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13!
Dec 6, 2004 21:43:20 GMT
Post by leonardo on Dec 6, 2004 21:43:20 GMT
I got the following from a new book I am reading called Illuminating Angels and Demons by Simon Cox. I think it has an esoteric slant. I'd be interested to hear more informed views.
"However, as an interesting aside, one striking feature of the United States 1 dollar bill is the repeated occurrence of the number 13. On the pyramid in the Great Seal there are 13 steps; there are 13 letters in the phrase above the pyramid (ANNUIT COEPIS); 13 letters in the Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM (" One (nation) from many (people)") held in the beak of the eagle of the Great Seal; there are 13 stars above the eagle; 13 leaves on the olive branch that the eagle holds; 13 bars on the shield that the Eagle is behind; 13 plumes of feathers on each span of the eagle swing; and 13 arrows held in the eagle's other talon.
Moreover, at the time of the signing of the declaration of independence, 13 colonies were represented, which are symbolised by the 13 stripes on the flag of the United States.
In some acultists circles the number 13 is seen as representing Satan, but in traditional Masonic symbols the number 13 is a power number, signifying strength."
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Dec 7, 2004 2:51:31 GMT
Post by offramp on Dec 7, 2004 2:51:31 GMT
The answer is in the question. So whoever designed the $1 bill included that into the design, just as it had been incorporated in the flag.I tend to rotate in these masonic circles but I have never heard that. How can '13' mean 'strength'?
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Dec 7, 2004 8:22:53 GMT
Post by leonardo on Dec 7, 2004 8:22:53 GMT
Offramp.
It is admitedly all a bit stange to me and I just wanted to see members of the Craf would view this. Thanks for your response.
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Dec 8, 2004 19:24:28 GMT
Post by Trinityman on Dec 8, 2004 19:24:28 GMT
I'd go along with Offramps answer to this one. 13 is indeed an important number in the US as this was the number of colonies that seceeded from Britain.
The first official US flag existed from 1777 to 1795 and had 13 stars as well as stripes - both representing the number of colonies.
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Dec 8, 2004 19:41:07 GMT
Post by Late Knight Chemist on Dec 8, 2004 19:41:07 GMT
Guys,
The KISS principle must rule here. Thirteen colonies founded the US hence the relevence of the 13 steps/layers of the pyramid, leaves, arrows etc. It is talk of "power numbers" implying some other mystical rationale that gives Masonry a bad name. Further discussion here is bound to give the anti-Masonic/anti-US fringe a field day and will confuse Aaron in his quest to understand Masonry.
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Dec 8, 2004 22:19:06 GMT
Post by taylorsman on Dec 8, 2004 22:19:06 GMT
I think it is for Staffs and his two Mods Whistler and Kizzy to decide what should be the line taken by discussions or not as the case may be. Personally, I can see no problem with the references to Numbers and the Masonic connections to the Founding Fathers of the USA and associated topics such as the layout of Washington DC, the All Seeing Eye and Step Pyramid on the Dollar Bill, so keep posting these interesting points, Leo!
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Dec 8, 2004 22:37:48 GMT
Post by Late Knight Chemist on Dec 8, 2004 22:37:48 GMT
Steve, True to a point but those of us who are experienced Masons must recognise that these forums are a shop window to Masonry. There is one member of this forum who appears to have seriously been trying to reconcile his image of Masonry, dabbling with the occult and other supernatural things, with Masonry as we know it.
It's the talk of "power numbers" that worried me.
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Dec 8, 2004 23:58:54 GMT
Post by whistler on Dec 8, 2004 23:58:54 GMT
Steve, True to a point but those of us who are experienced Masons must recognise that these forums are a shop window to Masonry. There is one member of this forum who appears to have seriously been trying to reconcile his image of Masonry, dabbling with the occult and other supernatural things, with Masonry as we know it. It's the talk of "power numbers" that worried me. I have been a Freemason for 20 years, and certainly do not consider myself to be experienced. I do not consider anything in Freemasonry as Occult, and certainly not supernatural. I have developed the ability to "see" which certainly is not a supernatural thing - just normal and natural for those who choose to develop. If anybody has access to The Hidden Life in Freemasory , by Leadbetter , you would see a colour plate showing the most impressive Etheric Temple with beings imposed on a Lodge meeting, which is what he "saw". Let me assure you that many things happen in a lodge on many different levels. I do not fear the Masonry knockers, let them do their thing, and good luck to them There are always knockers in life - That keeps us on our toes if we are working our Masonry with the heart and conviction that we should our lodges can't come to any harm from anybody. If any find the knockers causing actual problems I suggest they look within and work on their own Masonry, they will find the reason there. The Power of Numbers - well numbers do have an effect, in numerology 11 or a 22 is sometimes called a Master or Power Number and have done since time began, as have the stars and other forces on our lives that we have yet to learn about. In our Lodge Numbers are everywhere so of course they have importance and should be discussed The beauty of this forum is that we look at any aspect of Masonry that attracts our attention of course S...T..W... excepted. We are not looking over our shoulders to see if a big thumb is about to descend because the owner might not understand or agree. More Important when others see different things in their Masonry we respect them. Because we ALL may be wrong ;D ;D ;D
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Dec 9, 2004 10:51:50 GMT
Post by kizzy on Dec 9, 2004 10:51:50 GMT
Let me add to the observations of my Brother Moderator.
