Postby bluefete » June 24th, 2009, 7:31 pm
Did I see something about "skull & crossbones" for the 33rd. degree, way down at the bottom?
Notes from... THE BOOK OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY: CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS IN ALL THE DEGREES, FROM THE THIRD TO THE THIRTY-THIRD, AND LAST DEGREE OF THE RITE by Charles T. McClenachan, 33' (Revised and Enlarged Edition, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, 45-49 John St., New York, 1914). [ University of Delaware Library, HS 770 .M3 1914 ]
FIRST SERIES: SYMBOLIC OR BLUE LODGE -- SYMBOLIC DEGREES (Ancient Craft) 01. Entered Apprentice
02. Fellow Craft, or Companion
03. Master Mason In the Reception of the 32nd Degree (see below), the following description of the three Craft Degrees is given: "The 1st degree shows you man, such as nature has made him, with no other resources than his physical strength. The 2nd degree teaches the necessity and holiness of labor, and consequently of knowledge. The 3rd degree teaches us that our unavoidable destiny is death; but at the same time, in the ceremony and in the very name of Hiram, it shadows forth the great doctrine of another life, and the immortality of the soul."
SECOND SERIES: LODGE OF PERFECTION -- INEFFABLE DEGREES (4th - 14th) Officers: (1) Thrice Potent Grand Master, (2) Deputy Grand Master, (3) Senior Grand Warden, (4) Junior Grand Warden, (5) Orator, (6) Treasurer, (7) Secretary, (8) Master of Ceremonies, (9) Hospitaller, (10) Captain of the Guard, (11) Tiler. Festivals: Besides the two Sts. John days (June 24, December 27), Lodges of Perfection commemorate the building of the first temple by the Grand Architect of the Universe (Tishri 15), and remember the destruction of the temple (Ab 9).
04. SECRET MASTER Immediately after the death of Hiram the Builder, King Solomon selected seven of the most worthy and expert Master Masons to guard the Sanctum Sanctorum, and its "sacred furniture." Although only one guard was on duty at a time, their number was always seven -- alluding to the seven cardinal virtues, the seven stages of life, the sabbath (7th day), etc. The Lodge is hung in black, strewn with white tears. The seven-branched candlestick is burning in the East, and over the East is a large circle composed of a serpent with its tail in its mouth. In the circle, three triangles are interlaced to form a white nine-pointed star. In the center of the star is a Hebrew YOD, and in the nine outer triangles are the letters E, A, J, J, Y, A, O, A, H, which are the initials of the nine sacred words. The Thrice Potent represents King Solomon, and the Senior Grand Warden represents Adoniram, son of Abda, Solomon's Grand Inspector. Battery: [7]. In the Opening, "The morning star has driven away the shades of night, and the great light begins to gladden our Lodge." Secret Masters are taught the duty of SECRECY and SILENCE, and pray: "Set a watch, O Jehovah! before my mouth, and keep thou the door of my lips." Our own heart is truly the "innermost sanctuary," in which we may "prepare to receive the impress of thy Holy Name, which shall be a seal of eternal life." The apron is white and black, with a letter "Z" and an all-seeing eye. The jewel is an ivory key with the letter "Z" on the wards.
05. PERFECT MASTER This degree, in which Lodges of Sorrow are usually held, recalls the requiem for the departed worthy brother, Hiram Abiff. King Solomon commanded Adoniram to supervise the building of Hiram's tomb or obelisk (in the west-southwest of the Temple), made of white marble, to denote his purity, and black marble, to denote his untimely death. The Lodge is hung with green cloth from eight white columns, and a black altar is in the East, with the coffin of Hiram. The nine-pointed star is now blood-red, and the blood which was spilled in the Temple still is in the northeast. Battery: [4], denoting life, death, virtue, and immortality. The moral of this degree is to pay due respect to the memories of deceased worthy bretheren. The apron is white and green, with a cubic stone and a Hebrew YOD. The jewel is a compass open on a segment of a circle, to an angle of sixty degrees.
