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

Chapter 7 - Rituals 643
on your head; and, that you may not witness mysteries to which as yet
you are not entitled, I lower this visor before your face. (p. 61)
Thus "blindfolded," the candidate is conducted to the "armory" or some other
suitable room, which must be in absolute darkness. The monitor previously has
taken his station in one end of the room, or an adjacent chamber connected by a
speaking-tube or opening. The candidate is ordered to raise the visor when he
hears three strokes upon the bell, and is left alone. After two or three minutes,
the Master at Arms gives slowly three strokes upon a gong. Meanwhile, the
monitor holds a metaphorical monologue:
The darkness which surrounds you is symbolic of life. Man sits in
gloom, and the purpose of his existence is a mystery. [...] As you are
now, helpless, alone, an unmanned barque upon an unknown sea, your
heart-beats the only chart and log-book, hear what I would say [...].
(p. 62)
Out of "the silence which entombs" him (p. 63), the monitor talks to the
candidate about his duty to his fellowman, which consists in "pointing out the
stars that shine beyond" to the relatives of a deceased brother after the "darkness
of death" has come. When this pathetic speech is finished, the Master at Arms
leads the candidate into the adjacent room. There, he meets "Pythagoras,"
clothed in a suitable costume, who instructs him that "he who seeks to discover
must first learn to imagine" (p. 65). The wise man warns him that
[t]he journey which is before you is to you unknown. It lies, perhaps,
through flower-bespangled plains and verdant meads, where summer
sunshine sifts through interlacing boughs, and perfumed zephyrs sigh,
and music-throated birds entrance the listening air. It per-adventure
winds its devious and uncertain way along the mountain side, where
unscaled peaks their towering summits lift amid the thunder's sullen
roar, and depths abysmal yawn beyond the treacherous precipice; or else
where darkling rivers run, 'mid rayless gloom, through caverns
measureless to man, down to a sunless sea. Mayhap it leads through bog
and fen and foul morass, where hideous creatures climb and crawl, and
slimy serpents cling and coil, and nameless, countless horrors lurk
unseen. (p. 65)
The description of the lurking horrors reminds us strongly of the Grotto's
Cauldron Scene, but however fairytale-like it may seem, this address is to be
taken earnest by the candidate. Resuming knighthood terminology, Pythagoras
advises him that "You go to claim the golden spur that knighthood wears. To
wear it, you must win it." (p. 66). Hereafter, the candidate is led to the Senate
chamber by the Master at Arms. The candidate is seated. The Scribe,
appropriately clad, takes his position at his desk and seems busy with his records,