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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 519
travel: "Let the candidate journey from the West by way of the South to the East,
and by the North to the West again, and thence to the Altar" (Royal Patron, p.
79). As they journey, the Conductress says in metaphorical language: "May thy
pathways be strewn with flowers. [...] The fruit of your toil is ever before you;
reach out your hand and gather it" (p. 79). They halt before the throne where they
are addressed by the Royal Matron in pictorial language: "Our good deeds and
kindly offices performed for others are the angels that watch over and smile upon
us in our dreams," etc. (p.79). As they proceed from the North to the West, they
halt before the Associate Matron, who addresses them likewise, using light
symbolism: "The light of the body is the eye. If, therefore, thine eye be just, thy
whole body shall be full of light," etc. (p. 80). Then, the procession turns and
approaches the altar, where the Royal Patron asks the candidate about her
motives. She replies, in place of the Masonic 'seeking light': "The desire to
acquire knowledge and make progress in the ways of wisdom, benevolence, and
virtue." (p. 81). She affirms that she is willing to assume the obligations and
responsibilities required of her by the rules of the Order. Then, the Associate
Conductress presents the "sacred emblems," the patens containing bread and salt,
covered with a white napkin, which she places on the altar. These are ancient
symbols of hospitality, popular with several peoples, such as the Russians. The
Royal Matron thus explains this ceremony to the candidate: