#septagram

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The Numatam or Septagram, is the most sacred of symbols. It is the symbol of our faith and of whole we are as a people. Much like the Cross is to Christians, Star of Davis is to Jews, the Pentagram is to Wiccans and the Greek Key is to Pagan Greeks. The Numatam has many stories, philosophies, and applications attached to it. In the Autumn Wood Tradition the earth symbolized the divine, as the interconnectedness of all things was the sacred message throughout their lives. Nothing was separate from the other, each life force bound to the other and explains the importance of the earth being regarded as our mother who provides for us with food, shelter, and holds water for us when we thirst. There was no one symbol that represented all their philosophies. The tree, the mountain, the river, and the animal were all symbolic and connected to the divine. To further this belief and philosophy the Numatam today represents the seven ideals which those of the Bowynn Tradition uphold and strive for in life, each a guide to daily living.

The points refer to the seven virtues prized by all who follow The Autumn Wood tradition – Peace, Charity, Love, Courage, Kindness, Spirituality and Balance.

Secondly the points refer to the seven principles as mentioned above – Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Soul, Spirit and Balance.

The Numatam also represents the 7 aspects of the forest under which we need to survive – Forest, Wind, Rain/Stream, Hearth, Sun, Moon and Balance.

The Numatam also represents the 7 guilds under which our clans come together as, and each member has a part to partake in – Warriors, Mages, Healers, Weavers, Harvesters, Bards and Librarians.

The Numatam represents the Seven Swords of the Wild Wood, Give to the first 7 chiefs of the first 7 tribes. (This will be touched on later on) – Dennon, Eurya, Kell, Ryos, Aevos, Halis and Tenlon.

The Numatam represents the 7 great rites that befalls a member in the course of his/her life (providing that they are born to the clan – Birth, Naming, Adolescence, Adulthood, Marriage, Death and Resurrection.

Each Line of the Numatam represent a sacred pathway that we follow and meditate on

Lastly, we come to the sphere that encases it all. The circle representing the connection of all of these qualities into one. The circle of life. Totality and enclosure. The embrace of arms around you by the gods.

These philosophies provided here are a general guide and each point and line can be expanded on in great lengths. The Numatam is a wonderful meditation meant to be experienced and explored. One can find even greater meanings to the Numatam through meditation and reflection. For us, and some who practice the following philosophies, feel that the points reflect values in which we choose to honor. The journey through the points is like reading a story with hidden wisdom.

From top left: 777 tag with ribbon (luck), double terminated crystal point, heart bandage, sultry star, fehu (money, wealth, luck, abundance), wunjo (joy, success, peace, pleasure), and uruz (strength, power, courage), heart mushrooms, sun, moon, septagran, heart bong, pagan blessings symbol, pentagram sunglasses. Please purchase a design before use.

The heptagram was used in Christianity to symbolize the seven days of creation and became a traditional symbol for warding off evil. The symbol is used in some Christian sects such as Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity.

The symbol is also used in Kabbalist Judaism.

In Islam, the heptagram is used to represent the first seven verses in the Quran.

The heptagram is used in the symbol for Babalon in Thelema.

The heptagram is known among neopagans as the Elven Star or Fairy Star. It is treated as a sacred symbol in various modern pagan and witchcraft traditions. Blue Star Wicca also uses the symbol, where it is referred to as a septegram. The second heptagram is a symbol of magical power in some pagan spiritualities.

In alchemy, a seven-sided star can refer to the seven planets which were known to early alchemists.

In Polynesia, the seven-pointed star is used often in imagery, basket making, tattoos, and is considered to be a symbol of Kanaloa, the first Polynesian navigator.

The seven-pointed star (or, alternately, septagram or heptagram) has accumulated many levels of meaning over the centuries. One of the oldest recorded meanings given to this star may be found within Kabbalistic tradition, where it represents the sphere of Venus and the power of love. It is also found within Christian tradition as a symbol of protection, the seven points representing the perfection of God and the seven days of creation. This resonance with the days of the week carries through into its use as a planetary symbol, as each point not only represents one of the traditional "seven wandering stars," but also the corresponding days of the week, (as well as other magical correspondences that come under the influence of the planets). The 7/3 septagram (the "3" indicates the distance between points) is a common sight within neo-paganism, where it is known as the "Elven" or "Faery" star. However, this is a surprisingly recent addition to this symbol's catalog of meanings, having only risen to prominence with the appearance of the "Otherkin" movement in the 1990s.

The very first use of the Septagram as the "Elven Star" can be traced to a group in San Francisco during the 1980s called, "The Elf-Queen's Daughters." Although they adopted this strongly feminist title, the group consisted of both men and women who believed themselves to be incarnated elven spirits in human form, sent to bring about an acceleration of consciousness and a peaceful paradise on Earth. Over time, their work and influence spread, with many taking inspiration from the idea of otherworldly spirits being born into human form to come out of the closet themselves. Not only did we find that there were elves in human form walking the earth, but also other kinds of fae, mer-folk, dragons, angels, demons, and earthly creatures such as wolves. With the spreading of the "Otherkin" movement came the wider usage of the Septagram as the "elven star" as well as a symbol for otherkin nature in general.