Joined: May 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 1,950 Location: Seattle, WA
Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Thread Started on Nov 6, 2009, 9:47pm »
You cannot, seriously cannot be a Craftsman without an basic understanding of why things are the way things are within universal Masonic cosmology.
Why the lodge room is laid out the way it is. The position of the officers, why the space between the open VSL and the WM must never be crossed.
Key to this understaning is a basic proficiency in Kabbalah. You have to understand what the Tree of Life is. How it is laid out. What the Sepiroth mean, how they move, correspond to the lodgeroom, officers and candidate.
This will help unlock much of what is concealed through Masonic ritual and practice.
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Re: Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Reply #1 on Nov 7, 2009, 9:41pm »
I've always had trouble learning this stuff; it's just so frustrating sometimes.
I just don't understand why we need to learn any of it; I know many men with years in the Craft that have built their Temples using only simple Working Tools. Like the Trowel. If this is so crucial, why isn't it ever mentioned in Lodge or any of the degrees?
I've always had trouble learning this stuff; it's just so frustrating sometimes.
I just don't understand why we need to learn any of it; I know many men with years in the Craft that have built their Temples using only simple Working Tools. Like the Trowel. If this is so crucial, why isn't it ever mentioned in Lodge or any of the degrees?
It is mentioned and revealed through the footwork and positions of every degree. You just need to know what you are looking at.
It is mentioned and revealed through the footwork and positions of every degree.
I've studied all the different pathways. (attached)
I tried this at home a little and while it feels more like a foxtrot at times, I've moved through 3 of different spheres of the elements, but I feel as if getting to the 4th is very tricky.
I'm getting the footwork down as I cross through, though; it's just that the penalties put me off a little. Without a robe of sackcloth, I keep getting sent back down to Malkuth (#113 in the diagram). Any suggestions for that?
There's your problem. It's more like doing the bossa nova.
I should point out that the rhumba is organized according to rhythmic principles governed by the Fibonacci series; i.e., 8 = 3 + ( 3 + 2) (or 5) and so there's somewhat of a relationship to the Golden Mean.
As we discover in the MC lecture, Music, as one of the Seven Liberal Arts, utilizes this principle of dynamic symmetry inherent in the Fibanacci Series and hinted at by the Tetractys of Pythagoras, upon which the Kabalah is based.
Thus, the secret ingredient common to the 4 members of the Quadrivium, Mathematics, Geometry, Music and Astronomy, would seem to be the Golden Mean.
Re: Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Reply #7 on Nov 8, 2009, 8:14pm »
Also in this regard, it is instructive to consider the ratios of octaves invented by Pythagoras that divide the octave that are shown in the preceding diagram:
Robert Fludd shows this correspondence in a now-famous "Music of the Spheres" alchemical diagram, with the sun marking the point of conjunction between the fifth and fourth which bisect the octave:
Re: Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Reply #8 on Nov 8, 2009, 8:17pm »
Apparently, the Ain Soph, as a theory of emanation would cover considerably more ground than just the 10 Sephiroth of the Kabalah, no? I'm sure all Craftsmen already are aware of these correspondences, assuming they know what they're looking at.
Re: Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Reply #9 on Nov 8, 2009, 8:29pm »
I'm glad to have found this forum to share a few points regarding the arcane arts.
Here's another alchemical plate that shows a slightly different interpretation of what I've already explained.
Taken from A. Kircher in Ars magna lucis, Rome, 1665, the 10 Sephiroth emanate from Ain Soph in the form of 9 Muses, which was the result of a harmonic vision by the Neo-Pythagorean, Martianus Capella (5th C). In this diagram, the concord of the octave is "conducted" by Apollo, at the top of the food chain, as it flows through the various lower spheres as the Egyptian Kundalini "life force" or Pneuma. The three heads of the serpent represent the divine trinity.
Re: Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Reply #10 on Nov 8, 2009, 8:38pm »
The following plate repeats some of the concepts I've posted in some of the others, but introduces a few other concepts relative to both the Kabalah and the "music of the spheres".
Based upon the Sefer Yezirah, the 10 Sephiroth of the Kabalah are here represented in the harmonic symbolism of antiquity by Albert Freiherr v. Thimus, in his Die harmonikale Symbolik des Altertums, Cologne, 1868, in which the octave is shown to have a basis from the Pythagorean concept of the world, which are shown in the upper part of the diagram as having relationships to the planets. Thus the study of harmonics can be seen as an autonomous science.
As an aside, the Pythagorean philosopher Philolaos (c. 400 B.C.) referred to an invisible "counter-earth", which followed the same orbit as our own; both bodies thus orbited around a "central fire".
Re: Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Reply #11 on Nov 8, 2009, 8:42pm »
I find it somewhat curious to note that all of the preceding can be traced to the Hermetic arts. As seen here, Hermes Trismegistus points to the "creative fire" that unites the polarities revealed in the Hermetic axiom, "As Above, So Below":
(D. Stolcius von Stolcenberg, Viridarium chymicum, Frankfurt, 1624)
edit: I noticed that the attachments aren't visible in the "view recent posts" mode, therefore to see the plates, one has to view the thread. Apparently a software design flaw. However, I've included attachments in many of the posts in this thread.
