The Gods of the Lodge

by Reginald Haupt Jr

  The degree work concludes with the following charge to the newly made Master Mason:

  “Brother, your zeal for the institution of Masonry, the progress you have made in the mystery, and your conformity to our regulations, have pointed you out as a proper object for our favor and esteem.

  “You are now bound by duty, honor, and gratitude, to be faithful to your trust; to support the dignity of your character on every occasion; and to enforce, by precept and example, obedience to the tenets of the Order.

  “In the character of a Master Mason, you are authorized to correct the errors and irregularities of your uninformed brethren, and to guard them against a breach of fidelity.

  “To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied must be your constant care; and, for this purpose, it is your province to recommend to your inferiors obedience and submission; to your equals, courtesy and affability; to your superiors, kindness and condescension. Universal benevolence you are always to cultivate; and, by the regularity of your own behavior, afford the best example for the conduct of others less informed. The ancient landmarks of the order, entrusted to your care, you are carefully to preserve; and never suffer them to be infringed, or countenance a deviation from the established usages and customs of the fraternity.

  “Your virtue, honor, and reputation are concerned in supporting with dignity the character you now bear. Let no motive, therefore, make you swerve from your duty, violate your vows, or betray your trust; but be true and faithful, and imitate the example of that celebrated artist whom you this evening represent. Thus you will render yourself deserving of the honor which we have conferred, and merit the confidence we have reposed.”

  As usual, there is a catechism or lecture which the candidate must commit to memory and recite at a later meeting. The candidate is now in possession of all Masonic secrets whose disclosure he has sworn to protect by a solemn oath that includes death.

  The monotony of these three degrees drives many older members to discontinue attending the lodge on any regular basis or to enter the Scottish and York rites in search of a greater variety and newer experience in Masonry.

  Chapter 6: The Symbolism of Freemasonry

  As previously stated, Masonry says that it is a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. 1 This is a glossed over often repeated statement that means nothing to the uninitiated, and cries out for an interpretation. Wilmshurst agrees.

  “It is well to emphasize then, at the outset, that Masonry is a sacramental system, possessing, like all other sacraments, an outward and visible side consisting of its ceremonial, its doctrine and its symbols which we can see and hear, and an inward, intellectual and spiritual side, which is concealed behind the ceremonial, the doctrine, and the symbols, and which is available only to the Mason who has learned to use his spiritual imagination and who can appreciate the reality that lies behind the veil of outward symbol. Anyone, of course, can understand the simpler meaning of our symbols, especially with the help of the explanatory lectures; but he may still miss the meaning of the scheme as a vital whole. It is absurd to think that a vast organization like Masonry was ordained merely to teach to grownup men of the world the symbolical meaning of a few simple builders’ tools, or to impress upon us such elementary virtues as temperance and justice—the children in every village school are taught such things; or to enforce such simple principles of morals as brotherly love, which every church and every religion teaches; or as relief, which is practiced quite as much by non-Masons as by us; or of truth, which every infant learns upon his mother’s knee. There is surely, too, no need for us to join a secret society to be taught that the volume of the Sacred Law is a fountain of truth and instruction; or to go through the great and elaborate ceremony of the third degree merely to learn that we have each to die. The Craft whose work we are taught to honour with the name of a ‘science,’ a ‘royal art,’ has surely some larger end in view than merely inculcating the practice of social virtues common to all the world and by no means the monopoly of Freemasons. Surely then, it behooves us to acquaint ourselves with what that larger end consists, to inquire why the fulfillment of that purpose is worthy to be called a science, and to ascertain what are those ‘mysteries’ to which our doctrine promises we may ultimately attain if we apply ourselves assiduously enough to understanding what Masonry is capable of teaching us.” 2

  Wilmshurst is writing this to his fellow Masons and appealing to them to learn the “true” meaning of the symbols and the “mysteries,” and not to stop with the simple meanings given to the uninitiated public. However, the simple meanings to Masonry symbols must be presented first so that the deeper meanings can be understood. To the average well meaning Mason the deeper meanings were never told him, although he lives and functions under the signs, symbols and mysteries of the Masonic doctrine. He has taken for granted that they are all honorable, moral and godly. The following is presented for the reader of this work, whether Mason or not, to make an inquiry, and, hopefully to make their own decision as to the godliness of the symbolic meanings of Masonry.

  The Three Greater Lights 3

  1. The Divine Word: It is the unwritten Eternal Word or the Substantial Wisdom of Deity out of which every soul has emanated and which is the base of human life. The initiate is taught that the Divine Word was resident in him from the beginning, and was shining within his own darkness and ignorance. He is told that he has lost all consciousness of that truth, and this dereliction is the “lost word” of which every Mason is in search of and which with due instruction and his own industry he can find it. The candidate is taught that he will find his deity within himself, the Divine Light.

  (It is important to emphasize here that the reference to the “Divine Word” does not necessarily mean the Holy Bible of the Christian. It means the “Sacred Word” of whatever religion you prefer, in other words, if you are Muslim, then the Koran is this light to you. If you are a Jew, then the Old Testament only. Whatever doctrine of religion you embrace is accepted in Masonry, provided, however, that in certain Lodges of the world you have to profess a belief in a Supreme Being, whoever or whatever that may mean to you as a candidate.)

