Morning has Broken

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

One of my earliest, happiest memories is dancing around with my mother to Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam) album, Teaser and the Firecat. My personal favorite song from that album is: Moonshadow, followed closely by the song: Morning has Broken. The song was originally published as a Christian hymn in 1931 set to the tune of "Bunessan" and the lyrics were written by Eleanor Farjeon.  A slight variation of the tune can be found in a 1957 anthology under the name: "A Morning Song (For the First Day of Spring)". The song was popularized by Cat Stevens on the aforementioned album.

The Lyrics are as follows:    

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world

While not Masonic at all, the lyrics do evoke the idea of the Sun's rising in the East every morning, which is implicated in the opening and closing of every Worshipful Lodge.  When the Worshipful Master asks the Senior Warden: "Why in the East?"  The answer is returned: "As the sun rises in the East to open and govern the day, so Rises the Worshipful Master in the East to open and govern his lodge, set the craft to work and give them proper instruction."  It also features prominently in the duties of the Junior and Senior Warden albeit each of them represents the Sun at different stages of the day.  

The Sun is also represented by one of the Lesser Lights, which are thus explained: "As the Sun rules the day and the moon governs the night, so should the Worshipful Master endeavor to rule and govern his lodge with equal regularity."  The idea is that there is no creation without the union of opposites.  The Sun and Moon are both required to create a new day, and the Worshipful Master is required to not only govern over his lodge but to create a new Mason. The candidate is in darkness (representing ignorance, but also symbolically the night), and only with the help of the Worshipful Master (the Sun) rising in the east and bringing the candidate to "Light" does he become a Mason.  The degrees are alchemical stages of purification, culminating with the Master Mason degree, where the base metal (lead) becomes a noble metal (gold); or the new Master Mason is reborn after the Symbolic Death of the old Master.  This is the never-ending cycle of life, death, and rebirth which is played out by the sun daily and which will continue to be the case for approximately another 10 billion years.  

It is appropriate then that the Sun and Freemasonry be so linked.  The hope is that Freemasonry will be as everlasting as the Sun.  So, maybe the next time you listen to "Morning has Broken", or witness a sunrise, you can think about these themes.  The Sun is that constant hope of a new beginning or renewal of the day.  So maybe it's also appropriate that I hold dear my memories of Cat Stevens, because the Sun and Freemasonry, like my mother's love, are a constant in my life. 

~DL

WB Darin A. Lahners is our Co-Managing Editor. He is a host and producer of the "Meet, Act and Part" podcast. He is currently serving the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient Free and Accepted Masons as the Area Education Officer for the Eastern Masonic Area. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282, and a member of the Salt Fork Shrine Club under the Ansar Shrine. You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com.

Opus Galli Anonymi

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

I was sitting at my desk in the AITS building on the south end of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s research park when I received either a text or instant message from fellow Midnight Freemason contributor Greg Knott. Greg worked at the Main Library at that point, and his message simply said something along the lines of “If you want to see the Newton document, be here at 2:45PM”. I don't remember the exact time, but you can bet that I immediately spoke to my supervisor about allowing me to take the time off to be at the Main Library building at the time that Greg mentioned. This was in May of 2018.

Yes, it’s taken me over two years to write this article. I’ve wanted to write it for a long time, however both Greg and I made a promise to a library employee to not discuss what occurred or share photos of the document on social media. At the time, the library had recently acquired “Opus Galli Anonymi” by Sir Isaac Newton at auction. I think that the idea was that while the document was available to the public, due to the historical significance of the item, the employee did not want to give the impression that one could walk in and demand to see it.

“Opus Galli Anonymi” is a Newton’s manuscript translation of an anonymous French work detailing the creation of the philosopher’s stone into Latin. His inscription on front wrapper below title 'Opus galli anonymi' indicates that the procedures described in the text are similar to that of the French alchemical physician Pierre-Jean Fabre in his work L'abregé des secrets chymiques. No comparable source text is known, however. Newton's heavy emendations and corrections suggest that he was not merely transcribing, but extemporaneously creating an original translation from the French text, possibly with his own interpretations and elucidations. [i]

While there is no evidence that supports that Newton was a Freemason, he was very close friends with the Rev. John Theophilus Desaguliers. There is also a lodge, Isaac Newton University Lodge #859, which is for primarily made up of alumni and current students of Cambridge University. It is undeniable however that Newton was an alchemist.

