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PENTAGRAM
THE MEANING OF THE PENTAGRAM
The Pentagram dates back to antiquity. The Pentagram in its present
form was received by the Master in 1898. He later presented and explained
it to his disciples (1910 – 1922).
What is the Pentagram? It is the Path to True Life, the Path of
the disciple. It is a symbol of the fi ve Great Principles: Love, Wisdom,
Truth, Justice and Virtue. Each Principle has a corresponding color: pink
for Love, yellow for Wisdom, blue for Truth, orange for Justice, and green
for Virtue*. These are fi ve qualities that we need to develop in order
to perfect ourselves. It is a symbol of a man in motion, the Cosmic Man.
The top of the Pentagram represents the head; the two points which are
to the sides – the arms; and the two downward facing points – the legs.
The Pentagram consists of three parts: the outer circle, an inner
part and the center which, taken together, represent the path of the human
soul to perfection. These parts are explained as follows in the way that
they were given by the Master, Beinsa Douno.
THE OUTER CIRCLE OF THE PENTAGRAM
The outer circle represents the path of man at the beginning of his spiritual
development. The outer circle is expressed in the fi ve pictures which
will be explained in their respective order.
First Picture – The Sword
The outer circle begins with the sword. The sword represents the path
of violence and force, a primitive and egoistic force which serves only
the individual or small group, but not all people. Man is a young and
inexperienced soul and uses force and injustice without thinking about
the consequences. He has not learned, and does not know, the Law of karma.
Second Picture – The Cup
However, he who uses force in the world must learn his lesson, sooner
or later. It is the Law: violence begets violence. This bitter cup symbolizes
the suffering that results from causing suffering to others. Suffering
is a method through which the human soul is awakened. Through suffering,
man begins to understand that oppression and injustice are not methods
to be used. It is through suffering that man learns. Perhaps man does
not always see the relationship between violence and the suffering which
follows. After man dies and passes into the world beyond, he will then
clearly see this connection and will make a decision that when he returns
to earth, he will lead a better life. And in this way, he will avoid suffering.
Suffering has a second meaning. An occult Law exists, according to which,
suffering is transformed into Love. The suffering that humankind endures
is in preparation for the new Man to come, the Man of Love. The Master
gave the following comparison: when one churns the milk, butter is the
result. In this case, the butter symbolizes Love. Suffering is a temporary
phenomenon in life. The time will come when suffering will disappear,
because that which is causing it will disappear.
Suffering has a third meaning: the new Ideas come from the Sun. Man cannot
perceive them if his organism is not refi ned. This takes place through
suffering. There is another Law which states: suffering always precedes
the birth of a new Idea in man. In the future, when man’s organism has
become more refi ned, suffering will not be necessary. That is why the
Master calls suffering the Whip in the raised Hand of God.
Third Picture – The Book
Through suffering man begins to study the Book of Life in order to learn
the Laws of Life and obey them. But at this stage, he is still at the
beginning of his awakening – he has only read the fi rst lessons in the
Book of Life.
Probably he does not always see the connection between the violence he
has employed and the suffering that comes afterwards. And yet, by learning
in this manner, he educates himself, becomes more illuminated and more
conscious.
Fourth Picture – The Candle
By reading the Book of Life and the whole of Nature, man comes to enlightenment.
The candle represents the man who thinks. In the process of this thinking,
he is already coming into the Light of Life, because to think rightly
means to shine. Therefore, he now understands where he is going and what
he is doing. In the Pentagram, this phase in his development is symbolized
by the candle.
New light illuminates man’s consciousness. He becomes the candle, the
light. Through this light, man begins to see the greatness and the beauty
of the Divine Plan which leads from darkness to Light, from slavery to
Freedom, from imperfection to Perfection, from sinfulness to Purity and
from ignorance to Knowledge.
Fifth Picture – The Scepter
By reading the Book of Life and his illumination, man gains the ability
to control himself and attains self-mastery. This is the scepter.
