The Three that are Four

The Three that are Four.

There is a subset of symbolism within esoteric circles like Freemasonry, Alchemy and Astrology. The three that are four.

 In Science, we see Chemistry inherit from its mother Alchemy, the three states (solid, liquid and gas) transformed by the fourth (energy). This immediately brings to mind the Mystic who equates this with the four elements (Earth, Water, Air and Fire).

 The Astrologer has this symbol doubly impressed upon its lore with four elements that divide the Zodiac into three groups and the three signs (Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable) which divide the Zodiac into four groups. Incidentally, in Astrology the three signs of Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable are called Quadruplicities while the four elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire are called Triplicities. The three that are four.

 There is also the three positions of the Sun at Summer Solstice, Winter Solstice and Equinox. Spring and Vernal Equinox mark the same position of the Sun but make the positions four instead of the appearance of three.

 In Ancient Craft Masonry, there are several references to the three that are four. There are the three degrees that apparently included the fourth of Royal Arch. Symbolically, there are the three stations of East, West and South along with the fourth of North. There is the substitute word of the third degree that consist of three words but has a correct pronunciation of four syllables (sounding like the last name of Cosby show actress Lisa Bonet instead of the mispronounced sound of a dog’s treat). This correct pronunciation of course alludes to the Tetragrammaton which is mentioned below. 

This symbol has numerous Biblical references. The three who were in the furnace (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) who upon further inspection were actually four (with the addition of Daniel). The three nails used in the Crucifixion that created four holes in the Body of Christ.

 In Geometry, you have three vectors that when combined create a fourth vector. This is suggested in the symbol that Masons revere of “a point to a line, a line to a superficies and a superficies to a solid”. (Notice the four dimensions are connected by three movements.) Thus, a solid is a three-dimensional object but it has an implied fourth dimension (or original dimension) of timelessness. 

And of course, the Tetragrammaton. The four-letter word, as its name means, is actually composed of only 3 letters: Yod, He and Vau. The Hebrew meaning of Yod He Vau He turns out to be the equivalent of our English word of “being” in three states that allude to a fourth: “I was”, “I am” and “I will be”. These three states of being (past, present and future) refer to the fourth that suggests “timelessness” or “Eternity”.

 As Masons, our objective is the search for the Lost Word which is synonymous with the search for Truth. We eventually find that Truth within ourselves. The three that are four.

TIM John B Love, III 33⁰
L G Raynor Council #8 R&SM
Right Illustrious Grand Lecturer
Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council of Texas Royal and Select Masters.

A Message to Masons and Non Masons From the Guy on the $100 Bill

A Charge To The Fraternity by Benjamin Franklin, starring Richard Easton Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Portugal

The Gift of Irish Freemasonry

The Gift of Irish Freemasonry from WEOFM on Vimeo.

Freemasons Symbols - Seven Things You May Not Know

Most people have seen Freemasons symbols in architecture, literature and cinema, most likely without realizing they are symbols of the Craft. Many Masonic symbols are evolved from ancient practices, each bearing its own interpretation, be it of a practical, spiritual, physical or religious nature. Below are seven things you may not know about symbols involved in Freemasonry.

• Many of the symbols the Craft uses pay homage to the original Freemasons, the medieval stonemasons, and include the tools of their trade such as the square, compass, level, gavel, trowel gauge and apron.
• The Pillars on the porch and their symbolism play a large role in the initiation ceremony of the Freemason Fellowcraft degree. In the Bible the pillars are named Jachin and Boaz, and they stood at the entrance to the Temple of Solomon. King Solomon's Master Mason Hiram Abiff is greatly revered in Freemasonry, and symbols from the Temple of Solomon are common.
• The letter G is a highly visible symbol of Freemasonry. God and geometry are deeply embedded in the Craft. Symbols involving the letter are more common in American and Canadian Masonry but less frequently in British and European Masonry.
• The all-seeing eye, also known as the eye of providence is a Masonic symbol. The all-seeing eye within an equilateral triangle which can either point up or down appears in Christendom as a symbol of the Holy trinity and is often found in Masonic art and rituals. It is meant to remind Masons of the Supreme Being and the watchful eye that acts as judge over his words and actions.
• Anti-Freemasons often cite the pentagram as a Satanic symbol linked to Freemasonry. The pentagram, a five-pointed star, has no historical link to Satanism and is not used as a ritual symbol or in any lectures or teachings within the Craft. It is, however, used as an ornament on seals and banners of Grand Lodges and by lodge Masters and Grand Masters on their collars of office.
• Bee Hives are commonly depicted Freemasons symbols. The Bee Hive represents the humility and importance of a strong team-based work ethic. It also symbolizes the practice of secrecy, as only the busy bees know what takes place within the hive.
• It is alleged that in 1791, Pierre Charles L'enfant the designer responsible for planning the Washington DC street, road and building system, hid many Freemason symbols, that are said to be linked to the occult, within these plans.

