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Post by Goldenfleeced on Sept 18, 2014 3:29:14 GMT
Well, I think we'll continue our discussion here, with the topic of the "Royal Arch" Degree, also known as the "Holy Royal Arch." Interestingly, the Royal Arch is known as the 'Capstone' of the craft, or 'symbolic,' degrees. This symbolism of the 'capstone' immediately calls to mind the Great Pyramid, which is (significantly) missing its own 'Capstone.' We will cover the history of this somewhat mysterious degree shortly, but for now, I'd like to give you the 'highlights,' in order that I can make my 'connections' for you more quickly than history might otherwise allow... (more alchemy, you see?... lol) According to "The York Rite of Freemasonry, A History and a Handbook" by Frederick G. Speidel (from which I will quote here, until further notified): The Royal Arch Degree, as practiced today in a major part of the world, is a refinement of a number of degrees, legends, and traditions that existed under that, or a similar, name in the early 18th century in the British Isles. The legends refer to a "crypt." The type of crypt and its location, whether subterranean or above ground, varied. The stated origins of the crypt differed by several millennia. The only point of similarity in the legends was that the crypt was constructed to preserve valuable secrets for future generations.
The Royal Arch degree concerns itself with the discovery of a crypt and the value of the resulting discoveries in bringing additional Masonic light to its discoverers.
The value of the discovery, which resulted in completing the Hiramic legend, could not long be overlooked by the Modern Grand Lodge of England...
...reasons for conferring the degree differed in various lodges. A number of lodges conferred it as a 4th Degree...
Surviving lodge minutes of the early 18th century seldom refer to degree conferrals, possibly because they considered it secret work, or, in the case of the Royal Arch, because they had no real authority to confer it. While the degree of the Royal Arch had definitely been conferred in the 1730s in England, the earliest surviving minutes recording the conferral of the degree was in "Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons," Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 22, 1753.
The Fredericksburg Lodge (now No. 4) at that date was a "time immemorial" lodge, operating without a Charter. A tradition indicates they may have had a dispensation from Massachusetts. According to the minutes, the lodge 'opened,' formed a "Royyall Arch Lodge" with a visitor presiding, and conferred the degree on three candidates, one of whom was the regular Master of the lodge. The Royyall Arch lodge was then 'shutt' and an Entered Apprentice Lodge opened.
This is the lodge that had raised George Washington to the degree of Master Mason on August 4 of that year... these minutes are on display in the replica lodge room in Fredericksburg, Virginia, along with other historic memorabilia...Among the symbols of the Royal Arch degree are the Keystone, Mallet and Chisel, Jewish Half-shekel of silver, the Arch, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Crown and Gavel of Authority, which, says the text, reveal important truths to the initiate. There are several important things to notice here... let's 'check the numbers,' shall we? Four seems to be a recurring theme... as is 8... the year 1753, for instance, is 1+7=8 and 5+3=8... August is the 8th month, with the 4th day given... December is the 12th month (12 represents perfect government) and the 22nd day,- well, I shouldn't have to explain 22 for you anymore. Wow... and it all has to do with a 'crypt.' Et in Arcadia (Akkadia... Acacia... Cascadia... lol) Ego... Crypts... and buried knowledge... Gosh. But the 'good news' seems to be that if we can only 'discover' it, it will 'finish' the Hiramic legend; and I think that if Hiram were going to 'finish' something, he would most likely lay that pesky 'capstone'... Finally.
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Sept 18, 2014 4:23:18 GMT
Now, for the really Good part... I'm going to show you all something that is already familiar to many of the Masonic 'brothers' that may visit here,- this is the particular 'mark' of the Royal Arch degree; you will see that it is a Tau cross, or more specifically, a triple Tau cross, upside-down, within a triangle, or 'Delta,' which is a symbol for the Name of Deity, and all of this within a circle... Now, this Royal Arch has to do with the completion of the Hiram Legend, and the discovery of a crypt that contains wonderful knowledge... so it must contain Hiram... or his offspring... the 'Hirams' or 'Shamir.' A 'person,' or 'persons.' Now, the cross is hanging upside-down. This seems to be important, if only because it is so obvious. Now... let me see... where have I seen this symbolism before? Oh, that's right... it's at Rosslyn Chapel... And that reminds me of something else... one of the 'stops' on the fool's journey... And another similar image, having to do with Nine Gates, and Illumination... It also seems highly significant that this symbol has to do with the topics at hand, so to speak, and is situated within a 'Delta' mark... which has to do with the 'name of Deity.' They all seem to smile, slightly... something like the 'Mona Lisa,' I think... waiting for patience to bear its fruit, I wonder? And knowing, always, that the news is Good...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Sept 18, 2014 4:47:55 GMT
Now, this brings up the subject of Mason's Marks, and specifically Mark Masons and 'Mark Masters,' who chose their own mark. These marks were used to identify the work of a particular stonemason, and Books of Marks have been maintained since medieval times. These marks were a series of lines, or shapes, chiseled into the stone... I will find you a few... I have my own 'mark,' of course... a Maker's Mark... or Master's Mark, if you Will... It's not really my cookie, you understand... although they do make a new Golden Oreo that I'm quite fond of...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Sept 18, 2014 5:17:37 GMT
I was particularly intrigued with the Jewish Half-Shekel of Silver that is mentioned... Sounds like a 'lucky quarter' to me... lolol... And that reminds me of the joke that my friend told me; this one's a classic, and one of my personal favorites... Why did the Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years?
