The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

392
Chapter 7 - Rituals
changing their original structure and aims according to their own taste and needs.
(Examples are Freemasonry and Odd Fellowship, which both originated in
England.) The United States is chosen for the reason that there, Masonry is
intended for the "whole family" with all its auxiliary female, androgynous, and
youth orders, a fact that allows a wider range of analyzing the ritualistic diction
and customs of this in-group. It will become obvious that Masonic men use a
different vocabulary than Masonic or quasi-Masonic women and children.
The introductory Chapter 2. has explained the origins of speculative
Freemasonry and its still prevalent use of terms, customs, and traditions that it
owes from the stonemasons' trade. Does Freemasonry have a "plan," does it
build, and what is the material it uses for construction? What is its final aim?
The word [Masonry] carries with it, through all the variants known to
us, the idea of unity. From this view it appears that Masonry is the
building together of various units, such as stones, bricks, wood, iron, or
human beings, into a compact structure. When we apply it to
Speculative Masonry, we mean the building morally of humanity into
an organized structure, according to a design or plan. 1255
The material are the Masons themselves, and the final building is the Temple
of Humanity. How is this plan worked out by means of rituals? Before this
question is answered, the outer forms of a ritual have to be described. In
Freemasonry, rituals consist of series of symbolic and allegorical actions, words,
and gestures. Figural objects are also used and explained to the candidates in the
"lectures" following the initiation ceremonies (sometimes with the help of slide
shows). The candidate undergoes an interaction of his emotions and the
symbolism he experiences. Each ritual has a fixed form, consisting of 1.
preparing and attuning the candidate (to which belong tests, vouching, balloting,
and "proper clothing"), 2. opening the lodge and installing the symbolic room
with its officers, 3. initiating the candidate in the central part, 4. dissolving the
symbolic room, and closing of the lodge. 1256
Point 2, the opening of the lodge, can be sub-divided into several
components: 1. the proper clothing of the members (i.e., that they all wear their
aprons and jewels), 2. the purging of the lodge (i.e. that all persons of a lower
degree than in which the lodge is to be opened have to retire), 3. the tiling of the
lodge (i.e. checking whether no "cowans and eavesdroppers" are inside), 4. The
rehearsal of duties (all officers define their stations and duties), 5. the Master's
request or admonition for peace and harmony, 6. the invoking of the blessing of
Deity, and 7. the proclamation that the lodge is duly opened. The closing
ceremony of a lodge contains the same steps, ending with the proclamation that
the lodge is duly closed.
1255 Quoted from A. S. MacBride by Bro. Joseph Fort Newton, in: "The Religion of Masonry,"
printed in The Master Mason, Sept., 1925, p. 724.
1256 See also Reinalter, p. 35.