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Post by paul on Apr 12, 2012 8:09:35 GMT 9.5
The square and the compasses are odd tools to be lights.
A common gavel and a chisel can often be seen to generate sparks. Surely they would be better as great lights?
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Post by choochoo808 on Apr 12, 2012 23:36:25 GMT 9.5
Great point. I also find it odd the Holy Bible was another. It's explicitly named as such, but what about the other VSLs?
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Post by Henka on Apr 13, 2012 0:46:56 GMT 9.5
Great point. I also find it odd the Holy Bible was another. It's explicitly named as such, but what about the other VSLs? It's because our ritual is based on the Old Testament.
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Post by Henka on Apr 13, 2012 0:50:32 GMT 9.5
The square and the compasses are odd tools to be lights. A common gavel and a chisel can often be seen to generate sparks. Surely they would be better as great lights? The three 'Great Lights of Masonry' are the Holy Bible the Square and Compass. When taken together, they are interpreted to symbolise God's expression through the creation of the universe. Holy Bible is valued at 516 and it seems relevant that this is also the value of 'The Gates of Light'. The latter is actually the title of a famous cabalistic text written in the thirteenth century by Joseph Gikatila and translated into Latin in the Renaissance by Paul Ricci. The book described the cabalistic Tree of Life that underlies the creation of the universe - as set out in the first chapter of Genesis - "Let there be Light: and there was Light." Possibly even more important is the fact that at 515 (516 by colel) in Hebrew we find ChVR ASh - the Light of the Sun. This is the great light of the cosmos. The Hebrew term is particularly significant when we realise the close etymological connection to the name ChVRM - Hiram. That name has a gematria value of 814, just one less than the 815 of Square and Compass. The symbolism of the conjoined Square and Compass is said to embody the union of earth and heaven. Traditionally this represents Life, because in Egyptian cosmology all life was first created from the union of Seb and Nut - the earth and the sky. In Greek Zwh - Life - has a value of 815, the same as Square and Compass. On its own, the Square represents morality, truthfulness and honesty. Its value of 446 equates it with the light of H'AMTh - the Truth. Geometrically, a square with sides of 446 will have a perimeter of 1784. This is the value of the AIN SVPh AVR - the 'Limitless Light': the source of creation and the divine foundation of the Tree of Life. The two diagonals of this square, that meet in the centre point and seem to emanate out from it like four rays, have a total length of 1261, and so symbolise Αρκτουρος - the Pole Star, otherwise known as the 'Blazing Star'. This hangs from the celestial canopy and lights every Masonic lodge as a symbol of immovable truth. With the definite article, Ο Αρκτουρος takes a value of 1331 - identical to that of Holy Bible, Square and Compass. A futher point worth mentioning is that the Bible has an alternative, and even more frequent name as a lodge furnishing: it is called the Volume of the Sacred Law (or V.S.L.). If we shorten this to Volume of Sacred Law, we find that its value of 2165 equates it with Χαρις του Θεου - the Grace of God. This seems fitting. It also levels it with the three great lights at the head of the tree of life KThR, ChKMH, BINH (Kether, Chokmah, Binah), when these are counted in plenitude: 1007 + 614 + 544 = 2165. But if we count the fuller expression The Volume of the Sacred Law, we find 2391, and so the three great lights of the divinity in Platonic philosophy Ων, Τον, Ταυτον ('On, Ton, Tauton'). www.masoncode.com/Great%20Lights.htm
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Post by choochoo808 on Apr 13, 2012 1:50:23 GMT 9.5
Not to belabor the point, but this is definitely a source of confusion for me:
We're not to discuss matters of religion while in lodge, and everyone's faith is equal regardless of their deity's name, their respective VSL, etc. How then does a Muslim reconcile their VSL being superceded by a different one? What of the Buddhist, Wiccan, Hindi, etc.?
I don't understand how it can work both ways. At a predominantly Muslim lodge in Turkey, for instance, is the Koran the VSL on the altar, but the Holy Bible still one of their great lights?
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matt
Beauty
Posts: 7
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Post by matt on Apr 13, 2012 3:28:13 GMT 9.5
I see the great lights as a pantacle, A heiroglyphic representation of the heavens and the earth with God in the center of it all.
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Post by paul on Apr 13, 2012 8:18:01 GMT 9.5
What a lot of lights there are. Which should we follow?
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Post by LorrB on Apr 13, 2012 9:07:41 GMT 9.5
.... the one that speaks to you ...
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Post by paul on Apr 13, 2012 9:35:30 GMT 9.5
.... the one that speaks to you ... That perhaps is dependent on one's energy structure. For example, a fragmentary structure (often observed at both emotional and mental levels) would allow quite a range of entities to connect depending on the current state of the human. Thus there are preconditions before one can rely on that process.