One of them lost a shekel.But really... as far as the symbolism goes, this may be appropriate; what do you think? Subdivisions of the shekel were the beka or half-shekel (Genesis 24:22; Exodus 38:26) and the gerah, a 20th of the shekel (Exodus 30:13). The gerah is known in Akkadian as gir–. The basic meaning of the Akkadian word is a grain of carob seed. www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/weightsandmeasures.htmlAnd that reminds me of our dear friend, Ed Leedskalnin... the size of a barley-corn, he was... Small in greatness, but Great in smallness...I like that.
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Sept 29, 2014 6:41:47 GMT
Now, I want to tell you a story... this will be familiar to the 'Royal Arch'-ies, so to speak, but for the rest of you, I hope that you find it of interest, in 'light' of the other topics that we have covered, and will uncover, here. There is small chance that you will have heard it otherwise, and I can't help feeling that, not only do the 'pieces fit,' but that... it all belongs. Anyway... This is a tale called The Shekinah and the Bathkoll... "Among those things which were wanting in the second temple, and which constituted the main glory of the first, there are three which deserve special attention, viz: the Ark of the Covenant with the mercy-seat; the Shekinah or Divine Presence, and the Bathkoll. A substitute was found for the original Ark, as we have seen, but this possessed none of the glories of the first. The Shekinah, which was a token of God's presence among his people, "was a very shining flame or amazing splendor of light, enveloped in a visible cloud, resting over the mercy-seat on the Ark. It first appeared when MOSES consecrated the Tabernacle, and was afterward transferred to the temple at the solemn dedication of that edifice by King SOLOMON. It continued to rest upon the Ark in the same visible manner until the destruction of the temple. It never appeared again until it was temporarily renewed by GOD to punish the impious attempt of JULIAN, the Apostate, to frustrate the prophecy of CHRIST, by rebuilding the temple after it final destruction by TITUS. The Bathkoll, a compound Hebrew word, signifying the daughter voice, or the daughter of a voice, was a term applied to a voice from Heaven. It was used to denote particularly the oracular voice delivered from the mercy-seat, when GOD was consulted there by the High-Priest. The sacred Ark of the first Temple being indeed lost, it was very naturally supposed, by those who had seen the first edifice in its splendor, that the Shekinah and the Bathkoll had departed from Judah forever. The 'ancient men' wept with a loud voice, believing that the former glory would never be fully restored to Jerusalem until the Messiah should appear as the true Shekinah and Bathkoll, the Divine presence and Oracle, among mankind..." Let me post this and continue, just in case...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Sept 29, 2014 7:46:55 GMT
To continue... "The Grand Council, without doubt, took measures to preserve, with the most religious care, the sacred treasures so miraculously restored to them, and for that purpose, tradition states, suitable persons were exalted to the high honor of guarding them from loss or profanation." And so 'ends' the story... with this beautiful piece of music, actually, which I can only reproduce for you here in verse,- but it makes a wonderfully 'happy ending.' The Royal Arch Ode Joy, the sacred law is found, Now the temple stands complete, Gladly let us gather round, Where the pontiff holds his seat; Now he spreads the volume wide, Opening forth its leaves to day, And the monarch by his side, Gazes on this bright display.
Joy, the secret vault is found, Full the sunbeams fall within, Pointing darkly under ground To the treasure we would win. They have brought it forth to light, And again it cheers the earth; All its leaves are purely bright, Shining in their newest worth.
