First Pentacle of the Moon

What this is

The First Pentacle of the Moon is the chief seal of the lunar set in the Key of Solomon, cut to call forth and invoke the spirits of the Moon and so to open their whole power of tide, dream, and passage. It is the master-key to the spirits of the nearest and swiftest-changing sphere. It is the foundation of the lunar work.

What it governs

It governs the calling-forth and invoking of the spirits of the Moon. Its sphere is the summoning of the lunar powers: the spirits of water, tide, dream, and the night that the Moon commands. It rules the opening of the lunar work and the summoning of its spirits to the seeker who moves with the tides.

Its properties

It is figured in silver on the day and hour of the Moon, its border carrying the names by which the lunar spirits are called. The upright virtue of the seal is the rightful summoning of the lunar powers, the calling of tide and dream to a worthy purpose; its shadow is the unwariness of one who calls up the tides without learning to ride them. The pentacle teaches that the Moon's powers move by their own rhythm, and that the wise worker summons them at the right tide.

Where else it appears

This master-seal is the talismanic skin of the same lunar power that Phul grants in the Arbatel over the spirits of the water and that the angel Gabriel bears over Monday. The Moon-spirit's mastery of the tides, the wolf's loyalty to the pack that moves together, and the drawn seal that calls the lunar spirits are facets of one Moon. Lay them together and the same tidal power looks back.

Where you meet it on the Oracle

On The Day, the First Pentacle of the Moon appears as a tradition-face of Monday, the day of Moon, beside the planet itself, the angel Gabriel, and the planet's other daily faces. When it surfaces it colours the day with its single purpose, recorded in the old grimoire as one to calls forth and invokes the spirits of the moon. Read it not as a literal talisman to cut but as the day's invitation to that exact work under Moon's hand: a pointer to the matter the day is shaped for, the door that stands open today.

Why it matters

It names the truth that the lunar powers move by their own rhythm and answer to one who summons them at the right tide. It matters because the lunar day asks you to move with the tides rather than against them. It asks you to find the right moment and to call upon it well.

Correspondences

planet

Moon

element

Water

zodiac

Cancer

sephirah

Yesod

day

Monday

colour

Silver

metal

Silver

stone

Pearl

tarot

The High Priestess