Bilderberg.org

[joe stirling]

From: joe stirling <kim.stirling@ntlworld.com>
Date: 25 April 2007 20:43:47 BST
To: "Connop, Chris" <cconnop@Ugle.org.uk>
Subject: Re: How many Masons are Crooked ?

Dear Chris,

My name is Joe Stirling and you should
checkout www.masonfree.org.uk

Please get back to me,

Thanks

Joe

On 25 Apr 2007, at 11:55, Connop, Chris wrote:

Dear Miss Stirling,
 
If you believe this rubbish, you will believe anything!  We have always been a target of the conspiracy theorists! 
 
I direct your attention to our website (www.ugle.org.uk) which will tell you about the reality rather than the mythology of Freemasonry.
 
Freemasons promise to be good citizens and to uphold the law.  Those who fall below the high standards of integrity expected of them may face Masonic discipline, even expulsion.   We give at least £20 million every year to charities.  We foster values of tolerance, mutual understanding and honesty.
 
Chris Connop
Communications Department, UGLE 
From: Byas, Martin
Sent: 25 April 2007 09:05
To: Connop, Chris
Subject: FW: How many Masons are Crooked ?


From: kim stirling [mailto:kim.stirling@ntlworld.com]
Sent: 30 April 2007 13:18
To: Byas, Martin
Subject: Fwd: How many Masons are Crooked ?
 

Hi Chris, I'm still waiting, Joe


On 30 Apr 2007, at 15:36, Connop, Chris wrote:


Joe,
 
What are you waiting for?  I had seen this. I direct your attention to the first two sentences of my first email.  I have never read such nonsense in my whole life!  It is so ludicrous as to be laughable, and no intelligent and reasonable individual could possibly take it seriously.
 
Thank you, however, for drawing it to my attention.
 
Chris Connop

From: joe stirling <kim.stirling@ntlworld.com>
Date: 30 April 2007 16:47:14 BST
To: Chris Connop <cconnop@Ugle.org.uk.readnotify.com>
Subject: How many Masons are Crooked ?

Hi Chris, (30th April 07)

First, I had to prompt you twice for a reply.
Second, you discarded my true story as nonsense.
Thirdly, You believe my story to be ludicrous ? well, give me a chance to prove it to you in front of an open audience with cameras running.
Forth, You have never read such nonsense in your whole life ???? (are you a Mason?)

Will you or any of your pseudo brothers take our challenge in an open forum (documented) with Second Family (UK) a victims of Freemasonry support group ?

I/we at SF would relish this opportunity

There is no malice intended in this email, only facts and overwhelming evidence that Freemasonry is no less than a criminal organisation.

Come on Chris, please give us a chance, I am begging you. We have recently read about you guys being more open, the ball is in your court.

Oh, you said you have read our webpage at www.masonfree.org.uk that's good, can you please answer our question about "Why can't we have a public register of Freemasons?"

Genuinely yours,

Joe Stirling on behalf of Second Family (UK)

No reply as yet and one SF member asked me to tone it down a bit, so I sent him this,

From: kim stirling <kim.stirling@ntlworld.com>
Date: 2 May 2007 18:23:37 BST
To: Chris Connop <cconnop@Ugle.org.uk.readnotify.com>
Subject: crooked masons, joe

OK Chris,

I know I can't win and FMs can do what
they want, when they want.

So, what can us victims do ?

I have read that victims will be
persecuted until death ? why ?

I haven't got a clue what I have done,
but I/we can overwhelmingly prove it's all
Masonic persecution.

Joe Stirling

No reply as yet, SF's Joe
_________________
We are all victims of Freemasonry, only........ YOU haven't figured it out yet. Second Family UK do not hate Masons or anybody, only ignorance and evil. Why do all Masons hide ? Give us a public register and SF will show you why they all hide.

[stanboy]

Oh Chris,

I agree, most masons are good kind people but if masons are such nice people, would you like to explain what the ninth degree is all about and the 0 degree for people who are invited into freemasonry to be destroyed? A person close to a very high up freemason ( top 10) told me what the ninth degree was all about, and it makes me shudder and i know it to be confirmed to be true.

What is the vow exactly? Not in it's pretty terms which i have seen also, but in plain , simple language, what is a mason prepared to do as a direct consequence of the vow he takes in the ninth degree?

[willow the wip]

Chris i think this will intrest you,

http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/
_________________
Christ over Christianity.

[Bondi]

there is no 9th degree.

If you want to debate or discuss things with Freemasons you need to know what you are talking about.

There are ONLY 3 degrees in Freemasonry and the Order of the Holy Royal Arch. Mention anything of 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th etc Degree and you will not get much response as you 1) are not even talking about Freemasonry 2) do not know the most basic elements of the fraternity so people wont really pay any attention to you regarding anything more serious.

Also, Freemasonry is 100% opt in, there is no invite, no invitational degree, again a very basic piece of information that when you get wrong will make people no want to discuss anything with you because it is one of the 3 most basic pieces of information anyone who knows anything about Freemasonry should get correct.

The persons reference to the 9th degree can only be with regard to another order or rite, possible one that only accepts Freemasons, but none the less it is not Freemasonry, a part of Freemasonry nor should Freemasonry be accountable for it's actions. If the poster would like to clarify which order he is referring to, as there is one legitimate order in England that contains a 9th Degree, although this is not open to all Freemasons, and three rites that are dupes, state they are masonic and of Freemasonry but they are not, I would gladly offer further personal insight...

[willow the wip]

their are 33o in masonry, please re fair to the grand lodge of research in Messuri USA. (sorry for the typo`s) references are at the bottom.


They are ritual rites, [1] the 33o is the master mason, what you re fair to is a three-degree system, for example in North America there are three Scottish Rite bodies, the Canadian Jurisdiction, Southern Jurisdiction and the Northern Jurisdiction, which have slightly different titles for their degrees.

In South America and Mexico the Grand Lodges will have absorbed variations of either the York or Scottish Rite degrees into their systems and often there will be two or more Grand Lodges in one geographical jurisdiction—generally one styled a Grand Lodge and the other a Grand Orient—each conferring a different set of degrees.

In Europe, what they term the Scottish Rite more closely resembles various eighteenth century European rites than it does the North American model.

The Concordant or Appendant Bodies has 33o`s

York Rite
Royal Arch Masons
Mark Master
Virtual Past Master
Most Excellent Master
Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch
Council of Royal and Select Masters (Cryptic Rite)
Royal Master
Select Master
Super Excellent Master
Royal Ark Mariner
Preceptory of Knights Templar
Illustrious Order of the Red Cross
Order of Saint Paul
Order of Saint John or Malta
Order of the Knights Templar


Scottish Rite
Lodge of Perfection
4° Secret Master
5° Perfect Master
6° Confidential [Intimate] Secretary
7° Provost and Judge
8° Intendent of the Building
9° Elu, or Elected Knight, of the Nine
10° Illustrious Elect or Elu of the Fifteen
11° Sublime Knight Elect, or Elu, of the Twelve
12° [Grand] Master Architect
13° Knight of the Ninth Arch, or Royal Arch of Solomon
14° Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason, or Perfect Elu
Chapter of Rose Croix
15° Knight of the Sword [of the East]
16° Prince of Jerusalem
17° Knight of the East and West
18° Knight [Prince] Rose Croix
Council of Kadosh
19° [Grand] Pontiff
20° [Grand] Master of Symbolic Lodges
21° Noachite or Prussian Knight
22° Knight of the Royal Axe
23° Chief of the Tabernacle
24° Prince of the Tabernacle
25° Knight of the Brazen Serpent
26° Prince of Mercy
27° Knight Commander of the Temple
28° Knight of the Sun, or Prince Adept
29° Grand Scottish Knight of St. Andrew
30° Knight Kadosh
Consistory of Sublime Princes
31° Inspector Inquisitor Commander
32° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret
Supreme Council
33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General



the Craft Freemasonry has only 3o`s in masonry

Refs

[1] http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/masonic_degrees.html

"The Structure of Freemasonry." Life. Vol. 41, No. 15. October 8, 1956. Time Inc., Chicago. [from a painting by Everett Henry] printed size: 21" x 14".
2. The Articles of Union were signed on November 25, 1813 by the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Kent, and confirmed on December 27, 1813 prior to the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England: Article II "...declared and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch."
_________________
Christ over Christianity.

