Masonic Education Papers

By our local brethren.

Symbolism in Masonic Lodges

Otavio Vieira

Cypress Lodge 295, Orient of Naples, Florida

KSA, Scottish Rite, Valley of Ft. Myers, Orient of Florida

York Rite, Poinciana Chapter, Ft. Myers, Florida

The Rope of 81 Knots

We know that Freemasons learn through unrevealed allegories and through the illustration of symbols.

A Lodge is the society of Masons which is a speculative organism of moral and social construction. In the Lodge, brethren meet for their fraternal work and in benefit of humanity. Because of that, a Mason will also seek to enrich his knowledge and spirituality, aiming at improving his relationship with his family, his community, and the world. In other words, a Mason will spread the Light.

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The Master

Otavio Vieira

Cypress Lodge 295, Orient of Naples, Florida

KSA, Scottish Rite, Valley of Ft. Myers, Orient of Florida

York Rite, Poinciana Chapter, Ft. Myers, Florida

The word “master”, “magister” in Latin, has roots in “magis” which means “the more”. The Master is the one who, in theory, is “the wisest”, the one who has the best sense of moral and justice, and the highest spiritual level.

There is a subtle though profound difference between an Apprentice and a Master Mason. An Apprentice Mason is born at his initiation. He is later reborn when he is raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. He is given the task to reconstruct his own Temple, his values, and his truths. That is an arduous process which needs the trilogy – perseverance, humbleness and sacrifice. The word sacrifice is very significant as it is the sum of the Latin words “sacer”, sacred, and “officium”, service. The Master Mason’s sacrifice is sacred because it is esoteric. It aims at transcending his own limitations.

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The Master and His Transformation Process

Otavio Vieira

Cypress Lodge 295, Orient of Naples, Florida

KSA, Scottish Rite, Valley of Ft. Myers, Orient of Florida

York Rite, Poinciana Chapter, Ft. Myers, Florida

One of Masonry’s most profound symbolisms is the transformation of a rough stone into a polished stone. When initiated in Masonry, we see the rough stone close to the Senior Warden’s chair, and we are informed that the apprentice’s mission is to transform the rough stone into a polished or cubic stone.

Many traditions see the stone as an earthly expression of celestial energy. For instance, some studies show the relationship between the stones and the chakras of the yogis. Stones are used in all constructions. Ancient stonemasons polished them and used them when building temples. Speculative masonry makes an analogy between that building process and the construction of a man’s interior temple.

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The Fascinating Masonic World

Otavio Vieira

Cypress Lodge 295, Orient of Naples, Florida

KSA, Scottish Rite, Valley of Ft. Myers, Orient of Florida

York Rite, Poinciana Chapter, Ft. Myers, Florida

Masonary, the Royal Art, is a school of moral values which uses rituals to pass on its teachings through symbols and allegories.

Among the innumerous Masonic Rites are: Adoption, Adoniramite, Brazilian, Rectified Scottish Rite, Egyptian or Misraim, Heredom or Perfection, Hermetic, Mexican, Modern or French, Memphis, Pernetty, Russian, Strict Observance, Schroeder, Swedenborg, Swedish, and York or Emulation.

All Masonic Rites operate with the Legend of Hiram. There are several versions of this Legend. In some, for example, the assassins were decapitated and their heads were put on high sticks which were left exposed to the public for a long time. French sociologist, E Martin Saint-Léon in his book “Le Compagnonnage- Paris, 1901” which was published at the “Masonic Magazine, vol. LVIII, Italy’s Grand Orient, Rome” says that the first assassin was denounced by Perpignan where he had gone to seek refuge and was decapitated and his body was embalmed and then left exposed to the public.

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The Tri-Square

Mounir

THE TRI-SQUARE 

The tri-square is a mason’s tool

For the Ancient Free

and Accepted brother

It is a jewel

used to sure

the foundation

upon which men may meet or part.

from one simple level plane

to another rare, sublime, extraordinaire.

While traveling the next

it is here where we  learn to yearn

to reach within toward heaven on earth

living in a heart

whereby angles turn to angels

and view points shift from

prejudice and fear to certainty and love.

We practice a morality

as old as the Sumerians

Or Golden Rule that

we discover as one gleans

The Torah, New Testament, The Upanishads

Seven Seven Seven or

The holy books of one’s own belief,

always studying mindfully the middle path

always reminded by the checkered floor

the art of grace where fanaticism’s is pruned

from an old dying  tree to one that’s filled

with fruits of knowledge, honor and respect.

Our work is humble with this square

Emblematic of a living trust

Between brother and brother

A band of men bonded

By strong love, an open hidden eye of certainty

Where faith and love become

Living stones a temple for a spirit

That exists within this fraternity.

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Liberty from a neophyte point of view

Otavio Vieira

Cypress Lodge 295, Orient of Naples, Florida

KSA, Scottish Rite, Valley of Ft. Myers, Orient of Florida

York Rite, Poinciana Chapter, Ft. Myers, Florida

We are born alone and we will die alone. When we are born we inhale the world and this perception is singular and unique. Even when there are a lot of people present during the moment of our birth, that experience is particular to each of us. When leaving the jacket that has served us as lodging, we will exhale for the last and concluding time with a breath of relief and eternal rest. This experience is single, too.

During the hiatus between being born and dying we experience the gift of life.....

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