Chamber of Reflection

Winter

I've been here before
Brothers,

I have been making a detailed study of the Masonic Chamber of Reflection in order to create a template that Lodges can use to resurect the practice. I have been aided in this endeavor by Brother Fabio Gasparri of the Grand Orient of Italy. He is the webmaster of a site devoted to esoteric studies called Esonet.com. The Grand Orient of Italy is a jurisdiction that has retained the use of the CoR in a very traditional manner, unlike America's complete lack of and Emulation Working's wattered-down version, and the study of it has been nothing short of amazing.

I thought I'd share a basic article that Brother Fabio provided me via his website to whet your appetite!

Brother Fabio provided me with a picture of the CoR in his Lodge as well. Too bad I don't speak Italian!
il tibetano, massoneria testi

Here is a link to the article on Brother Fabio's website. It is a reprint from the June 2006 Lodgeroom International (a great webzine!!!!!)
http://www.esonet.com/News-file-article-sid-406.html

Give the short article a read and let me know what you think.

S&F!
 
G

Gary

Guest
Too bad I don't speak Italian!
You don't have to! If you are using Google Chrome or Apple Safari browsers, you can download a free extension that will translate the page for you. I'm not sure if Internet Explorer has that extension (add on) or not, as I don't use that one.

F&S,

Gary
 
G

Gary

Guest
For those that do not have the ability to translate the Italian webpage :

Here is the translation minus the pictures...


The Temple

The symbols of the Temple

Richard Chissotti





The Cabinet of Reflection:
Even though she was physically far away, is one of the constituent local time, but especially the Masonic Lodge. It is a dark room in which the uninitiated may be isolated before the initiation ceremony. Oswald Wirth says is that "the first Masonic education: learning to think must be exercised in isolation. There you come recover themselves, without getting distracted by looking into what is happening outside. "
It is equipped with black walls, on which various symbols are depicted in white are of a more alchemical. VITRIOL stands out the word 'interior visit Terrae, Rectificate Invenies Occultum lapidem, "or" visit the interior of the earth and following the right path (through purification) to discover the secret stone of the Wise. " And the search for Philosopher's Stone, which is the cubic stone Masonic.
The Cabinet of Reflection is the first evidence, to that of the Earth. Sulphur (expansive energy or spin out from the center of every being - Column 'J'), Mercury (centripetal energy, which penetrates every thing with the external influences - Column "B") and Sale (balancing of the two energies mentioned by the principle of crystallization, the solid part of being) are confronted with the profane. Sulphur, the principle of initiative and personal action must act on Sale, or how much the intellectual, moral and physical, is the essence of personality.
A bread and a jug of water we recall the concept of essentiality, to meet the needs of material life: the wise man is content always necessary, the search never superfluous.
A human skull recalls the proverbial "futility of earthly things," or the Benedictine "memento mori".
An hourglass, the depiction of Saturn and then the symbol of time, is an invitation to the patience and tolerance, which leads the thoughts to dwell on that size, scrolling, dissolving any transitional form. It is a symbolic representation dell'assopimento, inaction, of the slow death, in contrast to the Gallo, a symbol of initiation, which alludes to the awakening of the forces, the action, the Fire alchemical secret, announcing the end of the night and triumph of light over darkness. In Masonry the Rooster is the symbol of Mercury, or Hermes. Gallo, solar symbol because the sun is the announcer, is also a symbol of the ritual of initiation. It is held in high esteem in Islam. "Muhammad stated that among the creatures there is a G, in which the comb was placed under the throne of Allah, the claws on the ground and the wings in the air. When two-thirds of the night have passed and no longer remains a third, flapped his wings, he says, "Praise the high and holy king who has no equal". "(From the book by T. Fahd The birth of the world according to the 'Islam, Paris, 1959). United, the two symbols represent the cycle of life eternal and unchanging.
A simple candle lit the room just lights up, allowing the layman to read the inscriptions engraved on the walls:
• If curiosity has led you here, go away! -

• If you are capable of shaking simulations, as will be found here.

• If sustain human distinctions go out, because here we do not know.

• If your soul has experienced fear, do not go well.

