Pagan symbols, despite their centuries-old origins, have managed to find their way into everyday life. These symbols, often associated with various pagan religions and belief systems, carry deep meanings and serve as reminders of connection to nature and spirituality. One such symbol is the pentagram, a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle. Though commonly associated with witchcraft and occult practices, the pentagram actually has roots in various pagan traditions. Its upward-facing point represents the spirit reaching towards the divine, while the other four points represent the four elements - earth, water, air, and fire. You can often find the pentagram etched onto jewelry, clothing, and even home decor, symbolizing a person's belief in the divine and their connection to nature.
Available Patron Themes: Insanity, Occult, Stars, Transformation; 2nd—lesser confusion, 8th—dreadscape, 10th—compelling rant.
You gain the tongues hex at 1st level, but you cannot help but feel the despair, pain, and other negative emotions in those around you, taking a 5 penalty on saving throws against emotion effects. This both serves to give the game more TGTF appeal TG is implied in a lot of it but we don t usually depict it because it s past-tense, with one very notable exception and possibly tease you for future monster types since the chapter 3 monsters may well be on the poll.
You can often find the pentagram etched onto jewelry, clothing, and even home decor, symbolizing a person's belief in the divine and their connection to nature. Another pagan symbol often seen in everyday life is the triquetra, a knot-like design made up of three interconnected loops. Originating in Celtic and Norse cultures, the triquetra represents the concept of threes - such as past, present, and future or the three realms of earth, sea, and sky.
Witch Patrons
At 1st level, when a witch gains her familiar, she must also select a patron. This patron is a vague and mysterious force, granting the witch power for reasons that she might not entirely understand. While these forces need not be named, they typically hold influence over one of the following forces.
At 2nd level, and every two levels thereafter, a witch’s patron adds new spells to a witch’s list of spells known. These spells are also automatically added to the list of spells stored by the familiar. The spells gained depend upon the patron chosen. Each patron is listed by its theme. Its actual name is up to the GM and the witch to decide.
Patron Theme | Level | Source | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | ||
Agility | jump | cat’s grace | haste | freedom of movement | polymorph | mass cat’s grace | ethereal jaunt | animal shapes | shapechange | |
Ancestors | bless | aid | prayer | blessing of fervor | commune | greater heroism | refuge | euphoric tranquility | weird | |
Animals | charm animals | speak with animals | dominate animal | summon nature’s ally IV | animal growth | antilife shell | beast shape IV | animal shapes | summon nature’s ally IX | |
Aurora | color spray | hypnotic pattern | wall of nausea | rainbow pattern | blazing rainbow | programmed image | prismatic spray | prismatic wall | polar midnight | PPC:PotR |
Autumn | ray of enfeeblement | create pit | gentle repose | vitriolic mist | major creation | acid fog | caustic eruption | horrid wilting | wail of the banshee | PZO1140 |
Boundaries | protection from evil | see invisibility | magic circle against evil | dimensional anchor | control summoned creature | banishment | ethereal jaunt | dimensional lock | gate | ChoP |
Conspiracies | lock gaze | disguise other | tongues | hypercognition | dominate person | symbol of persuasion | vision | frightful aspect | overwhelming presence | PZO1135 |
Death | deathwatch | blessing of courage and life | speak with dead | rest eternal | suffocation | circle of death | finger of death | symbol of death | power word kill | |
Decadence | negative reaction | demand offering | sepia snake sigil | charm monster | dream | envious urge | waves of ecstasy | euphoric tranquility | symbol of strife | PZO1135 |
Deception | ventriloquism | invisibility | blink | confusion | passwall | programmed image | mass invisibility | scintillating pattern | time stop | |
Devotion | divine favor | martyr’s bargain | magic vestment | greater magic weapon | flame strike | mass bull’s strength | bestow grace of the champion | holy aura | mass heal | ChoP |
Dimensions | hold portal | rope trick | blink | dimensional anchor | lesser planar binding | planar binding | banishment | greater planar binding | gate | |