Several documents other documents indicate an interest by Newton in the procurement or development of the philosopher's stone. Most notably are documents entitled Artephius his secret Book, followed by The Epistle of Iohn Pontanus, wherein he beareth witness of ye book of Artephius; these are themselves a collection of excerpts from another work entitled Nicholas Flammel, His Exposition of the Hieroglyphicall Figures which he caused to be painted upon an Arch in St Innocents Church-yard in Paris. Together with The secret Booke of Artephius, And the Epistle of Iohn Pontanus: Containing both the Theoricke and the Practicke of the Philosophers Stone. This work may also have been referenced by Newton in its Latin version found within Lazarus Zetzner's Theatrum Chemicum, a volume often associated with the Turba Philosophorum and other early European alchemical manuscripts. Nicolas Flamel, one subject of the aforementioned work, was a notable, though mysterious figure, often associated with the discovery of the philosopher's stone, hieroglyphical figures, early forms of tarot, and occultism. Artephius, and his "secret book", were also subjects of interest to 17th-century alchemists.

There is also The Epitome of the treasure of health written by Edwardus Generosus Anglicus innominatus who lived Anno Domini 1562. This is a twenty-eight-page treatise on the philosopher's stone, the Animal or Angelicall Stone, the Prospective stone or magical stone of Moses, and the vegetable or the growing stone. The treatise concludes with an alchemical poem.[ii]

Newton also extensively studied and wrote about the Temple of Solomon, dedicating an entire chapter of The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended due to his knowledge of and fascination with the temple. While a scholar of the bible, Newton was also interested in the sacred geometry of Solomon's Temple, such as golden sections, conic sections, spirals, orthographic projection, and other harmonious constructions, but he also believed that the dimensions and proportions represented more. Newton believed that the temple was designed by King Solomon with divine guidance. To Newton, the geometry of the temple represented more than a mathematical blueprint, it also provided a time-frame chronology of Hebrew history. It was for this reason that he included a chapter devoted to the temple within The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended, a section which initially may seem unrelated to the historical nature of the book as a whole. Newton felt that just as the writings of ancient philosophers, scholars, and Biblical figures contained within them unknown sacred wisdom, the same was true of their architecture. He believed that these men had hidden their knowledge in a complex code of symbolic and mathematical language that, when deciphered, would reveal an unknown knowledge of how nature works.[iii]

Being able to see the document and the handwriting of one of the most influential scientific minds in History is something that I will never be able to forget. We were also able to view the book of Genesis from a Gutenberg bible that was in the library’s collection. I was humbled and honored to be able to view these documents. Being able to share the experience with Greg made it even more memorable. For those of you that are interested, the document can be viewed at: https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/88be5740-57a1-0136-502d-0050569601ca-8#?cv=13&xywh=-4089%2C317%2C35026%2C11332

~DAL

[i] https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/88be5740-57a1-0136-502d-0050569601ca-8#?cv=13&xywh=-4089%2C317%2C35026%2C11332
[ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton%27s_occult_studies#The_Philosopher's_Stone

[iii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton%27s_occult_studies#Newton's_studies_of_the_Temple_of_Solomon

WB Darin A. Lahners is a Past Master of and Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 and is the current Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign – Urbana (IL). You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com

Divested of All Metal

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Darin A. Lahners, PM

In the Entered Apprentice degree, we are told that we are divested of all metal when we are prepared to be a Mason for two reasons. The first being that the candidate bring nothing into the lodge that could be used for offensive or defensive purposes. The second being that at the building of King Solomon’s Temple there was not heard the sound of axe, hammer or any tool of iron. This comes directly from 1 Kings 6:7 in the Old Testament which in the King James Version states:

“And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.”

How was the Temple built then? One easy explanation is that the quarries where the stones were prepared were far enough away from the Temple so that the noise of the workmen in the quarries would not reach the Temple. However, according to the Talmud, this isn’t correct. Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki; (1040-1105; (foremost commentator on the Torah and Talmud; leader of the Jewish community in Alsace-Lorraine)says, the building of the Temple was to promote peace, YHWH found it inappropriate to use iron which was the material of weapons that could also be used in war and cause bloodshed. This seems to come from Exodus 20:25 where it states,

“ ....if you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones; for if you lift up your tool upon it, you have polluted it."

