Council of Kadosh, Degree Descriptions
The Degree
description below is reprinted with the permission of the
Scottish Rite Journal.
Twenty-Third Degree
Chief
Of The Tabernacle
Jim Tresner,
33°, Grand Cross
PO Box 70, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044–0070
Original oil painting by Robert H. White,
32°
Colors
associated with the Tabernacle dominate in this Degree. The apron is
white, lined with crimson, and bordered with red, blue, and purple
ribbons. The color symbolism is slightly different than in the other Degrees. The
meanings are taken from the writing of Flavius Josephus. White
symbolizes the earth, from which the flax for linen grows. Following
the obvious color symbolism, red symbolizes fire and blue symbolizes
the sky. Here, purple symbolizes the sea, since the color purple
originally was obtained from a dye extracted from the shell of a
mollusk. To these symbols, we add the more traditional Scottish Rite
meanings. Thus white symbolizes the earth but also the Beneficence of
God, Who made the earth. Red represents fire and zeal, but also the
Glory of the Deity. Blue symbolizes the sky and the infinite heavens,
but also the Wisdom of God. Purple represents the sea, but also the
Power of God.
Thus, in
the colors of the apron we find symbolized the physical world in the
form of the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water. But we
also find symbolized the Attributes of Deity—Beneficence,
Glory, Wisdom, and Power.
In the
center of the apron is embroidered the golden seven-branched
candelabrum. The seven lights hold for us the same symbolism they did
for the ancients: the seven planets—Sun, Moon, Mercury,
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. It also represents seven
manifestations of God (and thus seven Sephiroth): Justice, Mercy, Beauty,
Glory, Victory, Dominion, and Kingdom. Thus, again, the physical world
is symbolized by the planets, and the spiritual world is symbolized by
the attributes of Deity.
A red
leather belt is worn over the apron. The bottom edge of the belt is
fringed in gold. From the belt hangs the jewel of the Degree, a censer
(burner for incense) in silver. Its shape is that of a hand holding a
bowl. The silver of the censer and the gold of the belt's fringe and
the candelabrum give us the symbolism of the sun and moon, or male and
female, again reinforcing the idea of completeness and totality already
symbolized by the presence of the physical and spiritual words in the
rest of the regalia. It reminds us of our duty to God and the need to
offer up the acceptable sacrifices of good deeds and acts.
This
Degree begins the exploration of the ancient mysteries. The Candidate
here represents a young Levite, presenting himself for initiation into
the first mysteries of the Hebrew priesthood. The mysteries represented
a series of increasing purifications of the body and spirit, and an
increasing awareness of one's own spiritual identity. It was not a
single event but a process, not an act but a journey. The goal was
self-discovery. It still is.
The
Scottish Rite Journal
- March 2001
Jim Tresner
is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of The
Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor to the Scottish Rite Journal and
its book review editor, Illustrious Brother Tresner is also a volunteer
writer for The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason and a video script
consultant for the National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the
Director of the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work
at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as well as a
life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, author of the
popular anecdotal biography Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument,
and a member of the steering committee of the Masonic Information
Center. Ill. Tresner was awarded the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's
highest honor, during the Supreme Council's October 1997 Biennial
Session.