Elements | shocking grasp | flaming sphere | fireball | wall of ice | flame strike | freezing sphere | vortex | fire storm | meteor swarm | |
Enchantment | unnatural lust | calm emotions | unadulterated loathing | overwhelming grief | dominate person | geas | euphoric tranquility | demand | dominate monster | |
Endurance | endure elements | bear’s endurance | protection from energy | spell immunity | spell resistance | mass bear’s endurance | greater restoration | iron body | miracle | |
Entropy | lesser confusion | plague carrier | babble | wandering star motes | feeblemind | antimagic field | insanity | symbol of insanity | interplanetary teleport | PZO1135 |
Ethereal | detect undead | see invisibility | ectoplasmic snare* | condensed ether* | ethereal envelope* | ethereal jaunt | ectoplasmic eruption* | ethereal envelopment* | etherealness | PRG:OA |
Fate | doom | anticipate peril | helping hand | blessing of fervor | greater forbid action | contingency | jolting portent | maze | wish | PAP:72 |
Healing | remove fear | lesser restoration | remove disease | restoration | cleanse | pillar of life | greater restoration | mass cure critical wounds | true resurrection | |
Insanity | memory lapse | hideous laughter | distracting cacophony | confusion | mind fog | envious urge | insanity | symbol of insanity | overwhelming presence | |
Jynx | ill omen | shatter | bestow curse | retribution | mark of justice | eyebite | spell turning | antipathy | energy drain | PPPC:BotC |
Light | dancing lantern | continual flame | daylight | rainbow pattern | fire snake | sirocco | sunbeam | sunburst | fiery body | |
Mercy | cure light wounds | eagle’s splendor | remove curse | restoration | cleanse | heroes’ feast | foe to friend | euphoric tranquility | true resurrection | PPPC:BotC |
Mind | mindlink | mental block | mindscape door | create mindscape | psychic asylum | create mindscape (greater) | psychic surgery | moment of prescience | microcosm | PRG:OA |
Moon | darkness | darkvision | owl’s wisdom | moonstruck | aspect of the wolf | control water | lunar veil | horrid wilting | meteor swarm | |
Mountain | stone fist | stone call | stone shape | spike stones | wall of stone | flesh to stone | stone tell | repel metal or stone | clashing rocks | PZO9456 |
Nightmares | sleep | detect thoughts | oneiric horror | phantasmal killer | nightmare | dream travel | symbol of weakness | demand | polar midnight | PZO1135 |
Occult | detect undead | command undead | twilight knife | black tentacles | snake staff | create undead | waves of exhaustion | trap the soul | gate | |
Peace | sanctuary | calm emotions | wind wall | dismissal | serenity | word of recall | forcecage | euphoric tranquility | antipathy | ChoP |
Plague | detect undead | command undead | contagion | animate dead | giant vermin | create undead | control undead | create greater undead | energy drain | |
Plant | entangle | accelerate poison | lily pad stride | grove of respite | tree stride | repel wood | animate plants | control plants | shambler | PZO9456 |
Portents | ill-omen | locate object | blood biography | divination | contact other plane | legend lore | vision | moment of prescience | foresight | |
Protection | sanctuary | resist energy | wrathful mantle | stoneskin | interposing hand | forbiddance | greater spell immunity | prismatic wall | freedom | PPC:HotHC |
Recovery | liberating command | remove paralysis | sacred bond | freedom of movement | cleanse | heroes’ feast | joyful rapture | protection from spells | mass heal | PPC:HH |
Revenge | magic fang | slipstream | rage | moonstruck | beast shape III | vengeful outrage | phantasmal revenge | seamantle | storm of vengeance | PZO1135 |
Rot | decompose corpse | warp wood | fungal infestation | fleshworm infestation | plague carrier | epidemic | creeping doom | horrid wilting | cursed earth | PPPC:BotC |
Shadow | silent image | darkness | deeper darkness | shadow conjuration | shadow evocation | shadow walk | shadow conjuration (greater) | shadow evocation (greater) | shades | |
Space | mirror strike | twisted space | blink | dimension door | hostile juxtaposition | repulsion | walk through space | bilocation | teleportation circle | PZO1135 |
Spirits | ghostbane dirge | invisibility | speak with dead | spiritual ally | mass ghostbane dirge | shadow walk | ethereal jaunt | planar ally | etherealness | |
Spring | feather fall | alter self | pup shape | true form | lightning arc | chain lightning | control weather | stormbolts | time stop | PZO1140 |
Stars | faerie fire | dust of twilight | guiding star | wandering star motes | dream | cloak of dreams | circle of clarity | euphoric tranquility | astral projection | |