Instead, King Solomon is said to have used a Shamir. According to the Gemara, which is the component of the Talmud containing rabbinical analysis and commentary on the Mishnah, the Shamir is a worm or substance that had the power to cut through or disintegrate stone, iron and diamond. According to the Talmud, the Shamir said to have been created as one of the 10 wonders at the twilight of the Sabbath eve just before YHWH finished creation. The Talmud also states that the Shamir was first used at the time of the construction of the Tabernacle, to engrave the names of the tribes on the precious jewels of the High Priest’s breastplate. (Those of you that are in the York Rite should know what the breastplate looks like.) The Jewish Encyclopedia states of the Shamir:

“Its size was that of a grain of barley; it was created after the six days of creation. Nothing was sufficiently hard to withstand it; when it was placed on stones they split in the manner in which the leaves of a book open; and iron was broken by its mere presence. The shamir was wrapped for preservation in spongy balls of wool and laid in a leaden box filled with barley bran.”

The Jewish Encyclopedia states the Solomon came into possession of the Shamir by one of two ways. The first states that an eagle brought Solomon a Shamir from paradise at his command. The second states that when Solomon asked the Rabbis how he could build the Temple without using tools of iron, they called his attention to the Shamir and advised him to command the demons using his ring. As an aside, the Ring or Seal of Solomon supposedly gave Solomon the power to command demons, jinn (genies) and to speak with animals. Solomon supposedly used the ring to command Asmodeus, the prince of the demons to ask about the Shamir’s whereabouts. Asmodeus informed him that he was not the caretaker of the Shamir, but that the Prince of the Sea had entrusted its care to the wood-grouse who swore an oath to the Prince of the Sea. The wood-grouse used the Shamir to cleave bare rocks so that he might plant seeds of trees in them and cause new vegetation to grow, so the bird was called the rock – splitter.

The wood-grouse was tricked by an emissary of Solomon, Benaiah. Benaiah found the nest of the wood-grouse and covered it in glass. The bird landed on the glass, at which point Benaiah frightened the bird, causing it to drop the Shamir which then broke the glass. Benaiah was then able to secure the Shamir, and the wood – grouse killed itself because it had violated its oath. Continuing with the legend, The Shamir was used in the construction of King Solomon’s Temple, and the material to be worked was cut by being shown to the Shamir.

In Arabic tradition, Solomon under instructions from Gabriel uses the Shamir when he desires to bore through a pearl and thread the Oynx. The Holy Quran seems to reference the Shamir in Sura 34 ayat 14, where it points out the ignorance of the Jinn who worked with Solomon and emphasizes that all knowledge only rests with Allah, by stating that a creeping creature of the earth gnawed away at the staff of Solomon who according to tradition remained leaning on his staff when he died. The Jinn still thinking that Solomon was alive supervising them, continued its work for him until the Shamir gnawed through his staff, and Solomon’s body fell to the ground. In not knowing that Solomon was dead, the Jinn realized that it did not have all the knowledge it thought it possessed.

There remains a debate to whether the Shamir was a living creature or something else. It is the opinion of Jewish Tradition and early Talmudic scholars that the Shamir was a living being. However, other scholars have argued that the Shamir was a green stone, or a powder of corundum which was an abrasive substance. I personally would submit that as a supernatural creation of YHWH, made on the eve of the first Sabbath during the week of creation, the Shamir would appear to be whatever form YHWH would have it take. As all signs point to it being a “real” worm like creature; then it most likely was such. In any case, the Shamir was said to have been lost by the time of the first destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC.

At this point, maybe you’re expecting Giorgio Tsoukalos to say something about 'Ancient Aliens' giving Solomon the technology to hew the stones for the Temple. (If you don’t know who that is, google him.) However, there are only a couple of things which could scientifically explain how the glance of the Shamir could cut through stone, iron and diamond. These could include: The production of high or low frequency waves (electromagnetic radiation) which could resonate the molecular structure of materials, or a high powered laser beam. Many modern scholars have speculated that the Shamir was radioactive due to it being wrapped in wool and stored in a container made of lead. However, none of the above are able to explain the descriptions of the stone being cut instantaneously, as the most highly powered lasers of today would require multiple passes to cut through stone, and radiation takes some time to work.

