Skip to main content
Museum of Freemasonry

Masonic Periodicals Online

  • Explore
  • Advanced Search
  • Home
  • Explore
  • The Freemasons' Quarterly Review
  • March 30, 1850
  • Page 20
  • LEGEND OF THE M.M. DEGREE.
Current:

The Freemasons' Quarterly Review, March 30, 1850: Page 20

  • Back to The Freemasons' Quarterly Review, March 30, 1850
  • Print image
  • Articles/Ads
    Article LEGEND OF THE M.M. DEGREE. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Page 20

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Legend Of The M.M. Degree.

And now ivith regard to tlie religious rites practised by that Fraternity . They were various , inasmuch as the rites themselves varied in different parts of the world , though all descended from a common source , and , in their origin , bore the same reference aud esoteric

meaning . It is , however , to the rites practised in Phoenicia at that time , that we must now more particularl y refer ; aud these were the Mysteries of ADONIS . The Mysteries of Adonis were based upon the rites of Osiris , aud were brought b y the Dionysian brethren from Egypt . The original references remained the same—the name , and what may be termed some mechanical appliancesalone being- altered .

, It will be necessary to advcrt . briefly to those rites . Adonis , like Osiris , represented the Sun , personified for the purposes of the Mysteries . ADONIS , in Phoenician , as ADON in the cognate Hebrew , signifies "Lord" and "Muster . " The sun , visibly the most glorious product of creative power , diffusing light and heat around the world and drawing forth h y its beneficent influence the embryo powers of nature , was , in all ages , regarded as the most fitting symbol of the creative

and regenerating principle ; and thus the cultivation of the sublime doctrines of astronomy , by their perversion , gadually paved the way to superstition . The symbol ultimately received the worship due only to the Divine Essence ; and the outer world , enveloped iu the darkness of ignorance , saw merely superstitious references in the symbols ivhich , to the trul y initiated , were wise , and pure , and holy . ADONIS , thus , as a personification of the glorious luminary of heaven , gursued his annual course , speeding his brilliant track through the igns of the Zodiac , during half the year he passed through the superior hemisphere , and then figuratively dwelt six months with VENUS ;

during the remaining six months , he passed through the inferior hemisphere , ancl then figuratively dwelt with PIIOSERPINE . Philosopbeisgave the name of VENUS to the northern or superior hemisphere , and PROSER - PINE to that of the southern or inferior . Thus it is , that the mythological fables of antiquity receive a beautiful astronomical explanation . Now , on the approachof winter , when the golden-tinged leaves of autumn have fallen—when the acorn drops from tiie tree and the wild boar rushes

through the forest , Adonis leaves the embrace of Venus and undergoes a figurative death while passing through the inferior Signs . The Boar is the emblem of winter ; and , as in winter the sun loses light and heat —effects wliich death produces upon animated beings , Adonis , as the sun , is thus figuratively wounded by the Boar . VENUS ( then representing Nature ) is in tears—the fountains overflow ; and the floods , tinted with red , ivhich annuall y descended from Mount Libanus , were then said '

to be coloured b y theblood ivhich flowed from the wounds of Adonis . Then it was that the celebration of the rites commenced . These ' jegan in mourning- . Adonis was slain . Loud wailings ascended from the rhrenician women , and all assumed the appearance of profound grief . But , after a time , grief is converted into joy . Adonis arises irom the tomb . Emerging from the dark regions of Proserpine , tbe icy letters of winter are brokenhe the Vernal EquinoxVenus

; passes ; again rejoices ; foliage bursts forth from the bending branches ; flowers spring from the teeming earth ; the emerald grass adorns ihe meadows ; all nature is revivified and wears an air of gladness . The resurrection of Adonis , as celebrated in the Mysteries , was therefore

“The Freemasons' Quarterly Review: 1850-03-30, Page 20” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 28 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fqr/issues/fqr_30031850/page/20/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
gge £® g - -^M w i? s^eit-F- , >\ , • r ... Article 1
ariTj,|iii«..Tr.i^.aTO-.ri wf.» M7«nr--.... Article 2
Untitled Article 3
•mlk Article 4
W J UF Article 5
THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY MAGAZINE AND REVIEW. Article 6
CONTENTS. Article 7
inft 'J - C ° mMUliieati0nS f ° r the Ed... Article 8
CONTENTS. Article 9
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 10
CONTENTS. Article 11
CONTENTS. Article 12
EKKATUM.—Iii the article on "Baal's Brid... Article 13
THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY MAGAZINE AND REVIEW. Article 14
LEGEND OF THE M.M. DEGREE. Article 18
A HANDFUL OF APHORISMS. Article 22
COUSIN BRIDGET. Article 23
SYMBOLICAL CHARACTER OF MEDIÆVAL HERALDRY AND ITS CONNECTION WITH FREEMASONRY. Article 31
1 Article 32
THE HIDDEN BOND. Article 38
UNIFORMITY. Article 40
POETRY. Article 42
LINES Article 44
THE ALPS. Article 44
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 45
TO THE EDITOR. Article 50
GLASGOW MASONICS. Article 51
OBITUARY. Article 63
ROBERT THOMAS CRUCEFIX, LL.D., P.S.G.D. Article 63
SIR FELIX BOOTH. Article 66
HON. H. A. SAVILLE. Article 66
COLLECTANEA Article 67
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 70
SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL 33°. Article 77
THE CHARITIES. Article 77
METROPOLITAN. Article 84
PROVINCIAL. Article 103
SCOTLAND. Article 124
IRELAND. Article 128
INDIA. Article 128
THE COLONIES. Article 133
FOREIGN. Article 135
ENCAMPMENTS, &c. Article 140
Page 1