  2. The Square: Masonry teaches that the Square, resting upon the Sacred Volume, is the symbol of the human soul as it was generated out of the Divine Word which underlies it. That the soul was created perfect, “square,” and symbolizes justice “par excellence.”

  3. The Compass: The Compasses interlaced with the square are the symbol of the Spirit of the Soul, its functional energy and fire. They teach that the soul by itself is but a mere inert passivity, a negative quantity unbalanced by a positive opposite, and that its active properties are the product of the union of itself with its underlying and inspiring divine basis, as modified by the good or evil tendencies of the soul itself. This product, or fiery energy, of the soul is the spirit of man and is symbolized by what has always been known as the Fire Triangle (with apex upward and base downward), which symbol is approximately reproduced in the Compasses. They say that this is the “power that sustains the weak and causes the wicked to tremble.” 4

  The Three Lesser Lights 5

  1. The Sun: The “Sun” stands for the illuminated human intelligence and understanding, which results from the material brain-mind being thoroughly permeated and enlightened by the Spiritual Principle. This “Principle” can make the Master Mason more than a man:

  “Because of its presence in him he can become more than human. By cultivating his consciousness of it he may become unified with it in proportion as he denies and renounces everything in himself that is less than’ divine. It is the inextinguishable light of a Master Mason which, being immortal and eternal, continues. to shine when everything temporal and mortal had disappeared.” 6

  (“and ye shall be as gods, knowing good from evil” Gen. 3:5).

  2. The Moon: The Moon has no light of its own and reflects the greater light from the East. Masonry teaches that the Moon symbolizes the so
ul, the psychic or animistic principle in man, which, if unassociated with or unillumined by the greater light of the Spirit or Master-Principle, has no inherent light of its own. If a Mason accepts light from the East, or the Master-Light, then he is transmitting Supreme Wisdom. If, however, he rejects this light, then he can display nothing better than brute-reason.

  3. The Master of the Lodge: The “Master” represents the Divine or Spiritual Principle in man. They contend that without the presence of this Divine Principle in a man, he would be less than human. The Master sits in the East position of the lodge or chapter room and symbolizes the Master-Light. The second in command is the Senior Warden who represents the Moon and sits in the West. The Junior Warden symbolizes the Sun and sits midway between the East and the West.

  Circumambulation

  All the movements by the Consecrating Officers of the Masonic Lodge or Chapter follow the course of the Sun. The Master and the Wardens enter and leave their chairs as the Sun returns to the East and goes forth therefrom. Most processional occasions are governed by these principles of what is known as “circumambulation.” This ritual came from the ancient pagan rites of the Egyptians and from the worship of their Sun Gods and of the sun itself. 7

  The Working Tools

  Plumb: The plumb is an instrument used by operative masons to erect a perpendicular line. To the Mason it is a symbol of rectitude of conduct, and inculcates that integrity of life and undeviating course of moral uprightness which can alone distinguish the good and just man.

  Plumb-line: This is a line to which a piece of metal is attached so as to make it hang perpendicularly. Its use is similar to that of the plumb, and it is used by the Past Master in Masonry as his working tool. The line teaches the criterion of rectitude, to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to direct their steps in the path which leads to immorality.

  Trowel: This is a tool used in spreading the mortar or cement for binding the stones together. In Masonry this symbolizes the spreading of the cement of affection and kindness, which unites all the members of the Masonic family, wherever dispersed over the globe, into one companionship of brotherly love.

  Level: This is the symbol of equality of all humanity. Freemasonry teaches further that some men, by discipline, training, and proper use of the endowments of nature, climb above the common level; while others, by reverse use of life, sink below the common level of their inheritance.

  Ladder: Masonry uses Jacob’s ladder as its symbol of access to heaven. It teaches that the ladder, as now used, has the foot resting upon the floor of the Lodge room, representing the earth, and its top rests on the covering of the Lodge, representing heaven. It has three steps, representing Faith, Hope, and Charity. It could consist of seven steps symbolizing Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice, Faith, Hope and Charity.

  Cable Tow: This is a rope or line for drawing or leading. This symbol is important in the first three degrees of the Blue Lodge in that it symbolizes the covenant by which all Masons are bound.

  Mallet: This is the instrument used in setting up the stone in the building of King Solomon’s Temple. It is the emblem in the Third Degree and symbolizes the correction of ones temper, the curbing of the aspirations of unbridled ambition, and the suppression of the malignity of envy.

  Chisel: This tool symbolizes the advantages of discipline and education.

  Twenty-four-inch gage: This is a working tool of the Entered Apprentice Degree and symbolizes time well spent.

  The Masonic Apron 8

  The Masonic Apron is made of lambskin of pure white and is presented to all initiated members throughout all the degrees. The Apron is a symbol of purity and is said to have originated in the ancient times of Persia and Israel. The Lamb is the symbol of innocence. This apron becomes the “badge of the Mason” and is his permanent property. As he advances through the degrees he will receive other aprons bearing the ornaments or symbols of the degree.

