The Lost Key: An Explanation of Masonic Symbols

CHAPTER EIGHTThe Third Degree255. In the Third and last Degree of Ancient Craft Masonry themeaning of the shoes, the feet, the legs, the arms, the hands andthe clothing are all the same as before. The difference lies in thedifferent arrangement which the Mason will at once remember.Now the square formed before the Altar can be approached mustbe a perfect square. Remember that several years are supposed tohave elapsed since the Second Degree and the candidate has beencoached and taught and helped and advised and it is taken forgranted that he has learned his lessons, the lessons in scientificmorality which have been taught to him in the previous Degrees.Now he comes, so awed by the sublimity of the mysteries which heis approaching that his exaltation above the physical is completeand hence both aspects of his personality are bare (feet).256. Now the submission to the will of the Higher Self must becomplete and it will be noted that the demands of the Degree,shown by the relative positions of the Great Lights, indicate therequirement of complete subjugation of the material by thespiritual. The Compasses are entirely above the Square althoughboth are still, as before, founded upon the Divine Law. Both thepositive and negative aspects of the lower mental powers are freedfrom the hampering garments of prejudice and dogma. Both thepositive and negative aspects of the higher mental powers areposited upon the Great Lights.85