• If you persevere purified from the elements, you will leave from the abyss of darkness and see the Light!
In the dim light the layman will come across a text, which will have to fill after reflecting on the meaning of the symbols around him, responding with extreme simplicity and naturalness to the three questions that are asked. What do you consider to be his duty to God towards himself and towards his fellow man?

The Rooster:

In Freemasonry is the symbol of Mercury, or Hermes, or Hermes, and is emblematic of the Mercury of the Sages of the alchemical tradition. The starting observes the image of Reflection in the Cabinet, together with several other symbols.
Gallo, solar symbol because it is the herald of the rising sun, alludes to the awakening of the forces and urging action, and is also a symbol of rebirth, and then the ritual of initiation. When examined together with Hourglass, a symbol dell'assopimento of slow death and inertia, represents the cycle of life eternal and unchanging. It is also a symbol of the goddess Minerva, together with the owl and the serpent.
It is highly regarded by Islam. "Muhammad stated that among the creatures there is a Rooster, whose crest is placed under the throne of Allah, the claws on the ground and the wings in the air. When two-thirds of the night have passed and no longer remains a third, flapped his wings, he says, "Praise the high and holy king who has no equal". "(From the book by T. Fahd The birth of the world according to the 'Islam, Paris, 1959).
The Swing:

Also known as a knocker, knocker or door knocker is a metallic element usually fixed to the outside doors or portals to allow the reporting of an environment in the presence of a person who wants to be allowed access.
Masonic Temple in the door is fixed in both the external and the internal one in the door.
Often artistically constructed, is ritually used to confirm the coverage of the Lodge before the opening of formal work, the inner one is operated by Copritore Internal and external from the Roofing tiles, from the shots corresponding to the degree to which the architectural works are programmed.


The Movie:

The two columns at the entrance of the Masonic Temple are symbolic representations of the principles of strength and beauty, and are a symbol of life. That is going to the left of the Doric style (Gothic or rarely), supporting a globe (remember the seriousness and importance of the commitment of every follower) and bears the letter "B" initial Boaz, name ( according to biblical tradition) of proavo of David, a leader and lawgiver of Israel.

Symbolically it represents the active, the male element and the Force, the 2nd attribute Warden: it is in front of him who have the Apprentice Freemason.

The Ionic column is the opposite (or Corinthian), supports three or four half-open pomegranates and is impressed with the letter 'J' initial Jachin (Jakin in English) in biblical tradition is the name of the high priest who officiated the ' inauguration of the temple of Solomon.

It should be noted that in the Nordic tradition mason, the function of the two columns is the inverse of the Latin described above.

Symbolically represents the passive principle, the feminine and Beauty, attribute of 1 supervisor. It is the pillar of the Companions of Art. The pomegranates are subject to different interpretations of symbolic: they remember the love that holds many virtues, humility, fertility, procreation and proliferation. They are also semi-open, so it can scan the interior, thus recalling the insight (gnosis te ipsum) request to the Freemason, and the task entrusted to the search for truth through the esoteric.

Given together, the columns represent the balance of dualism in opposite terms: Strength and stability, life and death, destruction and creation, light and darkness, vice and virtue. Everything is going in a harmonious balance of couples, and evolution proceeds thanks to the energies that operate in combination and in contrast, are only apparently in opposition to each other.

Should also be reminded that the names Jachin and Boaz also mark the columns of the temple of King Solomon, as mentioned in I Kings 7, 21, and. II Chronicles: 3, 17.

Boaz:

According to the Old Testament would be the name of the tenth son of Cain, that he would kill his father by mistake. It is basically the name assigned to one of two columns placed about 3,500 years ago in Jerusalem, the entrance to the Temple of Solomon.

Freemasonry has adopted the construction of Solomon's Temple as a symbol of operating, which defines the goals, and to which reference is also ritually, both at the Lodge, which in almost all bodies of rituals. The ultimate aim of Freemasonry is still the building of the Temple of Humanity.

Masons tend to work from its rough stone from apprenticeship to gradually turn stone cube. Boaz and the column that apprentices receive their symbolic salary. The novel began to divest themselves of any residual slag profane, through the hard work that must take on itself, having absorbed what he learned in the Lodge working side by side with the Brothers.

Adopted Masonic principles, apply them even in his secular life, outside of the Temple, with great consistency. So a free man and morality, which was started becoming virtually Apprentice, Fellow-Craft becomes, finally, to move towards mastery. Boaz is considered a sacred word, symbolizing the gold, fire, sun, life, power and strength, and is the name of the distinctive Doric column Apprentices of the brothers of the Lodge.