Storms | obscuring mist | fog cloud | call lightning | ice storm | call lightning storm | wind walk | control weather | whirlwind | storm of vengeance | PZO9456 |
Strength | divine favor | bull’s strength | greater magic weapon | divine power | righteous might | mass bull’s strength | giant form I | giant form II | shapechange | |
Summer | goodberry | flaming sphere | daylight | greater flaming sphere | wall of fire | sirocco | sunbeam | sunburst | fiery body | PZO1140 |
Thorns | thorn javelin | wrath | thorny entanglement | thorn body | wall of thorns | blade barrier | repulsion | mage’s sword | wooden phalanx | PZO1140 |
Time | ventriloquism | silence | haste | threefold aspect | teleport | disintegrate | expend | temporal stasis | time stop | |
Transformation | jump | bear’s endurance | beast shape I | beast shape II | beast shape III | form of the dragon I | form of the dragon II | form of the dragon III | shapechange | |
Trickery | animate rope | mirror image | major image | hallucinatory terrain | mirage arcana | mislead | reverse gravity | screen | time stop | |
Vengeance | burning hands | burning gaze | pain strike | shout | symbol of pain | mass pain strike | phantasmal revenge | incendiary cloud | winds of vengeance | |
Water | bless water/curse water | slipstream | water breathing | control water | geyser | elemental body III (water only) | elemental body IV (water only) | seamantle | tsunami | |
Winter | unshakable chill | resist energy (cold only) | ice storm | wall of ice | cone of cold | freezing sphere | control weather | polar ray | polar midnight | PZO1140 and PZO1117 |
Wisdom | shield of faith | owl’s wisdom | magic vestment | lesser globe of invulnerability | dream | greater globe of invulnerability | spell turning | protection from spells | mage’s disjunction | |
Woodlands | entangle | accelerate poison | lily pad stride | grove of respite | tree stride | repel wood | animate plants | control plants | shambler | PZO1140 |
Special Patrons
The following patrons swap out the spells normally provided by a patron theme at specific levels, and grant a specific hex and drawback at 1st level.
Once a specific patron has been selected, a witch cannot change her patron or raise a hand against that entity without losing her spellcasting, hexes, and familiar. These categories are limited in the patron themes they can provide; their witches must select from one of the four listed for each entry. These patrons are extraordinary examples of their kind, often invested with unique or mythic powers and pursuing long-term agendas measured in centuries or eons.
Celestial Agenda
While good deities and empyreal lords have organized faiths to carry out their wills, powerfully ranked agathions, angels, and archons—and occasional intersectional councils of good outsiders—sometimes invest white witches with celestial might to defend the weak and heal the sick.
You gain the ward hex at 1st level, but your patron holds you to a higher standard: you must be of good alignment, and you take a –2 penalty on Bluff, Intimidate, Sleight of Hand, and other skill checks to deceive or threaten others.
Available Patron Themes: Endurance, Healing, Light, Portents; 4th—castigate, 10th—rebuke, 16th—greater planar ally (good outsiders only).
The Condition of All
Aeons are often patrons to witches, seeking out mortals who share their vested interest in some agenda that helps them promote the cosmic balance.
You gain the scar hex at 1st level, but such service requires unwavering commitment to their cause, and you lose your spellcasting and hexes (but not your familiar) if your alignment changes after taking your first witch level; you regain your spellcasting and hexes once you revert to your original alignment.
Available Patron Themes: Elements, Time, Transformation, Wisdom; 2nd—forbid action, 8th—dismissal, 12th—geas/quest.
Empath
Your patron is a manifestation of the collective living experience—mortal desire and purpose given direction by the beliefs of countless minds and hearts.
You gain the tongues hex at 1st level, but you cannot help but feel the despair, pain, and other negative emotions in those around you, taking a –5 penalty on saving throws against emotion effects.
Available Patron Themes: Ancestors, Mind, Spirits, Wisdom; 2nd—burst of insight, 6th—analyze aura, 10th—retrocognition.
Fey Gifts
A powerful fey or other entity has offered you magic. You serve as an anchor and scrying focus in the Material Plane for your patron, but you also provide frequent amusement.