However, on a more esoteric level; if the building of King Solomon’s Temple represents one’s body (http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2019/11/the-secret-teachings-in-temple-of.html), then the Shamir might represent the Kundalini, or form of divine energy which is depicted as a serpent which resides at the base of one’s spine. As I depicted in the article linked above, the idea of the man as Temple comes from Hinduism. Therefore, the Kundalini when cultivated and awakened through Tantric practice goes up the spine through the Chakras to lead to spiritual liberation. Since each Chakra has a Metal and Jewel Essence associated with it, then the Shamir could represent the Kundalini energy passing through each Chakra (metal or jewel essence) to achieve spiritual awakening. Much like the Shamir was the tool which allowed the construction of King Solomon’s Temple exoterically, so too it exists esoterically in the form of what the Hindu’s call Kundalini to allow one to construct his inner Temple esoterically.

Only a few things regarding the Shamir can be agreed upon. The Shamir, if it existed, was a mysterious if not wholly supernatural creature. We’ll never know the true nature or source of its power. Lastly, it’s possibly just an allegory for a process that one must undergo to transform themselves, much like all of our other lessons in Freemasonry.

~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 No. 282, 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. You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com.

A Three Day Long Meeting with No Minutes

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Robert H. Johnson

July 11th, I pulled into my driveway at 10:30 P.M. I’d been at a Lodge meeting that was meeting for the last time before they merged into another. I was relieved knowing I wouldn’t have to make the 60+ mile drive again. No sooner had I walked in my house, did I have to start packing.

All the necessities packed away neatly, bags set by the front door. “Alexa, set an alarm for 5:10 A.M.” Lights out. The next thing you know I’m at 29K feet on my way to Burbank airport and from there, to South Pasadena Masonic Lodges MasonicCon (SPML). I know you all likely read reviews of the MasonicCon event which has occurred every year at (the only US based lodge I’m a member of that has a charter currently), Ezekiel Bates, in Attleboro, MA.

Two years ago, Dago Rodriguez came out to be a vendor. He was representing the Southern California Research Lodge’s magazine, The Fraternal Review. One of the best out there. Dago went home after that weekend, two years ago and started planning his own MasonicCon. And by God, SPML with Dago as Worshipful Master knocked it out of the park.

I could give you a full rundown of events as I’ve done before, but this time I’ll be brief. We started with a seven course festive board with multiple toasts celebrating pop-culture icons within the craft. That was Friday night. The festive board included our ladies and many guests of honor. It went till midnight and was amazing.

Day two began the speakers. We heard from Angel Millar first, who spoke about art in Freemasonry and pop culture iconography. I personally enjoyed this presentation the most over the weekend. Nothing against my other friends, you know...we just have favorites sometimes 😀

The other speakers included Charlie Fisher, Bryan Simmons, Mike Jarzabek, Adam Kendall, Joseph Wäges and Art de Hoyos. By the way, Art de Hoyos was amazing--speaking on esoteric Masonry. (Not his typical thing, and it was so perfect. Thank you, Art!)

There were screenings as well. Perhaps one of the most interesting things about these MasonicCons, is that each one carries a regional flavor. In Attleboro, it’s the original recipe. It’s Coca-Cola. Refreshing, original and feels like tradition. SPML was distinctly “Hollywood”.

We watched the finale of Sacred Steel Bikes, with Brother Jason Wilson, the star of the show. After was a Q&A with Brother Adrian Fulle of Variety Content Studio. A unique part of the day was a screening of the movie, Fight Club. It’s been 20 years since the movie came out, and it has a distinctly philosophical flavor. Bro. Fulle grilled Dago Rodriguez, myself and Mike Jarzabek in a panel Q&A about the movie and topic of the Duality of Man. I think we did the movie justice, but I may be biased 😉

At 6:00 P.M. we broke for dinner. I took off to King Taco with my Brothers from EB for some amazing Mexican food. After dinner we talked about the benefit of these conferences. Not only to support the research we’re doing, not only to have fun, but to come together and share. To see what works and what doesn’t and to go back home with those nuggets of success. We implement those things, and slowly and incrementally change the fraternity--across the nation, for the better.