As anticipated dissertation on the Columns, the Nordic obedience assigned to the Companions of Art Column B, as well as on the Sacred Word. So there's Column B is considered the second column of the Masonic Temple.
Jachin:

Name of the second column at the entrance of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Freemasonry has adopted as a symbol of operating, which defines the purpose, the construction of Solomon's Temple, which also refers to ritual, both in Lodge rituals that in all bodies.

The free man and morality that was started virtually become an apprentice, he later became Fellow-Craft, acquiring the right to express their views. When his brothers Lodge note of the completion of his work, I finally begin to the degree of Master, which should match the beginning real. Man has become man. Its maturation is sufficient to allow it to be part of the building, with the other cubic stones, or with his brothers.

Freemasonry is no more than the mortar cementing the stones, making it firm and compact, the Temple of Humanity. Jachin is the name of the Doric column of the Companions of Art Lodge.

As we have seen is that in dealing with the columns in the previous column (B), the Nordic tradition of obedience includes the reversal of the column, for which the "J" becomes a column and the Sacred Word Apprentice Freemason.



The Floor:

Nadir to limit the Masonic Temple is the mosaic floor, checkered whites and blacks, which highlights the dual concept of the manifest world, depicting all of what is under the dominion of the senses. His blocks are multiples of 64, or four to the cube, as in classical chess, whose total (6 +4 = 10) is equivalent to 1: Quaternary man in his threefold nature, similar to the Supreme Being, Unity alchemical. The chess sets are three, and thus form a rectangle or quadrilungo: 1 x 3 = 3 then, still the sacred number to the Freemasons. Quaternary man in his threefold nature.

It is an emblem of human life on earth, with its ups and downs of joys and sorrows, mingled of good and evil, hopes and disappointments. Furthermore, it is the strict accuracy with which everything is offset, in the domain of sensations inevitably subject to the law of contrasts, and represents the harmony of opposites.

There you can see the various forms taken by human journey in the physical world: the profane moves like the pawn of chess, moving alternately from white to neo and the mystical as the standard bearer only on white squares, and the material on those blacks; 's started (while driving or squaring of the Temple) on the edges of boxes outside each of them. So the physical meaning of darkness and light boxes, vice and virtue morally, intellectually error and truth: they are the foundation on which stands the Masonic symbolism.

The steps:

In Masonry the steps assume symbolic significance of primary importance.

The single step is what distinguishes the top floor of the Temple of the level in which they settle the brothers participating in the ritual work.

The floor is situated at the profane, while the Brothers are placed at a higher level, reached through the Masonic initiation. This position than the rest of humanity seems to be an act of presumption. Symbolically, it is however aware of the responsibility entrusted to every Mason to set an example for the profanity, due to ethical behavior gained an understanding of the principles, rules and restrictions imposed on its followers by speculative Freemasonry Universal.

Instead there are three steps, as well as years in the masonry, which attach to learning and identify it. Five are characteristic of the Fellow-Craft, and many are his age of initiation. Seven are finally steps of the scale earned by the Master Mason. During the ritual work conducted in three different grades Symbolic Order, the numbers three, five and seven, respectively, are cited when it is mentioned the age of initiation and the number of bricks collected from the trunk of the Widow.



The Ara:

It is synonymous with the Latin altar. Since ancient times, is the central element of the places of worship. It is built in various sizes, shapes and with different materials, always related to the function performed by all religions, the divine meal. The oldest forms of Ara found are represented by square or rectangular stone tablets on which are sometimes carved or engraved with the food offerings to the gods, or more simply it plans to cut into the rock, sometimes with steps for access. It is the classic type of Are primitive, while the Egyptians were more frequent at the table carved. The table was in turn supported by a single central support or on four legs at the corners, but the base was the most frequent parallelepiped, also of stone and often finely carved and decorated.

Jews at the Ara classic that mizbeah (on which it is sacrificed, were added new elements: first four sturdy branches attached to the corners, used to hold the sacrificial animal victims, later replaced by four horns, used for the same purpose and for easy transport. Following these horns were ritually anointed with the blood of the victims and their contacts to confer immunity to the guilty asylum (Leviticus 4, 25-34).

