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The Brass VesselMila'sExotic Plants & CuriositiesA living collection by Luminary OdditiesThe Pentacles
A scorpion stands within Psalm 91’s language of dangerous creatures trodden underfoot. The notice says that demons yield when this paper or parchment pentacle is shown. [1]
Mathers 1889 · Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 64; figure 29, Plate VI; plate PDF page 79
The fifth Mars notice prescribes paper or parchment and says that demons cannot resist the pentacle’s presence. Displaying the figure is the action to which it attributes their obedience. [1]
A scorpion occupies the centre of concentric inscribed circles. Mathers identifies HVL and Psalm 91:13. [1]
The scorpion gives this pentacle a recognisable animal centre. Mathers reads HVL around it and identifies Psalm 91:13 at the rim, where the lion, adder and dragon are trodden underfoot. The animal image and the verse share a vocabulary of dangerous creatures, although the creature drawn is different from those named in the passage. [1]
S. L. MacGregor Mathers, 1889; printed edition, including editorial restoration of Hebrew characters. Book I, chapter XVIII; printed p. 64; figure 29, Plate VI; plate PDF page 79
Full passage · accessed 2026-10-10