Next up? 8:00 P.M. we watched High and Outside: a baseball noir, directed by Bro. Evald Johnson and starring Bro. Phil Donlon. This movie was fantastic. Dark and reflective. Afterward, I conducted the Q&A / Interview with these two Brothers. They shared their personal experiences on the movie, life, struggles and everything else that goes into making a movie of this caliber.

10:00 P.M. we were able to see for the first time, Illuminated, the true story of the Bavarian Illuminati. An incredible documentary written, directed and narrated by Bro. Johnny Royal, whose previous major project was 33 & Beyond: The Royal Art of Freemasonry. Since the movie isn’t out yet, and I think I am among the lucky few to have seen it, all I will say is that it is a must see. After the film, I again interviewed and conducted Q&A with the director, Johnny Royal. He was very candid about the issues he faced while making the documentary but also shared personal thoughts on why it was important to tell the story of Adam Weishaupt. When we asked Johnny what the goal of all this is, he gave an eloquent answer,

“Uplifting consciousness, and making this realm a better place is what we’re trying to do.”

Was that it? No. We made our way back to the hotel and got some rest. Sunday began at 10:30 A.M. with a screening of some “sizzle” reels from Tim Hogan on a couple of new projects he has coming up. I can’t say much about them, but rest assured they look fascinating. Also, I feel compelled to tell you that Tim Hogan bought me a coffee. That, ladies and gentlemen is how you know you made it to the big time. 😎 Thanks Tim!

After this, Bryan Simmons, the architect of the original MasonicCon in Attleboro, MA gave a talk on “Hope”. It was a perfect way to end the day. A talk that told us to get off our butts and do the work instead of hoping for it to transpire. Thank you Bryan.

I could go on about the amazing weekend, I could regale you with the intellectual musings of Joe Wäges and Adam Kendall, I could tell you that Art de Hoyos is an undercover spicy meme lord, I could tell you that I met with the Grand Master of the Women's Masonic Lodge of California, I could tell you that Dago Rodriguez lost it at the end of the weekend with tears of thanks. But some things you just have to experience. This weekend was certainly that. A real experience.

In life we go through the motions, the ordinary. If we’re lucky we have occasions that stand out. The birth of children, graduating, marriage, becoming a Master Mason or adept in your own practice, landing your dream job, parachuting, climbing a trail, and sometimes it’s a weekend with 150 best friends--Thank you all for these memories. I will treasure them always. As for the next iteration? Well, I think I'm just going to plan a Masonic Con for Chicago--2020. Look out, it's gonna be rad.

www.masonicconchicago.com

~RHJ

RWB, Robert Johnson is the Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. He currently serves as the Secretary of Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183 UD. He is a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs) Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatre which focus on topics relating to Freemasonry. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four, works full time in the executive medical industry. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry" and is currently working on a book of Masonic essays and one on Occult Anatomy to be released soon.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone + The Royal Art of Freemasonry

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners

FORWARD: RJ had been after me to give the readers a little taste of the “Harry Potter and Freemasonry” presentation that I’ve been giving to lodges in the 7th Eastern District in Illinois.  We were in a pinch for an article so I present part of my presentation below. I hope that it is well received.  - DL  

It may or may not come as a surprise to you that author JK Rowling has gone on record to say that the symbol of the deathly hallows from her Harry Potter series of books may have been subconsciously inspired by the Masonic Square and Compass.   In the below link, you can hear her in her own words discuss this.  (https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jk-rowling-deathly-hallows-symbol-harry-potter-inspiration-mason-a8025626.html)  Although Harry Potter is filled with a plethora of interesting symbolism, I see a lot of other symbols used in Harry Potter which have connections with Freemasonry.  I will attempt cover one of these below.

First and foremost, the monomyth or hero’s journey is applied quite well to the journey that Harry Potter takes in each of his books, as well as the overall series.  Our own progress through the degrees also follows the monomyth.     

Step 1: The Ordinary World - This is where the hero exists before his adventure begins. The hero is oblivious to the adventure to come. In general, this part of the monomyth humanizes the hero so that we can identify better with them and empathize with them during their journey. This is Harry prior to getting his invitation to attend Hogwarts. Masonically, this would be a candidate prior to petitioning a lodge. 

