The Book of Correspondences: The Shapes

The Witchy Housewife’s

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The Book of Correspondences: The Shapes

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Basic Shapes | Platonic Solids | Sacred Geometry | Sacred Symbols

Basic Shapes

Points & Lines

When breaking any figure down to its bare frame, it always comes down to an organized series of points and lines. Points alone have no form; they are merely potential. It is the seed from which everything emerges – the unmanifested oneness which exists before duality arises. Therefore, a point on its own represents the Divine Feminine Khaos. On the other hand, a line moving from point to point is organization. It is what gives the points a form. It is the Divine Masculine Kosmos. These forms only work together, as a point without a line has no form and a line without a point has no direction. Thus, together, a point and a line is Divine Creation in action, and it creates the building blocks of all shapes which emerge from it.

Circle

The circle (from Proto-Indo-European (s)ker-, “to bend, turn”) is a cornerless two-dimensional shape associated with protection, wholeness, enlightenment, sanctity, and cycles and is connected to the energies of both Sol and Luna and Aither. Pythagoras called it the most perfect of creative forms and associated it with the number 1. Though, since it is also a form without beginning or end, it may also therefore be associated with the number 0. In this way, it becomes the building block of all things: Khaos and Kosmos in perfect alchemical union. In its three-dimensional form, the circle manifests as a sphere or cylinder (a circle and a rectangle), the latter which functions like a pillar or wall.

In magick, they are most commonly used for containing the energy within and prevent external energy from entering into it, which is why you will often see circles in protection workings or wrapped around completed sigils. You’ll notice the use of circles as portals between realms and as halos, circular refractions of divine light which denote divinity. It emphasizes, amplifies, and blesses that which is held within it but may also fall under the temporary domain of whomever oversees it.

When opening a circle about yourself or your space, you move deosil (clockwise, with the motion of the celestial bodies), creating a column of energy between all planes, with yourself at the center. Traditionally, this circle would be 9 feet in diameter or 10 feet in diameter with an 8-foot concentric circle, creating a ring for symbols, words, or items to be placed. Once you’ve completed your ritual, it’s important to properly close the circle moving widdershins (counterclockwise), lest you be left with a broken circle, which could cause a number of issues both for your working and for the energies in your home. It should also be noted that if you are in the southern hemisphere, the movements during the opening and closing of the circles should be reversed to account for the motion of the celestial bodies from your neck of the woods.

Some variations on the circle:
• A circle containing an equal-armed cross becomes a symbol of all four energetic elements in Divine union, and thus, it becomes a symbol of the planet Earth. This is also the most common depiction of the Solar Cross.
• A circle containing an equal-armed cross positioned diagonally becomes neutralizing and purifying, which helps to return an energy to its initial state, unafflicted by external influence.
• A circle containing another concentric circle which forms the appearance of a thick ring symbolizes charisma and communication, thus you’ll see it used often in the creation of talismans, sigils, and ritual circles.

Triangle

The triangle (from Latin triangulus, “three-cornered”) is a three-cornered two-dimensional shape associated with manifestation, conjuration, evocation, communication, and connection and is connected to the energies of Fire and Mercury. Pythagoras associated it with the number 3, a number which manifests frequently in the realms of mythology, religion, and esotericism. In its three-dimensional form, the triangle manifests as a cone (a triangle and a circle), pyramid (a triangle and a square), or tetrahedron.

In magick, they are most commonly used to call, conjure, or otherwise summon someone or something forth. Interestingly, the orientation of a triangle can also have an influence on its energetic properties. When pointing upward, it maintains its traditional masculine properties, but when the orientation is reversed, the properties become more feminine in nature. You may wish to use an inverted triangle in the case of emotional conjuration rather than physical conjuration, for example.

Some variations on the triangle:
• The Tetraktys, also called the Mystic Tetrad, is a triangle made up of four rows of connected points: Four on the bottom row, three on the third row, two on the second row, and one on the top row – making a total of ten points. It is an arrangement which is considered to encompass all elements and all dimensions, and it is associated strongly with the musica universalis, the harmony of the Kosmos, and the ascent to the Divine. In early Kabbalah practices, it may have been connected to the Tetragrammaton, the four-letter theonym of God. The Tetraktys was so important to the Pythagoreans, that they would swear oaths by it. A prayer by the Pythagoreans is as follows:
◦ “Bless us, divine number, thou who generated gods and men! O holy, holy Tetraktys, thou that containest the root and source of the eternally flowing creation! For the divine number begins with the profound, pure unity until it comes to the holy four; then it begets the mother of all, the all-comprising, all-bounding, the first-born, the never-swerving, the never-tiring holy ten, the keyholder of all.”
• The Triangle of Art is special 3-foot triangle from the Lesser Key of Solomon made with the intention of manifesting visibility of the invisible and coaxing the dark and hidden into the light. This triangle is made equilateral with black lines and a white interior and labeled with three names of God in red: ‘Tetragrammaton/YHVH/Adonai’ on its right (representing the four-letter theonym of God or, in the case of Adonai, meaning ‘God the Master’), ‘Anaphaxeton/Arpheton/Tsebaoth’ on its left (meaning ‘God of the Heavenly Host’, referring to the martial aspect of God), and ‘Primeumaton/Elohim’ at its base (meaning ‘First Name of God’). Its inner corners are then labeled in black, starting at the bottom left corner and moving clockwise, ‘Mi’, ‘ch’, and ‘el’ (meaning ‘like unto God’). This is the name of Archangel Michael, a protector and advocate of humanity. Finally, a central green circle is placed within the triangle, which would then hold in place whatever may be conjured within it.
◦ One of the more famous incidents involving the Triangle of Art happened in Algeria in 1909 when Aleister Crowley and Victor Neuberg summoned the demon Choronzon who then escaped the triangle and attacked Neurberg. They were able to subdue him sometime thereafter.

