The Knight Rose Croix & Symbols of Bread and Wine - Report Example

The Knight Rose Croix & Symbols of Bread and Wine Order No: 180031 No: of pages: 5 Premium – 6530 Introduction: Albert Pike, born in Boston, Massachusetts, is recognized as the person responsible for the growth and success of the Scottish rite. There are two branches of Freemasonry of which the “Scottish Rite” is one of them. It includes a master mason (Third degree) who may proceed after he has completed the three symbolic degrees of Blue and Craft Lodge Masonry. The central authority of the Scottish rite is called The Supreme Council. The primary purpose of the Scottish rite is, to simply to seek that which is most worthwhile in this world. It also includes enhancing the human side of all our day – to – day activities, by rendering maximum service to humanity and exalting the dignity of every human being. It also proposes to aid mankind’s search for an identity in God’s universe for proper development and a good destiny and in doing so, “achieve better men, in a better world, happier men, in a happier world and wiser men, in a wiser world”. The AASR Journey: The AASR journey is filled with enlightenment based on the three degrees or virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. This journey implements dramatic skits using grand casts and colorful costumes. It also includes good music, sound effects and lighting effects which help to enhance the Master mason’s knowledge to pursue further study of the liberal arts and sciences, history and virtuous education. The Rose Croix or the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite has a total of 33 degrees of which the first three are analogous with those of Craft Freemasonry. To reach the 33rd degree takes many years of hard work and very few reach the top. Freemasonry helps one to learn the spiritual aspects of life and imbibe their virtues. It is not only stimulating but challenging and very interesting. It spans across friendship to lessons in moral rectitude. The Scottish rite is recognized as an extension of the degrees of Freemasonry by Grand Lodges. Traditionally, Freemasonry has two great festivals to celebrate. They are St. John the Baptist on 24th June and of St. John the Evangelist on December 27th. The Table Lodge Ritual is a yearly feature and takes place in the night on the anniversary of St. John the Baptist which is on the 24th of June. In ancient times, the Ritual was very long drawn, tedious and elaborate but it has now been modified to suit the present times. The summer festival was the time that was best suited for a meeting, especially the one for Entered Apprentice Degree. This ceremony was followed by “Table Lodge” where the new apprenticed Mason would be immediately initiated and admitted into the rich Masonic fellowship. All the brethren are aware that the word “refreshment” did not necessarily mean food, but a small rest in between the long sessions. Only after the session is finished, refreshment is taken by the brethren. During the 1700’s, they ate, smoked and drank during the ceremonious work, but it has been changed now. At the Table Lodge, all the brethren sat around the table in the pattern of a horse shoe and enjoyed a smoke or drink while they worked on the catechisms or the old lectures. The Master in the chair would ask questions and this would be answered by the brethren one by one. Another tradition at Masonic Feasts and dinners was the custom of toasting. There were different kinds of toasts undertaken. The various toasts that were offered during the Table Lodge Festival were: To the Queen and the Craft, To the Grand Master, To the Holy Saints John, To our visiting brethren, To the memory of our departed brethren, To our Table Lodge and To all our Freemasons where so ever dispersed. The toasting by holding a glass of wine and drinking to our friend’s health is a Greek Custom of handing over a glass of wine to the person toasted, with the salutation of “This to thee”. Throughout the ages it has become a peculiar form to the Craft and has become part and parcel of a Masonic Feast – both with a glass or without it. This significant movement of both hand and glass made on the part of the brethren reminds the new or Entered Apprentice that it is a communication that was made to him during the ritual. (After the light dawned upon him) This tradition, of the ceremony of toasts, made good use of fascinating nomenclature. From the instant that “Table Lodge” was declared open, everything assumed names that were associated with the military. For example, a bottle became a barrel, glasses became cannons, water became white powder and wine became red powder. After everyone had toasted, their glasses were brought down in unison and all of them cheered and shouted which was called firing. Be it wine or water, the drink was referred to as ammunition. Every member’s place was marked with a glass and a bottle. (Cannon and a barrel) The Knight Rose Croix: The candidate is initiated with these words and is invited into the final philosophical degree. "The stars have disappeared, the light of the sun and moon is obscured, and darkness has fallen upon the face of the earth." He is guided through the places of horror and gloom to the Truth and the Lost Word by following the three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. This Truth is not that of any one religion, because the spirit of Masonry is universal and inclusive. The "Ceremony of the Table" commemorates or celebrates this joy in a Feast of Bread and wine. The Lodge is divided into four chambers. The first of which is covered in black with white tears. This chamber is in ruins and the throne is surmounted on three crosses. The cross in the center has a white rose at its center. The second chamber is like a labyrinth with ascending and descending steps winding around. The third is the chamber of Reflection which has images of death with skeletons and skulls with wings. The fourth chamber is the same as the first rearranged with 33 lights on three candelabras with 11 candles of yellow wax. There is a six pointed blazing star in the East set against a red background. There is also a gold crux ansata is also placed in the east. The apron is made of white satin or leather, edged in red with a skull and cross-bones. There is also a red passion cross with three red rosettes. The grand jewel is a gold compass open on a quarter circle with a small rose cross at its center. Just beneath it on the obverse side is a pelican tearing at its breast to feed its young. On the reverse side is an eagle with its wings extended. The letters INRI are on the circle. The banner of the Rose Croix is a square of white edged in gold. On the obverse side is the grand jewel with the words "Lux E Tenebris" above it, and "Faith, Hope, Charity" below it. The Holy Thursday commemorates the Passover which involves “The Mystic Banquet, with a white lamb. When the feast is over, the “Ceremony of the Extinguishing the Lights” takes place where seven officers in reverse order extinguish seven candles on a seven branched candlestick. On the East side of the Lodge is filled with images of darkness and decay with a crimson rose at the center of a mountain. The Easter Sunday Ceremony consists of a grand feast, where the seven lights are re-lit once again finishing with “"The doors of the Infinite are opened to you." The East of the Lodge is now clear and bright, with a cross and white rose with a Hebrew YOD at its center. A blazing seven pointed star with a YOD takes the place of the rose on the mountain top. References: The Book of the ancient and accepted Scottish rite of Freemasonry www.freedomdomain.com/freemasons/mason02.html Toronto Valley Officers – Scottish Rite of Canada www.scottishritemasons-can.org/toronto/torooffi.htm The Ceremony of the Table Lodge www.pathcom.com/~desw/tablelodge.html The Book of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. www.fraktali.849pm.com/text/mas_0016.txt Read More