Page 1

1 Article
Page 2

Page 2

1 Article
Page 3

Page 3

1 Article
Page 4

Page 4

1 Article
Page 5

Page 5

1 Article
Page 6

Page 6

1 Article
Page 7

Page 7

1 Article
Page 8

Page 8

1 Article
Page 9

Page 9

1 Article
Page 10

Page 10

1 Article
Page 11

Page 11

1 Article
Page 12

Page 12

1 Article
Page 13

Page 13

1 Article
Page 14

Page 14

1 Article
Page 15

Page 15

1 Article
Page 16

Page 16

1 Article
Page 17

Page 17

1 Article
Page 18

Page 18

1 Article
Page 19

Page 19

1 Article
Page 20

Page 20

1 Article
Page 21

Page 21

1 Article
Page 22

Page 22

2 Articles
Page 23

Page 23

1 Article
Page 24

Page 24

1 Article
Page 25

Page 25

1 Article
Page 26

Page 26

1 Article
Page 27

Page 27

1 Article
Page 28

Page 28

1 Article
Page 29

Page 29

1 Article
Page 30

Page 30

1 Article
Page 31

Page 31

1 Article
Page 32

Page 32

1 Article
Page 33

Page 33

1 Article
Page 34

Page 34

1 Article
Page 35

Page 35

1 Article
Page 36

Page 36

1 Article
Page 37

Page 37

1 Article
Page 38

Page 38

2 Articles
Page 39

Page 39

1 Article
Page 40

Page 40

1 Article
Page 41

Page 41

1 Article
Page 42

Page 42

1 Article
Page 43

Page 43

1 Article
Page 44

Page 44

2 Articles
Page 45

Page 45

1 Article
Page 46

Page 46

1 Article
Page 47

Page 47

1 Article
Page 48

Page 48

1 Article
Page 49

Page 49

1 Article
Page 50

Page 50

2 Articles
Page 51

Page 51

1 Article
Page 52

Page 52

1 Article
Page 53

Page 53

1 Article
Page 54

Page 54

1 Article
Page 55

Page 55

1 Article
Page 56

Page 56

1 Article
Page 57

Page 57

1 Article
Page 58

Page 58

1 Article
Page 59

Page 59

1 Article
Page 60

Page 60

1 Article
Page 61

Page 61

1 Article
Page 62

Page 62

1 Article
Page 63

Page 63

2 Articles
Page 64

Page 64

1 Article
Page 65

Page 65

1 Article
Page 66

Page 66

3 Articles
Page 67

Page 67

1 Article
Page 68

Page 68

1 Article
Page 69

Page 69

1 Article
Page 70

Page 70

1 Article
Page 71

Page 71

1 Article
Page 72

Page 72

1 Article
Page 73

Page 73

1 Article
Page 74

Page 74

1 Article
Page 75

Page 75

1 Article
Page 76

Page 76

1 Article
Page 77

Page 77

2 Articles
Page 78

Page 78

1 Article
Page 79

Page 79

1 Article
Page 80

Page 80

1 Article
Page 81

Page 81

1 Article
Page 82

Page 82

1 Article
Page 83

Page 83

1 Article
Page 84

Page 84

2 Articles
Page 85

Page 85

1 Article
Page 86

Page 86

1 Article
Page 87

Page 87

1 Article
Page 88

Page 88

1 Article
Page 89

Page 89

1 Article
Page 90

Page 90

1 Article
Page 91

Page 91

1 Article
Page 92

Page 92

1 Article
Page 93

Page 93

1 Article
Page 94

Page 94

1 Article
Page 95

Page 95

1 Article
Page 96

Page 96

1 Article
Page 97

Page 97

1 Article
Page 98

Page 98

1 Article
Page 99

Page 99

1 Article
Page 100

Page 100

1 Article
Page 101

Page 101

1 Article
Page 102

Page 102

1 Article
Page 103

Page 103

1 Article
Page 104

Page 104

1 Article
Page 105

Page 105

1 Article
Page 106

Page 106

1 Article
Page 107

Page 107

1 Article
Page 108

Page 108

1 Article
Page 109

Page 109

1 Article
Page 110

Page 110

1 Article
Page 111

Page 111

1 Article
Page 112

Page 112

1 Article
Page 113

Page 113

1 Article
Page 114

Page 114

1 Article
Page 115

Page 115

1 Article
Page 116

Page 116

1 Article
Page 117

Page 117

1 Article
Page 118

Page 118

1 Article
Page 119

Page 119

1 Article
Page 120

Page 120

1 Article
Page 121

Page 121

1 Article
Page 122

Page 122

1 Article
Page 123

Page 123

1 Article
Page 124

Page 124

1 Article
Page 125

Page 125

1 Article
Page 126

Page 126

1 Article
Page 127

Page 127

1 Article
Page 128

Page 128

2 Articles
Page 129

Page 129

1 Article
Page 130

Page 130

1 Article
Page 131

Page 131

1 Article
Page 132

Page 132

1 Article
Page 133

Page 133

2 Articles
Page 134

Page 134

1 Article
Page 135

Page 135

1 Article
Page 136

Page 136

1 Article
Page 137

Page 137

1 Article
Page 138

Page 138

1 Article
Page 139

Page 139

1 Article
Page 140

Page 140

1 Article
Page 141

Page 141

1 Article
Page 142

Page 142

1 Article
Page 143

Page 143

1 Article
Page 144

Page 144

1 Article
Page 20

