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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 585
be so that merely the face shows. He should have a smile on his face,
rather sardonic – a smooth face – no beard – perhaps make-up, rather
light-brown on the lips. (p. 33)
Goodfellow welcomes the candidates with "Ha! Ha! Ho! Ho! So this is earth,
where mortals dwell, The place they leave when they go to Hell! And there
tonight, if you'd like to know, Is exactly where you (indicating all candidates) are
going to go" (p. 34). This journey is imitated from the Eleusian mysteries; the
Greek neophytes also being submitted to tests by air, water, and fire and
temptations and threats in hellish landscapes by all kind of demons, before they
received the light. Unlike the solemn Masonic ritual, the Grotto ceremonies stage
the drama elaborately, with lightning and thunder effects, describing in detail the
costumes of each character, the equipment, and the drops for the different scenes.
There is a Prologue which contains the obligation of the candidates, and an
Epilogue which comprises the bestowal of the Fez, whereas the true ceremonial
drama is arranged in seven scenes, which are 1. Court of Mokanna, 2. The
Haunted Forest, 3. Earthward Bank of the River Styx or Cauldron Scene, 4. The
Silent Tomb, 5. Storm Scene, 6. The Imperial Chamber of Gehenna, 7. Court of
Mokanna.
In the first scene, the candidates are led before the Veiled Prophet Mokanna
by Sarpedon, and the cast is to fall on one of them, according to the ancient
mysteries, to "make the quest through Earth and Air, through grisley paths of
black despair, the flaming depths of Hell must dare," (p. 35) in order to find the
Priceless Jewel of the Enchanted Realm. The selected one is invested with a
robe. Before the candidate departs, he is presented by Mokanna with an amulet, a
Grotto emblem on cord, which he wears like a necklace to be protected against
danger. Then, Sarpedon conducts him to the Haunted Forest, "that mystic and
gruesome domain, betwixt earth and hell" (p. 36). The following floor plan
shows where the officers and candidates are stationed in the first scene: