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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
Its basic feature is the interlaced triangles portraying the duality of
Masonry and its comprehensive teaching, covering the two-fold nature
of man, spiritual and material. This is exemplified at the opening and
closing of every R. A. Chapter when the Principals, themselves standing
in the form of a triangle, make a triangle with their left hands on which
the V. S. L. is placed, and another triangle with their right hands placed
on the V. S. L., thus connecting the material with the spiritual. 1363
Let us return to the formation of the "three times three." When the groups of
three are thus formed, the High Priest uses the symbolic and mystical saying
which has a parallel in the closing ceremony and in the exaltation ceremony in
slightly different forms: "As we three did agree in peace, love and unity the
sacred word to search; as we three did agree in peace, love and unity, the sacred
word to keep; so we three do now agree in peace, love and unity to raise a Royal
Arch." 1364 All make a battery of three on the words "peace, love, and unity," and
while the right hands are then raised and clasped, the G. R. A. W. (Grand Royal
Arch Word, according to Duncan: Grand Omnific Royal Arch Word) is
communicated from right to left by syllable, each companion in succession
commencing, so that the word is given three times. The Companion on the apex
of the triangle towards the East gives the first syllable. According to Duncan, the
ineffable name is given in three words: "Jah-buh-lun, Je-ho-vah, G-o-d." 1365
Hereafter, the clasped hands are lowered, a battery of three times three is
given, and the groups are separated. The Grand Council and the Captain of the
Host return to their stations. All signs from Entered Apprentice to Royal Arch
are given, followed by more batteries. Then, the three Great Lights are displayed,
the Chapter is opened in due form for business, and the pledge of allegiance is
led by the High Priest. This shows that American politics have - at least to the
extent of saluting the Flag - also infiltrated the Royal Arch Degree. The Sentinel
is informed that the Chapter is open and that he has to guard it accordingly.
The closing ceremony will be left out here for its parallels with the opening
ceremony. Note that the mystical saying this time is as follows: "As we three did
agree in peace, love and unity the sacred word to search; so we three do now
agree in peace, love and unity the sacred word to keep, until we three, or three
such as we, shall with one accord, raise a Royal Arch." 1366
Exaltation
The ceremony of exaltation consists of two sections. These are followed by
the lecture and the charge. The first section begins with bringing in the
1363
Lewis, p. 119. The "V. S. L." is the Volume of the Sacred Law, i.e. the Bible.
1364
P. 120.
1365
Duncan, p. 224.
1366
P. 172.