The Pearl Pentacle:

Transpersonal reality, Macrocosm, and Community

by Storm Faerywolf

God

is
Self
And
Self
is
God
And God is a person like myself. Victor Anderson

Every man and woman is a star. Alistair Crowley

From apex point of sex doth flow
The gifts of love that we would know
That lures us ever toward our pride
Which shines as law and does provide
Awareness of our selfs domain;
And knowledge of all things arcane.
A move toward power stirs within
Power shared with other kin.
As waves of passion fill our souls
We grow with wisdom; lifes true goal.
By the Iron and by the Pearl
I claim my being;
I claim my world. 1
Like its Iron counterpart, the Pearl Pentacle is a major teaching tool utilized by most lines
of the F(a)eri(e) tradition. Whereas the Iron can be said to represent qualities pertaining
to the self 2, the Pearl is often thought of as extending these concepts outward and into
the transpersonal realm of community, complimenting the Iron with a type of
comparative polarity. When taken together, the Iron and the Pearl embody the divine
union that is necessary to fully awaken the awareness of our divine natures.
Where the Iron can sometimes be felt as being sharp, frantic, and hot (much as the red
hot iron in the blacksmiths forge) the Pearl is often described as being soft, calm, and
cool; a much needed balance to the Irons sometimes overwhelming severity. This is, of
course, only a generalization; it should be understood that there are as many ways to
experience the pentacles as there are people who work with them.
In the style in which I was originally taught Feri, a great deal of time was spent working
first with the Iron before the Pearl was even mentioned. On one level this makes perfect
sense... if the Iron is about refining ones personal relationship with the Self, then it
seems a sound practice to allow that work to serve as a foundation before jumping
outward into the work of building community, a particular lesson that the Pearl has to
offer. While this does make sense, it is certainly not the only valid way to approach these
tools. In fact it is reported that on several occasions the late Victor Anderson 3
himself would teach these two pentacles together, sometimes combined into one symbol
known as the Copper Decagram 4. Here we see yet another example of how fluid our
traditional methods really are; a perfect reminder that ours is a living tradition based on
shamanic principals, and not a one-size-fits-all system of spiritual instruction. Feri loves
paradoxes, and when considering the Iron and the Pearl pentacles we can contemplate
one of the biggest of them all: There is only one pentacle. The Iron and the Pearl are not
separate, but are instead the same pentacle as seen from different angles.
When we are focused on working internally with the self, we see the Iron in all its fiery
glory; its five points representing those qualities that all so often need to be healed in
order to claim our personal power. Modern society perpetuates some very unhealthy

attitudes toward certain natural qualities and behaviors, and because we are products of
that society we often need to un-learn or re-align ourselves in a balanced and
conscious way. Take for example the Iron Pentacles point of Pride. It exists in opposition
to a larger societal standard that would teach us either to completely subjugate the ego
(Dont be too proud, Pride is a sin) or to exalt it above all else (Youre the most
important person in the world, Every man for himself). The Iron Pentacle is a method
to allow ourselves to achieve a true and personal balance between these two unhealthy
extremes; helping us find our own way... our own truth.

Love
When our focus is about taking our own energy and sharing it outward with others, then
the usefulness of the Pearl Pentacle comes into play. For example, consider how the Iron
point of Sex becomes the Pearl point of Love. Sex, much more than simply the physical
act, is the generation of a current of life-force energy. It is the experience of opening up
to accept outside forces within ourselves so that we might merge with them in ecstasy,
becoming more than we were before. It is both physical sex as well as non it is the
enlivening of the senses so that we may experience on a deeper level that which is all
around us. In this view, even breathing consciously can be an act of sex. Love is the
force of attraction that keeps that current flowing; the state of deep emotional attraction
that leads us ever onward to return again and again to that state of sexual union.

Knowledge
The Self of Iron becomes the Knowledge of Pearl. If Self is the fullest awareness of ones
own limits and potentials, then Knowledge is that on a universal scale. When sharing our
own fully-realized selves with one another, we are able to learn exponentially. We act as
mirrors for those around us so that they may then see themselves in a new light, gaining
new perspectives along the way. And in turn we too gain new vantage points from which
we may view ourselves (an Iron experience) and the world around us (a Pearl
perspective).

Wisdom
The point of Iron named Passion becomes that of Wisdom when viewed on the Pearl.
Passion is the complete opening to lifes experience, so that we may engage the fullest
spectrum of human emotions. Passion can be felt in any number of human emotions
from love... to hate to joy to fear and everything in between. The lovers whose
awareness of the outside world falls away so that they see only the object of their
desires The artist whose obsession leads them to create their masterpiece or onward
to madness The parent, whos all encompassing love for their child leads them to
experiences that they had never previously considered Passion is a moving force toward
new experiences and the cumulative integration of these experiences our own and
those shared with others is the embodiment of Wisdom.