Step 2: The Call to Adventure – This is where the hero receives the invitation for his adventure For Harry, this occurs when Hagrid shows up at the Dursley’s doorstep with his invitation to Hogwarts in his hand.   Masonically, this represents the candidate when he decides ultimately to petition a lodge, undergoes his investigation, and ultimately is accepted to receive his degrees in Freemasonry.  

Step 3: Cross the First Threshold – When the hero enters the world which is foreign to him.  This occurs when Hagrid brings Harry to Diagon alley and to Gringots, he introduces him to the wizarding world.  Masonically, this occurs when the candidate knocks 3 times on the door of the preparation room and enters the lodge for his first degree.   

Step 4: Trials, Friends, and Foes –  Just as it suggests, the hero has trials, meets allies and his foes.  In the Sorcerer’s Stone,  Harry meets Hermoine and Ron, they make it past Fluffy and enter the trap door in the forbidden corridor,  together overcome the obstacles in their path, allowing Harry to confront Voldemort for the 1st time, who has partially possessed Prof. Quirrell.  You continue to see Harry repeat this step in the subsequent novels where he overcomes obstacles with the aid of his allies.  Masonically, this represents the candidate who is received by the Senior Deacon, who leads them around the lodge, where they are challenged by the Junior Warden, Senior Warden and Worshipful Master. 

Step 5: Magical Mentor (or the Mentor with Supernatural Aid) – The hero meets an older and wise mentor, often with magical powers and/or possessing a magical object. In the Harry Potter novels, Dumbledore fills this archetype (giving Harry the Invisibility Cloak in the Sorcerer’s Stone), however Sirius Black (Gives Harry the Firebolt Broomstick) and the other members of the Order of the Phoenix, and Dobby (gives Harry the Gillyweed in the Goblet of Fire) also act as Mentors for Harry.  Masonically, the Senior Deacon would fulfil this role, as the Senior Deacon who escorts the candidate around the lodge, and assists the Worshipful Master with the candidate at the altar where they take their obligation, receive the due guard, sign, pass and token of each degree. 

Step 6: Dragon’s Lair – When the hero crosses a second threshold, he faces a significant physically and psychological risk.  This would be represented by Harry’s journey to his second confrontation with Voldemort at the end of the Goblet of Fire, where upon touching the triwizard’s trophy at the same time as Cedric Diggory, it reveals itself to be a portkey, bringing them both to a graveyard where his blood is used to reconstitute Voldemort.   Masonically, this would be when the candidate takes his steps toward the altar, to undertake his obligation.  

Step 7: Moment of Despair – The hero is close to defeat, and he has to dig deep inside himself to be able to escape the moment. In the Goblet of Fire, Harry uses knowledge he has been taught (the disarming spell) to counter Voldemort’s killing curse.  The wands are connected, and the spirits of Voldemort’s past victims emerge from his wand.   Once the connection is broken, the spirits remain, protecting Harry and allowing him time to grab Cedric’s body and escape by grabbing the trophy. Masonically, this can be thought of when the candidate takes his obligation.   He must honor the obligation every day for the rest of his life, or face the penalty of his obligation.    

Step 8: Ultimate Treasure – The hero receives a prize for successfully escaping from his moment of despair.  The reward can take on many forms, however it normally is secondary to the personal transformation the Hero undergoes.  For Harry, the second confrontation with Voldemort transforms him, helping instruct Defense Against the Dark Arts to Dumbledore’s army in the Order of the Phoenix, as well as giving him courage to face the obstacles ahead of destroying the horcruxes and defeating Voldemort .  Masonically speaking, the reward given to a candidate is the password, grip or token, due guard and sign, how to wear their apron and their working tools, as well as the explanatory lectures and charges for that degree, but also the transformation that takes place where the candidate becomes a brother.       

Step 9: Homeward Bound – This represents a retracing of the hero’s steps in reverse order.  This means that once again the hero must face challenges, resolve to defeat his enemy and return home. There might be a moment where the Hero is forced to choose between personal objectives, or to answering to a higher cause.  For Harry, this covers the events of The Deathly Hallows, where Harry and his allies hunt Horcruxes, they are captured, escape, and ultimately Harry faces Voldemort for the last time.  Masonically, this can be thought of as the beginning of the second section of the third degree, where the candidate represents Hiram Abiff, and the three ruffians attempt to pry the secrets of a Master Mason from him.     

