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Post by LorrB on Jul 27, 2011 11:56:43 GMT 9.5
Key 11
In the Hebrew alphabet, consisting of twenty-two letter, are the fundamentals of Qabbalistic knowledge. Each of the letters is composed of tiny flames joined together in various combinations, the number of flames to each letter ranging from one to four. With the letter of this flaming alphabet the student of the Qabbalah is first concerned, for they are the basis of a great fire-born doctrine
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Post by LorrB on Jul 27, 2011 11:58:27 GMT 9.5
Is this the key to understanding the significance of the Tetragrammaton in R.Arch?
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Post by LorrB on Jul 27, 2011 13:30:56 GMT 9.5
Are these these flames the same as the 'tongues of fire' which bestowed the gift of speaking 'in tongues' to the disciples?
Read between the lines here.
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Post by LorrB on Jul 27, 2011 13:34:31 GMT 9.5
Words Around "FIRE" in English, OT Hebrew, and NT Greek
"Fire" in Hebrew (Gesenius)
One of the best foreshadowings of the baptism of fire in the Old Testament is in the Hebrew word for "fire" itself. Astonishingly, there is but this one Hebrew word for every English occurrences of "fire" in the King James Old Testament. Spelled ASh (#784), it is not many words after Ornan (ARNN #771). A, aleph, often refers to "God," and Sh, shin, infers "bringing forth, or birth." So the distilled definition for the word ASh, "fire," might be rendered, "The birth of God in us" -- or receiving his image in our countenance, for with the mighty change, Christ comes and makes his abode with us, or in our heart, through the Holy Ghost. Another definition for ASh (#786, different vowel points (d.v.p.)) is, "I am." The next definition for ASh (#787, d.v.p.) is equally profound and relevant: "Foundations." ["Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation." (Hel. 5:12.) Indeed, the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost is fundamental to establishing that foundation. (3 Ne. 11:35,39.)] Another definition for ASh (#785, d.v.p.), also having the meaning of "flame," cites Daniel 7:11 in which the beast which has made war with the saints and prevailed for a short season (Dan. 7:21,25) "is slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame." "Wherefore, [the Lord] will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire." (1 Ne. 22:17.) Following his alphabetic scheme, Gesenius lists three words prior to #784 ASh ("fire"), which have a meaning reminiscent of covenant [everlasting covenant]: AShR (unused root): "To bind;" AShRAL (840) "whom God has bound;" AShRYAL (844,5): "vow of God." The word prior to these, ARThChShShThA (783) means: "strong, powerful" -- the only virtuous and lasting attainment of which comes through Christ. "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." (1 Ne. 14:14.)
www.greaterthings.com/Word-Number/Gospel/fire.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit
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Post by LorrB on Jul 27, 2011 13:40:39 GMT 9.5
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Post by LorrB on Jul 27, 2011 13:40:40 GMT 9.5
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Post by paul on Jul 27, 2011 13:44:55 GMT 9.5
The study of the Hebrew letters was often appropriate in the Piscean age but now, in a period of group work, may distract from the key to entering Masonry - through the place where we have unlimited faith in our employer.
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Post by Henka on Jul 28, 2011 6:39:32 GMT 9.5
Are these these flames the same as the 'tongues of fire' which bestowed the gift of speaking 'in tongues' to the disciples? Read between the lines here. No, I think that refers to Kundalini awakening in the disciples.
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Post by LorrB on Jul 28, 2011 8:15:02 GMT 9.5
The study of the Hebrew letters was often appropriate in the Piscean age but now, in a period of group work, may distract from the key to entering Masonry - through the place where we have unlimited faith in our employer. Hmmm .... but if we see Hebrew letters displayed in a lodge room shouldn't we treat them as any other symbol and try to fathom their meaning - and source? Knowledge -> Understanding -> Wisdom. I don't see that that diminishes the unlimited faith in our employer.
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Post by paul on Jul 28, 2011 8:45:51 GMT 9.5
>if we see Hebrew letters displayed in a lodge room shouldn't we treat them as any other symbol and try to fathom their meaning - and source?
Certainly.
There is however a subtlety in that lines of teaching typically exist in a stream or current of energy. It is worth detecting the nature of the current and its inherent agenda before immersing oneself.
One may of course inspect the content of the teaching and techniques without immersion.
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Post by LorrB on Jul 28, 2011 9:36:43 GMT 9.5
No, I think that refers to Kundalini awakening in the disciples. Could be. The Kundalini rises from the basement (of the spine) to the upper room (crown of the skull) and somewhere in the bible narrative they mention that many people going to (or near) the Temple were attracted by the sounds of rushing wind at the coming of the Holy Spirit with power. The rising up of the Kundalini is accompanied by inner sounds, which change as they rise. High pitched sounds, musical instruments, rushing wind etc. If the Bible story is itself an allegory then maybe this little snippet may be the key to finding the hidden meaning of the story. Both Mark 14:12–16 and Luke 22:7–13 speak about a man carrying “a pitcher of water.” Men did not carry water in pitchers (although they carried water skins for their own drinking) in ancient Israel. Transporting water was woman’s work.
