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Post by stepnwolf on Apr 30, 2013 20:38:27 GMT 9.5
In recent threads several forumites have written about our advancement as humans beings, as creatures of emotion and thought. Some Brn may see in the Craft the opportunity to advance in the business community, while others may aspire to advancement in knowledge. Still others may find in Freemasonry a school of training to realize their full potential as creatures of the divine.
The craft encourages us in our progress with the two ashlars. The rough ashlar is the stone as it comes from the quarries, roughly hewn and hardly useful in the building of any structure. That ashlar may represent the candidate as he appears in the society of men before he has been brought to light in a Masonic lodge.
Some students see in the rough ashlar the human as part of an imperfect society. With the “superfluous knobs and excrescences” removed, Pike sees the perfect society as a result. We can view the resulting smooth ashlar as fit material for building the T.
There may be more symbolism here than first meets the eye. The smooth ashlar as represented in most LL is a polished cube. How often are cubes used in the building of a wall? To the best of my recollection the stones used are oblong, the length possibly twice as long as the height. We can devise the formula h=l/2 where h = the stretch of our aspirations, the degree to which our aspirations are successful; l = all the experience we bring to the operation, all our training, education, reading, etc.
Imagine the task of teaching a primitive forest dweller the discipline of quantum mechanics, the h in our equation. Our success will depend on the l of the equation, the background, education, etc. of our forest dweller. The same may be true for our newly created Bro. who, roughly hewn from the quarries, is introduced to the secrets of the Craft. As his training increases he becomes more aware of the heights that are opened to him.
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Post by paul on Apr 30, 2013 20:44:11 GMT 9.5
In 18th we are told that the cubic stone turned into the mystic rose. The cubic stone is also associated with blood (colour).
While the symbolism is altered by the Christian overlay, there are two threads to be understood. One is alchemical - hence the blood red colour of the (philosophers') stone that is the perfection of matter. But that does not tell us why the stone is cubic or why the rose is associated.
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Post by LorrB on May 1, 2013 8:31:06 GMT 9.5
-> As his training increases he becomes more aware of the heights that are opened to him. I think the cubic stone might be related to the point within the circle. The former being the physical/mortal representation of the latter which is spirit/immortal. Here we are prisoners of the elements, air-earth-fire-water. What better symbolism for this than the cube. As we improve our outlooks and act accordingly the cube can no longer contain us, it is forced to open up and the ONLY way a cube can be opened up is by unfolding, which it will do in the form of a cross. The FIVE PETALLED ROSE? As our consciousness, AWARENESS, expands we realise that there are more than FIVE SENSES available for our use. The rose of five petals belongs to matter. The blood red? What you do unto each other you do unto yourself? Maybe we have to first grasp the red rose, thorns and all, before we can be given a white rose to match the new gown. After the Rose? The THOUSAND PETALLED LOTUS?  |
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Post by paul on May 1, 2013 11:33:02 GMT 9.5
>I think the cubic stone might be related to the point within the circle.
How might that be tested?
>Here we are prisoners of the elements, air-earth-fire-water. What better symbolism for this than the cube.
Do we not ride upon the elements that provide us bodies of manifestation on various planes?
>As we improve our outlooks and act accordingly the cube can no longer contain us
Usually humans, if depicted in geometric form are not depicted in a cube.
>The FIVE PETALLED ROSE?
In 18th I do not recall any reference of 5 petals. I suggest that the rose as an emblem of secrecy and silence has other origins.
>The blood red? What you do unto each other you do unto yourself?
Is the blood important or the red? In accounts of alchemy the stone is red.
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Post by LorrB on May 1, 2013 12:13:00 GMT 9.5
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Post by paul on May 1, 2013 12:17:34 GMT 9.5
>Mentally, I get one changing into the other and back again, continually.
Are you dealing with geometry or dealing with the realities veiled by the "the cubic stone" and "the point within the circle"?
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Post by LorrB on May 1, 2013 12:19:32 GMT 9.5
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Post by LorrB on May 1, 2013 12:20:52 GMT 9.5
>Mentally, I get one changing into the other and back again, continually. Are you dealing with geometry or dealing with the realities veiled by the "the cubic stone" and "the point within the circle"? That is the image I get without thinking about anything... just happens. |
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Post by LorrB on May 1, 2013 12:29:22 GMT 9.5
5 petals related to the pentagram and/or passage of Venus (which some masons equate with the Blazing Star)?
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Post by paul on May 1, 2013 12:35:05 GMT 9.5
>5 petals related to the pentagram and/or passage of Venus (which some masons equate with the Blazing Star)?
It is proper to relate the FPoF to Venus but Venus is not the same as the BS - unless we consider that Venus is properly represented twice on some EA TB.
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Post by LorrB on May 1, 2013 12:37:37 GMT 9.5
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Post by paul on May 1, 2013 12:38:22 GMT 9.5
In my experience it is better to attend a rose exhibition and approach a stand covered with cardinal red roses. The experience of what is concealed and what is emanated by that rose may supersede the usual explanations. |
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Post by paul on May 1, 2013 12:43:47 GMT 9.5
And whose celestial crown is it that the princes want to inherit? Is it the crown of TMH? Do they expect TMH to die or be overthrown? Do they become generals to compete with each other and with him? Are there yet other players?
Much is answered in the Sumerian accounts.
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Post by LorrB on May 1, 2013 14:07:28 GMT 9.5
I still have trouble believing that Freemasonry is just about Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial battles amongst kin ... and I am a real Sitchin fan. Secret Places of the Lion: Alien Influences on Earth's Destiny
George Hunt Williamson - 1996
Early traditions speak of the arrival of "radiant beings from heaven," self-sacrificing guardians of the human race who have reincarnated as pivotal figures in the panorama of human history to assist in the work of evolution. This book expands on the 'outside influence' bit which I feel has more to do with the masonic bit. |
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Post by LorrB on May 1, 2013 14:11:19 GMT 9.5
Crowns - to me - signify an expanded consciousness. Cosmic Consciousness, often depicted as the All-Seeing Eye. Thus masons aspire to perfect themselves and earn the Crown (of Solomon) of all seeing, knowing, understanding, Wisdom.
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Post by paul on May 1, 2013 14:21:36 GMT 9.5
>Crowns - to me - signify an expanded consciousness
Possibly so, but is that really what 18th is about with its generals and princes, ascents and descents, and inheritances?
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Post by paul on May 1, 2013 14:26:12 GMT 9.5
>I still have trouble believing that Freemasonry is just about Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial battles amongst kin
Quite so.
The sons of the Widow were taught spiritual practices of which the FPoF, the Triple Grip, and Jacob's Ladder are the most fundamental.
Still the War in the Heavens is real and we do battle against "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places"
>Secret Places of the Lion
I have a copy. Just the name is sufficient to value the book.
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Post by stewartedwards on May 1, 2013 20:22:02 GMT 9.5
>I still have trouble believing that Freemasonry is just about Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial battles amongst kin Quite so. The sons of the Widow were taught spiritual practices of which the FPoF, the Triple Grip, and Jacob's Ladder are the most fundamental. Still the War in the Heavens is real and we do battle against "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" >Secret Places of the Lion I have a copy. Just the name is sufficient to value the book. I have just bought it, should be an illuminating read. |
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Post by LorrB on May 2, 2013 8:10:08 GMT 9.5
... (ancient) Ancestry.com  Getting back to basics ... smooth stones reflect the light. Imagine, billions of people reflecting light.. |
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Post by paul on May 2, 2013 8:17:38 GMT 9.5
or even radiating light!
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