Step 10: Rebirth & The Champion’s Return – This is the climax of the hero’s journey, where he faces his final and most difficult encounter with death and returns back to the Ordinary World changed.  For Harry, this occurs when he goes to the Forest encampment outside of Hogwarts and allows Voldemort to kill him.  He wakes up in a dreamlike version of Kings Cross Station, where he meets Dumbledore and learns that he hasn’t died.   He learns that the protective charm his mother Lily placed on Harry is kept alive inside of Voldemort, because Voldemort used Harry’s blood to reconstitute himself. Thus, Voldemort could not kill Harry, and Harry can now go back and finish him off.  In Masonic terms, I think this is pretty self-explanatory to those that have gone through the 3rd degree. There is a deeply moving and profound thing that happens which transforms the candidate.

It’s probably appropriate that Harry’s journey begins in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone.  It’s during this first book that Harry begins his adventures as a Wizard.  In the book, the philosopher’s stone is an artificial stone created by an alchemist named Nicolas Flamel.  The stone is used to create the Elixir of Life, which extends the drinker’s lifespan, as well as transmute any metal into Gold.  The main villain of the series, Lord Voldemort, wants the stone so that he can regenerate his body as he only exists in a non-corporeal form.  As a quick aside, Voldemort’s name roughly translated from French means “Theft (Flight) From Death”, which is an illusion to his obsession with conquering death.   He’s robbed death of taking him at Godric’s Hollow by his creation of the horcruxes.  He spends the first few books attempting to regain his corporeal form, only doing so in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  In legend, the stone was an alchemical substance with the powers as ascribed above.  

The perfect ashlar that all Freemasons aspire to transform themselves into is another representation of the Philosopher’s Stone.  By following the lessons of Freemasonry, we transform ourselves from imperfect material to a perfected one, much like the Philosopher’s stone would transmute imperfect metal (like lead) into Gold.   The elixir of life from the Philosopher’s stone that grants immortality parallels the idea that since we as Masons are humans in an imperfect state, we aspire to become a perfect one, so that we may obtain immortality in that lodge on high which was not built with Human Hands.  Manly P. Hall states in The Secret Teachings Of All Ages (https://archive.org/stream/The_Secret_Teachings_Of_All_Ages_-_Manly_P_Hall/The_Secret_Teachings_Of_All_Ages_-_Manly_P_Hall_djvu.txt): 

“Albert Mackey sees a correspondence between the Philosophers Stone and the Masonic Temple, for both represent the realization and accomplishment of the ideal. In philosophy the Stone of the Wise Man is "supreme and unalterable Reason. To find the Absolute in the Infinite, in the Indefinite, and in the Finite, this is the Magnum Opus, the Great Work of the Sages, which Hermes called the Work of the Sun. He who possesses the Philosophers Stone possesses Truth, the greatest of all treasures, and is therefore rich beyond the calculation of man; he is immortal because Reason takes no account of death and he is healed of Ignorance --the most loathsome of all diseases. The Hermetic Stone is Divine Power, which all men seek but which is found only by such as exchange for it that temporal power which must pass away. To the mystic, the Philosophers Stone is perfect love, which transmutes all that is base and 'raises' all that is dead.”

In order to create a perfect ashlar, we are instructed as an Entered Apprentice Mason to use the common gavel.  In using the common gavel, you will begin to remove these rough edges and shape your character so as to "divest your heart and conscience of all the vices and superfluities (excesses) of life".  In order to first do this, the Entered Apprentice must look deep into himself and examine his own soul.  We see a parallel with Harry looking into the Mirror of Erised.  Harry discovers the “Mirror of Erised,” a mystical mirror that shows us the “deepest and most desperate desires of our hearts.” The mirror shows Harry images of himself surrounded by a loving family, and he becomes entranced by the images he sees, wanting to return to the mirror again and again to stare into it. The school’s headmaster, Dumbledore, warns him, “The mirror will give us neither knowledge nor truth,” and that “it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

Later Harry is able to retrieve the Philosopher’s stone from the mirror because as Dumbledore puts it:”Ah, now, I’m glad you asked me that. It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and between you and me, that’s saying something. You see, only one who wanted to find the Stone – find it, but not use it – would be able to get it, otherwise they’d just see themselves making gold or drinking Elixir of Life.”

