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Freemasonry The Invisible Cult by Jack Harris

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THE SYMBOLISM OF FREEMASONRY:

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Symbolism is the language of Freemasonry. But what is symbolism? Why does Masonry use it? Who else has used symbolism? Some of the great minds in Masonic history (Albert Mackey, Joseph Fort Newton, Oliver Day Street, H. L. Haywood and more) answer these and other questions concerning the Masonic method of teaching as well as explain the symbolism of the Masonic degrees. This is an indispensable work for anyone seeking to better understand Freemasonry and its practices…. More >>

The Freemasons Key – A Study of Masonic Symbolism

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Symbolism (Psychology); Alchemy; Symbolism (Psychology); Alchemy; Rosicrucians; Society of Rosicrucians; Body, Mind… More >>

Hidden Symbolism of Alchemy and the Occult Arts

ICONOLOGY – Is the science which teaches the doctrine of images and symbolic representations. It is a science collateral with Freemasonry, and is of great importance to the Masonic student, because it is engaged in the consideration of the meaning and history of the symbols which constitute so material a part of the Masonic system.

JACOB’S LADDER

The introduction of Jacob’s ladder into the symbolism of Speculative Freemasonry is to be traced to the vision of Jacob, which is thus substantially recorded in the twentyeighth chapter of the Book of Genesis:

When Jacob, by the command of his father Isaac, was journeying toward Padanaram, while sleeping one night with the bare earth for his couch and a stone for his pillow, he beheld the vision of a ladder, whose foot rested on the earth and whose top reached to heaven. Angels were continually ascending and descending upon it, and promised him the blessing of a numerous and happy posterity. When Jacob awoke, he was filled with pious gratitude, and consecrated the spot as the house of God. This ladder, so remarkable in the history of the Jewish people, finds its analogue in all the ancient initiations.

Whether this is to be attributed simply to a coincidence— a theory which but few scholars would be willing to accept—or to the fact that these analogues were all derived from a common fountain of symbolism, or whether, as suggested by Brother Oliver, the origin of the symbol was lost among the practices of the Pagan rites, while the symbol itself was retained, it is, perhaps, impossible authoritatively to determine.

It is, however, certain that the ladder as a symbol of moral and intellectual progress existed almost universally in antiquity, presenting itself either as a succession of steps, of gates, of Degrees, or in some other modified form. The number of the steps varied; although the favorite one appears to have been seven, in reference, apparently, to the mystical character almost everywhere given to that number. Thus, in the Persian Mysteries of Mithras, there was a ladder of seven rounds, the passage through them being symbolical of the soul’s approach to perfection. These rounds were called gates, and, in allusion to them, the candidate was made to pass through seven dark and winding caverns, which process was called the ascent of the ladder of perfection Each of these caverns was the representative of a world, or w state of existence through which the soul was supposed to pass in its progress from the first world to the last, or the world of truth. Each round of the ladder was said to be of metal of measuring purity, and was dignified also with the name of its protecting planet. Some idea of the construction of this symbolic ladder may be obtained from the accompanying table.

7. Gold ………….. Sun …………… Truth
6. Silver …………. Moon ……….. Mansion of the Blessed
5. Iron …………… Mars ………… World of Births
4. Tin ……………. Jupiter ……… Middle World
3. Copper ………. Venus ………. Heaven
2. Quicksilver … Mercury ……. World of Pre-existence
1. Lead …………. Saturn ………. First World

Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology

Masonic Poetry – Br. N.A. Mcaulay

THE FIVE POINTS SYMBOLISM
(From The Builder, Anamosa, Iowa, October, 1916)

Foot to foot that we may go,
Where our help we can bestow;
Pointing out the better way,
Lest our brothers go astray.
Thus our steps should always lead
To the souls that are in need.

Knee to knee, that we may share
Every brother’s needs in prayer:
Giving all his wants a place,
When we seek the throne of grace.
In our thoughts from day to day
For each other we should pray.

