Masonic Geometry Part V - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic District ...

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Some Observations concerning the Receptions of a Mason the string back and forth or ‘spun’ the weight to produce an ‘orbit’ for the weight . . . equal to the length of the string, or some portion of its length. The resulting ‘force’ which keeps the weight in ‘orbit’ we refer to as ‘centrifugal force’ [or its corresponding, inward ‘centripetal’ force]. This centrifugal force rotates about an ‘axis’ referred to as its ‘axis of rotation.’ At any given moment, the weight will be at ‘angle of 90 degrees relative to this ‘axis of rotation,’ assuming the momentum is maintained to allow this. If we lessen the speed of rotation about this axis, the orbit may collapse or become erratic, If we increase the speed of rotation about this axis, the orbit may lengthen [if we have enough ‘string’], may become erratic, or ‘fly out of control or orbit.’ What we have, though, under proper conditions is ‘something’ orbiting about an ‘axis of rotation.’ This axis of rotation is the Point about which the ‘weight’ is orbiting and may be represented as follows: P 1 . V P 2 . . . where ‘P 1 ’ represent the Point of origin of the Axis of Rotation and P 2 represents the point at which the ‘weight’ is in Orbit, at 90 o from the Axis of Rotation. In the above diagram you can SEE nothing spinning, you can SEE no force, but it does REPRESENT the concept discussed: it is a SYMBOL of the concept and discussion, what we may also call a ‘figure’ or ‘illustration.’ If P 1 happened to be the closed ‘points’ of a compass(es) applied to your Naked Left Breast, and P 2 happened to symbolically represent a DISTANCE to your Naked Right Breast, the relationship of P 1 to P 2 , in terms of MOTION or FORCE, could be referred as being at an ‘angle of 90 o from the axis of the Point of Origin [P 1 ]. The ‘apparent’ connector of P 1 to P 2 could be referred to as the ‘radius’ of the Circle, with a Center of P 1 . This ‘radius’ could also be referred to as a LINE [or line segment] with a ‘length’ of P 1 P 2 . A line, according to the previously reference Masonic ‘aid to memory,’ “. . . has length without breadth.” i.e. P 1 . . P 2 . . . where P 1 could represent the ‘Naked Left Breast’ and P 2 the ‘Naked Right Breast’ [of you, facing the East]. How should we ‘mark’ P 2 ? With a piece of string? Masonically, we may allude to this ‘angle of 90 o by ‘apply the ‘angle of a Square’ to P 2 , but are we talking about the Master’s Square, or is this an allusion to the ANGLE of it only? Remember, a square [or cube] is a very unstable ‘structure,’ without its supporting diagonals. Why do we not then just receive the Brother in the 2nd degree as we did in the 1st, only applying the closed Compasses to the Naked Right Breast? Because the Compasses has not yet ARRIVED, symbolically, at the (stronger) right side of the ‘body.’ Only the FORCE or MOTION [or ‘effort’] to get there is implied in this ‘angle of 90 o . We are yet to undertake the Work of a Fellow Craft that will allow us to TRAVEL from the ‘West’ to the ‘East.’ We have not yet taken the ‘step,’ been properly clothed, been given the ‘Working Tools’ or ‘Passed’ to merit the distinction of having ‘arrived’ at the ‘second Point.’ We need also to yet understand the ‘illusion’ of the Square AND of the second Point (hence there is no ‘second point’ applied in the 2nd degree of Masonry). I believe it was Galileo who noted that the heart of geometry could be worked out with a compass and straightedge. This, too, has been my experience. In over 20 years of studying contemplative geometry I have never needed a square and have rarely used the measurements on my rulers, other than for occasional convenience. If the Master’s Square, of the Square and Compass(es) symbol of Freemasonry, is an illusion, then what is the ‘correct’ symbol? The 1st Degree symbol would be a Point ( ); the 2nd Degree would be a line ( . . .), but in that neither a Point nor a Line, by the above Masonic definitions has breadth [or thickness], neither is visible to the mortal eye. [Now there’s something for the contemplative mind or heart . . .]. Third, Master Mason, Reception: Instrument used: the Compass(es) Position of the Square: Opened [preferably at a symbolic angle of 60 o , which would require a larger compass] How applied: as the Ritual reads: “on the extreme points of the compasses, extending from your naked LEFT* [apply left point] to your naked RIGHT* breast [apply left point so that now BOTH Points of compasses are touching the Brother at the points indicated, at the same time] 4
