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Article THE LODGE AS A SYMBOL OP THE WOELD ← Page 9 of 11 →
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The Lodge As A Symbol Op The Woeld
their subsequent application to the two Saints John , whose anniversaries have been placed by the church near those days . The covering of the Lodge is another , and must be our last reference to this symbolism of the world or the universe . The mere mention of the fact that this covering is figuratively supposed to be " a clouded is
canopy , " or the firmament , on which the host of ^ tars represented , will be enough to indicate the continued allusion to the symbolism of the world . The Lodge , as representative of the world , is of course supposed to have no other roof than the heavens , * and it would scarcely be necessary to enter into any discussion on the subject , were it not that another symbol—the theological ladder—is so intimately connected with it , that the one naturally suggests the other . Now , this mystic ladder , which connects the ground-floor of the Lodge with
its covering , is another important and interesting link which binds , with one common chain , the symbols and ceremonies of Ereemasonry , and the symbolism and rites of the ancient initiations . This mystical ladder , which in Masonry is referred to " the theological ladder which Jacob in his vision saw ,, reaching from earth to heaven , " was widely dispersed among the religions of antiquity , wdiere it was always supposed to consist of seven rounds or
steps . Eor instance , in the mysteries of Mithras in Persia , where there were seven stages or degrees of initiation , there w as erected in the temples , or rather caves—for it was in them that the initiation was conducted—a high ladder of seven steps or gates , each of which was dedicated to one of the planets , which was typified by one of the metals , the topmost step representing the Sim , so that , beginning at tihft hnfrnrn wfi hn . ve Saturn renvesented hv lead . Venus bv till . Jlimter
by brass , Mercury by iron , Mars by a mixed metal , the Moon by silver , and the Sun by gold ; the whole being a symbol of the sidereal progress of the solar orb through the universe . In the mysteries of Brahma we find the same reference to the ladder of seven steps , bat here the names were different , although there was the same allusion to the symbol of the universe . ^ The seven steps were emblematical of the seven worlds which constituted the Indian universe . The lowest was the earth ; the second , the
ivorld of re-existence ; the third , heaven ; the fourth , the middle world , or intermediate region between the lower and upper worlds ; the fifth , the toorld of births , in which souls are again born ; the sixth , the mansion of the blessed ; and the seventh , or topmost round , the sphere of truth , the abode of Brahma—he himself being but a symbol of the sun , and hence we arrive once more at the Masonic symbolism of the universe and the solar orb . Dr . Oliver thinks that in the Scandinavian mysteries he has found
* Such was the opinion of some of the ancient sun worshippers , whose adorations were always performed in the open air , because they thought no temple was spacious enough to contain the sun ; and hence the saying— " Mundus uni versus , est templum solis , "—the universe is the temple of the sun . Like our ancient brethren , they worshipped only on the highest hills , Another analogy .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Lodge As A Symbol Op The Woeld
their subsequent application to the two Saints John , whose anniversaries have been placed by the church near those days . The covering of the Lodge is another , and must be our last reference to this symbolism of the world or the universe . The mere mention of the fact that this covering is figuratively supposed to be " a clouded is
canopy , " or the firmament , on which the host of ^ tars represented , will be enough to indicate the continued allusion to the symbolism of the world . The Lodge , as representative of the world , is of course supposed to have no other roof than the heavens , * and it would scarcely be necessary to enter into any discussion on the subject , were it not that another symbol—the theological ladder—is so intimately connected with it , that the one naturally suggests the other . Now , this mystic ladder , which connects the ground-floor of the Lodge with
its covering , is another important and interesting link which binds , with one common chain , the symbols and ceremonies of Ereemasonry , and the symbolism and rites of the ancient initiations . This mystical ladder , which in Masonry is referred to " the theological ladder which Jacob in his vision saw ,, reaching from earth to heaven , " was widely dispersed among the religions of antiquity , wdiere it was always supposed to consist of seven rounds or
steps . Eor instance , in the mysteries of Mithras in Persia , where there were seven stages or degrees of initiation , there w as erected in the temples , or rather caves—for it was in them that the initiation was conducted—a high ladder of seven steps or gates , each of which was dedicated to one of the planets , which was typified by one of the metals , the topmost step representing the Sim , so that , beginning at tihft hnfrnrn wfi hn . ve Saturn renvesented hv lead . Venus bv till . Jlimter
by brass , Mercury by iron , Mars by a mixed metal , the Moon by silver , and the Sun by gold ; the whole being a symbol of the sidereal progress of the solar orb through the universe . In the mysteries of Brahma we find the same reference to the ladder of seven steps , bat here the names were different , although there was the same allusion to the symbol of the universe . ^ The seven steps were emblematical of the seven worlds which constituted the Indian universe . The lowest was the earth ; the second , the
ivorld of re-existence ; the third , heaven ; the fourth , the middle world , or intermediate region between the lower and upper worlds ; the fifth , the toorld of births , in which souls are again born ; the sixth , the mansion of the blessed ; and the seventh , or topmost round , the sphere of truth , the abode of Brahma—he himself being but a symbol of the sun , and hence we arrive once more at the Masonic symbolism of the universe and the solar orb . Dr . Oliver thinks that in the Scandinavian mysteries he has found
* Such was the opinion of some of the ancient sun worshippers , whose adorations were always performed in the open air , because they thought no temple was spacious enough to contain the sun ; and hence the saying— " Mundus uni versus , est templum solis , "—the universe is the temple of the sun . Like our ancient brethren , they worshipped only on the highest hills , Another analogy .