Mars on Tuesday is the optimal time for working with any of the seven Martian pentacles. The Sephirah is Gevurah, the archangel is Camael, and the color correspondence is red.
Carry the Fifth Pentacle of Mars
Solid brass, engraved with the Solomonic seal on one face and the 72 Names of God on the reverse.