The Master says, “Man needs to become a king – a king over himself that
he may master himself.” The scepter indicates that Man has gained a certain
self-control. He can now restrain his lower nature: he learns how to control
and rule it. The scepter has another meaning as well. In this stage, man
learns how to manipulate certain powers and forces in Nature, how to make
use of them.
With this, the outer circle of man’s development is completed. The outer
circle represents the life and the path of the worldly man. As it is shown
in the Pentagram, the first five pictures – the sword, the cup, the Book,
the candle and the scepter – are outside of the five-pointed star. This
indicates that man must pass through this stage, before he becomes a disciple.
The entering into the Pentagram itself marks the true beginning of discipleship.
THE INNER PART OF THE PENTAGRAM
After having passed through the outer circle man enters into the inner
part of the Pentagram. He is already consciously working upon himself,
working for his upliftment and perfection. The path of the disciple begins
upon entering this part of the Pentagram.
Until now, the outer life has infl uenced him without his conscious participation.
Now he takes his evolution into his own hands. This indicates the entrance
into the School. Man consciously begins to work upon the development of
the Divine Virtues which characterize the perfect Man. An English writer
said the following, “When I see that a man works upon himself for his
perfection, I am fi lled with reverence. I feel that I am beholding something
great. All ephemeral works fade before it.”
Here again, there are fi ve steps in the development of man’s inner life.
Each step is illustrated by a symbol. At the beginning of each line of
the Pentagram, there is a picture followed by a line in which the name
of the virtue is described.
First Picture – The Staircase with Broad Steps Leading to a Door
From the moment when man has kindled the light of his mind and has attained
the scepter of wisdom, the fi rst – the worldly – cycle of his development
is fi nished, and he enters the second cycle – the spiritual one – the
Path of the Disciple. This marks the beginning of the spiritual trials.
When man is at the beginning of his Path of evolution, he is given trials
which he is capable of withstanding easily. More diffi cult tests will
be commensurate with his increased abilities. That is why the fi rst picture
is of stairs which are easy to climb.
These tests are of various types, similar to those encountered in human
life. Three examples are given.
If man encounters hardships – big or small – or obstacles and adversities
which life presents and loses his courage, inner peace, composure and
becomes depressed, he has failed the test. Another example: one loses
something valuable. For example, he has performed scientifi c investigations
for 20 years and has presented them in a scientifi c work which has been
lost. Without batting an eye, he must continue as if nothing has happened.
To retain his presence of mind and his composure signifi es that he has
passed the test. Third example: if you pass by a person who is suffering,
and you experience an impulse to help, but disregard it and continue on
your way – you have failed the test.
During this stage of the disciple’s development, Truth begins to dawn.
What is the signifi cance of the dawning of Truth? God is Truth; therefore,
the dawning of Truth indicates the beginning of an awareness of God. The
disciple receives an impulse to follow God’s Path, to obey God’s Laws
and to carry out God’s Will. This is only a glimpse of the dawning of
Truth – the disciple will come to know Truth in its fullness after he
has passed through Love and Wisdom.
Second Picture – The Teacher
The second picture represents the Teacher whom the disciple meets. The
beginning of the connection with your Teacher is represented by the fi
gure of Christ as the Christ Consciousness. When the disciple enters this
phase of his development, Christ’s Spirit begins to work upon him. But
this is still the beginning and not the full manifestation of the Christ
Consciousness within man. The Spirit of Christ begins to guide man from
within and he changes gradually. In this phase of development, the disciple
gradually enters the Path of Justice and Equality.
What is Justice? Justice or Equality has a deeper meaning than the one
that is given today by the science of law. Man manifests Justice when
he respects and honors everything that is alive in the world – the oxen,
the sheep, all creatures – because God lives within them. There is a Divine
Plan for their future and by insulting an animal, you insult the Law of
Divine Justice. On the other hand, Justice signifi es that all the bounties
that God provides should be equally distributed among all living beings
within a society. The third meaning of Justice is that every man is given
a certain credit at his birth. Whatever the being – it receives credit
from the Invisible World. The society must give him all those conditions
that are required for his development. If this is followed, then the Law
of Justice is observed.