I find it somewhat curious to note that all of the preceding can be traced to the Hermetic arts.
I think that's a completely valid observation. In fact, while there is great antiquity assigned to Kabbalah, I'd venture a guess that it is merely (and I don't mean "merely" as a degradation) a Hebrew- ised diagrammed version of the same science/ art upon which Hermeticism is based. Having said that, I've always considered the whole "Masonry- as- Kabbalah" argument as a tad faulty. It is clearly so in the AASR, but I'm not convinced of its pure form in Craft Masonry. Sure, aspects of Kabbalah exist in the Lodge, but they're not directly Kabbalistic, if you follow. In fact, (and not to annoy any here) the usual example are J &B. OK, there is some similarity there in the two Pillars of the ToL, with the Candidate as central Pillar (Mildness). Right? hmmm....maybe not so much, although it's handy. In the actual Ritual, the inference is that they represent the Law of Correspondence, specifically the Globes. This is the base Hermetic Theory. In fact, we will often wonder why we talk about W, S, and B when those are not exactly the names of the Kabbalistic Pillars, and then figure, "Well, close enough. It must be Kabbalah." It's not close enough, and, in fact, I believe it's a hint. Our Ritual is written as it is written for good reason, and is specific in it's meanings. Again, not that there aren't shared ideas (as Truth is Truth and it's necessarily faulty human representations must have similarities) in Kabbalah and Masonry, but I don't believe we can call Freemasonry Kabbalah, exactly. That's a bit of an inaccurate shortcut.
I find it somewhat curious to note that all of the preceding can be traced to the Hermetic arts.
I think that's a completely valid observation. In fact, while there is great antiquity assigned to Kabbalah, I'd venture a guess that it is merely (and I don't mean "merely" as a degradation) a Hebrew- ised diagrammed version of the same science/ art upon which Hermeticism is based. Having said that, I've always considered the whole "Masonry- as- Kabbalah" argument as a tad faulty. It is clearly so in the AASR, but I'm not convinced of its pure form in Craft Masonry. Sure, aspects of Kabbalah exist in the Lodge, but they're not directly Kabbalistic, if you follow. In fact, (and not to annoy any here) the usual example are J &B. OK, there is some similarity there in the two Pillars of the ToL, with the Candidate as central Pillar (Mildness). Right? hmmm....maybe not so much, although it's handy. In the actual Ritual, the inference is that they represent the Law of Correspondence, specifically the Globes. This is the base Hermetic Theory. In fact, we will often wonder why we talk about W, S, and B when those are not exactly the names of the Kabbalistic Pillars, and then figure, "Well, close enough. It must be Kabbalah." It's not close enough, and, in fact, I believe it's a hint. Our Ritual is written as it is written for good reason, and is specific in it's meanings. Again, not that there aren't shared ideas (as Truth is Truth and it's necessarily faulty human representations must have similarities) in Kabbalah and Masonry, but I don't believe we can call Freemasonry Kabbalah, exactly. That's a bit of an inaccurate shortcut.
seams like your are arguing that Hermetiism is "pure" Meta-knowledge, Brohter. True?
When you boil down those herbs to their salts what do you get? The Red Lion!! Kablah!!
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Re: Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Reply #14 on Nov 8, 2009, 10:40pm »
Quote:
In fact, we will often wonder why we talk about W, S, and B when those are not exactly the names of the Kabbalistic Pillars, and then figure, "Well, close enough. It must be Kabbalah."
Yep. Close but not close enough.
The other big parallel I see is likening the 4 Worlds to the Ground Floor, the stairs, MC, and SS. Again, close, and it kinda works, but only tangentially.
In fact, we will often wonder why we talk about W, S, and B when those are not exactly the names of the Kabbalistic Pillars, and then figure, "Well, close enough. It must be Kabbalah."
Yep. Close but not close enough.
The other big parallel I see is likening the 4 Worlds to the Ground Floor, the stairs, MC, and SS. Again, close, and it kinda works, but only tangentially.
As far as actual Working Tools, which I suggest have been being junked-up with pure Meta-Knowledge, I concur.
However, as has pointed out in some of the Enoch literature (Jubilees, etc.), the stories regarding supposed anti-deluvian offspring of "Giants" is no doubt comparable to the substitution of some of these various names, (i.e., Barâqîjâl, (taught) astrology, Kôkabêl the constellations, Ezêqêêl the knowledge of the clouds, Araqiêl the signs of the earth, Shamsiêl the signs of the sun, and Sariêl the course of the moon), with the subsequent development of the attributions and emanations of Ain Soph into subsequent divisions of the Sephiroth, to contemporary imaginings of unified field theory of the equally prodigious energies of supposed inner realms.
Such nonsense that purports to take the "middle way of the Razor's edge of the Buddhists" obfusicates true seekers from the snatchings of the grandiose unfolding of utter chaos to the true seizures of life-affirming Beauty, Strength, and Wisdom, as revealed in the Hiramaic myth of Freemasonry. To wit:
Quote:
1. And then Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel looked down from heaven and saw much blood being shed upon the earth, and all lawlessness being wrought upon the earth.
