The Adepts - Freemasonry History

[Celtaur]

A bit by Manly P. Hall from the Masonic Orders of Fraternity.



Efforts have been made to prove that Lord Bacon was a Freemason and that the higher speculative teachings of the Craft were largely the product of his genius. To date, no historical proof is available, but there is an impressive mass of circumstantial evidence. Alfred Dodd, the distinguished Baconian and Freemason, intimates that Bacon, in his late teens, became a Knight Templar in Abassador Paulet's suite in France.

One of the principal symbols of Bacon's secret association of poets was the winged horse, Pegasus. It was the Italian poet, Matteo Maria Boiardo (1434-1494), in his Orlando Innamorato, who first regarded Pegasus aas the horse of the Muses and employed it as a symbol of petry. Boiardo's poem served as a model for Ariosto's Orlando Furioso and for the esoteric cycle of Charlemagne and Roland. While living in Gray's Inn, Bacon was a member of the Inner Temple, which was associated with the site of an ancient mansion of the Knights Templars. The winged horse, Pegasus, was the symbolic device of the Inner Temple, and a huge painting of this mythological creature adorned the wall of the principal room, as shown in the accompanying illustration. The close association of the "horse of high verse" with Bacon's activities and with the ancient Order of the Temple may indicate a trend.

The condition of Freemasonry during the Elizabethan period can be estimated with some accuracy from scattered references. Emmanuel Rebold, in tracing the historical descent of the Order, gives the following entry after the date 1561 AD: "Queen Elizabeth, indignant that the Freemasons had not offerd the Grand Mastership to her consort during his lifetime, on the twenty-seventh of December of this year, ordered the dissolution of the Masonic assembly which on that day commenced its semi-annual meeting, and ordered the execution of her edict to be enforced by a detachment of armed men; but, upon a report having been made to her by the commanding officer of the detachment expressive of the politically harmless character of the assembly, the Queen revoked her order. Subsequently Queen Elizabeth became the protectress of the Freemasons of her kingdom, and confirmed their choice of Thomas Sackville for Grand Master."

James VI of Scotland was sympathetic to Masonry and was initiated into a duly appointed Lodge. When he became James I of Great Britain, he encouraged Masonry among the English people, and many persons of high estate joined Lodges as honorary or Accepted Mason. His successor, Charles I, was also an Accepted Mason. Francis Bacon's numerous advancements in honors and estates during the reign of James and the respect in which he was held by Charles would certainly have made it desirable and advantageous for him to have favored the inclinations of his sovereigns and to have followed their examples. In his writings, Bacon revealed a profound interest in several branches of learning associated with both speculative and operative Masonry, and stated directly that he desired to be considered an architect of arts and sciences.

Masonic scholars have acknowledged that Bacon's New Atlantis inspired broad reforms in education, a program symbolized by the perfecting of "King Salomon's House," and allegory very close to the hears of Masons. his Lordship's inclinations towards secret assembly and the quite motivation of large projects revealed both his mood and his "method." The occurence of peculiar emblems, later directly associated with Freemasonry, on the title pages of early editions of the works of Bacon and his associates also suggest some hidden plan or purpose.

We have already mentioned that the numerical equivalent of the letters b, a, c, o, n is the Masonically-significant number 33 - the degrees of the Anceint and Accepted Scottish Rite. The letters A. U.M., believed to stand for the words Artifex Universus Mundi (The Great Architect of the World), by the same numerical cipher also give the sum 33. Thus A. U. M. is a cabala for Bacon.

Even the Rosicrucian or Tudor rose, one of Bacon's emblems, suggests secrecy and is an appropriate device to conceal the identity of a hidden person or group. The term sub rosa (beneath a rose) means that which is held or performed in confidence. In the cabale of State, the rose can represent both a secret association and its concealed project.