06 INTIMATE SECRETARY This degree is not chronologically related to those preceding or following, but relates to an incident which illustrates the mercy and wisdom of King Solomon. The candidate is Joabert, Lieutenant of Solomon's guards, whose execution is demanded by King Hiram of Tyre (Deputy Grand Master), because of a misunderstanding. The King of Tyre had visited the Temple unannounced and full of anger concerning a treaty, and Joabert zealously defended his Master from this supposed threat. King Solomon interceded and forgave Joabert's indiscretion, and made him the Witness (Confidential Secretary) to the final treaty agreement with the King of Tyre, in the stead of the slain Hiram Abiff. The Lodge is hung in black, strewed with silver tears. Twenty-seven lights (divided equally between East, West, and South) are distributed. Battery: [8-1-8-1-8-1]. The apron is white and red, with Hebrew letters YOD HEH in the center, and a small triangle containing the Hebrew letters (clockwise from top) BETH, NUN, and SHIN. The jewel is a gold triangle with the same three letters inscribed. A "sword of defence" is presented to the candidate, with which he can defend his integrity and honor as a Mason.
07. PROVOST AND JUDGE Upon the death of Grand Master Hiram, King Solomon appointed seven Judges to mete justice among the workmen of the Temple. Tito, Prince of Herodim, was their Chief Provost and Judge, and their tribunal was held in the Middle Chamber of the Temple. This degree implores the Mason to "render justice to all, to hear patiently, remember accurately, and weigh care- fully the facts and the arguments offered." The Lodge is draped in red, and in the East is a blue, star-studded canopy. The ebony record-box of the Judges sits under the canopy, and a triangle with the Hebrew letters YOD HEH hangs with a balance in the center of the chamber. The seven Judges should be in white robes. Battery: [4-1]. The three great requisites of a Judge: Justice, Equity, and Impartiality, are symbolized by the triangle and balance. Divine justice is stressed, and the "earth, air, and ocean are the eternal wit- nesses of the acts that we have done." The Almighty reads from the "vast library" of the air, and metes out the right and just consequences of our actions. The apron is white, edged with red, with a key and five rosettes. The jewel is a golden key.
08. INTENDANT OF THE BUILDINGS, or MASTER IN ISRAEL After the period of mourning following Hiram's death, the building of the Temple had to continue. In this degree, King Solomon appoints and installs five Superintendants to oversee the continuation of the work. Upon the recommendation of the High Priest, Sadoc, and the Governor of the House, Ahishar, the five were chosen to be: (1) Adoniram, President of the Board of Architects [Master], (2) Joabert the Phoenician, Chief Artificer in Brass [S. Warden], (3) Stolkin, Chief Carpenter [J. Warden], (4) Selec the Giblemite, Chief Stonemason [Master of Ceremonies], and (5) Gareb, Chief Worker in Silver and Gold, and Engraver [Captain of the Guard]. The Lodge is hung in red and blue as in the previous degree, with twenty- seven lights -- in three groups of nine forming a triple triangle. Over the Master is a five-pointed star, with three Hebrew YODs inside. Battery: [5]. The number five (in addition to a five-fold circumambula- tion), represents the five points of fellowship which are primary tenets of Freemasonry. The charity of love -- the love of life and of God -- is emphasized as "participation of the divine nature." The apron is white, with red and green, with a balance, a five-pointed star as above, and a triangle with the Hebrew letters BETH (for Ben-khurim), YOD (for Jakinah), and ALEPH (for Achar). The jewel is a gold triangle with the same three letters.
09. MASTER ELECT OF NINE The three degrees called "Elect" or "Elu" are 09, 10, and 11, and they are concerned with the apprehension of the assassins of Hiram Abiff. Informed by a herdsman that the traitors were hiding in a cave near the coast of Joppa, King Solomon appointed nine Masters to go and find them. One of the elected Masters, Solomon's favorite, went ahead of the rest and discovered one of the assassins asleep. Inflamed at the sight, he stabbed him in the head and heart, and severed the assassin's head, who only had time to say "Necum" ("vengeance is taken") before he died. Although Solomon ordered the execution of his favorite for taking justice into his own hands, the other eight interceded, and he was pardoned. The Lodge is hung in black, strewed with flames (representing a cavern) suspended from eight columns. Eight lights in an octagonal pattern surround the triangular altar in the center, and one other light is half- way between the altar and the East. The lodge is styled a Chapter, and the Master of Ceremonies represents Pharos, the herdsman. Battery: [8-1]. Master Elects of Nine are taught to be careful in their zeal, lest they exercise vengeance "for the violation of divine and human laws." This degree also teaches the "overthrow of ignorance by freedom." The apron is white, lined in black, and sprinkled with blood, with an arm holding a dagger, and a severed head held by the hair. The jewel is a dagger, hilt of gold and blade of silver.
