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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
the following chapters, since there is almost nothing visible in the "light," and
the aspirant finds herself surrounded by armed men, although she has chosen an
order for women. Also, the accompanying noise is missing. The following quote
by the Venerable Master explains the situation:
Through the darkness of doubt and gloom we advance towards the Light
and Truth. Through the clouds and shadows of the night of death we
pass into the realms of Immortality. The afflictions and calamities of
life, which are its darkness, and the gloom which broods over the
precincts of the grave, not the light of health and the enjoyments of
prosperity, chasten us and fit us for eternal life. (I., p. 32)
Thus, instead of the "light," the aspirant perceives the "gloom" as a
preliminary stage to death, and it becomes even worse: The Venerable Master
raps once, whereupon all the lights are extinguished, and a slow, sad, and solemn
music begins to play. The candidate's bandage is replaced by the Mistress of
Ceremonies, while the Venerable Master recites Biblical verses: "He that hatheth
his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he
goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes" (I., p. 32). Then, he
enumerates two Biblical examples of heroic women, the first being Jephthah's
daughter, who is slain by her father because he has promised her to the Lord 1422 ,
and the second Ruth, who went with her mother-in-law to become a gleaner in
the fields of Boaz. The Venerable Master sums up these examples by stating:
"The law of Duty is the law of Masonry. Truth and the Right are the Light of
Masonry. You seek that Light." (I., p. 34). The aspirant has to affirm that she is
going to imitate the pious affection of Ruth, and the noble resignation and
devotedness of Jephthah's daughter, and that she is willing to assume a solemn
obligation. Upon her affirmation, the Venerable Master exclaims: "Open, then,
the doors of the Temple of Light, Truth and Virtue! That she may enter in!" (I.,
p. 35). This temple is a symbol for the Hall or Lodge room, which now is
lighted, the officers are at their stations, the Sisters stand in front of their seats in
the front rows, and the Brethren behind them, stretching out their swords
horizontally in front of the Sisters.
The Venerable Master quotes "Arise, shine! For thy light is come [...]. Lift up
thine eyes round about, and SEE!" (I., p. 35), at the last word striking a loud
blow with his mallet, which is also done simultaneously by the Inspectress and
Preceptress, while all the Sisters are clapping their hands at the same moment.
This is the real "shock of enlightenment," and the bandage falls. To increase the
dramatic situation, the music strikes a loud chord and plays a bold air, which is
softening into a slow and tender one (I., p. 35). Hereafter, the Venerable Master
hails the aspirant as "Daughter of the Light," and calls her "Hand-maiden of the
Truth" and "servant of Duty" (I., p. 35/36)
1422 This is the most obvious similarity to the Order of the Eastern Star, in which Adah (Jephthah's
daughter) and Ruth are separate degrees and also officers.