I hope you enjoyed the article about Freemason symbols. If you are interested in the secrets of Freemasons I thoroughly recommend the fascinating www.TheSecretsOfTheMasons.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Barruci

Don’t Let the Lunar Eclipse Pass You By

 

“WM (Sun, Spirit):  Brother SW.  Why in the west?

SW (Moon, Soul):As the Sun is in the west at the close of the day, so stands the SW in the west to assist the WM with the opening and closing of the lodge, pay the craft their wages that none may be dissatisfied, harmony being the support of all institutions, especially this of ours.”

 

How appropriate.  In just a few hours a Total Eclipse of the Moon will take place.  This means of course that the moon will be full and that the path of the moon will pass in the earth’s shadow.  The last Total Lunar Eclipse was about 3 years ago.  There is no debate that the affect of an eclipse is powerful but subtle.  If you are caught up in the mundane things of the world and don’t spend any time traveling and journeying within yourself, then you probably won’t even notice anything special.  But those who “travel in foreign lands” will feel this special time.  It’s extra special because it is taking place right at the beginning of the Winter Solstice.  This hasn’t happened since 1554 AD.  Why is this all so special (especially to Master Masons)?

Well, let me break it down for you.  Sun = spirit.  Moon = soul.  Earth = body.  As MMs, we should already be aware of the obvious:  the Moon has no light but it reflects the light of the Sun.  The Moon also affects water (emotions).  Thus our souls (Moon) reflects wisdom/knowledge/understanding (light) from our spirits (Sun), while also being responsible for our emotions (water).  When the moon is full, it is reflecting the maximum possible light.  All though the moon can be seen during the day during other moon phase, a full moon can only be seen after the Sun sets (obviously because they are opposite each other).

Now is appropriate to explain day and night symbolism.  “As the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night….: is a Masonic statement that often escapes true understanding and meaning.  “Day” means your waking consciousness. Night means your subconscious.  The sun ruling the day, refers to the spirit having dominion over the consciousness.  The moon governing the night refers to the soul having dominion over the sub consciousness.

Therefore, full moons are special to the psyche of humans because it is a time when the spirit/conscious and soul/subconscious are basking in each other’s glory.  It’s a time when the consciousness can very easily delve into the subconscious, because they are directly opposite each other.  Many people, animals, hospitals and police departments around the world know how people act different during the full moon.  Mystics have known for a long time that a full moon is an appropriate time to work on their sub conscious directly via their consciousness.

The specialness of a Total Lunar Eclipse is that the earth will pass between this monthly reunion of “fullness” between the Sun and the Moon.  Let me restate that this way:  your body will pass between your spirit and your soul.  In other words, your body will temporary “block” the return reflected light from the moon.Your conscious can examine your subconscious in a meditative or dream state without any interference from your subconscious.  This is helpful because it will allow you to examine self in a unique way.

The full moon that will happen tomorrow December 21, 2010 at 12:32 AM CST is a very special and powerful time to do this because it is also the Winter Solstice.   I can’t begin to tell you the reverence for the Winter Solstice among all religions.  Our Christmas, the Pagan Yule and the Jewish Hanukah are all celebrations that actually celebrate the Winter Solstice.  As Master Masons,  “Riding the Goat” during the Third Degree of Freemasonry is all about the Winter Solstice.  “Riding the Goat” actually refers to the fact that the Sun enters the “goat” constellation of Capricorn as we Mason’s re-enact the dying Sun God that has been slain awaiting to be resurrected 3 days later as the Sun comes back to life and starts to move forward.  This is KEY to understanding not only Freemasonry, but all religions.  The dying God represents the alchemical process of self improvement. It is the lower half of man that needs to die in order for the spirit of God to resurrect with in him  The Third Degree of Freemasonry is about using our working tools (which I will collectively call our conscious) to build a structure with a foundation (our subconscious). 