A man can only become a Freemason if he is uninfluenced by Mercenary motives, as affirmed by his answer to the secretary during the 1st degree interrogatories.  If he enters the lodge due to someone else’s desire or due to his own desire to use Freemasonry for personal gain, then he is not able to form himself into the perfect ashlar, ie: Posses the philosopher’s stone.  The freemason that aspires to become the perfect ashlar does so only out of the pureness of his own heart and spirit, and without any thought of selfishness or material gain.

~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 No. 282, 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. You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com

Rosicrucianism Within the Royal Arch: Part One - Beginnings of the Invisible College

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

James E. Frey 32°

My Brethren, The philosophy and mythos of the Royal Arch is often considered the climax and heart of Ancient Craft Masonry.The Royal Arch is interesting because it is the first of the High Degrees to complete the Hiramic Legend upon the discovery of the Lost Word. The Royal Arch arose across Europe under mysterious circumstances and the very nature of its teachings caused the division from the Moderns and the Ancients. Where the Master Mason degree invokes death, the Royal Arch invokes resurrection. Its tenants are of a sacred and esoteric quality inspired by the teachings of the shadowy Rosicrucians, while its symbolism and depth bring the whole of the Ancient craft teachings into the apex of understanding. Throughout this presentation I will address the connection of Rosicrucian influence upon the symbolism of the Royal Arch degree, and how its inner esoteric teachings promotes the idea of individual spiritual attainment.

To understand how esoteric thought entered into masonry we have to revisit the period of the Renaissance. During the end of the Medieval period dozens of Ancient manuscripts began coming in from Persia that until that time were unavailable in the West. These manuscripts caught the attention of one of the most wealthy and prominent noblemen in Italy, Carlo Demenatchi. Demenatchi employed a scholar by the name of Marcilio Piccino to transcribe a number of manuscripts into Greek and Latin. Some of these manuscripts famously were treaties on Plato, but two others were the Corpus Hermeticum and the Asclepius of Hermes Trismegistus. These two texts are considered the foundation of Hermeticism, a philosophy that was assembled in Alexandria a century or so after the time of Christ.

At this time Alexandria was the cultural and intellectual center of the ancient world. Hermeticism The Italian Renaissance also saw the largest burst of publishing and printing than ever before these texts became readily available all throughout Europe, and made their way into academic circles in Germany. Even into the 1500s Alchemy, Hermetics, and Kabbalah were practiced and heavily researched by Germans creating a strain of thought that man has direct communication with God instead of through the church. But the developing protestant movement would become very cold toward esoteric ideas and it didn’t approve of the mysticism and ceremony found within the Roman Catholic Church. The reformers would consider Hermes and his teaches as pagan, and the ancient wisdom of the Kabbalah to be unacceptable.

With these new ideals taking popular form in Germany the mystic circles went underground in order to continue practice christianized Hermticism, Alchemy, and Kabbalah in peace. What developed was a Northern European Mystical system that sought to replace Hermes Trismegistus but keep a Christianized archetype of that Symbol, what would develop is known as Rosicrucianism. was presented as Grecco-Egyptian style religion that fascinated the Italian Renaissance. There was a rebirth in the interest of ancient philosophy and classical thought, especially the Hermetic tradition. Also round that time Pincho De Mirandola was translating the sacred texts of Hebrew Kabbalah , and the Alchemical practices began to become more prominent as a part of scientific research. The Reason these Hermetic and Kabbalistic texts were accepted by the largely Roman Catholic population was because of the similarities with Christian Thought. It is because of the Hermetic belief that Man is the reflection of Divinity, that the Church was rather sympathetic to the publishing of Hermetic texts.


~JEF

James E Frey 32° classifies himself as a gentleman of the old world, which means he is known to stand in the great forests reciting poetry to fair-haired damsels while wrestling bears for sport. He is a District Education Officer for the Grand Lodge of Illinois, a Past Sovereign Prince of the of Danville AASR, member of the Oak Lawn York Rite, Medinah Shriners, Royal Order of Scotland, Quram Council Allied Masonic Degrees and initiate of the Golden Dawn Collegium Spiritu Sancti. He is also a guest lecturer on Occultism and Esoteric studies in masonry for the R.E.B.I.S Research Society.