  Wilmshurst describes the adornments in this fashion:

  “The unadorned white Apron of the First Degree indicates the purity of soul contemplated as being attained in that Degree. The pale blue rosettes added to the Apron in the Second Degree indicate that progress is being made in the science of regeneration and that the candidate’s spirituality is beginning to develop and bud through. Blue, the colour of the sky, is traditionally associated with devotion to spiritual concerns.

  “In the Third Degree still further progress is emblematized by the increased blue adornments of the Apron, as also by its silver tassels and the silver serpent used to fasten the apron-strings...With Mastership he has attained an influx of those riches under the emblem of the tassels of silver, a colorless precious metal always associated with the soul, as gold by the reason of its supreme value and warm color is associated with the Spirit. The Silver Serpent is the emblem of Divine Wisdom knitting the soul’s new-made vesture together.” 9

  Last, but certainly not least, is the all-seeing eye of Osiris that appears on all the aprons at the top.

  Point and Circle

  These are given various symbolic meanings. For the rank and file of Blue Lodge Masonry they typify the “individual brother” by means of the point and the limits of His duty to God and man by means of the circumference. However, the Freemason’s Encyclopaedia assigns deeper meanings:

  “It is the Divine Spirit indwelling creation and abiding in the nature of man...it is the Secret Church within that which is official.” 10

  The reader is asked to remember the underlined meaning for a deeper discussion of the Secret Church in a later chapter.

  Minerva (Pallas)

  Minerva, also known as Pallas, is the Greek Goddess of war. The most prevalent legend claims she sprang—fully armed—from the brain of Jupiter. In Masonry she is the symbol of “Victorious Wisdom,” overcoming the darkness of ignorance. The picture below is taken from the Freemason’s Encyclopaedia, page 200.

  Venus

  Venus, also known as Aphrodite, was the Greek Goddess of love and beauty. Unlike other illustrations of her appearance as one of beauty, she appears as having horns in the Freemason’s Encyclopaedia on page 466. She is said to be “the mystical horned Venus” and symbolizes the Mysteries in their perfect purity.

  Temple of the Mysteries

  Pictured below is the Temple that contains the mysteries of Freemasonry. This picture is taken from page 110 of the Freemason’s Encyclopaedia and is offered without much explanation, except that the circle of the Zodiac represents the cosmos and the five-pointed star (pentalpha) represents the centre and end of the veridic Instituted Mysteries. One can see the various Masonic symbols that are mentioned in this work. The all-seeing-eye of Osiris is the obvious center of the Temple.

  Isis

  She is known as the “great goddess of Egyptian Mysteries.” She was the sister and wife of Osiris and is responsible for reassembling his body and his much heralded resurrection in Masonry. Masons regard her as the symbol of the knowledge of all the secrets of initiation. Several degrees are named and fashioned after her in recognition of her importance in Masonry. She is depicted below on page 402 of the Freemason’s Encyclopaedia.

  Bacchus

  His Greek name was Dionysius, the son of Jupiter and Proserpine. This is the god of wine and is one of the most exalted of all the gods on the Masonic claimed genealogy. He was torn to pieces as Osiris, reassembled and was raised from the dead. He is pictured below from page 86 of the Freemason’s Encyclopaedia, Volume I. He bears a thyrsus in his right hand, and the mystic fir-cone is superposed thereon. In his left hand is a horn of wine. The cone is a recurring symbol of the Ancient Mysteries, and the radiant, youthful Bacchus is known as the suffering god. A later chapter will discuss him, his resurrection and his importance to Masonry.

  Ceres

  Ceres, who is also Demeter, a principle goddess in the Eleusinian Mysteries, is shown here as on page 203 of the Freemason’s Encyclopaedia, Volume I. She is seated on the celestial globe bearing ears
of corn in her right hand and a great horn of plenty in her left. They assert that it is she who gives fruit in plenty, even all manners of fruit, but the sphere of heaven is the source of all fecundity. This means that the good things of the earth are but shadows, as the earth reflects only the Land of the Living. The Mysteries begin on earth and ascend into heaven. The Mysteries will play an important part in the Masonic doctrine as I will discuss in a later chapter.

  Cybele

  She is acknowledged in Freemasonry as the Queen of Heaven, the Great Mother, the Mother of the Gods, and Earth-Mother. The illustration below was taken from the Freemason’s Encyclopaedia on page 166. She has a globe under her left hand, a sphinx on both sides and fruit and foliage. She will be mentioned later in this work regarding her importance in Masonic Initiation and the Mysteries.

  Psyche

  Psyche is a mythical woman who drew the jealousy of the goddess, Venus, because of her great beauty. Her name means “soul” and in Masonry she symbolizes the bondage of the soul under the mastery of passion. Depicted below from the often referred to Freemason’s Encyclopaedia at page 308, she is presented as less than beautiful, kneeling, bound and wing damaged. In her legend she had no wings.