You gain the charm hex at 1st level, but your fey patron delights in your failure and injury and frequently jinxes you; once each day, the Gamemaster can demand you reroll a single ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check and use the worse result.
Available Patron Themes: Agility, Enchantment, Trickery, Winter; 2nd—disguise self, 4th—hideous laughter, 16th—irresistible dance.
Green Whispers
Your witch powers are bestowed by a representative of natural forces, such as an ancient treant or nature spirit, who expects you to wield such gifts on its behalf.
You gain the feral speech hex at 1st level, but you cannot abide the touch of iron or steel; contact with either metal deals 1d3 points of damage each round, and wearing metal armor prevents you from casting spells until it is removed.
Available Patron Themes: Animals, Endurance, Moon, Transformation; 2nd—entangle, 6th—plant growth, 10th—tree stride.
Hag’s Calling
Hags of exceptional power—most often mute hags and dreamthief hags—sometimes invest mortal agents with the same well of ancient power they have mastered. Hags most often invest their changeling daughters with such power, either once they have proven loyal or else to tempt them into wickedness.
You gain the coven hex at 1st level, but you can neither use the aid another action nor receive benefits from others’ aid another actions.
Available Patron Themes: Moon, Plague, Shadow, Vengeance; 2nd—disguise self, 8th—sending, 10th—commune (hag/patron rather than deity).
Infernal Contract
Your power was brokered from a powerful daemon, demon, or devil to speed the corruption and moral decay of mortals. When you die, your soul goes to Abaddon, the Abyss, or Hell, and you can’t be raised or resurrected except by extraordinary means—though bold service may earn you a favored position in damnation.
You gain the misfortune hex at 1st level, but your magic requires sacrifice; each day when you prepare spells, you must deal 1d6 points of damage to yourself as part of your infernal ritual, feeding the lost blood to your familiar. At 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter, this damage increases by 1d6.
Available Patron Themes: Enchantment, Strength, Trickery, Vengeance; 8th—lesser planar ally, 12th—planar ally, 16th—greater planar ally (your bonus spells can be used to summon only the type of outsider your patron represents).
Touched by the Outer Gods
Your powers hail from an incomprehensible being from beyond the stars, whose motivations and needs erode your psyche.
You gain the unnerve beasts hex at 1st level, but you take a –2 penalty on saving throws against confusion and emotion effects and are affected by such effects for at least 1 round even on a successful saving throw.
Available Patron Themes: Insanity, Occult, Stars, Transformation; 2nd—lesser confusion, 8th—dreadscape, 10th—compelling rant.
Shadowbound
Deep exposure to entities from the Plane of Shadow—kytons, nightshades, owbs, and similar ethereal forces—has infused you with shadow.
You gain the disguise hex at 1st level, but you also gain light blindness.
Available Patron Themes: Death, Deception, Ethereal, Shadow; 8th—shadow conjuration, 12th—shadow walk, 16th—greater shadow evocation.
3rd Party Witch Patrons
Section 15: Copyright NoticePathfinder Roleplaying Game: Ultimate Magic. © 2011, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors: Jason Bulmahn, Tim Hitchcock, Colin McComb, Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K Reynolds, Owen K.C. Stephens, and Russ Taylor.
Advanced Player’s Guide. Copyright 2010, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn.
Your patron is a manifestation of the collective living experience—mortal desire and purpose given direction by the beliefs of countless minds and hearts.
Today, the triquetra can be found in various forms, from tattoos and accessories to artwork and designs on book covers. Its presence reminds individuals of the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of balance in life. The tree of life is yet another pagan symbol that can be found in everyday life. Representing the interconnectedness of all living beings, the tree of life symbolizes growth, strength, and wisdom. It often appears in the form of jewelry, artwork, or even tattoos, serving as a reminder to individuals to stay grounded, nurture their connections with others, and seek wisdom from the natural world. Pagan symbols carry meaning and power for those who resonate with them. Through their presence in everyday life, these symbols provide a connection to ancient beliefs and serve as a reminder of the importance of nature, spirituality, and interconnectedness. Whether consciously or subconsciously, they have become integrated into our collective consciousness, offering a sense of grounding and connection to something greater than ourselves..
Reviews for "Pagan Symbols and their Connection to Ancient Earth-Based Religions"
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