Formerly the Altar was built on high ground, and was also used to provide smoke or burning of propitiatory sacrifice (usually of incense) to the gods. Sometimes it was used to enter into covenant with God, as that built by Noah sull'Ararat (Genesis 8, 20), by Abraham at Shechem, Bethel, Mamre and Moriah (Genesis 12: 7-8, 13, 18, ​​22, 9), by Isaac at Beersheba (Genesis 26, 25).

When Moses entered into the pact of alliance with Yahweh, he built an altar at the foot of Sinai with 12 steles (masseboth) for the 12 tribes of Israel (Exodus 24: 4). Later it was increased in size, until it assumed monumental proportions, as the Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon, and even more the 'A. Augustae Pacis in Rome.

In the Ara Masonic Temple is used to formalize the solemn pact of association between the adept and the institution. This always serves as a support for three more lights of the Lodge (or Holy Book of the Law, square and compass), and sometimes even the Menorah. One scholar has called the structural form of a Corinthian capital, the most elaborate and striking of architectural styles, in addition to the rear hub on the pedestal of the throne Worshipful Master, while the Doric and Ionic adorn, respectively, the positions of the two Wardens of the Lodge.

The artboard:

In Freemasonry identifies transformed into an operational tool by modern speculative institution. In fact, the medieval masons used the drawing board to detail the construction plans, prepared by master architect and exposed in the course of work, for consultation by the workers and supervisors.

Today, the table design consists of a blackboard or a rectangle of paper, the size of half a square meter, on which the Master of Ceremonies, or the Worshipful Master, track the work plan for the scheduled session.

Sometimes there are tracks tools and symbols related to the degree to which workers are held in this case is called "Framework Loggia."

Along with the rough stone and the stone cube is considered one of the jewels of the Lodge property.

The panel Lodge:

Support to the Masonic ritual work, an alternative to the drawing board, and usually consists of drawings printed on cardboard or wood, depicting the symbols of the degree to which it operates. It, before the opening of the ritual work, is placed at the center of the checkerboard floor of the Master of Ceremonies (symbolic ritual) or leaning against the west facade of air from the 2nd Deacon (Emulation Ritual).

At the conclusion of the rituals Artboard is cleared by the Master of Ceremonies, while the panel is placed again next Lodge Masonic Altar.



Able to learn the Loggia panel comes in different versions: two columns, three steps, the floor, three windows, a rough stone, a cubic, the Sun, the Moon, the Team, the compass, the shirt front and chisel, or as in more complex and artistic figure.

The same applies to the degree of Fellow-Craft, in which the panel Lodge is similar to that of the Apprentice, but with five steps and with the addition of the Flaming Star and of the level instead of the rough stone. A second version is represented by the figure.

The panel shows the degree of Master Lodge in a coffin on which is placed a cross of silver tears, a skull and crossbones, a triangle with the letter G, the Team, the compass and a sprig of Acacia.

Very briefly, the panel Lodge represents the development of the work program of the wave of the Lodge.

The Carpet Lodge
Lodge furniture used only in the northern Lodges, particularly in Germany at the Lodges AFuAM (corresponding to the Italian ALAM). Here the rug and replace the panel of the Table Lodge, and is made ​​from a layer of heavy black and sparsely decorated in white. Usually the size of about 170x100 cm.



It has: a double frame, the cardinal directions, the cord with tassels and five knots of Love, the checkered floor and finishing with seven steps perspectivism, the two identical columns and no writing, the Sun, the Moon, the Flaming Star , ruler, square and compasses in the position of Apprentice Freemason, the Level, the Plumb, the hammer and the trowel.

Is placed at the center of the Temple, the three lights of dignitaries (as in the symbolic ritual Italian, in the figure represented by circles), folded in half to the East.

During the opening ceremony of the work, when required by the ritual, the two brothers are close (one by one from the north and south), I grab the corners and open to the stroke of the mallet Worshipful Master, with a movement from East to West according to the path of the Sun immediately after the three dignitaries Loggia ensure the progressive power of their lights, saying ritual formulas quite similar to the symbolic ritual Italian.