Law
Irons Pride becomes the Pearl point of Law; Pride being the unrestrained and natural
shining forth of the innocent self... Law is quite simply the same phenomena only on a
larger scale. It is literally the way in which the universe works; the natural order of all
things. The journey of the earth through its orbit the effects of gravity the turning of
the seasons these are manifestations of Law that we are all familiar with. Simple,
natural, and to the point. When we embody Law it is the adoption of a personal ethical
code, not based on the expectations of those around us (for we have purified ourselves
of the egos impulse to compare ourselves to others by working with the point of Pride)
but based on our own true and balanced will.

Power/Liberty
Much controversy has been wrought over this next station on our beloved pearlescent
pentacle and to this I must make some observations. In one way of viewing these
pentacles 5 it is said that the Iron point of Power (representing ones power-from-within;
our own ability to extend ourselves outward to cause change) morphs into the Pearlversion, also named Power, only now representing the concept of power-with; that is to
say, power shared with others in concert without restriction or oppressive hierarchy.
While this certainly follows the previous pattern of taking the individual concepts
expressed in the Iron and moving them outward into the world via the Pearl, there are
other nuances of interpretation for this point which also have traditional validity. In
some lines of Feri this point on the Pearl Pentacle is named Liberty 6, and represents
freedom from restraint, especially (though not exclusively) that put upon us by outside
forces wielding power-over, or coercive control.
It is actually not difficult to see how these two interpretations actually reflect the same
core understanding. They are both concerned with a release from restriction and the
fostering of a healthy and uninhibited personal authority; a state that is necessary
when striving toward the realization of ones personal divinity.
So why the controversy? Surely in a path such as Feri where much has been said of the
fiercely individual methods of working within our tradition, there is room for different
interpretations of even core materials? Part of the issue, in my opinion, comes from the
(perfectly reasonable) desire to preserve what is traditionally handed-down, as opposed
to the (perfectly valid) innovations that have been introduced later on. While this might
be seen as a practical stance from a somewhat anthropological point of view, when taken
in the context of actually working within the tradition it begins to break-down as there
are several traditional methods for working with this material, even going back as far as
Victor himself, as mentioned previously. Many of the practitioners who worked early on
with him have reported that he tailored his teachings to them individually, which would
account for some people being taught the Iron Pentacle before even mentioning the

Pearl, while others were introduced to them for the first time together as one, sometimes
as the aforementioned decagram. This revelation should put to rest once and for all that
one method is more traditional than another, as both have a definite precedent. There
are many valid methods of working with these symbols, and many more yet to be
discovered.
That there has been controversy over the issue should be a clear indicator that more
work with the Pearl Pentacle is in order. While working with the Iron we become strong
personalities, but strength of ones personality does not necessarily mean that we are
able to function well with others. In fact, the type of strength usually achieved by
working exclusively with the Iron Pentacle, while important, is only the beginning. On the
path toward claiming our divinity, there are many challenges that we are called to face.
We must be prepared to share the world with others if we are to be worthy of the powers
that we would claim. None of us exists in a vacuum. It is relatively easy for the spiritual
master to become enlightened up on a mountain in solitude. The real challenge is to do it
and still be a part of the world. The Pearl has much to teach us in that regard.
The ideals of working with others should not imply that it is necessary to suffer unhealthy
interactions with people should they arise. Part of building any healthy community is
learning when to establish definite boundaries; when to say no. Certainly the lessons of
the Iron Pentacle teach us to be powerful and to never surrender that power to anyone
or to anything. When combined with the insights of the Pearl, an alchemical
transformation is allowed to take place; one that strives to allow our Black Hearts to
shine in harmony with others.
What follows is a basic exercise to connect with the Pearl Pentacle. Feel free to adapt it
for your own use.

Invoking the Pearl Pentacle

Ground and center. Perform a Three Souls alignment.
Invoke the Iron Pentacle before you. Feel the red fiery energy moving between each of
the points, merging and blurring with each pass between them. Take your time with this.
You may wish to perform whatever Iron cleansing/balancing exercises you are
accustomed to.
When you are ready, focus on the point of Sex and feel that the red energy is becoming
a soft white pearlescence feel how Sex has become Love. Feel how the point is now
different than it was, but how it is also the same. Take your time.
Now allow this soft white glow to travel along the lines toward the Iron point of Pride
where it becomes Law. Follow the same pattern until the whole pentacle has been
transmuted into the Pearl. Feel how it is the same pentacle as the Iron, only seen from a
different perspective. Feel how the energy overall seems different, and yet is the same.
Be open to the subtlety of the experience.
Now, focusing on the uppermost point, call out three times:

I invoke Love!
Imagine the point growing larger than all the others shining its healing light deep
within you. Feel your own ability to feel deep compassion attraction love. Remember
a time in your life when you were in love with someone or something and recall how that
felt. Know that it is your birthright as a human being to feel love. Say:

In the name of Love!

Feel yourself permeated with Love, raised to the power of Divinity.
Focus on the point at your right foot and call out three times:

I invoke Law!
Imagine the point growing larger than all the others shining its healing light deep
within you. Feel how the natural laws of the universe affect you and how they are no
different than those laws that govern your own life. Become aware of how other peoples
laws have tried to sway you and what the consequences have been for either following or
abandoning them. Say:

In the name of Law!