This shall be the sacred mark Which shall guide us to the skies; Bearing, like a holy ark, All the hearts who love to rise; This shall be the corner-stone Which the builders threw away, But was found the only one Fitted for the arch's stay.
This shall be the gavel true At whose sound the crowd will bend, Giving the law its due; This shall be the faithful friend; This the token that which shall bring Kindness to the sick and poor, Hastening on, on angels's wing, To the lone and darksome door.
This shall crown the mighty arch, When the temple springs on high, And the brethren bend their march, Wafting incense to the sky. Then the solemn strain shall swell From the bosom and the tongue, And the Master's glory tell In the harmony of song.
Here the exile, o'er the waste, Trudging homeward, shall repose; All his toils and dangers past, Here his long sojournings close. Entering through the sacred vails, To the holy cell he bends; Then, as sinking nature fails, Hope in glad fruition ends. It sounds beautiful, doesn't it...?
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Post by ayraman nli on Sept 29, 2014 7:48:08 GMT
:popcorn: :double butter:
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Post by ayraman nli on Sept 29, 2014 8:20:47 GMT
Well that was quick. I was waiting and you posted it. No wonder they hide this stuff. Too bad Arthur isn't around to make one of his ignorant comments. LOLOL *kisses*
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Sept 29, 2014 19:04:52 GMT
Well that was quick. I was waiting and you posted it. No wonder they hide this stuff. Too bad Arthur isn't around to make one of his ignorant comments. LOLOL *kisses* I'm sorry I didn't see your comment last night... so the return won't be so 'amazingly' quick, I'm afraid; still... Yes... they don't call them 'mysteries' for nothing, I'm afraid. You really do have to put it all together for yourself, and some of the 'pieces' have been conveniently placed up somebody's sleeve... to be pulled out later, I suppose... and then, too, of the ones that 'know' the 'story,' only a certain few of those, I believe, understand what they just heard. To 'comprehend'... or, in other words, Wisdom with Understanding. This is very important, since you can 'know' many things, and assemble many facts and statistics, but there is more than a fair chance that you may not actually 'understand' much of what you have gathered... this seems to be the case for a large percentage of people. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that they really aren't able to 'comprehend' things beyond a certain level, or more the fact that they are really just vain enough to believe that they do understand things, mostly on someone else's Word... I have asked myself many times, and you, even, I believe, once, whether 'Arthur' really believes the things that he says... or whether he hopes to reinforce what he chooses to believe with the opinions of others, which he supposes to be 'understanding,' and further, 'confirmation,' of those things that he believes... mainly about himself, I'm afraid. The Truth needs no 'confirmation,' because it 'confirms' itself in Fact... And for those parts of the Truth that have yet to 'confirm' themselves in Fact, but are known to be forthcoming as the obvious and logical consequences of a natural and scientific process already begun, and ready to bear its fruit, there is 'Faith'... Now, you have heard it said that Moses 'reveiled' the Mysteries, and this is True, in so many ways... the new 'religion' cut out the Bathkoll, very effectively, for G-D's presence among men was confined now to a speaking burning bush, which seemed to combine the qualities of the Shekinah and the Bathkoll, if you ask me, into one... this new 'Jehovah,' then would be 'replacing' those items lost to us... with none of the 'Glory' of the First... Maybe it's time to remove the veils... and 'unmask' this 'God'...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Oct 5, 2014 5:59:59 GMT
The sixth hour of the sixth day of the week.
The last shall be first...
Mark Masters all appear, Before the Chief O'er-seer, In concert move; Let him your work inspect, For the Chief Architect, If there be no defect, He will approve.
You who have passed the square, For your rewards prepare, Join heart and hand; Each with his mark in view. March with the just and true; Wages are to you due, At your command.
Hiram, the widow's son, Sent unto Solomon Our great key-stone; On it appears the name Which raises high the fame Of all to whom the same Is truly known.
Now to the westward move, Where, full of strength and love, Hiram doth stand; But if imposters are Mixed with the worthy there, Caution them to beware Of the right hand.
For this sixth day... of which, the hour is late...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Oct 5, 2014 17:39:52 GMT
To continue... "The Grand Council, without doubt, took measures to preserve, with the most religious care, the sacred treasures so miraculously restored to them, and for that purpose, tradition states, suitable persons were exalted to the high honor of guarding them from loss or profanation." And so 'ends' the story... with this beautiful piece of music, actually, which I can only reproduce for you here in verse,- but it makes a wonderfully 'happy ending.' The Royal Arch Ode Joy, the sacred law is found, Now the temple stands complete, Gladly let us gather round, Where the pontiff holds his seat; Now he spreads the volume wide, Opening forth its leaves to day, And the monarch by his side, Gazes on this bright display.
