ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
|
Post by ruffashlar on Mar 14, 2005 8:53:52 GMT
Hardly. I think you'll find the vast weight of serious scholarship for the last two thousand-odd years got there before me.
Even Greek mythology acknowledges the debt, but gets around the difficulty by making Cadmus a naturalised Greek.
-- Ruff
|
|
|
Post by Thegnostic on Mar 23, 2005 21:41:21 GMT
Brethren All,
I have been meaning to give a response to this subject but it is always a question of time.
The triangle as you know is the sign of the Deity, Levi states “the perfect word is the triangle because it supposes an intelligent principle, a speaking principle and a principle spoken” This Triad is traced in space by the Heavenly Zenith, the infinite height connected with East and West by two straight and diverging lines. With this visible triangle REASON compares another which is invisible but is assumed to be equal in dimension; the abyss is at its apex and its reversed base is parallel to the horizontal line stretching from east to west. These two triangles combined in a single figure form the six pointed star or sacred symbol called Solomon’s Seal, the resplendent star of the Macrocosm, this figure of interlacing triangles also refers to the Hermetic Maxim of “As Above So Below”.
So lets look at the triangle in our rituals. When the candidate has been admitted and is kneeling down for the prayer his head is in the middle of a triangle form of the deacons wands crossed and the base of the kneeling stool. This is repeated when the candidate is taking his obligation.
There are also a allusions to the triangle with the apron. Although we do not see it much know, it is acknowledged amongst esoteric Masons that when the candidate is invested with his apron in the first degree the flap should be turned up with apex pointing to the heart. In the second degree the flap should point down. In the third degree we have the union of the two triangles, the flap down and the triangle formed by the three rosettes pointing up, thus we have the union and Seal of Solomon – the six pointed star.
Just some thoughts
Gnostic Get Knowledge – Get Wisdom – But above all get understanding
|
|
|
Post by atarnaris on Mar 23, 2005 22:17:45 GMT
Although we do not see it much know, it is acknowledged amongst esoteric Masons that when the candidate is invested with his apron in the first degree the flap should be turned up with apex pointing to the heart. Gnostic Get Knowledge – Get Wisdom – But above all get understanding I thought that the flap pointing up alludes to the animal nature of man, him being excited unable to subjugate his vices?
|
|
ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
|
Post by ruffashlar on Mar 25, 2005 9:10:55 GMT
You mean, the upward-pointing arrow stands for man's erection? In the ancient world (philosophers aside) there was nothing felt to be shameful or bestial about man's sexuality. Your Neoplatonic slip is showing In fact, pure masculine desire was considered to aspire to the condition of the divine, as symbolised by Zeus' assumption into Heaven of Ganymede. Their love was defined as pure (i.e., not mired down in the parental business of regeneration). The up-pointing triangle sigifies etheric fire, the lightest element in Classical cosmology, and the substance of Heaven itself. It is, if anything, the inverted triangle which is associated with the base, bestial element of sexual desire. However, these terms are outmoded, and belong to the oppressive, paternalist-dualistic ideology we have, I hope, outgrown. The inverted triangle signifies water, and is associated with the feminine. Doubtless also the pubic triangle (of secondary female sexual characteristics) springs to mind; as well as its outward sign, the bikini bottom. A little more initiated might be the association with variant sexuality groups, based on a template for the Nazi badge of Untermenschkeit.
|
|
staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
|
Post by staffs on May 5, 2005 17:55:06 GMT
THREE IS THE POWER BEHIND CREATION
The next step in creation, moving from 2 points on the circumference of a circle is 3 points. When these are in symmetry with each other, they define the equilateral triangle. Three linear structural elements connected together at their end points form a rigid frame - a fundamental engineering principle. The triad or trinity in esoteric terms expresses a rigid structure, and demonstrates the stability within creation by virtue of the principles of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All subsequent steps in creation contain triangles. The 3-dimensional version of the triangle is the tetrahedron, a solid object contained within a sphere, but one which is pure of form because it contains 4 faces all of which express the trinity. It has no diagonals, no shortcuts between its defining points. Although it appears to be a 3-dimensional object, it is really multi-dimensional, and represents consciousness on higher planes of reality wherein all manifestations are aware of their existence within the trinity. It also demonstrates how every single addition (point) in creation gives rise to another triangle as part of a larger rigid framework, the basis of construction of a stable universe.
|
|
ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
|
Post by ruffashlar on May 7, 2005 3:59:01 GMT
"The 3-dimensional version of the triangle is the tetrahedron, a solid object contained within a sphere"
Not so. The triangle in three dimensions is a flat plane mapped onto the surface of a sphere. This is non-Euclidean or Lobachevskian geometry, which basically takes the convergent lines of Euclid's triangles and runs to infinity with them, curves them, and allows the sum of its corners to add up to more (or, as it may be, less) than 180 degrees.
|
|
|
Post by hollandr on May 7, 2005 7:32:37 GMT
Brethren
I take it that this thread is what might be termed speculative Masonry.
If so, how do we turn this material into operative Masonry?
Cheers
Russell
|
|
ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
|
Post by ruffashlar on May 8, 2005 1:04:11 GMT
"The triangle is an important plane figure in Freemasonry, teaching us that as all its angles, no matter how various, can be added together to produce a perfect level; so all our actions, good and bad, will one day be computed into the dead level of mortality whereat, whereby and whereunto all Masons shall finally be judged.