At the close of work, after the dignitaries have managed to turn off their lights normal course, the rug is folded Lodge, proceeding in opposite direction to that opening, the two spots in the East are caught, raised and brought to the West, again according to the motion of the Sun, folding it in two, but to the West.

The use of the same carpet is laid down in three grades, but in Middle Chamber is usually replaced by a special rug, still decorated in white with drops or tears, Bara, square and compass, and a twig of Acacia.



The Candelabra
The Masonic Temple is decorated with three long-stemmed candelabra, which are lit during the opening ceremony of ritual work.

In modern ritual or symbolic are located in the center of the checkered floor, forming an isosceles triangle, rectangle, with the apex towards the East, whose center is placed the Artboard.

The Emulation ritual instead providing for the location next to the three dignitaries Lodge, and outside the perimeter of the floor. Their position determines the direction of the ambulance in the opening march of the work. Are turned on by the witness or with the use of a poker, however, turned to the witness.

In the first case (symbols) are lit by the dignitaries that will symbolically transfer the energy of the three pillars, Strength, Beauty and Wisdom.

In the second case ritual (Emulation) are turned on by the First and Second Deacon, with the same energy transfer, which is essential for the consecration of the Temple.

Finally, in addition to the pillars, the dignitaries of the three benches are adorned by other Candelabra: Three lights for the Worshipful Master, with two lights for the first supervisor and a supervisor for the Second. These are lit by the same Dignitaries at the end of the ritual ceremony of initiation of work.

The three-arm Candelabra (Worshipful Master) represents the principle of the Trinity, the triple divine essence and the three lights that support the Lodge, one to two (Prime Warden) and recalled the principle of binary opposites, that a single light (Second Warden ) Unit.

The Witness
Term that identifies the Masonic Temple in one light (candle) lit before the opening of the architectural work. It is the responsibility of the Master of Ceremonies turn on the witness before driving the Brothers in the Temple. Its flame will then be for the ignition of the three lesser lights of the Temple, through the use of a poker a wick, usually a long stem.

Symbolically, it is the prerogative of the Master of Ceremonies off the witness after the close of work, when all the brothers left the Temple, he bears the sanctity of the Masonic tradition, sacredness that comes back the next time in the Temple of work.

The Menorah:

Hebrew name of the sacred candlestick placed by Moses in the tabernacle, next to the Ark of the Holy Alliance. It consists of seven branches, with twenty-two lumps (almonds, buds, flowers), three for each arm, plus one on the main stem. At the height of each arm is a flame mail. Some swelling associated with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and consequently it is transposed numbers, and then considering the Kabbalistic symbolism.

And ornament of the Masonic Temple, located next to the Book of the Sacred Law. The lighting of the M. by means of a witness, starting with the adoption triad, then move on to that of the Creation and that of Education: Last of the central (Yod), the spirit of the Creator. If the flames were numbered from 1 to 7, from left to right for the observer facing the East, they should be lit in the order 1-7-2-6-3-5-4. Someone, for simplicity, each preliminary heat activated clear the seven words in written mail to the Orient, or AGDGADU

Some scholars consider the esoteric symbolism of the Menorah symbol of the Light of the Spirit and Salvation. Others associate the Menorah to the seven Liberal Arts, whose knowledge is essential to the job of all initiatives, Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy and Music.

Finally, the seven-branched Menorah is also symbolically associated with the seven steps of the master and those of philosophers or Jacob's ladder.

The menorah is lit only for the ritual work in the third degree of Master Mason, or in the middle chamber, normally the former Worshipful Master.

The trio:

Provides an overview of the most important principles espoused by Freemasonry and ostentatious air of the Temple, or Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, along with perhaps the most repeated for its simplicity: Tolerance. They are:

1) The Freedom: decision-making power is independent of action according to their will, unconditional, obligations, commitments or restrictions despotic, tyrannical rules or systems. It is therefore the condition of one who is free in his movements, not being a slave or prisoner, not even figuratively. It is within the power of action a company organized according to their conviction and will, of course, acting within the limits set by laws or principles, however, recognized as valid by the company in which it operates.

2) The 'Equality is the principle that all men are regarded as similar, equal dignity, value and importance, without distinctions or privileges, especially before the law of the state. It is the principle that all men must be assured freedom from want, placing it in a state of equality real and not merely formal.