[Bondi]

The correct allocation is.

Freemasonry has 3 degrees and the Order of the Holy Royal Arch.

That is Freemasonry.

York Rite is a group of individual orders, and NOT DEGREES in America only that only admit Freemasons

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasons is a rite of it's own and again only admits, hence it's title "of Freemason" and NOT of "Freemasonry"

I understand the confusion, in America they kinda lump it all under one banner, with many people joining Freemasonry simply to join either the Shrine or the A&ASR, but in truth, and more importantly in FACT, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is NOT Freemasonry, the York Rite is NOT Freemasonry.

Most if not all people agree the home of Freemasonry is England, and many look to England for their factual information on Freemasonry, so there is no reason why we should not do the same.

According to a statement by UGLE, which appears on EVERY lodge summons that goes out to an English Freemason,

"Freemasonry consists of 3 degrees, viz, the entered apprentice, the fellowcraft and the master mason, with the Holy Order of the Royal Arch"

There is no such thing as The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasons in England

There is no such thing as York Rite in England, and if it was ever worked, according to the board of general purposes of the UGLE, would be considered non-masonic, irregular, against the rules and no English Freemason could attend.

If these rites/orders were Freemasonry, do you not think the attitude of UGLE would be somewhat different, and do you not think they would be in England?

The same as you have the Ancient and Primitive Rite, others known as Rite of Memphis and Misrain containt 90+ degrees, hardly considered masonic, let alone Freemasonry, anywhere today.

[willow the wip]

according to the Scottish rite their are 33o`s.

Read above.

Your disagreement is with official masonic references not me.
_________________
Christ over Christianity.

[willow the wip]

according to this masonic reference

“In the United States, various terms have been applied to the high degrees, such as appendant, appurtenant, concordant, supplementary, allied, associated, and finally, one that is descriptive but inconvenient: degrees for which the degree of Master Mason is a prerequisite. Some oppose the term high degrees, because they dislike the implication that the Master’s degree is not the highest, but the name is simple and convenient and its long usage would seem to preclude any possibility of avoiding it.”

Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, Henry Wilson Coil.
Richmond, Virginia : Macoy Publishing, Revised 1995.
p. 312.

yet again you disagree.
_________________
Christ over Christianity.

[Bondi]

[Bondi]

[willow the wip]

well their is a masonic web site that dose explain it in more deatail and gives references to the diffrent degree`s in masonry symbols are used per Degree in masonry.

I guess you dissagree with albert pike.

http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/

goto

http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/apikefr.html

http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/alchemy_freemasonry.html

4th Degree

In the 4th degree we are introduced to the Kabbalah[8] and the tree of life. Most students of the Kabbalah would recognize it as deriving from Jewish mysticism. However, there is also a Hermetic Kabbalah which is strongly connected to alchemy. Manley P. Hall states that the theories of the Kabbalah are inextricably interwoven with the tenets of alchemy, Hermeticism, Rosicruciansim and Freemasonry[9]. During the period of the open minded Renaissance Hermeticism and the Kabbalah became increasingly intertwined. However, much of today’s Hermitic Kabbalah was made popular during the late 19th and early 20th century by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

The many aspects of Hermetic Kabbalah are too detailed for the scope of this paper, so a short outline will be given. In Judaic Kabbalah, the 10 Sephiroth are understood to describe the 10 attributes of the Deity. In Hermetic Kabbalah the 10 Sephiroth also pertain to the attributes of Deity, but they utilize different symbols to describe them. The Hermetic system relates the 22 paths between the sephira to the 22 Hebrew letters, a color, a musical note (vibration), an odor and a Tarot card[10]. The Golden Dawn Hermetic system assigns astrological signs in the form of planets and specific meanings to each of the Sephiroth on the “body”. The concept of the Tree of Life is long rooted in Alchemy;

It is believed that the early Kabbalists would often embed their secret teachings in the symbols and rituals of various esoteric schools of thought, such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Scottish Rite, for safe keeping. We are still able to find clues in the symbols and ritual of our Scottish Rite degrees that point to esoteric Kabalistic meanings left to us from earlier times.



