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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 475
Then, the Brethren form the Arch of Steel with their swords, which we have
already encountered as a Masonic (and common) symbol of honor, through
which the candidate is led to the altar for obligation, where she is facing the East.
The Venerable Master and the Admirable Mistress stand at the other side of the
altar, facing the West, the Sisters form a circle around them and the candidate,
and the Brethren form an outer circle 1423 and raise their swords, which form a
roof of steel over her head (I., p. 36).
My Sister, the sword of a Freemason is the symbol of Loyalty and
Honor. The Arch of Steel under which you advanced to the altar, and
the roof of steel, under which you have assumed your obligation, are the
symbol and pledge of the protection henceforward due to you from
these Brethren, and all others of the Brotherhood of the Rite of
Adoption. (I., p. 36)
These two ceremonies next to loyalty also represent devotedness (cf. I., p.
59). After the obligation, the candidate is relieved of her bonds, "that she may
hereafter be truly free!" (I., p. 37), and the Venerable Master strikes her with the
blade of his sword lightly on the left shoulder, and then on the right 1424 , and
"creates and constitutes" her an Apprentice Masoness (I., p. 37). Then, he gives
her his hand and assists her to rise, which is a very simple variant of the Masonic
"raising." Afterwards, she is invested with the badge, which is the white apron.
Here, it is interesting to see how this male Masonic symbol has been transferred
into one appropriate for women, by stating the parallelism in the Hebrew
language of "white," "Moon," "Isis" on the one hand, and "blue," "Venus,"
"Love," "Perfection," and "Hope" on the other:
Its color is an emblem of purity and innocence. White was, in the
Hebrew language, [...] laban and labanah. The latter word was also the
name of the Moon, symbol of ISIS, the Great Nature-Goddess of the
Egyptians, of whose mysteries this Rite is the successor. The same word
meant purity. It is therefore the appropriate color for your sex [...]. It is
especially appropriate for those who, initiated, have become the Handmaidens
of TRUTH, the innocent and pure in heart.
The color of its bordering is that of the Planet VENUS, symbol of
APHRODITE, the Goddess of Love; and in the Hebrew, the same word
which expresses that color means also Perfection and Hope. The apron
is, for you, both a symbol and pledge. It is your profession of Faith and
Practice as an Apprentice, pronouncing your Hope of Eternal Life, and
1423 This has a parallel in the Eastern Star, where the officers form a circle around the altar to unite for
prayer, while the other members form an outer circle, at a certain moment taking each other's hands
(cf. OES ritual, p. 62).
1424 This "knighting" ceremony also prevails in the Order of the Amaranth, where the head of the
candidate is touched with the blade as well.