Hello I am a dabbling pagan and for years I have always worn a Pentagram amulet for protection. However my old amulet that I have worn for years was recently destroyed in an accident so I am looking for a new one. And I found a very beautiful one online however it is not a classic pentagram and I was wondering if it would be as effective for protection as my old classic pentagram amulet.
I have included and image of the amulet in question below.
Thank you For you Help in the matter.
First a general note about symbols and then I’ll say a few things about the necklace you’ve chosen in particular. The great thing about symbols is that while there are always generally accepted meanings and correspondences, what something means to us personally can also be just as important (especially if we have a good reason why we feel that way about it). So for the most part, even if it’s not a traditional pentagram, as long as you have charged it with protective energies and wear it with the belief that it will help keep you from harm, then it should work just as well as any more traditional designs.
Having said that however, there are a few things about this particular necklace that bother me. The first is rather minor and, not sure if it’s something that matters to you or not (and if it doesn’t then I wouldn’t worry about it), but whatever that particular necklace is made of it’s not “titanium steel” – there is no such thing. Titanium is a metal, but it’s not usually mixed with anything, so odds are it’s just titanium colored stainless steel. That doesn’t mean it’s not a perfectly fine necklace, I just don’t like sellers who misrepresent the items they have for sale. The more major issues that I have, and why I personally wouldn’t buy this, are the cross symbol at the top (though to be fair, crosses are not exclusively Christian), and the fact that it’s listed as a “Star of David” which is Jewish and not really Pagan or Witchcraft related. If you are into Kabbalah or Ceremonial Magic (and have incorporated aspects of either into your practices) then it might make more sense, but if that’s what the seller was looking to market to then they should have called it a “hexagram” rather than a “Star of David.”
But again, that’s just my two cents, and in the end, if it’s something that you are really drawn to and feel like it would suit your purposes then you do you. Most of my issues are more with the way the seller has it listed rather than there being actual problems with the necklace being useful as a protection amulet.
The Informed Pagan 
This is definitely NOT a “Star of David”. My husband is Jewish, and wears a Star of David, which has 6 points, not 5.
It’s not one, absolutely, but that’s what one of the tags the seller is using, along with a number of Pagan/Witchy buzzwords – all of which combined make me a bit cranky about the whole thing.
The problem is that sellers just want to sell the stuff, and a lot of times they just list any word they think will apply so they can generate more people’s interest. It is important to take this into consideration because not all people are as delightfully knowledgeable as you are (this is a reply to Cheryl Anne as well). I also get a bit cranky when people don’t take the time to research what they profess is their specialty. But, remember, the specialty of sellers is to sell…
A very good point.
But given that many people when they get excited about something (and too often I’ve seen it in relation to Pagans, but definitely not exclusively by any means), they tend to see something they like and instantly take everything about it at face value. So, it’s more just a reminder to take a moment and really pay attention to what one is looking to buy and make sure that 1) aspects of the item/service aren’t being misrepresented (particularly if it’s an aspect that is important to your practice, and 2) that it actually fits what one needs/wants (example: this item said Star of David but really wasn’t, so if one was looking for that in particular, obviously not a good choice even if they really liked the way it looked).
Guess my thoughts too are that there are many sellers who are more ethical about how they make/list things, so maybe seek them out, whenever possible.
Being an anthropologist i appreciate the way you explained the problem with this particular symbol. I have studied symbols in relation to belief symbols for a while and I find that such designs change over time both in shape and purpose. This particular one reminds me of what is being shown on television in such shows as Vikings and also in medieval role playing games, the shape is reminiscent of a Celtic cross with minor changes and additions from other places. As we migrate around the planet I am seeing more and more inclusion of different designs from different cultures and modified into a new vision of what is beautiful and worthwhile. What is important to remember, I think, is that it is the faith itself, not the object of the faith which gives us peace of mind and less fear to walk out among our neighbors, no matter who they are, what they believe in, or where they come from. I think we need a little more tolerance and a lot less narrow minded bigotry. We are, after all, a species which has evolved over 4 million years by being mostly cooperative and supportive of each other rather than being suspicious and selfish. Blessings to all.