To this researcher, the description of the Tree of Life contained in the 4th degree appears to be Judaic based. Never the less, the Kabbalah is so interwoven into Hermetic thought that we must consider this to be a potential alchemistical symbol.



5th Degree

The theme of the 5th degree is that of death, in this case the memorial of the death of Hiram Abif. Death has a specific meaning within Alchemy. According to Alchemists, unless the elements first die, the Great Work of self transformation cannot take place. Amongst the symbolic chemical processes in Alchemy we find the state of putrefaction, the symbolic color of which is black[12]. Can we connect the colors of the preparation room which is hung with black drapes, symbolizing the death of putrefaction to prepare us for the spiritual transformation?



This concept of having to die and be transformed into another state is common in other religions. Notable is the Christian concept of being born again, and teaching of the death of the physical body to be transformed into the spiritual body[13]. This connection may be seen in the words of the funeral hymn in the degree, “The buried wheat must seem to die, long rotting in the earth must lie,…the new stalk can the new grain bear…Before the moth new-born, can be the type of immortality[14]. This portion of the ritual supports the Alchemistical concept of rebirth from death, through the state of putrefaction.



6th Degree

The jewel of the degree is a triple delta upon a triangular plate of gold (see Figure 2). In the center of each delta are found the symbols of the sun on the right, the moon on the left, and mercury above and between the other two[15]. At first glance this symbol appears to represent the traditional sun, moon and master of the lodge of blue lodge masonry. Mercury, as know to the Romans and as Thoth by the Egyptians, the god Hermes, is considered by Pike to represent the Master of the Lodge[16]. Mercury was the messenger of the good news and the good Shepard that leads his flock form earthy to heavenly pastures. These may be compared to the functions the Worshipful Master performs to keep his lodge in harmony. However, to those knowledgeable in the art of Hermeticism, this symbol just screams of alchemy.

In Albert Pike’s “Book of the Words”[18] as well in “Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry”[19] he describes the drawing of a double headed figure taken from a Latin book on Hermetics. However, we will find a closer connection to the jewel of the 6th degree by using the drawing in the latter book on page 213, which we have reproduced here (see Figure 3). This is obvious to the adept in Alchemy a symbolic representation of the Emerald Tablet of Hermes. On the top you will see the planetary symbols of the sun on the left with the moon on the right, pouring liquid into a cup supported by the symbol for the planet Mercury. This corresponds with the symbols used for the 6th degree jewel.


Some further interpretation is required to understand one of the possible meanings of these symbols. The sun and the moon have some specific meanings in alchemy. From the Emerald Tablet of Hermes we read learn that the Father is the sun, the Mother is the moon[20]. To the alchemist these represent the great fourth hermetic principle, the principle of polarity; the two aspects; two poles; a pair of opposites[21]. It also may represent the seventh principle that gender is in everything; everything has its masculine and feminine principles[22]. We see these two principles balanced by the chalice supported by Mercury. The planet shown as Mercury is a blind for that of Mercury the hermaphrodite, the combination of both sexes. Here Mercury acts as the union between the two opposites. With the sun and the moon pouring their life fluids into the chalice (or perhaps the mysterious life principle known to the alchemists as Azoth) these forces are combined. To an Alchemist Mercury would symbolize action, movement. Here we may perceive Mercury in an active state to assist in the union of the sun and the moon, by gently guiding them together[23]. Interestingly, one must turn the jewel of the 6th degree upside down to match the symbolic representation in the Emerald Tablet of Hermes. Perhaps there is also symbolism in that, or perhaps we are being frustrated by centuries of change in our rituals and symbols – in many cases changed by people who did not understand the true nature of the esoteric meaning behind them.