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Post by paul on Apr 13, 2012 9:42:42 GMT 9.5
.... How then does a Muslim reconcile their VSL being superceded by a different one? ... You have of course identified that European Masonry is culturally structured and thereby less than attractive to other cultures. Could it be that time immemorial Masonry has different outer forms in different cultures? Here are some links to Chinese forms. a406.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=news&action=display&thread=414&page=1I would suggest that European-derived Masonry expanded with the European push for world empires. In this new phase of geopolitical power, Masonry is due for a reformation and a return to its very ancient roots.
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Post by paul on Apr 13, 2012 10:29:06 GMT 9.5
... If we shorten this to Volume of Sacred Law, we find that its value of 2165 equates it with Χαρις του Θεου - the Grace of God. ... There seems a certain arbitrariness in making some connections. Is there some practitioner account that demonstrates the value of gematria beyond suggesting energy links?
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Post by Cora B on Apr 15, 2012 5:09:17 GMT 9.5
The square and the compasses are odd tools to be lights. A common gavel and a chisel can often be seen to generate sparks. Surely they would be better as great lights? Not necessarily. Of themselves, they are inanimate objects. They only generate sparks when wielded by a sentient being with the knowledge and skill to wield them appropriately -- and even then, whether or not the sparks set light to something depends on the wielder's indefatigability, and the ability of the surrounding material to catch Light and to stay a-blaze. The same, for that matter, goes for the VSLs, regardless of which Sacred Volume is used. It may contain all the Wisdom in the Universe (and beyond), but its effectiveness depends on the receptivity of the person receiving the Light. I sometimes think too much emphasis is placed on 'props' (if I may put it so irreverently) and not enough on the people who are supposed to be responding to them. IMHO.
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Post by paul on Apr 15, 2012 6:13:56 GMT 9.5
I sometimes think too much emphasis is placed on 'props' ..... Hi Cora I have referred to the furnishings as props myself. I have however noticed that as the props are put in place (and lined up) the atmosphere in the lodge changes. This suggests that at least some of the props are energetically active. ...not enough on the people who are supposed to be responding to them. IMHO. Perhaps more than response is required - intent as well?
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Post by LorrB on Apr 17, 2012 8:15:07 GMT 9.5
I think all three refer to Law - or the Unified Field Theory, so as to speak.
Once we discover how one little part works, we can discern how other parts might work ... we are enlightened somewhat. We might become Cosmic Conscious if our intellect did not restrict us.
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Post by LorrB on Apr 17, 2012 8:17:42 GMT 9.5
Hi Cora.... noticed you are part of HRA Triangle... I think R.Arch is a BIG KEY to understanding the mystery of Freemasonry. Good luck with HRA 28 ... hope it expands and prospers.
Great to have you visit us.
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Post by Cora B on Apr 27, 2012 4:58:02 GMT 9.5
I sometimes think too much emphasis is placed on 'props' ..... Hi Cora I have referred to the furnishings as props myself. I have however noticed that as the props are put in place (and lined up) the atmosphere in the lodge changes. This suggests that at least some of the props are energetically active. Or that the shift in atmosphere is related to the intent of those who put them in place - and those witnessing that action. Quite right.
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Post by Cora B on Apr 27, 2012 5:02:47 GMT 9.5
I think all three refer to Law - or the Unified Field Theory, so as to speak. Once we discover how one little part works, we can discern how other parts might work ... we are enlightened somewhat. That works -- it's a bit like the relationship between velocity, time, and distance; if you have two of those, you can calculate the third. Perhaps we already are. Perhaps intellect has very little to do with it.
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Post by Cora B on Apr 27, 2012 5:05:35 GMT 9.5
Thanks Lorraine - I clearly need to update my profile! Our Charter was returned to us a couple of months ago, so it's all systems go. And I agree - the HRA is quite phenomenal. Hi Cora.... noticed you are part of HRA Triangle... I think R.Arch is a BIG KEY to understanding the mystery of Freemasonry. Good luck with HRA 28 ... hope it expands and prospers. Great to have you visit us.
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Post by paul on Sept 30, 2012 6:34:39 GMT 9.5
I don't think we really came to an answer as to why the S&C are great lights. There must be a reason for choosing that combination. For example the ancient Chinese thought the combination important.
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Post by LorrB on Sept 30, 2012 11:21:22 GMT 9.5
The Square is the Fourth part of a circle, we only have part of the big picture. The compasses tell us that we are capable of discovering more?
The Chinese symbolism also includes Male/female and the superior/inferior lights ... Winding pathways...
I can see that the square and compasses are great clues (light bulbs above the head, or torches shining the pathway)
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