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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 483
Biblical romanticism, than it is the fact in Pike's Masonry of Adoption. The latter
offers a "more Masonic" approach for the women to "real" Freemasonry; which
of course is our personal impression. One might argue that Pike's Masonry of
Adoption applies silly tests, such as the bleeding ceremony, in order to thrill or
frighten the initiates. But as it is, Pike's Masonry was not without charm, as
being executed in the late 1800's.
When the lecture is over, the Sisters Inspectress and Preceptress work
themselves through the whole catechism of the second degree in form of a
question-and-answer dialogue. Hereby ends the initiation ceremony of the
second degree.
Third Degree (Mistress)
For the initiation ceremony into the third degree, that of Mistress, the Lodge
room and the adherent apartments are again changed. Thus, there is a
transparency in front of the Inspectress representing the Nile, and on his bank
Pharaoh's daughter with her attendants, one of whom drawing the small ark with
the infant Moses out of the water; and at a distant standing his young sister. The
transparency in front of the Preceptress illustrates a scene in the Arabian desert, a
woman (Hagar) sitting on the sand, and beside her under a bush lying her son
Ishmael, above them being a cloud, and in the cloud a glory (III., p. 7). Between
these transparencies, there is a third which represents a volcanic eruption at a
distance, and in the foreground stand Lot and his daughters, and a little behind
his wife, looking back at the destroyed city (III., p. 7).
The lights are as in the previous degrees, with exception of six tall lights of
blue wax, standing in front of the presiding officers in Asia in the form of a
passion cross, with its head to the East, in this way (III., p. 7):
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This time, on the open Bible upon the altar lies a black passion cross, and on
the table to the North in Asia there is a vessel of silver, containing eau de
cologne, which is colored red like blood, with a small brush for sprinkling. On
the table to the South in Asia there are a censer and a vessel of perfume for
burning, as well as a wreath of evergreen and flowers. There are four veils in
Europe, at the extreme western end of the Hall, from the North to the South,
parallel to each other. Each is composed of two curtains, which can be drawn
away to the sides by a cord. The first veil is black, the second crimson, the third
orange, and the fourth green.
Part of the preparation room, with only a chair or two and a small table, is
needed, as well as a "workshop," e.g. a well-lighted small room with a table and
chairs, on the table lying "stuff, materials, and implements for female labor: