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Article MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Page 2 of 2 Article CORRESPONDENCE. Page 1 of 4 →
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Masonic Notes And Queries.
equinox , in the month of March , when the days and nights are equal all over the world , and when the sun , after having been long in the southern hemisphere , passes the liue , iu order to dispense his favours equally to the north ; which is doing justice to all , agreeably to the above definition . 2 . This is the only stepthe definition of which is
, literally true ; Avhich , as it might lead to an interpretation of the meaning of the mysterious ladder , is thus falsely denominated figurative . Taurus , the bull , is the second sign of the zodiac , in Avhich the sun enters on the 21 st of April . His entry into this sign is marked by the setting of Orion ,
Avho , in mythological language , is said to be in love with the Pleiades , aud by the rising of the latter . 3 . The third sign of the zodiac is Gemini , into Avhich the sun enters in the mild , pleasant month of May . " Canst thou hinder the SAveet influence of
Pleiades , or loose the bands of Orion ? " ( Job ) . Now the Pleiades were denominated by the Romans Verg iliaj , from their formerly rising Avhen spring commenced ; and their sweet influences blessed the year by the beginning of spring . 4 . The fourth sign is Cancer , into Avhich the sun
enters in the month of June . Egypt , at this period , is enveloped in clouds aud dust , by which means the sun is obscured or disguised ; and Avhich , figuratively , may be denominated truth . 5 . The fifth sign is Leo , or that of the celestial lion , called the lion of Nemma , under lvhich the sun passes
in July . The great labour and difficulties to Avhich the sun Avas supposed to be subjected in passing this sign is in perfect accord with the fable of the great exploit of Hercules in killing the lion of Nemasa . The sun , when in the sign of Leo , is on his advance towards the equator , Avhere the ancient supposed heaven Avas placed .
G . The sixth sign through Avhich the sun passes is Yirgo , marked by the total disappearance of the celestial hydra , called the Hydra of Lerna , from whose head springs up the great dog and the crab . Hercules destroys the Hydra of Lerna , but is annoyed in his operation by a sea crab , Avhich bit him in the foot . Appolodrous sa 3 s that whenever Hercules lopped off
one of the monster ' s heads , tAvo others sprang up iu the place of it , so that this labour Avould have been endless had he not ordered his companion Tolas to sear the blood with fire , and thereby put a stop to their reproduction . The eA'ent was actualty represented in a fine picture in the Temple of Delphi .
7 . The seventh sign is Libra , into which the sun enters at the commencement of autumn , indicated by tho rising of the celestial centaur , the same that treated Hercules with hospitality . This constellation centaur , is represented in the heavens Avith a Avine skin full of liquor , and a thyrsis , ornamented with A'ine leaves and grapes , the symbol of the productions of the season .
The sun has now arrived at the autunmal equinox , bringing in his train tho fruits of the earth , and retribution is made to the husbandman in proportion to his intelligence aud prudence . This allegory is not only beautiful but also instructive , and the steps attained may Avorthify be termed the ne plus ultra of Masonry . Was the top of the bridge the ' Royal Arch ? A learned Avriter says : —The ladder of seven steps
Masonic Notes And Queries.
was used in the Indian mysteries to designate the approach of the soul to perfection . The steps were denominated gates . The meaning is undoubtedly the same , for it is observable that Jacob , in referring to the loAver stone of his ladder , exclaimed , " this is the house of God , this is the gate of Heaven . " Here Ave
find the notion of ascending to Heaven by means of the practice of moral virtue , depicted by the Hebrew Patriarchs , and by a remote idolatrous nation under the idea of a ladder . These gates were said to be composed of different metals , of gradually increasing purity . The uppermost stave , which constituted the
summit of perfection , and opened a way to the residence of the celestial deities , was composed of the pure imperishable gold , and was under the protection of their most hi gh god , the Sun . The K . H , in former times , undoubtedl y reached a high degree of eminence ; at present there is neither
the utile nor the dulee . The descending steps are , grammar , rhetoric , logic , arithmetic , geometry , music , and astronomy . This may not precisely agree with the ritual adopted iu this country , and any further explanation , for obvious reasons , we are unable to afford .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed It / Correspondents * MASONIC ARCHIVES AND MASONIC LIBRARY . TO THE EDITOH OF THE ITEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC 3 IIKBOI 1 .
DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The more I think of these monstrous propositions of Bro . Matthew Cooke , the more must I and every brother who is consistentl y opposed to innovations in Masonry object to them , as being calculated
to produce very grave results , perhaps far beyond what the concocters themselves anticipate . To introduce anything neAV into Masonry must be regarded as next door to removing landmarks . To remove archives from the secrecy becoming our
mystic Order , in which they have reposed for a century or half a century , and thereb y reposed into landmarks , is to remove landmarks , aud Grand Lodge ought to lift up its voice against such abuses .
As Grand Lodge only meets once a quarter , and as the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE lifts up its voice once a week , I again appeal to the readers of the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE . My projmetic soul , my uncle !
The game begins by moving the archives into some more public room . No expense , Avorshi p ful brethren , and very great credit for our ancient Order . Then Bro . Cooke , Avho has been collecting seals
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Notes And Queries.
equinox , in the month of March , when the days and nights are equal all over the world , and when the sun , after having been long in the southern hemisphere , passes the liue , iu order to dispense his favours equally to the north ; which is doing justice to all , agreeably to the above definition . 2 . This is the only stepthe definition of which is
, literally true ; Avhich , as it might lead to an interpretation of the meaning of the mysterious ladder , is thus falsely denominated figurative . Taurus , the bull , is the second sign of the zodiac , in Avhich the sun enters on the 21 st of April . His entry into this sign is marked by the setting of Orion ,
Avho , in mythological language , is said to be in love with the Pleiades , aud by the rising of the latter . 3 . The third sign of the zodiac is Gemini , into Avhich the sun enters in the mild , pleasant month of May . " Canst thou hinder the SAveet influence of
Pleiades , or loose the bands of Orion ? " ( Job ) . Now the Pleiades were denominated by the Romans Verg iliaj , from their formerly rising Avhen spring commenced ; and their sweet influences blessed the year by the beginning of spring . 4 . The fourth sign is Cancer , into Avhich the sun
enters in the month of June . Egypt , at this period , is enveloped in clouds aud dust , by which means the sun is obscured or disguised ; and Avhich , figuratively , may be denominated truth . 5 . The fifth sign is Leo , or that of the celestial lion , called the lion of Nemma , under lvhich the sun passes
in July . The great labour and difficulties to Avhich the sun Avas supposed to be subjected in passing this sign is in perfect accord with the fable of the great exploit of Hercules in killing the lion of Nemasa . The sun , when in the sign of Leo , is on his advance towards the equator , Avhere the ancient supposed heaven Avas placed .
G . The sixth sign through Avhich the sun passes is Yirgo , marked by the total disappearance of the celestial hydra , called the Hydra of Lerna , from whose head springs up the great dog and the crab . Hercules destroys the Hydra of Lerna , but is annoyed in his operation by a sea crab , Avhich bit him in the foot . Appolodrous sa 3 s that whenever Hercules lopped off
one of the monster ' s heads , tAvo others sprang up iu the place of it , so that this labour Avould have been endless had he not ordered his companion Tolas to sear the blood with fire , and thereby put a stop to their reproduction . The eA'ent was actualty represented in a fine picture in the Temple of Delphi .
7 . The seventh sign is Libra , into which the sun enters at the commencement of autumn , indicated by tho rising of the celestial centaur , the same that treated Hercules with hospitality . This constellation centaur , is represented in the heavens Avith a Avine skin full of liquor , and a thyrsis , ornamented with A'ine leaves and grapes , the symbol of the productions of the season .
The sun has now arrived at the autunmal equinox , bringing in his train tho fruits of the earth , and retribution is made to the husbandman in proportion to his intelligence aud prudence . This allegory is not only beautiful but also instructive , and the steps attained may Avorthify be termed the ne plus ultra of Masonry . Was the top of the bridge the ' Royal Arch ? A learned Avriter says : —The ladder of seven steps
Masonic Notes And Queries.
was used in the Indian mysteries to designate the approach of the soul to perfection . The steps were denominated gates . The meaning is undoubtedly the same , for it is observable that Jacob , in referring to the loAver stone of his ladder , exclaimed , " this is the house of God , this is the gate of Heaven . " Here Ave
find the notion of ascending to Heaven by means of the practice of moral virtue , depicted by the Hebrew Patriarchs , and by a remote idolatrous nation under the idea of a ladder . These gates were said to be composed of different metals , of gradually increasing purity . The uppermost stave , which constituted the
summit of perfection , and opened a way to the residence of the celestial deities , was composed of the pure imperishable gold , and was under the protection of their most hi gh god , the Sun . The K . H , in former times , undoubtedl y reached a high degree of eminence ; at present there is neither
the utile nor the dulee . The descending steps are , grammar , rhetoric , logic , arithmetic , geometry , music , and astronomy . This may not precisely agree with the ritual adopted iu this country , and any further explanation , for obvious reasons , we are unable to afford .
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed It / Correspondents * MASONIC ARCHIVES AND MASONIC LIBRARY . TO THE EDITOH OF THE ITEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC 3 IIKBOI 1 .
DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The more I think of these monstrous propositions of Bro . Matthew Cooke , the more must I and every brother who is consistentl y opposed to innovations in Masonry object to them , as being calculated
to produce very grave results , perhaps far beyond what the concocters themselves anticipate . To introduce anything neAV into Masonry must be regarded as next door to removing landmarks . To remove archives from the secrecy becoming our
mystic Order , in which they have reposed for a century or half a century , and thereb y reposed into landmarks , is to remove landmarks , aud Grand Lodge ought to lift up its voice against such abuses .
As Grand Lodge only meets once a quarter , and as the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE lifts up its voice once a week , I again appeal to the readers of the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE . My projmetic soul , my uncle !
The game begins by moving the archives into some more public room . No expense , Avorshi p ful brethren , and very great credit for our ancient Order . Then Bro . Cooke , Avho has been collecting seals