At this stage of his development, the disciple learns to live according
to the Law of Justice. In the future, he will make his fi rst steps in
this direction, and along with his progress, he will gradually come to
know the depth and true essence of Justice.
Third Picture – The Steep, Stony Path Leading to a Narrow Door
In this phase of his development, the disciple begins to encounter more
diffi cult and serious trials. This is indicated in the Pentagram by the
steep and stony pathway. His feet will bleed while he climbs the path
to the building. The door of the building is narrow. Here the words of
Christ are valid: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate; for many,
I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:24
Here are a few examples of these diffi cult trials:
One trial is to have Love for your enemies. When someone is your enemy
and causes you harm, you should not become embittered and unforgiving
but begin loving him. The Master says that Love for your enemy is one
of the most diffi cult tasks. There is a Law which states: True forgiveness
exists when you apply Love towards the person you forgive. Who is Great?
Those who have Love for God.
Another example: If a disciple becomes tempted by the thirst for power,
fame and wealth, and strives to acquire them, he becomes unfaithful to
his beliefs and to his relationship with God. He has failed his trial.
Third example: When suffering befalls you such as a serious illness or
other hardship, you should not become discouraged and lose faith, but
rather preserve your Peace and Joy, knowing that everything is for the
good. This is the trial of Job. Every disciple will inevitably face the
trial of Job along his ascent. This is the trial required to receive Initiation.
The trial of Job is the greatest in this phase of discipleship.
One of the Master’s followers asked him, “Is not our suffering similar
to the trial of Job?” The Master replied, “No, your suffering is only
the suffering of an actor who is playing a role on the stage.”
In the ancient esoteric schools, the disciple was required to pass through
various trials purposely created by his Teachers. Today, when life is
so complicated and manyfaceted, there is rarely the need of artifi cially
created trials – life itself presents them.
After the disciple passes through the trials, he is purifi ed and ready
to embrace Love.
Fourth Picture – The Eye
The eye symbolizes Wisdom. The disciple now has a better outlook, and
receives Divine Wisdom. When he was in the outer circle, he received only
superfi cial knowledge, but now he enters into the Realm of Divine Wisdom.
The portals to the Temple of Wisdom are now opened to him. These gates
open only to the Man of Love – only to whom The keys of Higher Knowledge
are entrusted – the Knowledge of the Great Divine Science.
Why? Because he will not misuse this Knowledge for personal purposes,
but will use it to serve God and others. If this Knowledge was entrusted
to a person before passing through Love, he would misuse it and bring
great misfortune not only upon himself but upon the others around him
as well.
Fifth Picture – The Tree of Life
When the disciple has attained Love and Wisdom, then comes the Tree of
Life, which means that his life gives fruit and Virtue comes. He understands
that the meaning of life is to serve God, to accomplish good deeds. What
does it mean to do good deeds? This means to give food to at least one
person, to help at least one poor person – this brings meaning to life.
What does Virtue imply? Love, Wisdom, Truth and Justice – all these are
virtues.
The word Virtue is used in its broader as well as in its narrower meaning.
In its broader meaning Virtue includes all virtues, and in the narrower
sense – good actions, doing good, and in the even narrower – serving God.
He who serves God has Virtue within himself.
The greatest good that man can achieve is to serve God. Therefore, at
this stage of life, the disciple is enlightened and comes to know that
the only thing which can give meaning to life is the fulfi llment of God’s
Will and serving Him.
The Master says, “To act according to Love is already serving God. When
you manifest Love, you serve God.”
The highest form of such service is to show others the way to God, to
assist in the awakening of their consciousness, that they may come to
know God and begin to do the work themselves.
THE CENTER OF THE PENTAGRAM
After passing through the outer circle and the inner part of the Pentagram,
the disciple enters the center of the Pentagram. This is the Path that
leads to Perfection, to Eternal Life, to Immortality. This is the Path
to absolute self-negation, complete devotion to God’s Work and service
to humanity. In this phase of his development, the disciple passes through
the most diffi cult and terrible tests. Here is the Divine Center, in
which man merges with God, in which man still maintains his identity as
the human soul [merges] with God.
In order to reach this Divine Center, man must pass through one
great test: the test of Golgotha in which he must pass through Calvary.
