GEOMETRY
Opening Comment
Some of you, including myself until lately, may not be aware that at our initiation we referred to our Supreme Being as the Great Architect of the Universe, however at our passing we then refer to him as The Grand Geometrician of the Universe and at the close of the Tracing Board Lecture we are introduced to the Letter “G” which is so prominently displayed in all our Lodges.
Colin Dyer in his book “Symbolism in Craft Freemasonry” explains that the letter “G”, (usually depicted on a blazing sun), is generally seen to be the symbol of the Fellowcraft Degree and, while the “G” (usually suspended over the altar or center of the Lodge Room) is generally seen to be symbol for God.
For me personally, provides the reason why, in my own Lodge Room, both of these symbols are present with the “G on a Blazing Sun situated over the Master Chair in the East, while the simple letter “G” is suspended above the altar.
From these readings I now see WHY and after all that is WHAT the Educator is all about.
From Preston’s “Illustrations of Masonry”
Geometry, the first and noblest of sciences, is the basis on which the superstructure of Masonry is erected. By Geometry, may we curiously trace Nature through her various windings, to the most concealed recesses. By it we may discover the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of the grand Artificer of the Universe, and view with amazing delight the beautiful proportions which connect and grace this vast machine. By it we may discover how the planets move in their different orbs, and mathematically demonstrate their various revolutions. By it we may rationally account for the return of the seasons, and the mixed variety of scenes which they display to the discerning eye.
Numberless worlds are around us, all framed by the same Divine Artist, which roll through the vast expanse, and are all conducted by the same unerring law of nature.
How must we then improve?
With what grand ideas must such knowledge fill our minds; and how worthy is it of the attention of all rational beings. A survey of Nature, and the observation of its beautiful proportions first determined man to imitate the divine plan, and to study symmetry and order.
This gave rise to societies, and birth to every useful art. The architect began to design, and the plans which he laid down, improved by experience and time, produced some of those excellent works which will be the admiration of future ages. Thus, from the commencement of the world, we may trace the foundation of Masonry. Ever since order began, and harmony displayed her charms, it has flourished. No art, no science preceded it. In the dark periods of antiquity, when literature was in a low state, and the rude manners of our forefathers withheld from them the knowledge we now so amply share, Masonry began to diffuse her influence. T
he mysteries of this science unveiled, arts instantly arose, civilization took place, and the progress of knowledge and philosophy gradually dispelled the gloom of ignorance and barbarism. Government being settled, authority was given to laws, and the assemblies of the fraternity acquired the patronage of the great and good, while the tenets of the profession were attended with general and unbounded utility.
W.L. Wilmshurst on Geometry
Now Geometry was one of the “seven noble arts and sciences“ of ancient philosophy. It means literally the science of earth measurement. But the “earth” of the ancients did not mean, as it does to us, this physical planet.
It meant the primordial substance, or undifferentiated soul-stuff out of which we human beings have been created, the “mother earth” from which we have all sprung and to which we must all undoubtedly return.
Man was made, the Scriptures teach, out of the dust of the ground, that earth or fundamental substance of his being, which requires to be “measured” in the sense of investigating and understanding its nature and properties.
No competent builder erects a structure without first satisfying himself about the nature of the materials with which he proposes to build, and in the speculative and spiritual or “Royal” art of Masonry, no Mason can properly build the Temple of his soul without first understanding the nature of the raw material he has to work upon.
Geometry, therefore, is synonymous with self-knowledge, the understanding of the basic substance of our being, its properties and potentialities.
Over the ancient temples of initiation was inscribed the sentence
“Know Thyself and thou shalt know the Universe & God”
a phrase which implies in the first place that the uninitiated man is without knowledge of himself, and in the second place that when he attains that knowledge he will realize himself to be no longer the separate distinctified individual he now supposes himself to be, but to be a microcosm or summary of all that is to be identified with the Being of God. Masonry is the science of the attainment of that supreme knowledge and is, therefore, rightly said to be founded on the principles of Geometry as thus defined.
Comment I find it impossible to ignore that over and over again we, as Masons, are admonished to “Know Ourselves” for, until we do, we will not have that SOLID foundation on which to grow & develop.
On Friendship
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art….It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that GIVE value to survival. C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)
“Friendship’s the wine of Life” (I like this one!!!!!!) Edward Young (1683-1765)
Have a wonderful day & God Bless You and Yours
Norm