Joy, the secret vault is found, Full the sunbeams fall within, Pointing darkly under ground To the treasure we would win. They have brought it forth to light, And again it cheers the earth; All its leaves are purely bright, Shining in their newest worth.
This shall be the sacred mark Which shall guide us to the skies; Bearing, like a holy ark, All the hearts who love to rise; This shall be the corner-stone Which the builders threw away, But was found the only one Fitted for the arch's stay.
This shall be the gavel true At whose sound the crowd will bend, Giving the law its due; This shall be the faithful friend; This the token that which shall bring Kindness to the sick and poor, Hastening on, on angels's wing, To the lone and darksome door.
This shall crown the mighty arch, When the temple springs on high, And the brethren bend their march, Wafting incense to the sky. Then the solemn strain shall swell From the bosom and the tongue, And the Master's glory tell In the harmony of song.
Here the exile, o'er the waste, Trudging homeward, shall repose; All his toils and dangers past, Here his long sojournings close. Entering through the sacred vails, To the holy cell he bends; Then, as sinking nature fails, Hope in glad fruition ends. It sounds beautiful, doesn't it...? Now, let's look at that last stanza/verse again, shall we...? But, this time, let's look with our 'special glasses'... lol... Do you see what I see...? The Thirty-Second Figure
'Thou hast taken great trouble, therefore it is but just that after thy day's work thou shouldst have rest and repose. Blessed is he that is born during sleep; he shall know no evil. For thou hast purified with great care, and hast endured much in thy days, Thee no one hath overcome, and no one shall there be that will again awaken thee, even as long as there is counted as much as thine enemies have counted from their eyrie.'
Now... tell me, tell me, tell me that they didn't know? Tell me that it isn't real magic? I think it's all pretty Wonderful...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Oct 6, 2014 18:21:02 GMT
Well, now, rather than give you a quote with an 'intimation' this morning, I think that I will give you a 'quote' or 'passage' from the 'mysteries' of Masonry, that I believe remains yet 'in darkness;' it is my intention to 'translate it' for you... in my own 'language'... and see what you think. I have said before to my friend, it is all well and good to repeat 'stories,' but I'd like to hear something that's never been heard before... or, at least, in recent memory, let's say... tell something 'new.' So, I think that I will take my own 'medicine,' as it were, and try to tell you something 'new,'- or, put a 'new light' on some dark old corners... I am continuing in this thread for several reasons... first, I believe that it is relevant at this time, and secondly, my 'insight' concerns these particular symbols, and the reason for them. Now, remember that these are 'mysteries,' my friends... and, as such, they ought to bear some 'relation' to those other 'mysteries' that we are aware of, and their symbolism... and, it Will... This quote is taken from the 'Guide to the R.A. Chapter,' 'Royal Arch:' The industrious student of our mysteries cannot fail to draw from these simple tools (here speaking of the Crow, the Pickaxe, and the Spade) still further food for moral reflections. To such an one the crow will be a striking emblem of uprightness of life, intergrity of character, and unyielding discharge of duty; the sound of the pickaxe will remind him of the sound of the last trumpet, when the grave shall give up its dead; and the spade will depict to his mind the grave itself into which the mortal part of man is laid away from sight.
The Royal Arch Mason cannot fail to learn further from the diligent use of their implements, that he must search to the very foundations which underlie all human knowledge if would find that great object of all his earthly pilgrimage - the end of his labors. Truth may be buried for a time under a cumbrous mass of error; the ruins of a better civilization may have been thrown down upon it; its very existence may be forgotten, but the diligent seeker after it will surely find it.