In the center, we fi nd two intertwined serpents. This indicates that
man must overcome his lower nature, transform it and transcend his personal
life. On this path, the disciple will pass through the greatest suffering.
He will be left alone as if everyone had deserted him, as if everything
had vanished: all his aspirations and hopes will have been in vain as
if everything was lost. Great is the darkness around him; he passes through
a dark tunnel. At this moment, he thinks that he is abandoned, but many
Beings of Light watch over him. They are anxious for him not to fail this,
the most arduous of all tests. If, at this moment, he becomes discouraged
and his spirit fails, then he has failed the test. But if, at this crowning
moment, he realizes that in spite of the fact that he is abandoned, there
is One who always loves him and who is always with him, who is God – then
he has passed the trial. At this moment he Realizes that his only support
is God. If he achieves this revelation, then he enters into the New Life
of Bliss, Joy, Light and Freedom. He has become one of the Immortals and
has fi nished his human phase of evolution. This is the trial that leads
to Resurrection.
In the center of the Pentagram, there is a circle which man must pass
through.
These two, the trial of Job and the trial of Golgotha, are the most
diffi cult trials of the disciple before he has completed his development
and enters into the Life of Immortality.
All these trials through which the disciple passes are necessary.
Through them he develops his mind, his heart and strengthens his will.
On the other hand, these trials which are accomplished through suffering,
purify his lower nature. All of his worldly thoughts, feelings and impulses
burn in the fi re through which he passes. They have been obstacles to
the manifestation of the Divine. Now the Divine, his Higher Nature can
reveal itself.
Within the Pentagram, three letters are inscribed in Bulgarian:
“”, “Ó”, “Æ”. These initials are the fi rst letters of the Slavic words:
Veliko Ouchilishte na Zhivota which means, “The Great School of Life.”
In the School of Life, man learns from his experiences. Everything that
man encounters fosters his learning, advancement and the development of
his capabilities and virtues. Through his experience, man develops his
mind, his heart and he strengthens his will. He learns and receives something
from every man that he meets, because every man is a specifi c manifestation
of God. By communing with each man that he encounters, he comes into contact
with the Divine that is at work within this person. He learns not only
from his contact with people, but also with things such as fl owers, trees,
stars, mountains and rivers. Everything that surrounds him has a specifi
c infl uence on him, and in this way, he develops new aspects of himself.
Obstacles and diffi culties strengthen his will and make him think of
a way to overcome them. This is the meaning of the words Veliko Ouchilishte
na Zhivota (“The Great School of Life”).
The letter “” in the Pentagram also stands for Master or Heavenly
Leader. “Ó” is the fi rst letter of the word for Teacher. In other words
we have a Leader and a Teacher of Life. These are the letters of Christ
who is the leader of the Universal Brotherhood of Light. For all those
who are willing to serve God, the fi rst precept that we need to follow
is written in the surrounding circle of the Pentagram: V izpulnenie Volyata
na Boga e silata na choveshkata dousha (“In the fulfi llment of the Will
of God lies the power of the human soul”). These are extremely important
words, and if we pronounce them with great concentration, we can experience
an extremely powerful infl uence.
According to the esoteric science, the circle represents the favorable
conditions in which a human being is placed. Man’s life, as it is described
in the Pentagram, is surrounded by this circle which indicates: in his
progress on the path to Perfection, he will be placed in favorable conditions.
God’s Providence, the Advanced Beings and God Himself are with him to
help and support him. Throughout his life, he will always feel the guidance
of the Invisible World.
When the disciple has progressed in the Great School of Life and has passed
through all obstacles which are presented in the Pentagram, the maxim:
“In the fulfi llment of the Will of God lies the power of the human soul,”
becomes his guiding star. This is the fi nal goal, the end result of the
entire path which has been traveled. This is what has been gained from
the journey. This is the crowning achievement.
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PENTAGRAM
Music: Pentagram (Barhan Berou) – 80 measures, repeated fi ve times, a
total of 400 measures.
Starting position
All participants are arranged in groups of ten. Each group which consists
of two parallel rows with fi ve participants in a line performs independently.