This Forum was instituted to permit a free discussion of ALL aspects of Freemasonry and associated topics without fear or favour. Whatever the Affiliation of the posters may be, and that varies, the Forum does not bow the knee to any Grand Lodge nor any Commerical Undertaking. Be it "Regular", "Irregular" Male Only, Ladies Masonry or Co-Masonry, ALL are free to post here. All that is asked is that nobody takes a hectoring, sarcastic and condescending tone nor puts down other posters since one man (or woman's) opinion is quite often as valid as the next. Also the rules concerning Libel and Obscenity apply and if the language used and the way it is expressed would be out of order in the bar after a Meeting and would cause disharmony then it would be unwanted here. In such cases the Moderators WILL act to edit or delete such offending posts without reference to the poster.
So if a poster wishes to discuss "power numbers" with reference to Freemasonry, that is fine.
Yes, the antis etc may read this , so what, they have already formed their opinions against Freemasonry and will make the facts fit their arguments. Occasionally this backfires on them as is the case with the 10 to 1 result in the Vote on the BBC website on whether "Freemasonry is incompatable with Christianity". They have been hoist with their own petard.
If anyone is uncomfortable with the Freedom allowed on this Forum ,there are others where far stricter Moderation is the rule and where they may be happier.
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Dec 9, 2004 11:02:36 GMT
Post by leonardo on Dec 9, 2004 11:02:36 GMT
Staffs, Kizzy and Whistler. This is Moderatorship taken to its highest and purist level. Thank you
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Dec 9, 2004 14:46:57 GMT
Post by middlepillar on Dec 9, 2004 14:46:57 GMT
Bruce
If you go back to the first post, Leonardo was quoting from a book, and asked for our observations, what is wrong in this? You have had your chance to comment as have others, surely this is good? If we are frightened to tackle subjects or phrases that might upset anti-masons we may as well all log off and stop posting!
I will just add to Kizzy's post. (And Bruce this is not aimed specifically at you) If people dont like the total freedom of speech that this forum provides, there are plenty others out there to choose from.
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Dec 9, 2004 17:26:33 GMT
Post by Seeker on Dec 9, 2004 17:26:33 GMT
The really NEAT thing is that before this topic, I had never thought about "13" other than the old unlucky yarns. Now I am curious about other aspects of 13 - So Bro I am ready to learn --- what can you tell me?
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Dec 9, 2004 17:45:14 GMT
Post by Late Knight Chemist on Dec 9, 2004 17:45:14 GMT
I do not mind upsetting anti-masons in the slightest. I do care that some discussions risk delving into territory that will provide ammunition to the anti's and at the same time deliver a message to potential recruits that bears little relationship to the Masonry that they would initially encounter if they did join.
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Dec 9, 2004 17:56:08 GMT
Post by Seeker on Dec 9, 2004 17:56:08 GMT
I do not mind upsetting anti-masons in the slightest. I do care that some discussions risk delving into territory that will provide ammunition to the anti's and at the same time deliver a message to potential recruits that bears little relationship to the Masonry that they would initially encounter if they did join. Perhaps you could start a thread " What Late Knight Chemist doesn't want on the Forum" then this thread can get back to discussing "13" Now back to topic Hubert is the 13 the first of the Devil or negative cards in the Tarot pack?
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Dec 15, 2004 13:13:11 GMT
Post by leonardo on Dec 15, 2004 13:13:11 GMT
No doubt it is purely coincidental but it does seem to be a strange one that the movie Ninth Gate has apparently 13 different mistakes.
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