7th Degree

I do not find any explicit symbolic references to Alchemy in this degree



8th Degree

In the eight degree in the east hangs a nine-pointed blazing star. In the center are the letters IHV, in either the Samaritan whc or the Hebrew uwhy[25]. These three letters represent an abbreviation of the name of God. This three letter abbreviation, according to Albert Pike, signifies ‘life’; the use of three letters is also symbolic as we shall see in a moment[26]. This figure may represent the Alchemical symbol of the enneagram, a circle with nine points. The nine points are formed by the combination of a triangle (representing the trinity) and seven points (representing completeness). While the development of this figure is sometimes credited to C.I. Gurdjeiff in the early part of the 20th century, its use in alchemy goes back many centuries. The drawing show in figure 4 is from the cover of Arthmologia, published in Rome in 1665 AD, shows the nine sided figure rising into the celestial sphere.



The points of the nine sided star in figure 4 that do not correspond with the inner triangle may be assigned to the 6 planets in order of the moon (starting at the 1 o’clock position), Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, with the seventh planet the Sun in the center represented by the seeing eye. The points corresponding to the center triangle would represent the forces of the Trinity. Not every enneagram figure contained the internal triangle. When present the inner triangle would indicate the higher elements. For the symbol used in the 8th degree I believe the name of God in the form of a three letter ‘Trinity’ in the center represents this internal triangle. As this symbol is also in the form of a wheel, alchemists state you cannot understand the figure of the enneagram without thinking of it in perpetual motion[27]. Keep this in mind when we explore the Chakras in the 12th degree.



The number nine in the figure also relates to alchemistic thought behind the enneagram. The number nine is a factor of 3 times 3, which here represents the 3x3 spiritual hierarchies that God descends through to reach us humans, and that we should raise through the same to God[28]. This may relate to the next symbol we will explore in the 8th degree, the secret vault.


There are three degrees in the Lodge of Perfection that include a secret vault. Most well known are the secret vaults of the 13th degree (built by Enoch) and the vault of the 14th degree (built by Solomon). There is also a secret vault in the 8th degree to house the Ark of the Covenant. While not normally thought of as such, I believe that these vaults are indeed symbols and have a relation to that of alchemy.



To be certain, the initiations into the ancient mysteries were often conducted underground. Even the early Christians met in the catacombs of Rome. The vault was, in the ancient mysteries, symbolic of the grave; for initiation was symbolic of death, where along Devine Truth was to be found[30]. It was also symbolic of the womb, for which man would pass through to be born anew from death. The concept of the vault may also be found deep in Hermetic teaching. From the emerald tablet of Hermes we read, “…and whatever is below is like that which is above; and that which is above is like that which is below…”[31] and “It ascends from earth to heaven, and descends again, new born to earth, taking…the power of the Above and the Below”[32]. The vault may be symbolic of this new birth and that having three different degrees containing a secret vault is symbolic of these three different processes of ascending and descending.



Further references to a secret vault are found in the teaching of the Rosicrucian’s[33]. The ‘founder’, a mysterious person called "The Highly Illuminated Father C.R.C. (Christian Rosenkreutz, or as he is also know, Christian Rose Cross) died and was buried in a secret vault that was found 120 years after his death by followers of his order[34]. When the members entered the vault it was comprised of seven sides and seven corners, each side five feet broad and eight feet high. Although the sun never penetrated this tomb, it was brilliantly illuminated by a mysterious light in the ceiling. In the center was a circulate altar, upon which was a triangular brass plate engraved with strange characters[35]. Many of you will immediately see a parallel to that of the 13th and 14th degree where also a triangular plate of gold is found on top of an altar with strange letters on it. To the Rosicrucian to enter this vault, or tomb, is thought to enter another dimension and symbolizes rebirth and regeneration.