10. MASTER ELECT OF FIFTEEN About six months after the incidents in the previous degree, on the 15th day of Tammuz, it was learned that the remaining two assassins had fled to Gath, and had begun to work in the quarry of Ben-Dekar. King Solomon, upon hearing this, selected fifteen Masters (the original nine included) to apprehend them. After five days searching, they found and seized the traitors, who were brought back to Jerusalem, imprisoned in the tower of Achizar, and executed the following morning. The Lodge is hung in black, sprinkled with red and white tears. Fifteen yellow candles are present: five in the East and five before each Warden, with four forming a square and one in the center. Battery: [5-5-5]. The Illustrious Elu of the Fifteen are devoted to the cause of the oppressed, and to toleration against intolerance. The fif- teen lights are lit in the Opening of this degree, after a prayer to which the Elu devote themselves "To the cause of Free Thought, Free Speech, Free Conscience!" The apron is white, with a black flap, and with three arch-shaped gates -- over each a head on a spike. The jewel is a dagger as in the previous degree.
I will leave out 11-29.
SIXTH SERIES: CONSISTORY OF SUBLIME PRINCES OF THE ROYAL SECRET -- CHIVALRIC DEGREES (30th - 32nd) SUPREME COUNCIL -- OFFICIAL AND EXECUTIVE (33rd) The Chivalric degrees bring to an end the instruction of Masonry, and rehearse the virtues, vows, and tenets of the Order. These form the Templar degrees of the A.A.S.R.. "The accomplishment of these degrees brings us to the completion of the Third Temple; and the Royal Secret is solved, as to whether we have made this world a Temple fit for the abiding-place of the Grand Arch- itect of the universe."
30. KNIGHT KADOSH, or GRAND ELECT KNIGHT This "practical trial degree of the Knight Templar," also denoted as a Knight and Soldier of the Cross, contains some of the historical drama of the Templars. Incidents on the road to the Holy Land, as well as the execution of Jacques de Molay, are presented. Knights Kadosh ("holy," "consecrated," or "separated") are true defenders of the Temple: out- wardly armed with steel, but inwardly armed with Faith in God and Love of his fellow-man. The Lodge, styled a Chapter, is decorated with black and red columns. There are five chambers. The first, the Judges' Hall, is sombre and lit by a singular suspended triangular lamp. Five masked judges, robed in black and girded with swords, receive the candidate. Second, the Cave, or Chamber of Reflection, is "strewed with emblems of mortality," and is connected to the first by a descending flight of stairs. This chamber represents the tomb of Jacques de Molay, and contains a simple altar, cup of wine, and a gong. The remaining chambers are the Forum, the Senate Chamber, and the Road to the Holy Land. Overall, in the East is a Throne surmounted by a double-headed eagle, crowned, with a Teutonic cross and a point-down triangle containing a blazing Hebrew ADNI, and the words "Nec proditor, Nec proditor, Innocens feret." Behind the throne are two banners: one white with a green Teutonic cross, and the words "Deus Vult;" and the other with a red cross and a double-headed eagle, and the words "Aut vincere, Aut mori. " The Master is styled the Grand Commander, and is flanked by the Grand Chancellor and the Grand Architect. Battery: [6-1]. Aside of the Templar legend, much of the instruction of this degree is codified in the symbol of the "Mysterious Ladder," which has two supports and seven steps, and is kept veiled until the candidate is obligated. The supports are called O.E. ("Oheb Eloah," love of God) and O.K. ("Oheb Karobo," love of our Neighbor), and the seven steps contain the names of the sciences: astronomy, music, geometry, arithmetic, logic, rhetoric, and grammar (from the bottom up), as well as seven sets of [illegible] Hebrew words. There is no apron, but the jewel is a gold Teutonic cross, enamelled in red, with the letters J.'.B.'.M.'. on the obverse, and a skull transpierced by a poinard on the reverse.
31. GRAND INSPECTOR INQUISITOR COMMANDER "The practical test of the neophyte in the degree of Knight Kadosh, is in this degree of Inquisitor Commander changed to a thorough examination under charges against Masonic law and duty before the Order of the Five Brethren." The candidate is on trial, primarily by the "one infallible, unerring Judge" of Deity, but also by the accumulated history of human lawgivers -- handed down from King Alfred the Saxon, Socrates, Confucius, Minos, Zoroaster, and Moses. If found worthy, the virtues of repentance and forgiveness are proclaimed, and the candidate is advanced. The Lodge, styled a Supreme Tribunal, is hung in white. There are ten gilded columns, and the words "Justitia" and "Equitas" in the East, as well as the Tetractys of Pythagoras. In the West, over the Counsellors (i.e. Wardens), are the words "Lenitas" and "Misericordia," as well as the sacred word of the 18th degree in gold. The Master is styled the Most Perfect President, and is flanked by a Defender on his right and an Ad- vocate on his left. Battery: [?]. No apron is worn in the Supreme Tribunal, but in inferior bodies, a white sheep-skin apron with a silver Teutonic cross may be worn. The jewel is a silver Teutonic cross. The jewel may be suspended from a white collar, with a gold triangle with a "31" inside it. But in inferior bodies it may be suspended from a golden chain, the links of which form the eight fundamental degrees of Masonry: The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 14th, 16th, 18th, and 30th.