What utter nonsensical rubbish!
While fascinating, only by climbing and tracing the winding stairs to the "house of G-d" (Beth-El) from the Malkuthian "ground floor" of the threshing fields (i.e., the "dance" of Boaz and Ruth), may one arrive at the inner LVX hinted at in the various Masonic mythic teachings of our ancient lore.
To attempt to circumvent these inscrutable monomyths with pseudo-archetypal drivel can only interrupt the insurmountable Journey (Separation, Initiation and Return), that prevents the true aspirant from achieving his ultimate aims and destination in due course.
To attempt to circumvent these inscrutable monomyths with pseudo-archetypal drivel can only interrupt the insurmountable Journey (Separation, Initiation and Return), that prevents the true aspirant from achieving his ultimate aims and destination in due course.
J ... Invisible Expanded Master, to describe another's journey with such derision indicates to me that you may be looking at the Tree the wrong way round.
Malkut, the physical manifestation of the Mother and described as a widow or divorced woman, is based at the base of the Pillar of Equilibrium or Compassion. One of her Divine Names, according to Judaic Kabbala, is Yahweh, pronounced Adonai.. which is composed of the four hebrew letters Aleph, Dalet, Nun and Yod.
Aleph, the yoke of Spirit enters the doors of Dalet and Nun, life and death - so that Yod (the Holy Spark or Seed of Light) may become anchored here on Earth. Bring Heaven to Earth? Take Earth to Heaven?
If you are a mason you will see clearly many comparisons.
Is it incidental that Tiparet, the Heart and the Middle Chamber all have Light above them?
Everything is connected to everything else... but it does take many years, and dare I say, life times, to recognise or realise some things. To ridicule anyone for their efforts is just not on. That which you possess and refuse to share happily with your Brothers will be taken from you.
Maat
PS Many thanks Tau Malachi for your inspirational words.
I find it somewhat curious to note that all of the preceding can be traced to the Hermetic arts. As seen here, Hermes Trismegistus points to the "creative fire" that unites the polarities revealed in the Hermetic axiom, "As Above, So Below":
(D. Stolcius von Stolcenberg, Viridarium chymicum, Frankfurt, 1624)
edit: I noticed that the attachments aren't visible in the "view recent posts" mode, therefore to see the plates, one has to view the thread. Apparently a software design flaw. However, I've included attachments in many of the posts in this thread.
It is an example of the "golden thread" that binds all correct? I mean when we dive into all forms we see common binds. That is why I love the Hermetic so much, as it seems to be the "gandaddy" if you will. BUT, my study of Kabbalah has enhanced my study of both Hermeticism and Freemasonry.
J ... Invisible Expanded Master, to describe another's journey with such derision indicates to me that you may be looking at the Tree the wrong way round.
Everything is connected to everything else... but it does take many years, and dare I say, life times, to recognise or realise some things. To ridicule anyone for their efforts is just not on. That which you possess and refuse to share happily with your Brothers will be taken from you.
Maat
PS Many thanks Tau Malachi for your inspirational words.
I forget the specific point I was trying to make, but maybe it had something to do with that plate of the serpent descending through the 9 Muses and bringing down evil into the world. After, in some traditions it's said that's the origin of heresy; in fact, Hippolytus wrote of it, and I believe that Plato as well as Aristotle went in the same direction. But no matter.
The "cluttering" up that I was referring to had something to do with trying to interpret writings from ages that are centuries in the past; we are left with only their mere traces, from which we can only attempt to reconstruct their monomyths. But the real problem is that we don't think like them. That was the point. How can we: we are contemporary creatures of our own time. There's no escaping who we are.
I guess it's like the penalties, the seas of the sand; in alluding to the elements, these traces are either washed away or blown into the winds of time, never to return.
In retrospect, I can see how one might think I was being a bit harsh. I wasn't trying to be derisive of the ancients. I was just momentarily frustrated by my inability to comprehend their then-contemporary imaginings.
btw, you put all of that very succinctly. Thank you for that.
As we've been exploring in a different thread...the symbols don't always translate well through the medium of language. Sorry for not being more clear on this point and thanks for bringing me to my senses.
Probably it was just too much of that Brazen Serpent Whiskey brand the other night. The blasted spirits were interfering.
Re: Basic Kabbalah- A Key to Masonic Understanding « Reply #19 on Nov 11, 2009, 4:00am »
You must join us under the table some time
Quote:
...the symbols don't always translate well through the medium of language.
Dare I say that is why it may be a tad rash to do away with long established symbols etc etc in Freemasonry. The symbols have to speak for themselves to each individual... at whatever stage they are at.
There are a 101 clues to the meaning of Masonry in the K/C/Quabbalah... and vice versa. Hermetics/Alchemy/Kabbala/Tarot all tell the same story. Difficult subjects to study - granted. I have to rely on dreams to interpret the really hard bits... but that's a different story... and I am still in the dark most of the time... I just keep my eye on the cats eyes
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