|
A History of Masonic Signs and Symbols
introduction: R. A. Gilbert Weiser Books 1915, 2005 ISBN #1-57863-338-9
The Arcana of Freemasonry presents a history of Freemasonry, tracing its roots through signs and symbols found in such diverse venues as Egyptian history, Mayan carvings, Greek mathematicians, philosophers and metaphysicians. This very esoteric subject comes right to our doorstep when we realize the influence that it had on what we would term modern history - the founding of the United states and the turmoil of the French Revolution. Dr. Churchward was a Mason (as can be seen from his writing), and a member of the Geological Society of London. In his introduction, R. A. Gilbert refers to Dr. Churchward as being widely traveled and immensely learned. He also reminds us that Dr. Churchward was a product of his time (as we all are). In the latter part of his life he devoted himself to the study of the origin and development of human society, and of the nature of religion in such a society. Dr. Churchward made some amazing claims - such as placing human origins over two million years ago in the region of the Great Lakes of East Africa (very close to what was later discovered by Professor Leakey), and questioning the validity of the Piltdown skull. Neither claim gave him recognition amongst his peers. He then made the further claim that Freemasonry (or a recognizable precursor) could be traced back to what he termed the "Stellar" cult of primitive man. This belief system was supposedly centered on Polaris and the six other stars in the constellation of Ursa Minor. Churchward insisted that the Stellar cult survived for some 300,000 years, after its first appearance 600,000 years ago. He then claimed that the Great Pyramid of Gizeh belonged to this period. Because of these claims Dr. Churchward was not recognized, nor accepted, by his historian peers. Neither was he accepted by his brother Freemasons. Dr. Churchwards interests focus on the signs, symbols, and practices of Freemasonry, and their relationship to the development of the earliest civilization. Throughout this work, as Gilbert points out, Dr. Churchward maintains a tone of animosity towards German Masonry, which can very well be understood when the reader realizes that t his was the time period of World War I. What is very much harder to understand is Dr. Churchwards explicit racism, and his views on the development of the human race from the Pigmy to the White Man. The chapters in this book are a compilation of some of Dr. Churchwards treatises and lectures. They cover the origin and history of Freemasonry, the origin and explanation of specific Masonic signs and symbols, the association between Eqyptology and Masonry, the importance of the Four Cardinal Points, and a discussion of Operative and speculative Masonry. What I found hard going here was getting past Dr. Churchwards manner of presentation. He seemed to want to come across as the expert, with his audience several steps beneath him. At one point he "explains" how the Operative Mason's have gone wrong in their ritual because they have mixed up the Gods of the four quarters with the One Great God. (However, at a later point in the book he connects the origins of the Operative Mason's with the building of the Pyramids in a very interesting manner.) Dr. Churchward insists that the unity of the world can be accomplished be Freemason's, and Freemason's only. However, that cannot be done "yet" because the Brothers do not carry out in daily practice the tenets of the Brotherhood. Dr. Churchward presents the primary symbol of the Stellar cult as the circle. He then talks about the meaning of the square (as representing earth), and such things as the two pillars at the principle entrance of the Temples, representing the Pillar of Horus and the Pillar of Set, which stood for the two divisions of heaven, North and South. From here he goes into a discussion of the triangle, and that it was held sacred as a symbol because it represented heaven. (This is a very important symbol, as the symbol of two triangles, one upright, one reversed, form the square and compass (called the Key of Hiram) by which Freemasonry is so well known.) Also discussed are the Three Master Squares. There is an enormous amount of information (as well as misinformation) in this book. Very helpful are the sections on signs and symbols, and the numerous illustrations that are included throughout. This is an excellent resource book for those interested in Freemasonry, in Western Hermeticism, or in the esoteric use of signs and symbols. My background is that of the Tarot world, and the knowledge of signs and symbols is imperative to make best use of this oracle. What we find when we delve into this subject is that it finds its way into all the areas of our life - especially into the worlds of art, mathematics, poetry, and literature. How much more can we understand about life when we understand the signs and symbols that we see around us! Take what you will from this work, and leave the rest behind. What you take will serve you well.
Bonnie Cehovet
 View My Guestbook Sign My Guestbook
Graphics by Art for the web |