While we can understand why the vault is contained in the 13th and 14th degree, it is somewhat less clear why we also find it in the 8th degree. One possible answer is that it relates to that of the 9 sided enneagram, symbolizing the start of the three fold ascent and decent from the heaves to the earth. While this is certainly possible, why the 8th degree, as apposed to the 7th or the 6th or some other degree? A fellow researcher[36] has postulated that there may be a connection with the fact that the 8th degree, like the 13th, immediately precedes a related degree, in this case the first of three Elu degrees. It seems reasonable to suppose that the allegory of descending into the vault of the 13th degree and finding the form, though not yet the meaning, of the word upon the plate, the vault in the 8th degree may symbolizes a procedure preparatory for election (morally and spiritually) for becoming an Elu. This idea certainly has merit; with the difficulty of looking through the fog of many centuries of change and influence upon our Scottish Rite rituals we will probably never know for certain what the true intention was. However, it should now be apparent to the reader of the apparent Hermetic influence of the three secret vaults in the Lodge of Perfection.



9th/10th Degree

These degrees contain many Alchemistical symbols. The jewels are daggers with a gold hilt and a silver blade. The silver and gold represents the sun and the moon. Here combined showing the Hermetic balance of the male and the female, together combining to form the complete and balanced man[37]. On the flap of the 9th degree we see a five pointed golden star. To the Alchemist, one interpretation of the five pointed star would be to represent the four elements, that of earth, air, fire and water, with the added five of fifth element or Quintessence[38].



Rosettes are found in both the 9th and 10th degree regalia. One of the most used symbols in alchemical art was the rose. The rose is a symbol of completion, attainment, and perfection. It can also be an emblem of regeneration[39]. The original symbol of the Rosicrucian fraternity was a hieroglyphic rose crucified upon a cross. The cross was often raised on a three step pedestal, representative of the crucifixion. In the 10th degree there is a rose above three arches, this may be symbolizing a form of the crucifixion[40]. Finally in the 10th degree was see nine candles, for which we are told represent the nine Elus[41]. These nine candles may be related to the enneagram we explored in the 8th degree. Quite a number of possible Alchemistical and Rosicrucian references are found within these two combined degree.



11th Degree

I do not find any explicit symbolic references to Alchemy in this degree





12th degree

Hanging in the east in the 12th degree we find a six pointed star comprised of two triangles interlaced. One triangle is white, the other black[42]. In alchemy, the upright triangle represents fire, and the upside-down triangle is the symbol for water. Together they symbolize the unity of opposites. The number 6 represents balance and beauty. To the reader I suggest you consider the directions pointed at by each the triangles for further understanding.



On the north side of the room we find a diagram with the North Star and the seven stars of the big dipper. The concept of seven stars has Alchemistic meanings. The big dipper, while the most recognized grouping of stars is not really by itself a constellation. It is part of the constellation Ursa Major, or the Great Bear. The big dipper forms the rump and the tail of the bear[43]. I have found some connections with the North Star representing the chi or life force of our world, and the big dipper revolving around the North Star representing the seven immortals. This connection to ancient Alchemy is rather speculative, so I am not ready to commit to it.



A closer connection to Alchemy would point to the seven stars as possibly representing the seven Chakras[44], or the seven spiritual energies. The Alchemists called the Chakras the seals of the planets. A Chakra represents energy centers located at various points on the body. Shown below is a table relating the planets, their Alchemical metal, body location, and the corresponding Chakra[45].

The seven stars may also represent the seven Hermetic principles found in the Kybalion[46]. These seven principles are Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, Gender.



13th and 14th Degree

We will take the 13th and 14th degree together, as they are in many ways sister degrees. We have already explored the Hermetic connection with the vault of the 13th and 14th degree, so we will not repeat that here. The script for the 13th degree is the only one in the Lodge of Perfection that explicitly states a connection to alchemy. In the introduction read to the class the degree states, “The cubicle Stone, an ancient Masonic symbol…This symbol is also found in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. From here it was introduced into Alchemy, and from there, into Freemasonry[47]”. To the Alchemist the symbol of the cube may represent salt, one of the basic substances. The cube, with its six sides plus the point in the center, corresponds to the seven days of creation. If you connect the corners of each side of the cube diagonally you can see four triangles, symbolic of the four Alchemic elements (salt, sulfur, mercury, and azoth). The Alchemists declare that salt was the first created substance, produced by fire that flowed out of God. In salt is the creation concentrated, the beginning and end of all things[48]. Why the reference to Alchemy is explicitly called out here in our ritual, and not elsewhere, is not known.