If these are the things that you subscribe to and you want to do a little self improvement or even manifestations, then this Total Eclipse is just too good to pass up.

A Masonic Allegory Part II - The Resurrection of the Sun

In silence with averted head

by night the "evil three" have fled.

And cold and stiff the body lies

Beneath the gloomy winter skies.

Yet had you been a watcher there.

That dismal night beside the dead.

Had you that night been kneeling there,

Beside the dead in tears and prayer.

You might have seen, amid the air,

A flickering, dim, auroral light,

Which hovered on the midnight air,

And, seeing in the gloomy sky

This mystic strange, celestial light

Contending with the powers of night.

You might have taken hope thereby.

There was, alas! no watcher there

To mark this radiance in the air.

To gaze with earnest, tearful eye

Upon this radiance in the sky.

There was no watcher there, alas!

To ask in anxious whispers low,

"Will not this light still brighter grow,

Or will it from the heavens pass

And leave me plunged in deeper gloom

Beside this cold and lonely tomb?"

Meanwhile the light increased--although

Beside the grave no mourner stood

Amid the lonesome solitude--

And as with tints of blue and gold,

And flashes of prismatic flame,

It lighted up the midnight cold,

Along the plain in beauty came

A shining and majestic form,

And as it came the winter's storm

As if abashed, its fury checked.

No more above and round the path,

Beneath the wind's tempestuous wrath,

The snowy billows heave and toss;

A sacred calm as he draws nigh

Pervades at once the earth and sky.

His robe was blue, its borders decked

With evergreen and scarlet moss;

His hands upon each other rest,

Due north and south, due east and west;

The open palms together pressed

As if engaged in silent prayer.

He thus had formed with pious care

The holy symbol of the cross.

A lamb doth close beside him go,

Whose whiter fleece rebukes the snow:

These things sufficiently proclaim

His mystic office and his name.

Beside the grave he comes and stands,

Still praying there with folded hands;

And, while he prays, see drawing near

Another shinning form appear,

His right hand on his bosom pressed,

As if by bitter grief distressed,

The other pointing to the skies,

And, as he weeps, each radiant tear,

That from his sad and earnest eyes

Falls on the earth, is transformed there

To violets blue and blossoms fair,

That sweetly perfume all the air.

A third one now appears in sight,

Arrayed in royal robes of light,

A "lordly lion" walks in pride.

More glorious far, and at his side

And he who came in glory last

Between the others gently passed.

And, looking down upon the dead,

With level, open palms outspread,

A holy benediction said.

This done, the first one, by command,

The dead god taketh by the hand:

At once through all the body flies

The same warm flush that marks the skies.

The shrunken features, cold and white,

A moment shine with life and light.

A moment only--'tis in vain:

Unconquered Death resumes his reign.

So doth a solitary wave

Leap up amid the lonely night,

And catch a gleam of life and light,

And then sink helpless in its grave.

To raise the god the first thus failed--

The powers of darkness yet prevailed;

So to the second he gives place,

Who, like the first one, by command,

The sun-god taketh by the hand

And, looking downward in his face

With pleading voice and earnest eyes,

On Phoebus calls and bids him rise.

Though at his touch the blood unbound.

With rapid current red and warm

Runs swiftly through the prostrate form,

Yet silent on the frozen ground

The god lies in a trance profound,

Devoid of motion, deaf to sound.

Alas! alas! what doth remain?

Shall death and darkness ever reign,

And night eternal hide the day?

Then said the third one, "Let us pray."

And full of faith and strong intent,

His prayer to IH. VAH. upward went.

"Amen" was said--"so mote it be!"

And then the last one of the three

Arose and stretching forth his hand,

Calls on the dead, and gives command

In IH. VAH.'s name to rise and stand.

Then up rose Phoebus in his pride,

With the "lordly lion" by his side,

And earth and sky with his glory shone

As again he sat on his golden throne.

For the voice of God is nature's law,

And strong was the grip of the lion's paw.

George Washington Obsession with Virgins

Now I realize that the title might be a little misleading, but its not. George Washington was obsessed with the Virgin Mary.

One of the purposes of Masonic Initiation is to teach you how to dream better dreams. George Washington went on to use this knowledge throughout his career. Masonry taught him that people become great not by what they do with their bodies, but by what they are inspired to do with their minds.