www.askelm.com/news/n051012.htm
I like to cross reference stories with similar stories from different traditions. Here is one from the Hopi Indians. The Antelope functions as the summoner, the awakener of the life bearer. The Antelope is male, associated with the head and consciousness. (Upper Chamber)
The Snake is female and is associated with the generative energy of life. The ritual of the Snake Maiden's marriage is an appeal to the energies of life to come out, as she has come out, from their unawakened virginal retreat. (Widow and apron clasp) The Antelope is associated with the Sun. The Snake is associated with the moon. The marriage is the joining of the Solar Male Fire energy with the Lunar Female Fire energy. (FPoF)
The kundalini serpent dwells in the lowest chakra coiled three and a half times. The Hopi have lived in three and a half worlds with three more worlds to go. (Raising the Lodge)
Kundalini starts out at the lowest chakra then moves up through the chakras. As the kundalini rises it moves with the same motion of a snake. (Winding Stairway)
The Wuwuchim is the sound of a low hum and a strange blowing of breath which is performed by society members in the Antelope Kiva. The sound of the Wuwuchim is the sound that awakens the kundalini and gives it the desire to rise up through the chakras. The aim of yoga is to awaken the Snake Maiden, kundalini, and bring her up the spine to full consciousness, both of herself and the spiritual nature of all things. (Whispered)
www.ufodigest.com/news/0808/snakedance-print.html
Note: Bracketed bits my thoughts. I am sure that if you compare any part or parts of the above with other traditions you will find similar reflections.
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Post by LorrB on Jul 28, 2011 9:54:24 GMT 9.5
>if we see Hebrew letters displayed in a lodge room shouldn't we treat them as any other symbol and try to fathom their meaning - and source? Certainly. There is however a subtlety in that lines of teaching typically exist in a stream or current of energy. It is worth detecting the nature of the current and its inherent agenda before immersing oneself. One may of course inspect the content of the teaching and techniques without immersion. I know what you mean. I like to take little trips into all traditions but there are none that capture me completely, generally speaking their practices do not resonate with my inner nature. But wouldn't that be true of most people? We may fast and pray and meditate for hours/weeks/months on end - for a short while - but if it is contrary to our current nature we will fail in that endeavour eventually. (Like diets ) I guess that is why I am so attracted to Freemasonry. We are free to search and discover at out own pace. Safely and surely - if one puts the effort into it.
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Post by paul on Jul 28, 2011 10:42:39 GMT 9.5
>if it is contrary to our current nature we will fail in that endeavour eventually
Unless of course the sponsoring entities for the practices are stronger than the human.
Would that be the case for those addicted to physical workouts or gambling or religion or sex or ...?
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Post by Henka on Jul 28, 2011 11:40:00 GMT 9.5
Lorr, regarding Kundalini, or Serpent Power, the symbols of Freemasonry are pointing directly at it. The Point Within a Circle, the Winding Staircase, the significance of seven (it's not the Pleadies), the seven rungs on the ladder in the EA tracing board, etc. all are symbols of this internal energy. At one time, man had a more thorough understanding of this spiritual science, and various societies such as Freemasonry have passed down this knowledge encoded in our ritual.
That, Paul, is the answer to your question on the other forum regarding the importance of ritual. Knowledge is preserved in symbolic form, regardless if the participants understand it. It is there for those who discover the keys to unlock.
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Post by LorrB on Jul 28, 2011 12:13:58 GMT 9.5
Henka, I see that so plainly that I am constantly amazed that so few others can't .. it's so 'in your face'. It's a good thing though that the unprepared can't see it I suppose, it can be a treacherous path to tread for those not properly prepared.
Paul, re sponsoring entities (I do believe we have them), the Deacons can be seen to represent sponsors/guides (they do lead the blind), who or what else in our ceremonies or lodgeroom would you say could be seen as representing these sponsors?
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Post by paul on Jul 28, 2011 12:21:25 GMT 9.5
Sponsoring entities may or may not be aligned with the agenda of the HOATF. Caution is advised. Certainly the deacons represent some sponsoring entities in Masonry. See Initiation, Human and Solar for a concise description www.sacred-texts.com/eso/ihas/index.htmAs for kundalini - perhaps it is worth considering the mode of dress for the candidates for the 3 degrees
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Post by LorrB on Jul 28, 2011 14:26:10 GMT 9.5
Mode of dress ... in esoteric lodges do you think it is appropriate to indicate such to candidates - in general terms. I did so at an intitiation last week then wondered afterwards whether I should have or not. The candidate was well versed in the energy fields which abound.
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Post by LorrB on Jul 28, 2011 14:39:44 GMT 9.5
And before we leave the "upper chamber" behind... is it purely coincidence that Jesus was crucified at 'the place of the skull" (Golgotha)?
Spirit descends in the upper room or chamber, and one sacrifices oneself for others in the skull - upper room/chamber.
Can't help but think about the 3rd, Rose Croix and even dormer windows.
Or on the Tree of Life, the Middle Pillar, Tipareth, Kether. I am certain that there are similar co-relations in other traditions.
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Post by LorrB on Jul 28, 2011 14:44:55 GMT 9.5
Key 12
The ancient Jews declared that it was with various combinations of these flaming points that ADM named all things while in the Garden of the Lord. The student of occult philosophy realises that everything has both its own true name, which is its eternal word, and also a form or material name which changes with its manifestations. All the true names are based upon various combination of YOD, the great fire flame. YOD is the primitive figure of hieroglyph of the Hebrew alphabet. It is the name of the independent fire flames which gather together to form the twenty-two letters. Masons have accepted this symbol as that of God. It is also the first letter of the Hebrew name Jehovah.
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Post by LorrB on Jul 28, 2011 14:48:43 GMT 9.5
Can't help but think about 'the new name written' bit here.
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