Bacon's activities have been summarized thus: "But with Elizabeth came the great renaissance of literature, the resuscitation of learning by the great Lord Chancellor, Francis of Verulam, learned in the lore of his time, as also with that of antiquity. he is said to have founded a great secret philosophical and literary society, comprising the chief literary men of his day, including Beaumont and Fletcher and Sir Philip Sidney. Isaac Casaubon the classic scholar, Taylor the water poet, Rare Ben Johnson and Shakespear, and our own Elia Ashmole, made a Mason at Warrington, was also of the number, and here we may perhaps seek, not for the origin but for the renaissance of our rituals and the resuscitation of Masonry. read Bacon's 'New Atlantis.' Look to the mystic symbolism of the Shakespeare trilogy - 'The Tempest,' 'The Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'The Winter's Tale.'"

... "When we consider," he [Alfred Dodd] writes, "that the real title of the New Atlantis was the Land of the Rosicrucians, with its ethical symbolism and its experimental marvels for the uplift of humanity by applied science, and that a Masonic authority like James Hughan declared that 'the New Atlantis seems to be, and probably is, the KEY to the modern Ritual of Freemasonry' ... we can begin to see clearly the light shining in the darkness of Francis Bacon's early 'Silent Years.'"

[QUEST]

I studied Francis Bacon also, and I was under the impression that The New Atlantis meant The New World(America). But I may be wrong.

[Chrlsbarone]

Freemasonry is the revival of the ancient mysteries schools... the symbolism in its highest interpretation alludes to the androgenic nature of reality. The Mouth-to-Ear traditions of Kabbalah and its own respective symbolism is littered about the halls of my lodge, one of the oldest in the country. The influence of the esoteric systems of Judaism are invaluable to the organization. Of course, the majority of meaning given, regarding the symbols of the blue lodge(1-3degrees) is meant for the goyim or the outside circles(traditionally and literally it means Non-Jew). The true 7-fold interpretations take the initiate to a wholly different understanding of the Order and its origin and its purpose.

I usually refrain from advancing too much information about the Order, but when asked the right questions I often share answers desirable to the most focused of Magi, the true holders of the Light.

[QUEST]

Freemasonry is the revival of the ancient mysteries schools... the symbolism in its highest interpretation alludes to the androgenic nature of reality. The Mouth-to-Ear traditions of Kabbalah and its own respective symbolism is littered about the halls of my lodge, one of the oldest in the country. The influence of the esoteric systems of Judaism are invaluable to the organization. Of course, the majority of meaning given, regarding the symbols of the blue lodge(1-3degrees) is meant for the goyim or the outside circles(traditionally and literally it means Non-Jew). The true 7-fold interpretations take the initiate to a wholly different understanding of the Order and its origin and its purpose.

I usually refrain from advancing too much information about the Order, but when asked the right questions I often share answers desirable to the most focused of Magi, the true holders of the Light.

I have read about the 7-fold interpretations in the works by W.L. Wilmshurst. Is this what you are referring to? And also, would you say that the true meaning of the blue-lodge symbols come from Egypt? I believe that modern day masonry comes from many sources, not just one. I also believe that it has to be older than the Bible, and the stories that we now have were added or changed after 1717(St. John Day). But I am still seeking more light, and could be wrong. Sometimes I wonder, what Freemasonry would really be like, if it had not been changed over the years.

[Chrlsbarone]

I have read about the 7-fold interpretations in the works by W.L. Wilmshurst. Is this what you are referring to? And also, would you say that the true meaning of the blue-lodge symbols come from Egypt? I believe that modern day masonry comes from many sources, not just one. I also believe that it has to be older than the Bible, and the stories that we now have were added or changed after 1717(St. John Day). But I am still seeking more light, and could be wrong. Sometimes I wonder, what Freemasonry would really be like, if it had not been changed over the years.

It's important to understand that the order exists for a very important reason. The Scottish rite is more adapted from the ancient mysteries of Egypt, but the oldest degree conferred is of course the Mark Master within the York Rite. The blue lodge, as Albert Pike says is merely the porch of the Temple. There is no order or institution that has not changed over the years... it is important for masonry to adapt to the consciousness of humankind as it has had a great part to play in that change. Please, ask me any questions you wish regarding these topics.

[QUEST]

It's important to understand that the order exists for a very important reason. The Scottish rite is more adapted from the ancient mysteries of Egypt, but the oldest degree conferred is of course the Mark Master within the York Rite. The blue lodge, as Albert Pike says is merely the porch of the Temple. There is no order or institution that has not changed over the years... it is important for masonry to adapt to the consciousness of humankind as it has had a great part to play in that change. Please, ask me any questions you wish regarding these topics.