The rituals of Freemasonry say there is a hidden power at the center of the human mind. But this truth can be revealed only to an Initiate who is properly prepared. The Masonic system uses allegory and symbols to work its magic on the human spirit, by showing you that both your own motivations and the "benign rays" of the Bright Morning Star influence what you can become.

"The Key to the mysteries of Freemasonry...is the getting knowledge of the celestial globe, knowing the mysteries of all the figures and grouping of stars on that globe; knowing further, that this globe is the foundation of all religion, knowing how to calculate the procession of the equinoxes, the return of the comets and eclipses, and all the planetary motions and astronomical relations of time"

"Astrology, gypsy fortune telling, Modern Freemasonry, Mohammedanism, Christianity, and Judaism, have sprung from and are so many corruptions of the ancient mysteries of the Pagans..."

"The whole account of the building of King Solomon's Temple, given in Masonic myth is an astronomical myth"

Masonic astrology appears to have tapped into ancient observations of natural cause and effect that science has overlooked....The Craft, as Freemasons call the ritual practice of Masonry, had preserved legends which claimed that being re-born to the rays of the Bright Morning Star brought positive benefits to an individual....It claims there is a secret key to knowledge locked inside each individual personality, and that knowledge can be freed by turning the key of Solomon's wisdom....Masonic astrology might conclude that George Washington should align the Capitol and the President's House (the White House) so that a Bright Morning Star will rise over the Capitol and shine its rays down Pennsylvania Avenue towards the President's House on a particular morning in February, if he wants his society to benefit. FROM: Turning the Solomon Key: George Washington, the Bright Morning Star, and the Secrets of Masonic Astrology by Robert Lomas (Lomas is the man that Dan Brown model the character Robert Langdon after in his books Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code.)

Now back to the Virgins.....

Washington was trying to bring about the birth of a nation using Masonic Astrology to perpetuate the success of the country. Those familiar with Freemasonry will recognize the fact that the entire ritual of Freemasonry is symbolical of birth. Thus, the two pillars symbolize legs and the passing through these pillars is equivalent to being born from the womb and pass through the legs of woman.

The choice for the location of DC in light of the information up above is also interesting.

The very position of Washington betrays this importance because the District of Columbia stands on the dividing line between Maryland and Virginia. Maryland derived its name from queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I, whilst Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen. However, this apposition of 'Mary' and the "Virgin' symbolized the Christian character most closely associated with the zodiac sign of Virgo and ultimately therefore Demeter, Isis and the Shekinah--'brides of God'. FROM: Solomon's Power Brokers: The Secrets of Freemasonry, The Church, and The Illuminati by Christopher Knight and Alan Butler

Washington DC itself is shaped like a lozenge (diamond shaped) which traditionally has been considered a womb shape.

Thus to sum up: Washington DC is womb shaped sitting between the legs of the Virgin Mary where upon, the birth of this nation and its ideas are directly influenced by the Shekinah of light that descends down to influence.

George Washington was obsessed with Virgins!

I AM Freemasonry

I was born in antiquity, in the ancient days when men first dreamed of God. I have been tried through the ages, and found true. The crossroads of the world bear the imprint of my feet, and the cathedrals of all nations mark the skill of my hands. I strive for beauty and for symmetry.

In my heart is wisdom and strength and courage for those who ask. Upon my alters is the Book of Holy Writ, and my prayers are to the One Omnipotent God, my sons work and pray together, without rank or discord, in the public mart and in the inner chamber.

By signs and symbols I teach the lessons of life and of death and the relationship of man with God and of man with man. My arms are widespread to receive those of lawful age and good report who seek me of their own free will. I accept them and teach them to use my tools in the building of men, and thereafter, find direction in their own quest for perfection so much desired and so difficult to attain.

I lift up the fallen and shelter the sick. I hark to the orphans' cry, the widows tears, the pain of the old and destitute. I am not church, nor party, nor school, yet my sons bear a full share of responsibility to God, to country, to neighbor and themselves.

They are freemen, tenacious of their liberties and alert to lurking danger. At the end I commit them as each one undertakes the journey beyond the vale into the glory of everlasting life. I ponder the sand within the glass and think how small is a single life in the eternal universe. Always have I taught immortality, and even as I raise men from darkness into light, I am a way of life.

I Am Freemasonry.