Feel yourself permeated with Law, raised to the power of Divinity.
Focus on the point at your left hand and call out three times:

I invoke Knowledge!
Imagine the point growing larger than all the others shining deep within you. Feel how
true knowledge begins with the self and how we are all mirrors for each other; revealing
the blind spots that when left on our own we might not notice. Feel how true
Knowledge is something that continually grows through sharing, but also must be
nurtured and respected. Say:

In the name of Knowledge!

Feel yourself filled with Knowledge, raised to Divinity.
Focus now on the point at your right hand and call out three times:

I invoke Power/Liberty! (try mixing it up for different sessions, but at least in the
beginning try to stick to one or the other for awhile to get a feel for it.)

Imagine the point growing larger than the others shining deep within you. Feel how
Power shared freely frees you from the bonds of expectation of always having to be
right or in control. When you feel powerless, you can accept help from another and
when you are powerful, you can assist those who need it. Feel how liberating this
experience is. Say:

In the name of Power/Liberty!

Feel yourself filled with Power/Liberty raised to Divinity.
Focus now on the point at your left foot and cal out three times:

I invoke Wisdom!
Imagine the point growing larger than all the others shining within you. Feel how the
depths of your emotions have led you into life experiences that have made you who you
are. Feel how because of those experiences you are a unique individual with a unique
point of view. Feel how the integration of these experiences makes you strong and

powerful. Say:

In the name of Wisdom!

Feel yourself filled with Wisdom raised to Divinity.
Now, allow your awareness to flow from point, to point, in the order invoked as you
focus on the energies of each while calling out their names: In the name of Love in the
name of Law etc. Remember to keep your breathing slow and deep while you allow
the energy to get faster and faster. Eventually shorten your chant to just the names of
the points, Love, Law, Knowledge, Power, Wisdom! and then even abandon those and
just breathe as the power moves fluidly between each of the points. Notice the quality of
the energy if there are any blockages between any of the points. Notice if any of the
points seem dim or overly bright take note of them and notice how they feel. After
awhile you might experiment with consciously directing any excess energy into the areas
that seem to need it, balancing your pentacle.
When you have done this for at least several minutes, take three deep breaths while
focusing on the entire pentacle as a whole. Then with another three, absorb the pentacle
into your body, allowing it to inform and heal each cell. Feel it move into each of your
Three Souls. End by saying:

By

the

I
I claim my world!

Iron
claim

and

by

the
my

Pearl,
being;

***
In addition to the varied working methods already discussed, another interesting
permutation of these pentacles has emerged, although at the time of this writing its
origin is still unclear to me. 7 When arranging the points of the two pentacles into a
single geometry, and combining the two points of Power into one, a nine-pointed star can
be used to represent the Iron and Pearl as a combined force. Further meditations on this
particular symbol have yielded some interesting bits of lore, including a peculiar
visualization [see image below] of the nine-rayed star with the gap between the two
bottommost points slightly widened (as in a decagram with the bottommost point
missing) and the addition of a small green dot in a blue circle (called the stone of fire)
which represents Liberty & Freedom. This particular symbol is said to be a gateway
(called the way of night) and reportedly can be used in meditation as a portal into the
dark, or night-realm, of Faery.

Yet before the pentacles can be safely used to traverse into other realms, it is wise to use
them to discover more about our inner landscapes and both the powers and the poisons
that reside there. The pentacles of Feri tend to first be used as a sort of psychic
diagnostic tool that enables us to see more of where we are directing our energies so
that we may make informed decisions about the use of our personal power. Between
strengthening our individual selves with the processes of the Iron Pentacle, and the
community building gifts of the Pearl, we have a tremendous opportunity to claim our
human birthright of recognizing our own Godhood.

1. A reworking of a poem published in my book The Stars Within the Earth, 2003 Storm
Faerywolf. Available from www.FeriTradition.org.
2. For more information on the Iron Pentacle, see my article The Iron Pentacle:
Understanding
the
Harmonics
of
Consciousness,
www.faerywolf.com/essay_ironpentacle.htm 2000 Storm Faerywolf.
3. Victor Anderson (1917-2001) was the original Grandmaster of Feri, and is generally
regarded as the founding member of the tradition, although he would not have agreed
with that description, seeing himself as simply the then current mouthpiece for the
survival of an ancient form of working magick. All initiates of the Feri tradition can trace
their lineage through him.
4. Not much is generally known about the Copper Decagram outside of the Feri lineage
known as Vicia; the lineage that worked directly with Victor prior to his passing. I have
mentioned it here based on personal conversations that I have had with Vicia members.
5. This was true of how I was initially taught, but not all lines of the tradition work in this
fashion. As stated before, there are many ways of working Feri authentically.
6. It is my understanding that when working with the Copper Decagram the Pearl point
of Liberty is used to distinguish it from the Iron point of Power, as they are used together
as part of the same symbol.

7. This particular bit of lore was presented to me as a part of my Feri training and so I
have assumed that it finds its origins somewhere in the Bloodrose lineage of our
tradition. I would be most interested to hear about the experiences of other practitioners
who decide to use this.