THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

This degree, which is the last philosophical degree of the A.A.S.R., der-
ives its doctrine from Hermeticism, the Kabala, and Magism. The Absolute,
i.e. that which exists through itself, is taught to be Reason, and that
evil and misery are necessary discords "that unite with the concords of
the universe to make one great harmony forever." The symbolism of the
Temples of Thebes and Memphis, the Temple of the Sun at Nineveh, and the
white dove (Zoroaster, good, Chesed) and black raven (Manes, evil, Gevur-
ah) are all presented, and interpreted in the light of "uncreated reason,"
of which the primary symbol is the Sun.
The Lodge, styled a Council, is hung in natural colors, representative of
the open countryside, and is illuminated by a great globe suspended in the
South. In the East is the seal of the Macrocosm (the hexagram of Solomon),
with the up-pointing triangle in black and the down-pointing triangle in
white, and under the words "Lux e Tenebris." In the West is the seal of
the Microcosm (Pentagram) in white and vermillion. In the South is a rep-
resentation of the Temple of Solomon, with a man holding a lamb between
the columns of Jachin and Boaz. In the North is a symbol from the Zohar,
with two men's heads and arms forming a hexagram. In each corner is a
triangle, white, black, and red, with the Hebrew letters YOD, HEH, and
VAV on it. The altar, in the center, is "Soli Sanctissimo Sacrum," sac-
red to the most holy sun, and contains a pentagram along with the book of
constitutions, and a censer.
The Master is styled "Father Adam," and wears a saffron robe. One Warden,
styled "Brother Truth," is in the West, and wears a rose robe. Seven other
officers, styled MLAKVTh (kings, envoys, angels), are stationed about the
Temple, and wear flame-colored robes:
Name Planet Banner Bracelets Station
Gabriel Jupiter Crimson & silver, Eagle tin N.E.
Michael Saturn Black & silver, Lion lead S.E.
Auriel Mars Flame & silver, Bull steel S.W.
Raphael Mercury Green & gold, Man glass & quicksilver N.W.
Zarakhiel Sun Purple & gold gold E.
Tsaphiel Moon White & gold silver W.
Hamaliel Venus Blue & silver copper S.
The other members of the Council, of which there must be ten in all, are
styled Aralim (Lion of God, or hero), and wear no robe. Of these, there
must be a Herald, Expert, and Tiler.
Battery: [3-4]. The apron is white lambskin, with a vermillion pentagram.
The jewel is a golden sun on the obverse, and a hemisphere, showing the
northern half of the ecliptic (Taurus to Libra) and zodiac. Of the large
amount of instruction in this degree, seven main points are outlined:
(1) "Science is preserved by silence, and perpetuated by initiation."
(2) "Make gold potable, and you will have the universal medicine," which
evidences that one should appropriate truth to ones own use, and that the