32. SUBLIME PRINCE OF THE ROYAL SECRET This degree, originally a Christian degree of Knighthood, "consummates the Templarism of Masonry." Only "a lover of wisdom and an apostle of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" is eligible to partake of this exalted degree, which is military in character (as the previous degree was judicial). The Chivalric nature of Masonry is explained by the Knightly Armor of the Templar, which is buckled upon the novitiate piece by piece. The Lodge, styled a Consistory, is hung in black, strewed with silver tears, skulls and cross-bones, and skeletons. In the East is a throne, ascended by seven steps, and draped in black satin with flame tears. An altar before the throne is also draped in black satin, with a skull and cross- bones, and the letter J above it, and the letter M below it. In front of each Warden in the West is a table, covered in crimson, with crossed swords and the letters "N-K .'. M-K .'." . Also in the West is the "Camp of the Princes:" a nonagon, which encloses a heptagon, which encloses a pentagon, which encloses a triange, which encloses a circle with a cross inside it. On the sides of the nonagon are nine Tents, each denoted by a letter, a flag and pennon, a Commanding Officer, and assigned to certain degrees of the A.A.S.R.: Flag and Pennon Camp of... Commanding Officer 1. S White & crimson 18th, 17th Malachi 2. A Green 16th, 15th Zerubbabel 3. L Red 14th Nehemiah 4. I Black & red 13th, 12th Joabert 5. X Black 11th, 10th, 9th Paleg 6. N Red & black 8th Jehoiada 7. O Red & green 7th, 6th Aholiab 8. N Green 5th, 4th Joshua 9. I Blue 3rd, 2nd, 1st Ezra On each of the external sides of the pentagon are five Standards, each with colored fields, devices, mottos, bearers, and assigned to certain degrees of the A.A.S.R.: Color & Device Degrees Borne by 1. T Purple, Ark of Covenant 30th, 29th Bezaleel 2. E Blue, Gold lion with key 28th, 27th, 26th Aholiab 3. N White, Flaming heart with Black wings 25th, 24th, 23rd Mah-Shim 4. G Green, Black two-headed eagle 22nd, 21st Garimont 5. U Gold, Black ox 20th, 19th Amariah Mottos: 1. "Laus Deo" 2. "Custos Arcani," "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" 3. "Ardens Gloria Surgit" 4. "Corde Gladio Potens" 5. "Omnia Tempus Alit" Inside the triangle are encamped the Princes of the Royal Secret and Grand Inspector Inquisitor Commanders, "with such Knights of Malta as, having proved themselves true and faithful, may have been received among us." Inside the circle are the five Grand Inspectors General who serve as Lieutenant Commanders under the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander. Battery: [1-4]. The apron is white, lined in black, with a double-headed eagle and a plan of the Camp of the Princes. The jewel is a golden Teu- tonic cross, with a double-headed white and black eagle in the center.
SR Temple Rosicrucian Symbol 33. SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR-GENERAL This degree, mainly executive in character, "is conferred as an honorarium on those who for great merit and long and arduous services have deserved well of the Order." The mottos of this degree are "Deus Meumque Jus," "Unio. Toleratio. Robur.," "Ordo ab Chao," "S.A.P.I.E.N.T.I.A.," and "Ad Universi Terrarum Orbis Summi Architecti Gloriam." The Lodge, styled a Supreme Council, is hung in purple, with skeletons and skulls and cross-bones. A magnificent throne with a purple and gold canopy is in the East, and a delta with the "ineffable characters" is beneath it. In the North is a skeleton holding the white banner of the Order (with a black double-headed eagle, and gilded in gold), and in the South is the flag of the country. The Lodge is lit by eleven lights (five in the East, three in the West, one in the North, and two in the South).
the common denominator in all this is that man seeks to explain one emotion and mindset with a correlation to an opposite: There must be light if there is darkness, there must be love if there is hate, there must be evil if there is good and there must be a protagonist if there is to be an antagonist.