"Truth crushed to earth shall rise again, Th' eternal years of GOD are hers." I believe that these symbols are 'representative,' so to speak of certain other 'things' (even though, the symbolism given above is lovely, and also meaningful and 'appropriate,' if you can get no further), and I believe that I can give them 'new light,' with a slightly different 'translation' or 'use' of the same 'tools.' Lolol... I can 'prove' this point, surely, with the following translation of the 'mystery' of the Crow, the Pickaxe, and the Spade...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Oct 6, 2014 18:41:25 GMT
Now, about the 'Crow,' which is, in reality, a 'pole,' or a 'rod'... absolutely... See Jupiter...? He is actually holding a 'crow,' and so does Pharoah... and so do Shepherds... you see, perhaps, in the final part of the 'quote' below, why this 'crow' is important in regard to actual 'governing,' for which, as we have previously seen, the number 12 symbolizes 'perfect government.' Archimedes, however, in writing to King Hiero, whose friend and near relation he was, had stated that given the force, any given weight might be moved, and even boasted, we are told, relying on the strength of demonstration, that if there were another earth, by going into it he could remove this. ΚΑΙ ΜΕΝΤΟΙ ΚΑΙ ΑΡΧΙΜΗΔΗΣ, ΙΕΡΩΝΙ ΤΩ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙ ΣΥΓΓΕΝΗΣ ΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΣ, ΕΓΡΑΨΕΝ ΩΣ ΤΗ ΔΟΘΕΙ ΣΗ ΔΥΝΑΜΕΙ ΤΟ ΔΟΘΕΝ ΒΑΡΟΣ ΚΙΝΗΣΑΙ ΔΥΝΑΤΟΝ ΕΣΤΙ, ΚΑΙ ΝΕΑΝΙΕΥΣΑΜΕΝΟΣ, ΩΣ ΦΑΣΙ, ΡΩΜΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΠΟΔΕΙΞΕΩΣ ΕΙΠΕΝ ΩΣ, ΕΙ ΓΗΝ ΕΙΧΕΝ ΕΤΕΡΑΝ, ΕΚΙΝΗΣΕΝ ΑΝ ΤΑΥΤΗΝ ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣ ΕΙΣ ΕΚΕΙΝΗΝ. Plutarch (c. 45-120 AD) Life of Marcellus Translated by John Dryden (1631-1700) Again, he (Archimedes) used to say, in the Doric speech of Syracuse : “Give me a place to stand and with a lever I will move the whole world.” ΕΛΕΓΕ ΔΕ ΚΑΙ ΔΩΡΙΣΤΙ ΦΩΝΗ ΣΥΡΑΚΟΥΣΙΑ, “ΠΑ ΒΩ ΚΑΙ ΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΩΝΙ ΤΑΝ ΓΑΝ ΚΙΝΗΣΩ ΠΑΣΑΝ.” John Tzetzes (12th century AD) Book of Histories (Chiliades) 2, 129-130 Translated by Francis R. Walton Archimedes, that he might transport the entire globe from the place it occupied to another, demanded only a point that was firm and immovable; so, also, I shall be entitled to entertain the highest expectations, if I am fortunate enough to discover only one thing that is certain and indubitable. Nihil nisi punctum petebat Archimedes, quod esset firmum & immobile, ut integram terram loco dimoveret; magna quoque speranda sunt, si vel minimum quid invenero quod certum sit & inconcussum. René Descartes (1596-1650) Meditations On First Philosophy Meditation II, 1641 Translated by John Veitch What Archimedes said of the mechanical powers, may be applied to Reason and Liberty: “Had we,” said he, “a place to stand upon, we might raise the world.” The revolution of America presented in politics what was only theory in mechanics. www.math.nyu.edu/~crorres/Archimedes/Lever/LeverQuotes.htmlOur 'crow' is that 'lever' with which... given the 'right stand'... we might actually 'move the World'... If you can imagine such a thing... I'll be right back...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Oct 6, 2014 19:45:25 GMT
Well, there... that was one of those 'errands' I mentioned previously... one down, and now, I'm called again... but first... I believe that the 'cumbrous mass of errors' that was mentioned above includes a heavy, and cumbersome, yoke... and I think you all know what I mean... and that, in this 'world,' we are made it to bear it, thanks to the 'law'... ...but, with the right 'lever' (something 'upright,' yes?), and a solid place to stand... a rock, say... we might move that 'cumbrous mass' aside... And replace it with a 'more perfect government; of the people, and by the people,' maybe... for which, we will return to the history of Masonry, and the Spirit of Masonry, in a while... It is coming. In truth...