3) The Fraternity: feeling is mutual friendship and affection, truly brotherly bond is established between those who fight under one flag or for the same cause. It's deep understanding, spiritual, between persons not necessarily related by kinship.

In addition to trio is important for the principle of Freemasonry Tolerance is the capacity to endure as is, or could be, harmful or disturbing to us. It's state of mind for which we accept, without displays of opposition, that someone else professed an idea, opinion, religion, policy, different or even contrary to ours. In short, it is unconditional acceptance of a relaxed relationship with the different, even the most hidden reverse of a medal. Undoubtedly valid summaries of them, well expressed by a maximum voltairiana note: "I am ready to listen very carefully to your ideas, especially when they are contrary to mine. Just as I am always ready to shed my blood for you to freely express them. "

Principles are undoubtedly very noble, that speculative Masonry of the "Moderns" has made ​​its own, going to admit to "accept" among its ranks, many masons, builders and architects were not at all. This in order to make more timely, practical and attractive, an institution that was leaving the operations of the road "Antients" cathedral builders of the Masons, that of our predecessors, our ancestors, so groped for work on floors and modern levels, definitely much more subtle than ever while in his glorious past.

The Book of Sacred Law:

Masonic emblem of the highest spirituality, in which the Freemason inspired by the commitment given to work forever to clear the order out of chaos. It has no religious, meaning only represent the beginning of the Sacred, which is intimately linked to every human being endowed with reason.

Thus, it is the Bible in the Lodge where the prevailing Western tradition typically, the Koran in the countries of Muslim tradition, the Vedas in the Eastern tradition of Brahmins, and an unwritten book (white) or completely broken down in letters published in the Lodges mixed tradition, to enable everyone to read because it believes represent the epitome of Higher duties and precepts to be observed.

The Book of the Sacred Law then identifies the Light that surpasses every human being, not as dogmatic authority, but as an expression of faith in a moral order of the entire universe. Opening of the L. is opened by the Prime Warden (symbolic ritual) or from the MV (Emulation Ritual) to the front page of the Gospel of John "or the Book" The Chronicles VI. There is overlap then the compass, with the tips directed towards the West in modern ritual and eastward in the Emulation Ritual, and the team, arranged according to the degree to which the proceedings are conducted. According to tradition, a bricklayer, L. open-topped by the team and the Compass represents the Great Lights of Masonry.



Team:

It is considered one of the more lights of the Lodge, the most important symbol of the Masonic work, and is placed on the altar with the Compass and the Book of the Sacred Law. For operating the instrument was capable of erecting a wall, a building, a cathedral. Is still used to control the accuracy of working stone roughly.

Stationary tool, and then person, includes in itself the plumb and level. It symbolizes the moral rectitude and perfection, even assuming the meaning of balance between opposites, the reconciliation of the physical and intellectual, between spirit and matter, active and passive, between initiative and obedience. It is valuable as a discipline, without requiring precise and direct.

The team suggests moral rectitude, the result of education and natural talent but often will, truthfulness in the opinions and thoughts, balance and honesty of purpose. It is the inner light, and is a symbol of the ideas of right and duty, of 'business ethics and Matter. And finally a symbol of righteousness, the Law and Justice. Orient the team adorned the throne of the Worshipful Master and chest, because its teachings and its directives should always be wise, righteous, and why you must radiate from him and spread the light on all the Brothers of the Masonic Lodge .

The Wirth Lastly note that the cross is that the square can be regarded as consisting of two or four teams in equal-armed, gathered at their summits or on their ends.

According to the GOI, like all symbols, the team also offers a way of being. While the meaning of the Team can be seen from many points of view, in connection with various events, but the way of being associated with it remains essentially the same.

The team appears to us as a means of observation and measurement of a perceived reality. It has two arms at right angles, which involve two points of view or reference entirely independent of one another. This makes it possible to have a fair measurement, without one of the points of view prevail over the other.

Clearly then, the team proposes a duty to be impartial and balanced in our observations. But in addition the team offers to our attention especially the way of being that is accompanied by any impartial observer, before and after the observations and measurements.

The Compass:
Instrument consisting of two rods connected by a pivot, used to draw circles or to report a segment. It is considered representative of the accuracy of deliberation, the penalty in the trial and investigation.

