|
|
|
Visit the New "Kern River Valley Masonic Lodge Website"
|
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
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
|
Upcoming Events Stated Meeting 2ND TUESDAY MONTHLY 6:15 Dinner 7:00 Stated Meeting E-mailor call 323-5234 to RSVP dinner.
|
|
The Scottish Rite Creed The cause of human progress our cause, the enfranchisement of human thought is our supreme wish, the freedom of human conscience is our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere, the end of our contention.
Attend and Support Your Blue Lodge! Website designed and maintained by W. Vernon David 32° Updated May 15, 2004 8:45pm Website hosted by "The Marcom Group" (BEST VIEWED WITH INTERNET EXPLORER 6.0 @ 800X600) |
Jim
Tresner, 33°, Grand Cross
Jim Tresner