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.

Address to King David Lodge No 151 on October 5 2004

 

By

John B. Love, III WM, Western Star Lodge No 83

Are you a true Master Mason? You may have the three degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry, but are you a true Master Mason? A true Master Mason is a Master of Self. However, you can’t be a master of self. Only the LORD can be a master of your(self). You must allow the GMOTU into your hearts.

This is the message that the symbols of Masonry, ancient mysteries and all religions repeat to us.

These emblems upon the alter tells us the same. The Square creates squares which are symbolic of matter or the material world. ┌ ═ ║The Compasses creates circles which are symbolic of energy or the spiritual world. ○

The position of the Square & Compasses throughout the three degrees of masonry shows the path of man. In the 1°, spirit is behind the matter. The matter may not acknowledge the spirit, but it is there. In the 2°, spirit and matter operate in duality together. But duality means there is an oscillation (back and forth) between the two. In the 3°, spirit fully dominates (root is Latin meaning LORD or Tetragrammaton) matter. Spirit has dominion (root is Latin meaning LORD or Tetragrammaton) over matter in ways matter cannot comprehend. (Remember that the hieroglyphic seen within the Middle Chamber alludes to the Tetragrammaton.)

The circle, again, means the spiritual realm, unity and 1. The square, again, means the material realm, duality and 2. Duality is a mosaic pavement (ground floor) of opposites such as hot and cold, up and down, male and female, good and evil. But the GMOTU understands all these opposites as unity or 1. Now for a slight shift.

I don’t mind if my brother drinks, smokes and has sex if he does it with the Most High in mind and heart. You see the GAOTU created everything in the universe including drinking, smoking and having sex. Please understand, I am not encouraging or discouraging my brothers to do these things. I am just trying to prove a point. How can you do these things in absence of the All Seeing Eye and thus the Most High? YOU CAN’T!

That’s what our symbols tell us. There is nothing that you do, say or think that is not with the GMOTU.

To my Christian brothers, I love Jesus Christ! But I ask you to step outside of your Christianity for a moment. Masonry is not Christianity. Christianity is Masonry. It is incorrect to understand Masonic symbols in Christian terms; Christian symbols should be understood by Masonic terms. Think about it. Our symbols that are derived from geometry go back to King Solomon, far beyond the beginning of the teachings of Christ. And of course, Geometry is older than both, as it is what the GGOTU used to lay the foundation of the inner workings of the universe.

Jesus Christ is often called a Jewish carpenter. HE WAS NOT! The mistranslation of carpenter should be craftsman. He was a craftsman. Most buildings and structures 2000 years ago in Israel were not made of wood. They were made of stone. Jesus Christ was a mason. His lodge was the Essenes, not the Pharisees or the Sadducees.

Christ’s message is that the “kingdom of heaven is within”. Is this not the same that our symbols communicate to us? If you want to understand more of what Master Mason Christ was talking about, if you want to understand how to live spiritually in a material world then count from 2 to 1 and study the Masonic symbols within your(self).