The Compass is a tool mobile, and active, and being with variable expresses the possibility of expanding the scope of mental and self-knowledge, representing the way of being the one who is ready to broaden their vision of 'Universe. It is also warning to hold the shares within the limits set by morality and conscience.

The compass points to the essential condition to live fully the life experiences that are offered by life. While the team, with its fixed angle 90 °, is presented as a means of reference for our observations, the Compass offers our targeted enrichment as an end of inner experiences.

The Symbols of square and compass, joined together in different positions depending on the degree to which the Lodge ritual work, the synthesis model are operating in the pursuit of knowledge, made ​​judgments of severity and willingness to purchase the full inner freedom.

Freemasonry considers the compass symbol of spirituality. The Team, the Compass and the Book of the Sacred Law, united and always present on the altar during the regular Masonic ritual work, the Three Lights are considered more of Freemasonry.


The starry sky:
At most symbolic Zenit, on the ceiling of the Masonic Temple, is painted in the heavens, which represents the sky at night and the stars visible. This contrasts with the checkered floor, representing the indefinite world.

It is a symbol of the invisible but imaginable, and the kingdom of absolute truth, the aura of greater perfection, the top of the mountain, focusing on the sublime goal that the Mason tends to win through the operation esoteric individual and collective.

The starry sky above the entire creation, repair and protect all humanity, regardless of status, race and religion, inspiring in free men of good will and good morals, the sacred principle of Masonic tolerance.

The Zodiac:
From the greek xwdiacoz, circle of celestial figures. The 12 constellations located around the ecliptic. They, with their distinctive features are: Aries (^) - Toro (_) - Cufflinks (`) - Cancer (a) - Leo (b) - Virgin (c) - Balance (d) - Scorpio (s) - Sagittarius (f) - Capricorn (g) - Aquarius (h) - Fish (i).

The value of the zodiac is linked to the science of divination, through the concept of the influence of the stars on the fate of every human being. The Zodiac, the same as Astrology, is originally from Babylon, as is clear from archaeological finds in Mesopotamia, where the iconographic testimonies attest to the old tendency to link the events of the stars with the lives and human affairs.

Astrology is still widespread in the world, and is the subject of broad information across all media.

The twelve signs of the Zodiac are always highlighted in the Masonic Temple, with frescoes, ceramics or impressions on the columns located to the north and south walls.

The positions of the dignitaries and officers of Lodge are commonly associated with one of the signs, with a precise meaning of function and responsibility. Generally they want to remind Freemasons different human types, all different. So they have a real appeal to the application of the principle of constant and prudent Forbearance.

As the GAOTU symbolizes the supreme Truth, the signs of the zodiac represent and remind us of the existence of individual truth.

The Sun:

The Sun has played a primary religious since ancient times as a symbol of vitality, light, heat and omnipotence, thanks to its ambiguous relation to presence-absence in the world. The school of Max Muller has come to claim that divine realities more relevant than a particular religion are nothing but anthropomorphic figures of the Sun and the vicissitudes of nature.

Whereas in the primitive reality and natural phenomena were understood only in a framework of close interaction, including explicit and defined images of the Sun represented the symbolic form of simple experiences and psychic needs, including religious differentiated and complex. Refer to the Sun deity, as Samas in Babylon, in Egypt Ra and Helios in Greece, they are not mere representations of nature, but are enhanced by multivalent meanings related to different aspects of reality and of the Sun

There are many ancient myths which highlight the characteristics of power, victory over an opponent's monster (the darkness), the continuing story of death and rebirth, the brightness as a principle of rational order.

In many primitive peoples (Africa, America and Polynesia) and the Sun property away is the true image of the Supreme Being. If the figure of an omnipotent and omniscient is easily identified with the sky and all-encompassing everything from monitors, the Sun light source that scans the darkness every night by diving over the horizon, big bright eyes always open, deemed to be able to penetrate the hidden events, becoming the guarantor of the same human oaths.

The character of light as generating principle of orderly and comprehensible form, emerging from the defeat of chaos and darkness, explains the position of the Sun in different cosmologies.

According to the Vedic religion, Indra creates the Sun after the victory over the forces of evil, and after the separation between heaven and earth. In Egypt, Ra is the same creator. The Egyptian expansion is accompanied by a form of religious syncretism, which focuses on the figure of the god Aten, the sun god that brings together elements of various deities of those places. At the Hittites, the king was officially called the Sun, symbol of domination and uniqueness. The Hittites also knew a female solar deity, Arinna, which finds a counterpart in the Japanese goddess Amaterasu.

