Masonic Symbolism in the Matrix Part 3

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darrin A. Lahners

*Editors Note* WB Lahners originally sent this to me in one post. I thought it best to split this up into a few pieces. Deciding where to break it apart was difficult, however I feel that we accomplished this so that one can read a part and contiue the next one without a refresher. Just the same, there will be links to each previous piece as the come out. I hope you enjoy!

Read Part 1   Read Part 2

Trinity then brings Neo some dinner and he overhears them speaking about a person called the Oracle. Neo then re-enters the construct and he is introduced to what Agents are. He learns the hard way that a sexy woman in a red dress could really be an agent in disguise. Morpheus explains that everyone that has stood and fought an agent has perished, but because he’s the one, Neo will be different. Neo is different because the agents are still part of the Matrix, and bound by the rules of the system, but he is not bound by the same rules. Once again, whereas the entered apprentice is taught lessons about how a Mason should conduct his life, Neo is taught how to conduct his behavior while inside the Matrix.

The lesson is interrupted by a machine called a sentinel that hunts down humans in the service tunnels they use to hide in and plug into the Matrix from. The Sentinel is handled by having the ship emit an Electro-Magnetic Pulse, which fries the electronics of the Sentinel. Neo then has a philosophical discussion with Cypher about the nature of him being the ‘One’ over some moonshine. This segways to a scene with Cypher inside the Matrix where he is having a dinner with Agent Smith.   Cypher wants to be put back into the Matrix because he says: “Ignorance is Bliss.” In return, he promises Agent Smith that he’ll deliver Morpheus to him.

Morpheus announces to the crew that Neo is ready to see the Oracle. In Greek mythology, the oracles were people (usually female) who provided wise and prophetic counsel, inspired by the Gods. Neo and the gang enter the Matrix. Cypher drops a cell phone into a trash can upon his arrival to give away his position to the agents. Neo is brought to the Oracle by Morpheus. Neo is brought into a living room with a bunch of other potential ‘Ones’. All of them are children, who are doing things like levitating building blocks or bending a spoon. The one bending the spoon reminds Neo that bending the spoon is impossible, because there is not a spoon, but that the self must bend. Neo goes into the kitchen to meet the Oracle who is an old woman baking cookies. She examines Neo and tells him that he’s not "the One."   She explains that he has potential, but that he’s waiting for something.

There are two things that stand out in this scene from a Masonic standpoint. The Oracle references a sign above the doorway of the kitchen that has the Latin phrase : ‘Temet Nosce’. She asks Neo if he knows what the sign means, and he turns to look at the sign. As he turns the doorway comes into view, revealing it to be adorned with the double headed eagle of the Scottish Rite. The sign: ‘Temet Nosce’ is the Latin translation of the Greek Delphic maxim: ‘Know Thyself.’ Knowing oneself is a theme that is alluded to in Masonry, but never strictly spoken about. The working tools of the Entered Apprentice are all designed to help the EA know himself. The lecture and the charges of the EA degree also serve this purpose as well, to help to direct the new brother look inward, instead of outward.

Once Neo and Morpheus make it back to the rest of the group, they go to make their escape from the Matrix. Neo has a case of Déjà Vu which means that something has been changed inside the Matrix. The trap that Cypher has set by leading the agents to his location is sprung. The crew finds themselves surrounded by Agents and one of their group, ‘Mouse’, is killed. The rest of the crew almost gets away by climbing through the walls, but Cypher intentionally sneezes to give away their location. Morpheus, still believing Neo to be the ‘One’, sacrifices himself to allow him to escape.

Cypher has somehow made it out of the Matrix and attacks Dozer and Tank with a giant lightning like weapon. Dozer and Tank are incapacitated, and Cypher taunts the rest of the crew who are waiting to escape the Matrix. He methodically kills both Switch and Apoc. He asks Trinity about pulling the plug on Neo, stating that if Neo is truly the one, it shouldn’t matter if he unplugs him. Trinity obviously cares about Neo, and this has made Cypher jealous. Cypher is about to unplug Neo when Tank arises and surprises Cypher, killing him with the same weapon he used against him.

To be continued...

Next week will conclude the series and ultimately reveal what the symbolism within the final moments of The Matrix mean! Don't miss it. Come back next Friday!

~DAL

WB Darin A. Lahners is the Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL). He’s a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of the new Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter U.D. and is the current Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign – Urbana (IL). He is also a member of the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. When he’s not busy enjoying Masonic fellowship, Darin spends his time as a DM for his children’s D&D campaign, reading, golfing, watching movies and listening to music. You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com.