Post by stepnwolf on Dec 13, 2012 23:09:25 GMT 9.5
As far as I can tell, there are three words to describe the s..p s in Blue Lodge: common, regular and irregular. The common ones refer to our movement in the L. where there are only three rules: observe the 90º at the corners, move in a clockwise direction, and in many LL, do not pass between the RWM and the A., except when the ritual requires it.
Each of the three degrees has a regular s..p associated with it. It is taken when the secrets are communicated. and when the RWM calls the BB to order to demonstrate the degree in which the L. is working (along with the p.. s..). In some jurisdictions each degree has just one s..p associated with it; in others the rule is to go through the s..p s up to the current degree.
The irregular s..p s are quite different. In the regular steps we stand in one place while with the irregular ones we move forward as we pass through the three degrees. In the 2º and 3º the irregular s..ps obviously refer to events portraided in the degree. For the EA these steps may refer to the hesitant first s..p s of a baby who has just learned to stand.
What interpretations can be given to the s..p s, other than the ones given in the ritual? Regular s..p s refer to state or condition, irregular ones to motion, either physical or spiritual? Regular seem to be arbitrary while irregular ones are derived from the events in the degree? Do the physical positions have effects on the inside, so to speak?
In a 1º L. it is often difficult to determine whether the penal sign is given, or the S of F. What effect would that have on the inner workings of the L?
It is perhaps worth considering that the irregular steps vary across lodges. Sometimes they have geometric relationships.
One ritual I know says something like: as you advanced by irregular steps from W to E in search of Light, so do I advance by regular steps from E to W to bestow on you that which you seek.
That formula rather suggests that irregular steps are those made without rule or instruction.
I am inclined to think that the geometric irregular steps used before the 2nd and 3rd obligation are a later elaboration and not intrinsic.
Squaring the corners is often not observed, and if observed may not be named.
Squaring the lodge seems to me to reflect that the lodge and therefore the pavement extends from E to W and N to S. Therefore squaring occurs upon a pavement that is not visible.
Starting with the left foot seems to me to go back to the Widow as a continuation of the Egyptian ritual of trampling under (left) foot the king of terrors (apep) in the form of a wax image.
This is continued in recent imagery where a woman (e.g.Mary) or Krishna treads on the head of a serpent with the left foot
Apply the patterns to a ladder (or the ToL). The ladder might remind some of DNA? DNA and the ToL also throw some light on adv... 2, as would a study of Ida, Pingala, Sushumna. The ToL definitely throws some light on adv... 3.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
In a 1º L. it is often difficult to determine whether the penal sign is given, or the S of F. What effect would that have on the inner workings of the L?
? The 'penal' sign might indicate that there is definitely a penalty attached to our thoughts, words and deeds which have negative repercussions, either to ourself or others. In this case there is a disconnect between our mind and heart?
I have a suspicion that we cannot truly love, honour and respect others, until we have learned to love, honour and respect ourselves first. Might this be the lesson of the 1st? When we have the 1st nailed, one can see that the work of the 2nd will be much more productive for humanity as a whole.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
This is continued in recent imagery by a woman or Krishna treading on the head of a serpent with the left foot
Kundalini is described as a sleeping, dormant potential force in the human organism.[5] It is one of the components of an esoteric description of the 'subtle body', which consists of nadis (energy channels), chakras (psychic centres), prana (subtle energy), and bindu (drops of essence).
Kundalini is described as being coiled up at the base of the spine. The description of the location can vary slightly, from the rectum to the navel.[6] According to Sahaja Yoga, the kundalini resides in the triangular shaped sacrum bone in three and a half coils.[7]
The kundalini has been described as a residual power of pure desire by Nirmala Srivastava.[7]
The image given is that of a serpent coiled three and a half times around a smokey grey lingam. Each coil is said to represent one of the three gunas, with the half coil signifying transcendence
As one opens the door with a key, so the yogi should open the gate to liberation [moksha] with the kundalini. The great goddess [kundalini] steeps, closing with her mouth the opening through which one can ascend to the brahmarandhra (crown of the head), to that place where there is neither pain nor suffering. The kundalini sleeps above the kanda [where the nadis converge]. She gives liberation to the yogi and bondage to the fool. He who knows kundalini knows yoga. --The kundalini, it is said, is coiled like a serpent. He who can induce her to move [upward] is liberated. There is no doubt about it. --Between Ganga and Yamuna sits a young widow, arousing compassion. One should despoil her, for this leads to the supreme seat of Vishnu [her spouse in sahasrara]. The sacred Ganga is ida [nodi] and Yamuna if pin gala [nodi]. Between ida and pingala sits the young widow kundalini.
