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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 479
Lodge and Hand-maiden and Apprentice of Duty, who desires to be promoted
[...] and to become a Sister of the Faith" (II., p. 13).
When the candidate has answered the usual questions, the Deaconess warns
her: "Thou enterest here of thine own free will. Whatever thou mayest encounter,
it is of thine own choice. Murmur not, therefore, at any trial! I set a seal upon thy
lips." 1428 (II., p. 14). The Orator, the Aumoness, the Inspector, the Preceptor, the
Inspectress, the Venerable Master, and the Admirable Mistress now quote
Biblical admonitions. The Venerable Master then orders the candidate to be
placed "between the columns" (II., p. 16; instead of "on the brink of the
precipice" (I., p. 28) in the first degree), where she is left by herself, while soft,
slow, and plaintive music plays for a few minutes. The music having ceased, the
Senior Master of Ceremonies and the Misstress of Ceremonies, each holding the
candidate by one arm, lead the latter on her travels twice around the Lodge,
which are to imitate the course of the moon:
Venerable Master: Let the Aspirant journey from the West by
the North to the East, and by the South to the
West again, imitating the moon whom the
ocean follows with her tides; and take good
heed how she walks! [...]
Admirable Mistress: Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy
ways be established!
Orator: Turn not to the right hand nor to the left!
Remove thy foot from evil! Pride goeth
before destruction, and a haughty spirit
before a fall. (cf. II., p. 16/17)
During her travels, obstacles are placed upon the floor, over which the
blindfolded candidate has to pass, and others are held in front of her, so that she
has to pass under them by stooping. On the second circuit, it becomes even more
dramatic, since the Senior Master of Ceremonies seems to be attacked and
involved into a combat with swords (cf. II., p. 17). Meanwhile, the Venerable
Master quotes again Biblical verses, such as "In the way of righteousness if life;
and in its pathway no death" (II., p. 17). He explains to the candidate that this
journey is symbolical of the journey of life, consisting of difficulties and
dangers, wherefore it is necessary sometimes to bow the head and humble the
spirit. The Venerable Master also remarks that in ancient initiations, the initiate
was subjected to more real and severe trials, e.g. crashes of thunder, lightening,
falling waters, cries of wild beasts, and a leap from a height. He assures the
candidate that the journeys she is to make are only symbolical of those, because
1428
This warning is also pronounced by the Conductress in the Order of the Eastern Star (cf. OES
ritual, p. 38).