Square

The square (from Proto-Indo-European kwetwer-, “four”) is a four-cornered two-dimensional shape associated with stability, structure, practicality, grounding, and the material realm and is connected to the energies of Jupiter and Earth. Pythagoras connected it to all things Gaian, considered it representative of the human Psykhe, and associated it with the number 4. Platon associated it with the theory that all knowledge is prior known by the Psykhe and that the process of learning is simply a process of remembering. In its three-dimensional form, the square manifests as a cube.

In magick, they are excellent tools for grounding, worldly manifestation work, and bringing people together in a way that feels warm, safe, and organized. It would also make a decent tool for binding, given that your goal for doing so is just. The idea of a “town square” is probably the most practical and well-known example of the shape’s use to maintain a particular energy in a place.

Some variations on the square:
• Turned on its side, it becomes a diamond or rhombus, which serves to amplify the energetic intent placed upon it. Further, because of our subconscious association with the word ‘diamond’, it’s become a wonderful tool for financial manifestation.
• When stretched out, it becomes a rectangle but still bears about the same energy as the square, if not perhaps a bit less balanced given its altered proportions.
• If you were to draw two diagonal lines within a square attached to each of its points, you would get the Cross – one of the oldest known spiritual symbols. In connecting each point of the square, you effectively create a Crossroads between the elements and realms. The cross is, therefore, a symbol of threshold. With equal-length arms, it is known as a Solar Cross, a symbol of Sol also depicted within a square, amplifying those energies of victory and justice which the Jupiterian square already represented. Alongside the grounding energies of the square, the Cross is very useful in centering work.

Pentagon

The pentagon (from Greek pentagonos, “five-cornered”) is a five-cornered two-dimensional shape associated with intention, spiritual growth, transformation, the journey of the self, and the macrocosm reflected in the microcosm and is connected to the energies of Mars and Earth. All elements, however – including Aither – are represented in this shape, however. Pythagoras associated it with Hygeia, the Golden Ratio, and the number 5. In its three-dimensional form, the pentagon manifests as a pentahedron, pentagonal prism, or as the faces of a dodecahedron.

In magick, it is perfect for any working embodying the principle of “as above, so below” and is a very well-rounded symbol for manifestation, protection, and growth – particularly when represented as a pentagram. Further, I tend to associate the pentagon specifically with the generic shape of a house, so I’ll often use it in visualization or sigil work for warding the home.

Some variations on the pentagon:
• If you were to reflect the points of the pentagon internally, you would get the pentagram – a symbol which has appeared at least as far back as 4000 BC in Mesopotamia. Like the pentagon, the pentagram embodies the physical and spiritual realms in balance. It also, however, comes to resemble the human body with limbs outstretched, which puts emphasis on humanity’s natural place within the Kosmos.
• When a circle is drawn around the pentagram, it becomes the pentacle, a very prominent symbol in Wicca and in witchcraft at large. The circle, as we know, becomes both a protective shield and a focal point. This is the human in balance in sacred space.
• When the topmost point of the pentagon is pointed down, it creates an inversion of energy which places the self above Divinity and, thus, becomes a more self-serving symbol. Likewise, you will see the inverted pentagram associated with rebellion, darker workings, and the pursuit of personal power.

Hexagon

The hexagon (from Greek hexagonos, “six-cornered”) is a six-cornered two-dimensional shape associated with alchemy, the energy body, spiritual community, the classical planets in balance, and the microcosm reflected in the macrocosm and is connected to the energies of Sol and Fire. You’ll notice it most commonly in the natural world in the form of honeycombs, which really puts an emphasis on the idea of everyone and everything having a part to play in keeping the greater reality in balance. If one does not play their part, the structure becomes compromised. Pythagoras associated it with the number 6. In its three-dimensional form, the triangle manifests as the icosahedron or the hexagonal prism.

In magick, it is best used, I feel, to either maintain order or to explore how that order works in the greater reality. This makes it an excellent tool for developing the subtle senses and for facilitating explorations of and with the energy body – even better if you utilize it in the form of the Merkabah.

There is also an interesting relationship worth mentioning between the hexagon and Saturn, given the hexagonal storm which exists at its pole. In the context of Saturnian religious works, you will often see the hexagon presented in the form of a black cube rotated toward one corner. This then becomes a symbol of binding, which Saturn does hold domain over. Intuitively, though, I think there is a large overarching symbol here for spiritual warfare – the battle between Zeus and Kronos, between expansion and death. Thus, it becomes a symbol that’s energy can inverted depending on implementation.

Some variations on the hexagon:
• The hexagram forms when internally reflecting each point within the hexagon, and it serves to further emphasize the harmony of the Divine as the triangle pointed upward comes to represent the Divine Masculine and the triangle pointed downward comes to represent the Divine Feminine. You will notice this symbol is associated in modern times with the Star of David (named for King David), which may have derived from the identical Seal of Solomon (which grants the power to command spiritual forces) or, perhaps, even older symbols of Islamic mysticism.
• When one attempts to draw the hexagram unicursally, you get the pseudo-hexagram, which places an emphasis of Sol and Luna’s rule over the four directional elements. This, again, emphasizes the alchemical nature of the hexagon and hexagon-derivatives.

Heptagon

This section is coming soon. I hope to have the entire Witchipedia completed before the end of this year. Thank you for your patience as I move my notes from my personal grimoire to the digital grimoire on this website. 💜