In the great polytheistic religions the Sun was an essential component of some deity (Indra, Mithra and Apollo). Rome is consecrated to the Sun on the first day of the week (dies alone), made ​​a public holiday throughout the empire by Constantine. During the late Roman Empire spread to form a syncretistic cult centered on the Sun, which he attempted to transpose a policy aimed at the deification of the emperor. Even Christianity Truth-Light confirmed the connection, with the explicit reference to the Sun than the figure of Christ, whose birth was set in the winter solstice (natalis solis).

Freemasonry considered a symbol of the sun light, the origin of things, the reason that dispels the darkness. The Sun is depicted as part of the Lodge, and depicted on the east wall of the Masonic Temple, behind and to the right of the Worshipful Master. It is a logical dissolving and destructive than it is solidly founded. Corresponds to the Fire, and is part of the alchemical androgyne figure. It is the emblem of the male component of everything.

The Moon:

The symbol of the Moon is in the Masonic Temple is the East, to the left of the Worshipful Master, or as part of the Lodge. It symbolizes the imagination, which takes the ideas of an appropriate form. It is also the understanding and passive femininity.

Jobs Lodge close to midnight when the moon is at nadir, at which time it is assumed that radiates its peak, it spreads to illuminate the spirit of the Freemasons, the instigation of spirituality and a willingness to search. The Moon is the element of Water.

Delta Light:

It consists of a triangle, equilateral normally positioned with the top up, with an eye to its center or the name of GAOTU in Hebrew characters.

In the middle of the east wall of the Masonic Temple, between the Sun and the Moon, beneath the AGDGADU written, and is illuminated.

It is universally considered the symbol of Divinità.Il triangle symbolizes the divine Trinity, and represents the triune principle in all its possible forms: past-present-future, Sapienza-Beauty-Strength, Salt-Sulphur-Mercury, birth-life-death , light-darkness-time, etc..



The T-shirts:

In the work done on himself by learning, the T-shirt and an emblem of the intention expressed in the execution of his duty. Without the will, you can not deprive the heart and mind from the vices, prejudices, mistakes and hypocrisies that, to varying degrees, each has in common with the rest of humanity. With the will you remove these obstacles are overcome natural difficulties.

The T-shirt and a symbol of intelligence, acting, always perseveres and controls the action and speech.

The T-shirts and active tool, and is the epitome of logic, without which it is impossible to discern right and rational. It represents the majesty of the power inherent in the initiation Freemasonry, and the wisdom of light emanating from the East of the Lodge through the mediation of the Worshipful Master: it is therefore also will do well and authority to direct all workshop work well.

The Flaming Sword:

In the Masonic Temple is placed in front of the Worshipful Master, who wields it only works during the rituals, to use the powers of initiation, held through its dedication to the initiation of Apprentices and the conferring of degrees at the time of construction workers.

It points out that the appeal by the Cherubim in the Garden of Eden, according to Sacred Scripture were responsible for the custody of the tree of life. The Flaming Sword is similar to that angelic, and its serrated edge represents the wave motion and vibration of the sacred flame of the Masonic faith.

It's symbolic weapon, whose task is to warn that the insubordination, immorality and crime must be absolutely excluded from the Temple. Represents the radius of intellectuality, and in determining who is directing the work in the Temple in maintaining order and harmony among all the brothers, which is essential because everything is right and perfect.

The Flaming Sword identifies itself the light of the spirit, energy to dominate the serpent of temptation, the power that enables them to overcome every human passion if strongly guided by the will and intelligence.
 

Winter

I've been here before
Some of the translation was interesting. You could see what it was trying to say in some of the parts. Most likely it is due to much of the archaic style of speech found in a lot of Masonic teachings. Great read, though!
 
G

Gary

Guest
Yeah, I scratched my head when it started talking about T shirts... :p

Interesting read none the less. Thanks for sharing!
 

Duncan1574

Lodge Chaplain & arms dealer
The COR isn't in the Blue Lodge ritual in Wisconsin. I've inquired with the GL and getting included means changing the true work. Doable but a long process.


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