Anacapa Masonic Lodge No. 710
FROM THE WEST
Instituted:
August
19, 1950 Ano Domini
(August 19, 5950 Ano Lucis)
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From The West
Masonic Education; Symbols, terms, Forms, Ceremonies and Allegoris (cont.)
"divested of all minerals and metals" The reason for this part of the ritual is because Freemasonry does not believe in violence. It is a law abiding, peace loving association. But it doesn't mean that Masons are cowardly. Most of our heroes are Masons who were the bravest and who brought great honor to their countries.
"Neither barefoot nor shod"; Removal of the shoes shows humility not humiliation. Taking off two shoe is a symbol of our sincerity in the bow that we take during obligation and pledging upon our honor to be fair in our dealings. This can be compared to the swearing of signature to a document before a Notary Public.
"Follow your guide and fear not one man can undo you"; This teaches us that man is dependent upon his fellowman. No man is an island; we must depend on others. Throughout our lives we will meet obstruction and we must be prepared to overcome them.
Brotherly Love symbolizes the universality of man. It regards the whole human race as one family, regardless of race, religion or creed.
Relief symbolizes man's duly to aid, support and be charitable. Not necessarily giving money.
Truth is the foundation of everything that is just. It is what every one of us should be seeking. Seeking Masonic Light is seeking the truth.
The Square symbolizes morality. It is also the symbol of righteousness. These are the standard of the Fraternity. Without them the Fraternity would perish.
The Compasses symbolizes spirituality. The points of the compasses are symbolically hidden when you were first brought to light in Masonry.
That man was "Hoodwinked" by the senses so he must grope his way, slowly, from the darkness of ignorance to the light of truth. As the square cannot be corrected without a circle of circumscribed by the compasses, man cannot find Divine truth outside the circle of law and love.
Compasses is the most spiritual of all the working tools of Freemasonry. The compasses reminds us to "circumscribe" our desire and keep our passions within due bounds."
The All-Seeing Eyes: Watchfulness and God. This was adopted from CDhristiatnity.
Beehive: Industriousness and productivity.
Open hand with heart: Charity, one of greatest virtues of Masons, along with Faith and Hope.
Woman with Cross: Faith
Woman with Anchor: Hope
Virgin Standing over an Open Book: Mourning
Two Columns: The entrance to King Solomon's Temple, denoting Strength and to Establish. Usually seen as gateway columns, common on Masonic graves.
Mosaic Pattern: Good and Evil in Life. Commonly seen as black and while tile pattern.
Square and Compass: Reason and Faith. The most recognized Masonic emblem.
The letter "G": God and Geometry, emblematic of the spiritual material worlds. The most sacred Masonic symbol.
Eastern Star: A five-pointed pentagram star with multiple small symbols and the letters "F.A.T.A.L." represents "Fairest Among Thousands, Altogether, lovely." Masonic organization for women.
Once again, due to space constraint, this Masonic Education bits and pieces will be continued on the next month's Trestleboard.
On the Level,
Bert Guiang