Some Observations concerning the Receptions of a Mason *Note: the SW&L has the ‘left’ and ‘right’ reversed, i.e. “. . .from your naked RIGHT to your naked LEFT breast . . .” Philosophically, when the compasses are opened, starting from the original 1st degree point of the LEFT breast, this would be applied first in the 3rd degree, followed by applying the second point on the RIGHT breast. [see below**] Discussion: The Work of the first two degrees is obviously such that ‘proficiency’ in the preceding degree could not normally be accomplished in the space of a few weeks. It could be the Work of a lifetime, or more. Both the degrees and the periods of advancement are therefore symbolic. In the space of a few weeks a rote memorization of the words of the ‘Questions and Answers’ is hopefully attained, a modicum of understanding as to their ‘moral significance,’ and of some of the history, etiquette and organizational workings of the Fraternity. In the Third Degree Reception, the compasses have been opened for the first time for the purpose of Receiving the new Brother on his further journey in Masonry. Whether the compasses had been opened a millimeter or a million light years, there are still only TWO points on the open compasses, the distance of which between these two points being a philosophical ONE unit, regardless of any other such units as could be used **When the first point is applied to the naked left breast, it is not in the third degree done so to pierce it, but to recall to the Brother the lesson of the 1st degree. When done with affect, the placement of the second point on his naked right breast calls to his attention the ‘extreme-ness’ of the points and of the ‘time and space’ in between them. There arises here a principle that could be called ‘Focal Radiance.’ Light and heat Radiate FROM the flame, not TO it. Sound Radiates FROM its source, not TO it. A bullet, arrow, fishing lure, baseball, or golf ball, each Radiate FROM their respective source, not TO it. Hence the Compasses in the Third Degree should be applied from the Left to the Right Breast, as above noted. The contemplative Mason would recognized that if there is an ‘extreme’ there must ALSO be a MEAN point. This is represented by the golden proportion of a:b::b:(a+b). When the compasses are opened, an erring natural law is revealed for the Brother to contemplate, should he be so inclined. A more complete discussion of this may be found in Chapter VI, Sections I and III of my book, but is herewith illustrated briefly: Here you may note that the extreme points are labeled ‘O’ for origin, and P 1 , corresponding to the ‘naked left and right breast’ respectively [from the viewpoint of the Brother]. In describing circles, with the centers of O and P 1 you will note that the 2nd degree “angle of 90 degrees” from the Axis of Rotation of BOTH of the circles is present as line OP 1 , and that we now also have the two triangles in the middle enclosed by a vesica pisces. The upper triangle is exactly the same one which appears in the First Proposition of Euclid [he did not show the lower one in his Proposition 1]. The ‘arch’ described by the vesica pisces is exactly the same Gothic Arch of the medieval Architects and artisans. The two triangles immediately ‘obey’ the ancient Hermetic injunction: as above, so below. In keeping with the geometric progression from a Point [1st degree], to a Line [2nd degree], you may now, and only now in the 3rd degree, see the next progression . . . to the Superfices, which again from the older ritual: “. . . is that which has length and breadth without thickness.” You may now be beginning to see why I like my version of the Receptions of the Craft degrees . . .. Those who have followed this far, and are familiar with the old ritual, may now well ask the question: but what of the next progression . . . the SOLID, which, of which it is written: “A solid is a magnitude which has length, breadth and thickness.” In one regard this is a valid question to ask of the progression of the THREE degrees Craft Masonry. In a subtle way the Solid IS in the 3rd degree, but it is ‘unfinished.’ One must consider that the above two circles shown are ALSO SPHERES, and may easily be derived as such from the usage (and philosophy) of the compasses and ‘square.’ Remember, too, that Sanctum Sanctorum of KST (20 x 20 x 20 cubits) was a CUBE, which in contemplative geometry may be shown as: 5
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