So, the Blue-house and York freemasonry would be more like the Lesser mysteries of Egypt. And the Scottish rites more like the Greater mysteries? I also understand that the Scottish rite is more esoteric and the York rite more Christian. And would you agree that the modern writers, who say; that there is no esoteric-side to freemasonry. And we are simply reading more into it than is really there, are maybe incorrect? I believe that what most people see and practice in freemasonry today, is the tip of the iceberg. And that the esoteric side of freemasonry still lays below the surface, waiting to rise? The esoteric side is what holds my interest in this great order. I can join any of a number of social-clubs. But an order that has taught me what the Craft has taught me is very rare. I agree with you, that masonry has to adapt to the consciousness of humankind. Because it has surely transformed who I am today, and I feel that it will continue to do so in the future.

[Chrlsbarone]

So, the Blue-house and York freemasonry would be more like the Lesser mysteries of Egypt.

The Blue Lodge is a welcoming ground... the mother lodge or the place where a Mason is born into the Order; it is within these first three degrees we receive the initial craft tools, this is the Blue Lodge.

All of reality is mysterious and there is equal interpretable meaning within all the sects of Freemasonry. There are no lesser mysteries and no higher mysteries really... there are however lesser interpretations of symbol and greater understandings of History. The Blue lodge tends to remain simply a gentleman's club for most, but as it is a stepping stone toward the higher Orders (York and Scottish Rite) it contains all the answers necessary within its symbolism to elevate your path. You must simply interpret correctly.

And the Scottish rites more like the Greater mysteries?

The Scottish Rite and the York Rite are equal in their ability to reveal the true nature of reality, again, depending on your interpretive capabilities.
Historically, the rituals within the Scottish Rite more so resemble those rituals of the ancient mystery schools of Egypt, but the York Rites rituals are dealing with the same elements of symbolic reality.

I also understand that the Scottish rite is more esoteric and the York rite more Christian.

I can assure you that neither is more Esoteric and neither is more Christian in nature. It is the nature of man and the differences of geographic setting that alter the average perspective of the Order.

And would you agree that the modern writers, who say; that there is no esoteric-side to freemasonry. And we are simply reading more into it than is really there, are maybe incorrect? I believe that what most people see and practice in freemasonry today, is the tip of the iceberg. And that the esoteric side of freemasonry still lays below the surface, waiting to rise? The esoteric side is what holds my interest in this great order. I can join any of a number of social-clubs. But an order that has taught me what the Craft has taught me is very rare. I agree with you, that masonry has to adapt to the consciousness of humankind. Because it has surely transformed who I am today, and I feel that it will continue to do so in the future.

Perhaps the definition of Esoteric is a little confusing. It simply means an element of interpretation of the symbols involved in the Order that is only known to an inside group. This is most definately the case as the majority of humanity follows one spiritual maxim; that is, where there is more depth, there is less span. Meaning, those of whom have the insight to interpret reality to the greatest degree are less in number than those who cannot. Are you are mason, friend? Because to be a member is to have absolute access to all the information you will need, if you seek it shall come to you.

Feel free to ask me any other questions you might have.

[QUEST]

Yes, I am a mason. And I agree that I should have and do have all the info that I need for my quest. But when I am unsure(of myself), or come into new knowledge, I ask questions for more insight. Sometimes the light can be blinding to those whos eyes have not adjusted yet. Like the play The Cave, by Plato, the sunlight can be blinding and yet wonderful to those of us who first venture out into a new frontier. Thank you for your help.

[EyeCanBlackStars]

I heard from a China elitist, that many of the secret rituals and practices of masonry come from China. And that many trading companies and power brokers that became insanely wealthy did so by monopolizing and protecting their trade and relationship with China, through whatever means possible.

I don't believe it at all, but it's a funny concept to work with.

[Chaldean Shaper]

From The Proverbs of Khem:


The Secret of Freemasonry

Hiram Abiff?

Let me tell you a secret:

Homer was the Architect
And Chief Hewer of Stone,
Who built Solomon's temple--
Out of words.

Homer is not that important.