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Legend Of The M.M. Degree.

And now ivith regard to tlie religious rites practised by that Fraternity . They were various , inasmuch as the rites themselves varied in different parts of the world , though all descended from a common source , and , in their origin , bore the same reference aud esoteric

meaning . It is , however , to the rites practised in Phoenicia at that time , that we must now more particularl y refer ; aud these were the Mysteries of ADONIS . The Mysteries of Adonis were based upon the rites of Osiris , aud were brought b y the Dionysian brethren from Egypt . The original references remained the same—the name , and what may be termed some mechanical appliancesalone being- altered .

, It will be necessary to advcrt . briefly to those rites . Adonis , like Osiris , represented the Sun , personified for the purposes of the Mysteries . ADONIS , in Phoenician , as ADON in the cognate Hebrew , signifies "Lord" and "Muster . " The sun , visibly the most glorious product of creative power , diffusing light and heat around the world and drawing forth h y its beneficent influence the embryo powers of nature , was , in all ages , regarded as the most fitting symbol of the creative

and regenerating principle ; and thus the cultivation of the sublime doctrines of astronomy , by their perversion , gadually paved the way to superstition . The symbol ultimately received the worship due only to the Divine Essence ; and the outer world , enveloped iu the darkness of ignorance , saw merely superstitious references in the symbols ivhich , to the trul y initiated , were wise , and pure , and holy . ADONIS , thus , as a personification of the glorious luminary of heaven , gursued his annual course , speeding his brilliant track through the igns of the Zodiac , during half the year he passed through the superior hemisphere , and then figuratively dwelt six months with VENUS ;

during the remaining six months , he passed through the inferior hemisphere , ancl then figuratively dwelt with PIIOSERPINE . Philosopbeisgave the name of VENUS to the northern or superior hemisphere , and PROSER - PINE to that of the southern or inferior . Thus it is , that the mythological fables of antiquity receive a beautiful astronomical explanation . Now , on the approachof winter , when the golden-tinged leaves of autumn have fallen—when the acorn drops from tiie tree and the wild boar rushes

through the forest , Adonis leaves the embrace of Venus and undergoes a figurative death while passing through the inferior Signs . The Boar is the emblem of winter ; and , as in winter the sun loses light and heat —effects wliich death produces upon animated beings , Adonis , as the sun , is thus figuratively wounded by the Boar . VENUS ( then representing Nature ) is in tears—the fountains overflow ; and the floods , tinted with red , ivhich annuall y descended from Mount Libanus , were then said '

to be coloured b y theblood ivhich flowed from the wounds of Adonis . Then it was that the celebration of the rites commenced . These ' jegan in mourning- . Adonis was slain . Loud wailings ascended from the rhrenician women , and all assumed the appearance of profound grief . But , after a time , grief is converted into joy . Adonis arises irom the tomb . Emerging from the dark regions of Proserpine , tbe icy letters of winter are brokenhe the Vernal EquinoxVenus

; passes ; again rejoices ; foliage bursts forth from the bending branches ; flowers spring from the teeming earth ; the emerald grass adorns ihe meadows ; all nature is revivified and wears an air of gladness . The resurrection of Adonis , as celebrated in the Mysteries , was therefore

  • Prev page
  • 1
  • 19
  • You're on page20
  • 21
  • 144
  • Next page
  • Accredited Museum Designated Outstanding Collection
  • LIBRARY AND MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1058497 / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025

  • Accessibility statement

  • Designed, developed, and maintained by King's Digital Lab

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & cookie policy