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Post by Goldenfleeced on Oct 6, 2014 20:08:27 GMT
Now, about that pickaxe... we are going to lay it at the 'root of the tree'... indeed... 9 ...and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10"The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.…From the book of Matthew, Chapter 3 How does this 'relate' to the other 'mysteries?' Watch this... When Osiris returned from his mission, there was great rejoicing in the land. A royal feast was held, and Set came to make merry, and with him were his fellow conspirators. He brought a shapely and decorated chest, which he had caused to be made according to the measurements of the king's body. All men praised it at the feast, admiring its beauty, and many desired greatly to possess it. When hearts were made glad with beer-drinking, Set proclaimed that he would gift the chest unto him whose body fitted its proportions with exactness. There was no suspicion of evil design among the faithful subjects of Osiris. The guests spoke lightly, uttering jests one against another, and all were eager to make trial as Set had desired. So it happened that one after another entered the chest on that fateful night, until it seemed that no man could be found to win it for himself. Then Osiris came forward. He lay down within the chest, and he filled it in every part. But dearly was his triumph won in that dark hour which was his hour of doom. Ere he could raise his body, the evil followers of Set sprang suddenly forward and shut down the lid, which they nailed fast and soldered with lead. So the richly decorated chest became the coffin of the good king Osiris, from whom departed the breath of life.
The feast was broken up in confusion. Merrymaking ended in sorrow, and blood flowed after that instead of beer. Set commanded his followers to carry away the chest and dispose of it secretly. As he bade them, so did they do. They hastened through the night and flung it into the Nile. The current bore it away in the darkness, and when morning came it reached the great ocean and was driven hither and thither, tossing among the waves. So ended the days of Osiris and the years of his wise and prosperous reign in the land of Egypt.
When the grievous tidings were borne unto Isis, she was stricken with great sorrow and refused to be comforted. She wept bitter tears and cried aloud. Then she uttered a binding vow, cut off a lock of her shining hair, and put on the garments of mourning. Thereafter the widowed queen wandered up and down the land, seeking for the body of Osiris.
Nor would she rest nor stay until she found what she sought. She questioned each one she encountered, and one after another they answered her without knowledge. Long she made search in vain, but at length she was told by shoreland children that they had beheld the chest floating down the Nile and entering the sea by the Delta mouth which takes its name from the city of Tanis.
Meanwhile Set, the usurper, ascended the throne of Osiris and reigned over the land of Egypt. Men were wronged and despoiled of their possessions. Tyranny prevailed and great disorder, and the followers of Osiris suffered persecution. The good queen Isis became a fugitive in the kingdom, and she sought concealment from her enemies in the swamps and deep jungle of the Delta. Seven scorpions followed her, and these were her protectors. Ra, looking down from heaven, was moved to pity because of her sore distress, and he sent to her aid Anubis, "the opener of the ways", who was the son of Osiris and Nepthys, and he became her guide. www.sacred-texts.com/egy/eml/eml05.htmBasically, his 'coffin' was a fancy tree-trunk... as well as a 'lead chest,' of sorts... you see? And we have a 'black widow' or 'Madonna,' and a 'Delta.' Now, this seems to 'echo' that same story... except it is a 'sprig' (or 'shoot') of Acacia that marks the grave... The tale of Hiram Abiff as passed down in Masonic Lodges underpins the third degree. It starts with his arrival in Jerusalem, and his appointment by Solomon as chief architect and master of works at the construction of his temple. As the temple is nearing completion, three fellowcraft masons from the workforce ambush him as he leaves the building, demanding the secrets of a master mason. Hiram is challenged by each in turn, and at each refusal to divulge the information his assailant strikes him with a mason's tool (differing between jurisdictions). He is injured by the first two assailants, and struck dead by the last. His murderers hide his body under a pile of rubble, returning at night to move the body outside the city, where they bury it in a shallow grave marked with a sprig of acacia. As the Master is missed the next day, Solomon sends out a group of fellowcraft masons to search for him. The loose acacia is accidentally discovered, and the body exhumed to be given a decent burial. The hiding place of the "three ruffians" is also discovered, and they are brought to justice. Solomon informs his workforce that the secrets of a master mason are now lost. He replaces them with substitutes (based on gestures given and words spoken upon the discovery of Hiram's body). Such is the general legend as related in the Anglo-American jurisdictions.
In Continental Freemasonry the tale is slightly different: a large number of master masons (not just Hiram) are working on the Temple, and the three ruffians are seeking the passwords and signs that will give them a higher wage. The result is the same, but this time it is master masons who find the body. The secrets are not lost, but Solomon orders them buried under the Temple, inscribed on Hiram's grave, and the same substitution is made as a mark of respect. The secrets "lost" in the other tradition are here given to new master masons as part of their ritual. In this version, Hiram is often renamed Adoniram. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_AbiffSo... we are laying the 'pickaxe' at the 'root of the tree,' so to speak, in order to 'uncover' that which was 'buried'... Yep.
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