However, as we are not Speculative but Antient and Operative Masons, we apply these lessons to our Geometry, and with especial reference to the Handbook of Building Regulations Chapter 3, Paragraph 23A..."
|
|
|
Post by atarnaris on May 8, 2005 17:56:02 GMT
You mean, the upward-pointing arrow stands for man's erection? Aaaaaaaaah those compasses...
|
|
staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
|
Post by staffs on May 28, 2005 8:35:47 GMT
I thought that the flap pointing up alludes to the animal nature of man, him being excited unable to subjugate his vices? the alt presentation of the FC apron explains that : when a candidate is initiated the flap is elevated to indicate that the blessing of material light has been restored to the wearer thus enabling his eyes to perceive much of our symbolism.Th edownpointing triangle typyfies the opposite element of fire and water or flow of intelect............. If any suitably qualified brother want a copy of the full explanation then let me know. Our lodge done this last meeting and nobody had seen this done before.
|
|
ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
|
Post by ruffashlar on May 29, 2005 17:16:07 GMT
|
|
|
Post by whistler on Jul 18, 2005 9:04:52 GMT
The wonderful 3.. The interpretation of the Hermetic Fables shows among every ancient people, in their principal Gods, first 1, the creating Monad, then 3, then 3 times 3, 3 times 9 and 3 times 27, this triple progression has for its foundation the three ages of nature, the Past, the Present and the Future; or the three degrees of universal generation... Birth, Life Death... Beginning, middle end.. The cipher 3 symbolizes the earth. it is a figure of the terrestrial bodies. The 2 being the upper half of 3, symbolizes the vegetable world; the lower half hidden from our sight. 3 also refers to harmony, friendship, peace, concord and temperance and was so highly esteemed among the Pythagoreans that they called it perfect harmony.
|
|
giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
|
Post by giovanni on Jul 18, 2005 10:27:27 GMT
The cipher 3 symbolizes the earth. it is a figure of the terrestrial bodies.... Let me differ. Earth is symbolized by 4: the four Elementals, the 4 cardinal points of the compass and so on. 3 is the attribute of God. In Christian iconography the triangle is put over God's head. I give my personal interpretation: As you see, God is at the top, you and me at the basis. Each man or even thing put at the basis has a relationship with the apex. But when the two bases match each other, then the relationship is complete, involving all the 3 angles.
|
|
giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
|
Post by giovanni on Jul 18, 2005 11:23:45 GMT
I add that when the 3 angles "match" each other, thus exchanging their energies, then the triangle turns over and forms a circle, symbol of the totality.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 18, 2005 18:53:15 GMT
|
|
giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
|
Post by giovanni on Jul 18, 2005 20:04:59 GMT
The fact that one ear is tied to another one means, IMO, that we MUST hear each other, if we want to hear the GAOTU.
|
|
|
Post by maat on Aug 4, 2005 23:28:48 GMT
it is acknowledged amongst esoteric Masons that when the candidate is invested with his apron in the first degree the flap should be turned up with apex pointing to the heart. In the second degree the flap should point down. In the third degree we have the union of the two triangles, the flap down and the triangle formed by the three rosettes pointing up, thus we have the union and Seal of Solomon – the six pointed star. /quote] Being an esoteric Mason our understanding is that 'four', thus the lower part of the apron represents physical man, Body. The flap, 'three' represents the Soul/Spirit. With the flap up in the first - two things can be deduced. First - that the newly initiated is still somewhat in darkness, that is, the Light of the Spirit is still somewhat separated from the waking consciousness of the individual. Second - that the EA has, at this stage, only to concern himself with trying to refine and improve his everyday life, which includes his physical body - so as to make it a more suitable vehicle for the Light. (He learns much about how to do this by holding his tongue and listening to those more advanced). How much Light we receive is entirely dependent on how much were are able to bear. The FC apron indicates that at this stage of progress the Bro has learned and assimilated much from his peers/research and that he has developed himself to the point where he is able to bear more Light. Thus the lowered flap indicates that the Spirit is now interacting more fully with the Body. Our task here is to refine our minds and enhance our awareness. We must study, learn and apply what we learn, so that we make ourselves more serviceable to our fellow man. We can do this much easier if we check our emotions at the door and tune in to our intuition and higher Minds. When we are doing all this to the best of our ability even more Light is now enabled within us - and thus our Aprons in the third reflect the glory we have thus far attained. Should we keep progressing in this manner we are then given the lessons of what the next stage is and what actually happens. "...more honourable than the Golden Fleece" Maat
|
|
staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
|
Post by staffs on Aug 5, 2005 6:14:55 GMT
Maat,your post is a superb edit of the alternative explanation of the FC apron presentation and done in such a way without revealing the ritual.It really is a lovely piece of ritual and makes a FC degree so much more thought provoking esoterically.
If any suitably qualified persons wants a copy of the alternative presentation please let me know.
|
|
ruffashlar
Member
Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
Posts: 2,184
|
Post by ruffashlar on Aug 20, 2005 23:00:06 GMT
Also, the apron flap superimposed on the oblong apron suggests a triangle enclosed in a foursquare: the Trivium and the Quadrivium.
|
|