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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
After the Opening of the Lodge, the Venerable Master sends the Deaconess to
prepare the candidate, who enters the Chamber of Reflection and asks the
candidate whether she has read and understood the sentences written on the
walls. If the candidate still resolves to proceed, she is caused to lay aside her
gloves, earrings, and rings, which she will later be given again, just like a male
Mason who is deprived of his "metals" for initiation. Her sleeves are turned up,
so that her arms are bare below the elbows. This corresponds to the naked breast
in Craft Masonry. Then, she is blindfolded with a kerchief of white cambric. The
reasons therefore are explained to the candidate in the lecture following her
initiation: "[...] the bared arms were symbolical of toil; the bandage which
covered your eyes, of ignorance and error; and you were deprived of your jewels,
to teach you that you ought always to be ready to dedicate your ornaments to
charity [...]." (I., p. 57)
The Introducer reports to the Preceptress that there is "an unusual alarm" (I.,
p. 25) at the door, and the Brother Introducer is sent to ascertain by whom the
alarm is given. He partly opens the door and asks: "Who asks admission by the
Sacred Number?", to which is replied: "A daughter of Khevah, who desires
initiation" (I., p. 26). Now follows a dramatic entry: the door is thrown open, and
both the Introducer and Introductress take a hand of the candidate and lead her
within the door, which the Deaconess closes with a loud noise. The Venerable
Master gives one loud rap on a gong and cries: "Halt!" He asks whether the
Brother who vouches for the candidate is present, and this being so, he warns
him that he will himself be expelled if she proves unworthy (I., p. 27). Then, he
asks the Brethren and Sisters whether they are satisfied with this testimony, and
they raise the right hand, which is the sign of assent (I., p. 28). The negative sign
would be to extend the right arm to the front, with the palm to the right, and to
carry the hand round to the right, as if repelling something (I., p. 28). The
consent given, the Venerable Master orders to place the aspirant on the "brink of
the precipice" (I., p. 28), and she is placed between the Inspectress and
Preceptress and left standing by herself in profound silence. Some minutes later,
soft, slow music begins to play, and the Venerable Master asks the aspirant on
whom she relies in the time of trial, to which she answers, upon God. The next
question is, in search of what she came there, and similar to Craft Masonry, she
answers, of "Light and Truth" (I., p. 29). Then, she has to express the idea she
has about Masonry, and to give her reason for seeking initiation, after which the
Venerable Master asks the Orator and the Aumoness how they can be assured
that the candidate has not come out of mere curiosity. The two officers demand
that she undergo all the customary test, and travel in the way that they all have
gone before her (I., p. 29).
As a preparation, the Junior Master of Ceremonies throws a long chain of
small links of light white metal over her neck, and wraps its ends round her two
wrists placed together. This is reminiscent of the cabletow around the neck of the
candidate who is initiated into the first degree of Craft Masonry. Then, the
Senior Master of Ceremonies and the Mistress of Ceremonies walk her once
around the Lodge, through America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, and then through