Second Pentacle of the Sun: Strength, Courage, and Authority Over Solar Spirits
Second Pentacle of the Sun: Strength, Courage, and Authority Over Solar Spirits
The Second Pentacle of the Sun moves beyond the foundational invocation of the First and begins the work of establishing authority over the Solar sphere's more resistant forces. Where the First Pentacle calls forth the Solar spirits and seeks their cooperation, the Second addresses the fiercer aspect of Tiferet's domain -- the Solar energies that require not invitation but command. According to the Solomonic manuscript tradition, this pentacle serves to repress the pride and arrogance of Solar Spirits of a difficult nature, binding them and bringing them under the operator's direction.
This distinction matters. The Solar sphere, like all planetary spheres in Kabbalistic cosmology, contains both harmonious and turbulent currents. Not every Solar force cooperates readily with human intention. The Second Pentacle provides the practitioner with the authority to work with the full range of the Solar current, including its more intractable expressions.
Tiferet: Beauty and Authority
Tiferet, the sixth Sephirah and the heart of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, is often described primarily in terms of beauty and harmony. But Tiferet also carries authority. As the central mediating point of the Tree, it holds all other forces in their proper relationship. When any force within the Solar sphere moves out of alignment, Tiferet is the corrective center from which realignment flows.
The archangel Raphael, ruler of Tiferet, is not only a healer but a commander. The word Raphael -- "God heals" -- implies a restoration of right order, which sometimes requires the application of authority rather than gentle assistance. When Solar spirits become arrogant or resistant, the authority of Tiferet expressed through the Second Pentacle is what brings them back into alignment.
In practical terms, this means the Second Pentacle is the appropriate tool when the carrier faces Solar-realm challenges that the cooperative invitation of the First Pentacle cannot resolve -- situations where the Solar current is working against them rather than with them.
The Second Pentacle: Design and Scope
The Second Pentacle of the Sun is engraved with divine names and sigils specific to the exercise of Solar authority. Its design incorporates the binding and directing forces of the Solomonic tradition -- the same tradition that produced the seals by which spirits of all spheres could be compelled to manifest and serve.
The Mathers edition groups the second through fifth Solar pentacles together as instruments for working with the Solar sphere's more challenging spirits. But the Second, as the first in this commanding group, establishes the fundamental posture of authority from which the subsequent pentacles operate. It is the declaration, in talismanic form, that the carrier stands in the authority of the divine names and holds power over the Solar forces that resist divine order.
In a broader sense, this makes the Second Pentacle applicable whenever the carrier needs to project strength, courage, and presence. The authority it confers in the spiritual realm manifests in the physical realm as the quality of a person who cannot be intimidated, whose presence commands respect, and whose will encounters little resistance.
Who Carries the Second Pentacle of the Sun
Those who carry this seal typically do so because they need to project strength and authority in their lives. Leaders who must command the respect of difficult subordinates. Professionals who need to hold their ground against aggressive opposition. Anyone who has felt that the Solar current of confidence, presence, and recognized authority is not flowing fully in their life.
It is also appropriate for those who work with spirits in any capacity and need a Solar talisman that goes beyond invitation and cooperation into the realm of command. In the Solomonic tradition, operators worked with spirits across the full range of their nature, and having talismans that could address both the cooperative and the resistant aspects of any sphere was essential.
Working with the Second Pentacle of the Sun
Consecrate on a Sunday during the planetary hour of the Sun. When activating this seal, focus on the specific area of your life where you need greater authority and strength. You are not simply asking for favor -- you are invoking the commanding aspect of Tiferet, the Solar authority that will not be resisted.
The necklace version is appropriate for those in leadership positions or high-pressure professional environments where the consistent projection of strength and authority is important. Wearing it during key meetings, presentations, or confrontations keeps the seal's commanding Solar energy continuously active.
Gold is the color and material correspondence of the Sun. Storing this coin in gold cloth or an amber-colored pouch maintains its Solar connection when not worn.
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 Exodus 14:19-21. In the Kabbalistic tradition, these names are not merely labels but active concentrations of divine power, each representing a distinct channel through which celestial energy flows into the world.
On the Second Pentacle of the Sun, the 72 Names on the reverse reinforce the commanding authority of the obverse. The pentacle invokes Tiferet's Solar authority over resistant spirits. The 72 Names ground that authority in the comprehensive divine name system that underlies all Kabbalistic practical work. Together, they create a seal that operates at both the specific (Solar command) and universal (divine name) levels simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Second Pentacle of the Sun do?
According to the Key of Solomon, it serves to repress the pride and arrogance of Solar Spirits of a difficult nature, binding them and bringing them under the operator's direction. More broadly, it confers the authority and strength of Tiferet, making the carrier's presence commanding and their will resistant to opposition.
How does the Second Pentacle differ from the First Pentacle of the Sun?
The First Pentacle invites the cooperation of Solar spirits and brings general divine favor. The Second operates in the realm of command -- it addresses Solar forces that are resistant or turbulent and brings them under the operator's authority. The First is collaborative; the Second is directive.
Is this pentacle appropriate for daily use?
Yes, particularly for those who regularly need to project authority, hold their ground against aggressive opposition, or maintain a strong presence in difficult environments. Its commanding quality makes it well suited to sustained wear in competitive or challenging conditions.
What Sephirah and archangel govern the Sun pentacles?
The Sun corresponds to Tiferet, the sixth Sephirah, whose archangel is Raphael. The day is Sunday, the color is gold, and the metal is gold. All seven Pentacles of the Sun operate through the Tiferet current and the authority of Raphael's Solar domain.
Carry the Second Pentacle of the Sun
Solid brass, engraved with the Solomonic solar seal on one face and the 72 Names of God on the reverse.