Pentacles of Solomon for virgin mages
Hi all,
From what I’ve read here, opinions about the Pentacles of Solomon are mixed. How risky do you think it is for a practitioner who’s fresh off the occult boat to start using pentacles (for example, those by Practical Occult or Christopher Warnock)?
For context: I performed my first rituals from the PGM only a few weeks ago (the hidden stele, a few Helios prayers and prayer to Selene). I study astrology and alchemy and have an academic interest in Hermeticism and Gnosticism, so I naturally fell down a Hermetic rabbit hole and ended up with a copy of the Greek Magical Papyri. I’ve never done any magical workings before other than divination (I use tarot and the I Ching). Although I’ve read some Crowley and know a little about chaos magick, I’ve always been a little fearful of those practices. The PGM felt different to me -- I’ve always loved the ancient Greek gods and didn’t have the same apprehension -- so I joined the PGM Facebook group and then found Alison Chichosky. Next thing I knew, I was buying her Pentacle of Solomon.
I’m clear about a couple of things: I don’t want to harm, curse, or force others to do things against their will, and I don’t want to summon demons (that’s goetia, I think?). I believe theurgy is more my path. As far as I know, the Pentacles of Solomon aren’t about summoning demons unless you’re using the Lesser Key? I bought the 2nd Pentacle of Jupiter and the 2nd and 5th Pentacles of Venus. I now realise the 5th Pentacle of Venus could be used to make random people form a deep attraction or love toward me. I don’t want to enchant specific people - I just want to attract those who would already be into me and suited to me and improve my chances of meeting someone that's a good match. Would love any thoughts and advice.
P.S. I realise I've jumped straight into the deep end, but that's where my intuition and deep dives led me.