Both rows of the group are turned to face the same direction (fi gure
1). Arms in front of the chest, palms down and elbows horizontally to
the sides.
The participants in the Pentagram
represent Cosmic Man. The middle pair (numbers 3 and 8) is the “head”;
numbers 2 and 7, 4 and 9 are the “legs” and the end numbers 1 and 6, 5
and 10 are called “arms”.
Together the “head” (3 and 8), and the “arms” (1 and 6; 5 and 10) are
called triad.
Movement sequence
1. All participants take 8 steps forwards (two steps in one measure).
At each step of the right foot the hands open horizontally to the sides
and at each step with the left foot they return back in front of the chest,
palms down.
2. The triad (1 and 6; 3 and 8, 5 and 10) proceeds with 8 more steps forwards
with the same movements of the hands as described above. The “legs” (2
and 7; 4 and 9) stay in place moving their arms simultaneously with the
triad.
3. The “head” (3 and 8) continues to move forwards 8 more steps with the
same movements of the arms. The “legs” (2 and 7; 4 and 9) and the “arms”
(1 and 6; 5 and 10) remain in place continuing the arm movements as before.
After these movements the participants are in the positions as shown in
figure 2.
4. The next 8 steps are used to
make adjustments and form the Pentagram. At the same time arms continue
the same movements to the sides and returning to the chest as before.
During this leveling the participants in each couple turn to face the
center of the Pentagram and to position one behind the other. The participants
in the “head” (3 and 8) turn to the center always moving to the right.
The final positioning is shown in figure 3.
5. With the Pentagram already formed, an exchange of places follows. The
inside performer from each pair moves forwards to the left in an arc like
movement and takes the place of the outside member of the couple omitting
one couple to the left (figure 3).
At the same time the outside participants take two steps forwards to take
the emptied space by the inside partner.
All this takes 16 steps while the arms of all participants continue to
move to the sides and back to the chest.
This is illustrated with the arrows on Fig. 3. For example: 1 takes the
place of 10
4 takes the place of 6
2 takes the place of 8
5 takes the place of 7
3 takes the place of 9*
At the same time:
10 takes the place of 5
9 takes the place of 4
7 takes the place of 2
6 takes the place of 1
8 takes the place of 3*
6. This exchange is repeated with the new inside and outside participants.
In this way the members of the original couples are together again. This
takes another 16 steps.
At the end of movement 6 the participants are arranged as shown on figure
4.
With the exchange of the couples,
now the Pentagram has for the “head” 2 and 7, for “arms” 4 and 9; 1 and
6, and for “legs” 5 and 10; 3 and 8.
7. The participants prepare to resume the parallel line formation. In
this part all turn to face the general direction by revolving around each
other similar to step 4 so that the lower numbered member of each group
is again to the front.
At the same time the “legs” (5 and 10; 3 and 8) move forward and in 8
steps (4 measures) come in line with the two “arms”, i.e. They place themselves
between 4 and 9; 1 and 6.
The four couples form two parallel lines: the inner partners are on the
first row and the outer – on the second.
The arms of all move continuously to the sides and back to the chest.
8. The four couples continue moving and in 8 steps reach the “head”. The
arms of all make the same movements. The five couples line up radially
in two rows (figure 5).
9. All start marching forwards,
32 steps altogether (16 measures). The arms make full circles in front
of the face and the body, palms outwards. With the first step, the arms
make wide circular movements, starting from below, then pass in front
of the body, rise up above the head with fingers touching. Then arms descend
completely to the sides of the body without touching it and resume the
circle up – fluently and without interruption.
When hands are in upper position, the right foot steps and when hands
are down - the left foot steps.
After finishing the march, the exercise begins again and is repeated five
time altogether.
In this way each couple becomes in turn “head”, left and right “arm”,
left and right “leg”. At the end the starting position is resumed.
The parallel rows of the groups of ten should be arranged radially in
a circle and the distance between them kept constant. The radial position
of each row towards the center should stay constant as well; therefore
the partners on the inner part of the row take smaller steps compared
to the outer.
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