THE FIRST PENTACLE OF THE SUN
From the Clavicula Salomonis — the Key of Solomon
Among all the talismans described in the grimoire tradition, few carry the gravity of the First Pentacle of the Sun. It appears in the Clavicula Salomonis — the Key of Solomon — one of the most influential texts of the Western esoteric tradition, copied, studied, and transmitted throughout Europe for centuries. This is not a talisman of protection, fortune, or romance. It is something far more fundamental: an instrument of authority.
What Is the First Pentacle of the Sun?
At the center of the seal gazes a bearded face, framed by radiating light — the countenance of divine intelligence, the solar principle made visible. Flanking it are two Hebrew names of God: Shaddai (שדי), the Almighty, and El (אל), one of the most ancient divine names in the Hebrew tradition. Above appears the six-pointed Seal of Solomon. Encircling the image is the Latin inscription:
Ecce faciem et figuram ejus per quem omnia facta et cui omnes obediunt creaturae.
“Behold the face and figure of Him by whom all things were made, and to whom all creatures are obedient.”
In the Mathers edition of the Key of Solomon, the central figure is associated with Metatron, the “Prince of the Countenance” — an angelic being linked with divine presence and celestial authority. Whether interpreted literally or symbolically, the image represents the ordering principle through which divine will manifests in creation.
The inscription is the heart of the pentacle’s function. It is not a prayer. It is a declaration — a statement of cosmic hierarchy inscribed into the talisman itself.
What Is It Used For?
In the classical grimoire tradition, the First Pentacle of the Sun was employed to bring resistant, chaotic, or opposing forces into a state of order and obedience. While other talismans may petition for assistance, this pentacle is traditionally associated with the language of command.
The practitioner acts not as a supplicant, but as an agent of divine order.
Historically, its applications included:
— Commanding spirits to appear and obey during ceremonial operations
— Establishing authority in situations of conflict or resistance
— Clearing ritual space of disruptive or hostile influences
— Opening significant solar workings with the affirmation of sacred hierarchy
The Sun in traditional magic governs consciousness, will, authority, clarity, honor, and the vital force itself. The First Pentacle represents the Sun in its most sovereign aspect — not its warmth and generosity, but its rule.
The Ritual
Work with this pentacle traditionally follows the protocols outlined in the Clavicula Salomonis. It is performed on a Sunday, ideally during the planetary hour of the Sun.
Preparation
The grimoires emphasize that the condition of the practitioner forms the foundation of the work. Before beginning, purify yourself according to your tradition — through bathing, prayer, meditation, or contemplation. Set aside distraction and conflicting intentions.
You are not entering a casual exchange. You are stepping into a ritual space centered upon authority, and your inner state should reflect the clarity and discipline that this demands.
Establishing the Space
Place the pentacle upon the altar or working surface.
This act is not merely practical. It marks the transition between ordinary space and sacred space — the moment in which the declaration inscribed upon the seal becomes the focal point of the operation.
The Invocation
Facing the pentacle, recite the inscription aloud in Latin, English, or both:
Ecce faciem et figuram ejus per quem omnia facta et cui omnes obediunt creaturae.
“Behold the face and figure of Him by whom all things were made, and to whom all creatures are obedient.”
Within the classical grimoire tradition, these words serve not as a request but as an affirmation of divine order. The practitioner acknowledges that true authority originates beyond the individual self and flows through the established hierarchy of creation.
The Command
Once the invocation has been completed, clearly state the purpose of the working.
Traditionally, the language employed in solar operations is direct rather than supplicatory. The intention is expressed with precision, confidence, and responsibility.
Modern practitioners may adapt this stage according to their own spiritual framework. Some employ formal commands; others frame their intention as an alignment with justice, clarity, and rightful order.
Whatever form is chosen, the emphasis remains the same: conscious will directed with integrity.
Closing the Work
This final stage is among the most important — and one the grimoires repeatedly emphasize.
When the intention has been stated, formally conclude the operation. A traditional license to depart may be spoken:
“Go in peace, keeping peace, and be ready to come when called. The work is sealed. So it is.”
The pentacle is then deliberately covered, folded, or returned to its place of safekeeping.
The operation is complete.
A Note on Materials
The Clavicula Salomonis teaches that planetary pentacles should ideally be fashioned from materials corresponding to the nature of the planet they represent. For the Sun, this material is gold — the metal traditionally associated with sovereignty, illumination, vitality, and divine authority.
The grimoire also permits the use of virgin parchment or virgin paper — materials that are new, pure, and reserved exclusively for sacred purposes. For many practitioners, consecrated paper remains an entirely appropriate choice, particularly for temporary workings, personal study, or when access to precious materials is limited.
For those intending to work regularly with the First Pentacle of the Sun, natural cotton cloth provides an excellent ritual support. Durable, organic, and capable of being folded and stored between workings, cotton lends itself naturally to repeated ceremonial use and the gradual accumulation of devotional practice over time. . A cloth printed with the complete seal of the First Pentacle of the Sun — ready to consecrate and use — is available here.
Ultimately, the power of the pentacle is not measured by extravagance of material but by the intention, discipline, and reverence brought to its creation and use. Gold represents the Sun in its most exalted form; paper offers a respected and accessible alternative; and cotton serves as a practical and enduring medium for those who wish to establish an ongoing relationship with the symbol.
Whatever material is chosen, it should be prepared thoughtfully, treated with respect, and reserved exclusively for sacred work.
The First Pentacle of the Sun stands among the most solemn instruments of the Western magical tradition. It rewards those who approach it with clarity of purpose, disciplined intention, and reverence for the responsibilities that accompany authority.
For within this tradition, to command is not an act of arrogance, but an act of stewardship — a recognition that true sovereignty begins with mastery of oneself.
