A Discussion on Masonic Symbolism, Part VI: A Glimmer of Light
Provided October 20, 2009 by Brother Dave Upham, ERAC Lodge #163, F&AM
Excerpt…
"What do you most desire?" If someone were to ask you that question today, how would you answer? Financial security? Repaired relationships? Success? Of all the things that come to your mind, both tangible and non-tangible, which would you choose as your answer to that question? Well, there was a time when you were asked that question and you found that you were prompted to give a specific answer…"Light in Masonry." An interesting choice of answers when you consider all there is that a man could wish for in any circumstance. It could be that you were prompted to give that answer because it was the only thing within our power to give at that time – and that would be partly true. But, on further reflection, you should understand that what we had to offer was something we knew to be of more value than the gold wrought into the statues of ancient kings, of the jewels fit to grace the diadem of eastern potentates. What we had to offer to you was knowledge of such value that mere words could not describe. In fact, it was knowledge of such depth that we would have to resort to symbolism to help define it. We would have to show you a symbolic representation of the surface knowledge and hope you would, through our encouragement, delve into a deeper study of the symbolism to find that light that the ancients discovered during their similar philosophical journeys…..
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A Discussion on Masonic Symbolism, Part V: The Covenant
Provided March 22, 2009 by Brother Dave Upham, ERAC Lodge #163, F&AM
Excerpt…
There is a particular time in each of the Three Degrees of a Symbolic Lodge when the Initiate is caused to swear that he will abide by certain rules that govern his behaviour as a Mason. He is giving an oath of obedience; stating and agreeing to his obligation to perform in a certain manner. What he is not doing, however, is entering into a contract with the Lodge. A contract is, usually, a well-defined set of actions on the part of two or more people that will result in a well-defined conclusion. Here, we have a slight difference in that the Initiate was informed, prior to his oath taking, that it would be necessary for him to agree to this oath taking process before he could proceed further with only the spoken assurance that it would not interfere with his personal sense of morality or values. The only promise made to him beyond that which was spoken to him was, should he agree and then make the oath, he would be qualified to proceed further (and receive more light) in the ceremonies of the Initiation ceremony.
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A Discussion on Masonic Symbolism, Part IV: The Processional
Provided March 4, 2009 by Brother Dave Upham, ERAC Lodge #163, F&AM
Excerpt…
When last we left the Candidate, he had just made an alarm, consisting of three distinct knocks at the inner door to the Lodge. There were, in answer, three distinct knocks from the guardian of that door, the Senior Deacon. In due time, the door was opened unto him, he was received in a most unusual and symbolically important manner by the Senior Deacon and, following a brief but obligatory pause for prayer, ceremoniously escorted around the Lodge in a process called circumambulation. A curious process, circumambulation, as old as memory, and long a very important, but often overlooked, symbolic journey that each Mason had taken in his quest for Masonic Light.
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A Discussion on Masonic Symbolism, Part III: The Entrance
Provided January 26, 2009 by Brother Dave Upham, ERAC Lodge #163, F&AM
Excerpt…
In due time, the preparation of a Candidate is finished and he is conducted to a door of the Lodge and caused to give an alarm at the door – three distinct knocks. In this section we’ll take a look at the symbolism of the alarm to the candidate – and begin to dig into the symbolism of the number three. Eventually, the candidate will learn to what the three knocks allude – to a certain passage of scripture that reads, “Ask and ye shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and a door shall be opened unto you.”
Download the entire article (PDF): A Discussion on Masonic Symbolism, Part III
A Discussion on Masonic Symbolism, Part II: Preparation
Provided January 8, 2009 by Brother Dave Upham, ERAC Lodge #163, F&AM
Excerpt…
In the previous section, we looked at the symbolism of the candidate’s being neither barefoot nor shod. In this section, we look at the custom of being neither naked nor clothed. Being dressed in this curious fashion is meant to signify two things: First, that the Candidate is neither totally naked nor defenseless, nor is he completely clothed and self sufficient. Second, the candidate is representing himself as being poor…and for that reason, he is informed to take no metallic substance with him into the Lodge rooms, the symbolism, with which we are all familiar, will be explained to him once he has
proven himself.
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A Discussion on Masonic Symbolism, Part I
Provided January 2, 2009 by Brother Dave Upham, ERAC Lodge #163, F&AM
Excerpt…
Masonry, it is said, is a system of myths, symbols, and allegories, through which life lessons are taught which, when fully understood, allow us to take good men and make them better. This article, or paper, is the beginning in a series of articles designed to not only help us understand the use and importance of symbolism in Masonry, but to encourage further study toward the obtaining of further light.
Why does Masonry depend so heavily on the use of symbols throughout the Three Degrees of Craft Masonry? To answer this question, it will be beneficial to examine symbolism and its use in general.
Download the entire article: A Discussion on Masonic Symbolism, Part I
How Do We Take Good Men And Make Them Better?
Provided January 1, 2009 by Brother Dave Upham, ERAC Lodge #163, F&AM, ©2007
Excerpt…
We believe that there is such a thing as honor, and that a man has a responsibility to act with honor in everything he does. Masons teach that principle. We believe that a life not founded on honor is hollow and empty – that a man who acts without honor is less than a man and he who cannot act with honor cannot become, or, for that matter, cannot remain a member of this Craft. We teach – and we agree – that we stand, an UPRIGHT Man and Mason and are given it strictly ever to act as such BEFORE GOD and man. What better legacy can we request than we live respected and die regretted?
Download the entire article (PDF): How Do We Take Good Men And Make Them Better
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