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

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Chapter 7 - Rituals
My Brothers, the West is symbolic of the setting sun and the eve of life
emblematic at once of the end of the day's toil and of the closing years
of your earthly pilgrimage, the night that is to be followed by the day
that shall never end. Do not think that it is untimely to impress upon the
minds of those who are just beginning the journey of life the twilight
and evening years. For though the morning sun is still far from the
zenith and the meridian sun is East of South, the wisest young man is he
who looks well to the ending of the journey as well as to its beginning.
(p. 35/36)
In this metaphorical speech, the light symbolism stands for the passing of
time, death and after-life. The candidates, who have now completed their
symbolic journey, are conducted to the East for final instruction, where the
Master Councilor receives back the Crown of Youth. He admonishes the
brethren that in a few years, they will lay aside this crown for the Crown of
Manhood, "whose brightness will depend upon the fidelity of your stewardship
as wearers of the Crown of Youth" (p. 36). In other words, a good DeMolay
might become a good Mason, or at least a worthy man. The ceremony of the first
degree being over, the brethren are conducted to the preparation room, and the
DeMolay Degree can be conferred. An astonishing difference to Masonry and
female or girls' orders is that so far, the DeMolays do not seem to receive any
tools, badges, or jewels; at least this is not mentioned in the ritual.
Initiation Ceremony of the DeMolay Degree
In the following, we will describe the ceremonies of the advanced degree that
tells the story of the historical Jacques DeMolay. It consists of four sections and
the Obligation. After it is ascertained that all present are in possession of the
password and grip of this degree, the Master Councilor declares the Chapter duly
open on the DeMolay Degree and orders the Junior Deacon to inform the
Sentinel to be on guard. The scene of the first section depicts the Council
Chamber of the Commission, lighted by candles. The Master Inquisitor sits in
the center of the Northeast corner, the Junior Inquisitor at his left, and the Senior
Inquisitor at his right. At each side of the Inquisitors, the other members of the
Council are seated. The Scribes of the Inquisitors are seated downstage, to the
Southwest corner. At the right and the left of the Scribes, three seats are provided
for DeMolay and his three Preceptors.
The Orator goes to the East and lectures about the historical background,
recollecting how Philip the Fair of France, about more than six centuries ago,
murdered thousands of brave members of the Order of the Temple, of which
Jacques DeMolay was the last Grand Master. He explains that DeMolay and his
principal officers underwent many trials and persecutions, which the DeMolay
ritual tries to condense into one scene, the final hearing before a Commission in
its Council Chamber. He further remarks that although DeMolay and his three