In both the 13th and 14th degree we see the cubical stone with a plate of solid gold. The plate of gold resembles the plate on the altar of the tomb (or secret vault) of Father CRC of the Rosicrucian’s[49]. The element gold is also an Alchemistic element, and very symbolic of the final desired state of transmutation. The reader may wish to observe what side of the cube the plate of gold is affixed to for further understanding.



The battery of both the 13th and 14th degree is 3x3. Alchemy is a three fold art, symbolically represented in 3x3; three elements in three worlds, the divine, the human, and the elemental. The 3x3 also represents the number 9, the number of esoteric man and the number of emanations from the root of Devine[50]. One can immediately see connections with the nine arches of the vault in the 13th and 14th degree, as well as the nine names of God given on each arch.



In the 14th degree in front of the Senior Warden is a seven candelabra, which should bring to mind the tree of life, as shown in figure 1. In the ritual we are told this candelabrum specially represents the seven planets that of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury and the Moon, with the Sun as the highest candle in the center[51]. It should be obvious by now the connection to Alchemy and what this symbol represents. Perhaps it is fitting to end the Lodge of Perfection with the planetary symbols, which to the Alchemist would represent the “above”, the final accent into the heavens.



In exploring the symbols throughout the Lodge of Perfection we have seen examples of very strong Hermetic connection, and in some cases the connection has been more tenuous. However, it is apparent, at least to this researcher that the influence of Alchemy that began in the symbolic lodge has continued throughout the Scottish Rite Lodge of Perfection[52]. The brief symbolic explanations given here have probably left the reader somewhat wanting. There is a staggering amount of detail and interpretation behind each of the Alchemistical symbols we uncovered and I must leave further exploration to the reader. I am reminded of the Hermetic adage, that whoever attempts a literal understanding of the teachings of the Hermetic philosophers will lose himself in the many twist and turns of the labyrinth from which he will never find his way out[53]. I hope that this brief paper has brought to light the rich field of Alchemy symbolism in Masonry that has gone in many aspects largely untapped.



Now finally, what about the quest of the operative Alchemists to convert base metals into gold? Well, we can and have been able to accomplish this. It is possible to take base elements such as tin and copper and combine them to create gold. Oh, I forgot to mention, you will require the aid of a linear accelerator. This is used to speed the atoms of tin to 1/10th the speed of light and smash them into the copper atoms, fusing the nuclei together. It does produce atoms of gold, albeit at a fiendishly uneconomical cost[54]. While the modern chemist works to convert atomic structures, the speculative Alchemist works to turn the spiritual lead to spiritual gold in their path in refining their relationship with the Deity.



The author wishes to thank fellow Hermetic researcher, Bro. Ted Balestreri, 32º KSA, for his peer review and helpful suggestions in the development of this paper.


[1] The Secret Teachings of All Ages, by Manly P. Hall, p. 92-93

[2] For a understanding of the Emerald Tablet of Hermes see The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall, pages 513-516

[3] Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry, by Albert Pike, Transcribed and Edited by Arturo de Hoyos, p. 103

[4] Symbolism, p. 93-106

[5] Symbolism, p. 104

[6] Secret Teachings, p. 94

[7] Some aspects of Alchemy are not compatible with the author’s religious beliefs. Nothing in this paper should be construed to show the author’s approval or belief in the teaching of Alchemy.

[8] There are many spellings of the Kabbalah, the author will use this one for this paper

[9] Secret Teachings, p. 358

[10] The author has referenced three different sources for this short section on the Hermetic Kabbalah. “Hermetic Qabalah” by Jan Swanson, www.kheper.net/topics/Hermeticism/Qabalah.htm : “The Sephiroth”, goldendawn9.tripod.com/sphiroth.htm: Unpublished class notes, “Portland Scottish Rite University, 4th Degree, 10/17/05” by Bro. Ted Balestreri, 32º, KSA

[11] Image taken from Alchemy & Mysticism, by Alexander Roob, p. 308

[12] Secret Teachings, p 495, 506

[13] For an explanation of Christian concept of bodily transformation please see the Biblical book of I Corinthians 15:35-49

[14] 5th Degree Script, The Supreme Council, 33º (Rev. 1/20/04), p. 16

[15] 6th Degree Script, The Supreme Council, 33º (Rev. 1/20/04), p. 3

[16] Symbolism, p. 104-105

[17] Figure from 6th Degree Script, The Supreme Council, 33º (Rev. 1/20/04), p. 3

[18] The Book of the Words, by Albert Pike, With an Introduction by Art deHoyos, p. 63

[19] Symbolism, p 93

[20] Emerald tablet of Hermes

[21] “The Kybalion – Hermetic Philosophy” by Three Initiates, p. 66

[22] The Kybalion, p, 83

[23] Tabula Smaragdina Hermetis, by Jack Courtis, www.crcsite.org/Tabula.htm

[24] Figure from Tabula Smaragdina Hermetis, by Jack Courtis

[25] 8th Degree Script, Supreme Council, 33º (Rev. 1/20/04), p. 4

[26] Names of Deity in Freemasonry, by Bro. Norman D. Peterson

[27] Alchemy and Mysticism, by Alexander Roob, p. 655-658

[28] Alchemy and Mysticism, p. 659

[29] Image taken from Alchemy & Mysticism, p. 658

[30] Morals & Dogma, by Albert Pike, p. 208

[31] Emerald Tablet of Hermes

[32] Tabula Smaragdina Hermetis

[33] The Rosicrucian order, while comprising several philosophical ideas, did emphasized alchemy and many of their teachings are highly connected with that of alchemy.

[34] The tomb of Father C.R.C. should be considered an allegory, or at best the reader should be aware that there is no historical evidence for this event.

[35] Secret Teachings, p 444-446

[36] From the author’s conversation with Bro. Patrick D. Knowles, 32º KSA

[37] Vested In Glory, by Jim Tresner, p. 30-35

[38] The Imagery of Alchemical Art as a Method of Communication , Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition No. 9, Vol. 1, Autumnal Equinox 2005, by Samuel Scarborough

[39] Imagery

[40] Secret Teachings, p. 444

[41] 9th/10th Degree Script, The Supreme Council 33º (1/20/04), p. 23-24

[42] 12th Degree Script, The Supreme Council 33º (1/20/04), p. 4

[43] The Great Bear Constellation Ursa Major Description, www.souledout.org/nightsky/ursamajorandminor.html

[44] Chakra is a Sanskrit work meaning “spinning wheel”, and refers to various life forces. Each Chakra has a specific place on the Kabalistic Tree of Life.

[45] Table from “The Tarrot”, www.divineparadox.com/AgelessWisdom/k17_revelation.htm

[46] The Kybalion, p. 11

[47] 13th Degree Script, The Supreme Council, 33º (Rev. 1/20/04), p. 6

[48] Secret Teachings, p. 469

[49] Secret Teachings, p. 445

[50] Secret Teachings, p. 497-498

[51] 14th Degree Script, The Supreme Council, 33º (Rev. 1/20/04), p. 12

[52] I am aware of Alchemistic symbolism in degrees beyond the Lodge of Perfection, but will leave that for another day.

[53] Alchemy & Mysticism, p. 36

[54] Alchemy & Mysticism, p. 33
_________________
Christ over Christianity.

[Bondi]

[Bondi]

rusty, there has already been an attempt to explain the basic fact that as Joe is from Scotland, UGLE are not anything to do with it, hold no jurisdiction therefore couldn't do anything anyway.

That seems to have vanished as well.....

[joe stirling]

[Bondi]

We can always look at your online activities Joe,


British Expats Branded a spammer!

United North America a rather pesky cyberstalker from another list who gets his jollies sending nasty little personal notes along with some seriously whacked out conspiracy

Sunday Herald well theres a few comments through their forum, but the main repeated one "Whining and spouting baseless conspiracy theories "

theres a couple.

My point

SO WHAT