Breast to breast, to there conceal,
What our lips must not reveal;
When a brother does confide
We must by his will abide.
Masons to us known,
We must Cherish as our own.

Hand to back, our love to show
To the brother, bending low:
Underneath a load of care,
Which we may and ought to share..
That the weak may always stand,
Let us lend a helping hand.

Cheek to check, or mouth to ear
That our lips may whisper cheer
To our brother in distress:
Whom our words can aid and bless
Warn him if he fails to see,
Dangers that are known to thee.

Foot to foot, and knee to knee,
Breast to breast, as brothers we:
Hand to back and mouth to ear,
Then that mystic word we hear,
Which we otherwise conceal,
But on these five points reveal.

There is often much discussion about the symbols that are utilized in Freemasonry. Some non-freemasons or those that feel that they are a cult suggest that their symbols are synchronized with devil worship.

The Blazing Star is considered by the Freemasons as one of their ornaments. The anti Freemasons have a different view on it. They base their theory on the Bible scripture Isaiah 14:12. Which is believed to be the “false dawn” referring to Lucifer. This being the Christian belief then it must mean that the Freemasons are involved in Satanism because of the Blazing Star they utilize as one of their symbols.

The interpretation of Isaiah 14:12 has a different meaning according to the Freemasons. Their interpretation is quite complex but is basically like this…This Biblical chapter relates to prophesy which the entire book of Isaiah does. In chapter 14 it contains a prophesy regarding the Kings of Babylon centering specifically on Nebuchadnezzar. The Freemasons explain that this particular King thought himself about mankind as a celestial body, but when Babylon is destroyed, Nebuchadnezzar will find himself as simply mortal. The scripture is often referred to in the Hebrew language. The word heyleyl translated means daystar and refers to the planet Venus. Being a book of prophesy it can be complex to understand.

Vulgate translation:
Hebrew = “daystar” = Lucifer (Venus was classed as the morning star and in Ancient times referred to as Lucifer.
Christian translation = Lucifer = Satan
Latin translations = Lucifer = Light bearing

Freemasons:
Hebrew: day-star=heyleyl = planet Venus

The planet Venus could be seen during both the day and the evening. The Greeks and the Romans had set names for it when it appeared in the morning and set names for it when it appeared in the evening.

In the morning…
Greeks = Phosphorus
Romans = Lucifer

In the evening
Greeks = Hesperus
Romans = Venus

From Hebrew to Greek into Latin would translate it to Lucifer. The argument that the Freemasons offer is that the term “Lucifer” in reference to Satan or the devil never existed further back than the middle ages and it became a common term for the devil because of a poem called “Paradise Lost.

So where does all of this fit in with the concept of the Blazing Star as the Freemasons see it. They will refer to the Minnesota Masonic Manual. Apparently, this manual is one of the teaching aids they use at their lectures. This Manual is said to depict the Blazing star as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem and has nothing to do with the Planet Venus.

In addition to this, they stipulate than the reference to this only lasts about thirty seconds yet the specific lecture is about 30 minutes. Mind you, it is pointed out that it depends on what jurisdiction this is taking place in. This lecture takes place in the first degree of the Masonry program.

In summary, the Freemasons stipulate that the misconception of them being devil worshippers is a misconstrued interpretation of the Bible taken out of context. Christianity’s stance is that the chapter we have just discussed is in direct reference to Lucifer. They have based their opinion on a parallel in the Gospel of St Luke. Jesus talks about Satan falling like lightning from heaven. Therefore, in Christian terms this is translated as the “Day Star” in Isaiah. It must be remembered there are many parallels in the New Testament referring back to the Old Testament. This very complex subject needs to be relied on in accordance to Biblical scholars.

Product Description
Albert Gallatin Mackey (1807-1881), was an American medical doctor, and is best known for his authorship of many books and articles about freemasonry, particularly Masonic Landmarks. He served as Grand Lecturer and Grand Secretary of The Grand Lodge of South Carolina; Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States…. More >>

The symbolism of freemasonry