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

On the night between the 24th and 25th of December, the sun having
commenced to slowly rise toward the earth's equator, the zodiacal sign of Virgo,
the immaculate celestial Virgin, is on the eastern horizon in all northern latitudes
(in the hours immediately preceding midnight). In the science of astrology it is the
sign and degree on the eastern horizon at the time of birth which determine the
form or body of the creature then born. Therefore the Sun of Good is said to have
been born of Virgo, the sublime celestial Virgin, who remains as pure after giving
birth to her Sun Child as she was before. By analogy the Son of God who comes
to save his fellow men must also be born of an immaculate spiritual virgin.
From what has been said it is evident that a great period of preparation
precedes the entrance of a Christian Mystic into the present sphere of human
life, though he in his physical consciousness is usually entirely unaware of the
fact of the great adventure in store for him. In all probability his childhood days
and early youth will pass in obscurity, while he lives an inner life of unusual
depth, unconsciously preparing himself for the Baptism, which is the first of the
nine steps of this method of attainment.
CHAPTER TWO
MYSTIC RITE OF BAPTISM
It is noteworthy that nearly all religious systems have prescribed ablutions
previous to the performance of religious duties, and the worship performed in the
ancient Atlantean Mystery Temple, the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, was no
exception, as we have seen from the previous articles on "Symbols of Ancient
and Modern Initiation." After having obtained justification by sacrifice on the
Brazen Altar, the candidate was compelled to wash in the Laver of Consecration,
the Molten Sea, before he was allowed to enter upon the duties of his ministry in
the sanctuary proper. And it is in conformity with this rule that we find the Hero of
the Gospels going to the river Jordan, where He underwent the mystic rite of
Baptism. When He rose, we learn that the Spirit descended upon Him. Therefore
it is obvious that those who follow the Christian Mystic Path of Initiation must also
be similarly baptized before they can receive the Spirit, which is to be their true
guide through all the trials before them.
But what constitutes Baptism is a question which has called forth arguments of
almost unbelievable intensity. Some contend that it is a sprinkling with water, and
other insist upon the immersion of the whole body. Some say that it is sufficient
to take an infant into church, sprinkle it with water despite its protests, and
presto! it becomes a Christian, an heir of heaven; whereas should it unfortunately
die before this sacred rite is performed, it must inevitably go to hell. Others take
the more logical position that the desire of an individual for admission into the
church is the prime factor necessary to make the rite effective, and therefore wait