Oe Alcbemical

Keys Co CnAsonic
Kitual
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The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual

By Timothy W. Hogan
PM, 32x KCCH, KT, ROS, FRC, S.l.l. PSM of AMI)

Copyrighted @ 2007

ISBN: 978-l-4357 -0440-4

 Acknowledgements

Special Thanks goes to East Denver Lodge #160, AF&AM, the Denver
Consistory of the Scottish Rite, the Knights of St. Andrews, the Scottish Rite
Research Society, Denver Chapter #2RoyalArch Masons, Denver Council
#l Cryptic Masons, Denver-Colorado Commandery #l Knights Templar, the
Colorado College of Masonic Societas Rosicruciana In Civitibus Foederatis,
East Denver AMD Council# 425, The Grand College of Rites- USA, the
Royal Order of Scotland, Enlightenment Lodge, The Templar Research
lnstitute, Research Lodge of Colorado, the Grand Lodge of Colorado, the
Grand Lodge of New Mexico, and the Grand Lodge of France.

I also want to give a special thank you to the following brothers for their
help and support over the years: J. Freed, H. Zoufalli, B. Lasater, E.B.
Jackson, N. North, B. Rux, L. Frazier, T. Hornsby, C. Porter, R. Bernard, G.
Ford, W. Arner, R. Mahoney, R. Birely, D. Cline, D. Wolenhopt, T. Kissam,
D. Calloway, A. Kampolt, H. Warren, H. Hogan, G. Teter, C. Weston, J.
Hopkins, W. Glover, D. Schweitzer, D. Day, G. Bevel, R. Weingarten, J.
Mack, A. Cooley, R. K. Milheim, D. Tygart, M. Hessel, D. Sayoun, B.
House, G. Sardenson, K. Shepherd, C. Stuetheit, and R. Smith.
,f

The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual

Introduction

come from a long line of Freemasons- going back to General

;oseph Warren of the Revolutionary War and further, and many of
:ne keys to Masonic ritual are such that they are passed on from
'nouth to ear, from generation to generation. These ideas have then
oeen propagated in lodges in the past, for new brothers to gain the
rght which has been preserved for generations. Over the last century,
there are many elements of Freemasonry that have become lost to
many lodges which have perpetuated the work, and as a result, some
of the secrets of Freemasonry have not been perpetuated. lt is
shocking, therefore, to hear brothers say that the only secrets to
Freemasonry are the grips and passwords, as it is clear to "those who
know" that these grips and passwords are merely the keys to the
secrets of Freemasonry, and not the actual secrets themselves.
Behind every symbol in Freemasonry are multiple levels of meaning,
and it has always been the desire of the Masonic institution that as a
brother expands his knowledge, these other meanings will become
apparent. Witnessing the conferral of a degree many times, doing the
memory work, and meditating on the significance of what is being
presented, can all lead to an awakening in Masonic Light.

Over the last ten years I have been asked by many lodges, in many
states, and various countries, to give lectures on some of the hidden
meanings behind these symbols. lnevitably, I am also asked about
how they can purchase my book on this topic, which, until now, has
not been available. This book therefore is an attempt to pass on
some of these secrets to those who have been initiated, passed, and
raised in the tradition. Since this book is meant to only be read by
Freemasons themselves, I have endeavored to allude to many items
out of ritual that only brothers within the tradition will be able to
recognize. Therefore I may make mention of a second degree
password without actually saying what that pass word is, so that
those who are Masons will know what I'm talking about, and those
who are not, will not understand" Therefore if you are not a Mason,
and you are trying to read this, you may as well put the book down,
astherearelargeSectionsthatwilljustnotmakesense.lfyoutruly
way to
want to know thl secrets of Freemasonry, there is only one
it, and that is to become one' Only by going through the
"*p"ri"n""*"rr all aspects of this information prove of any value in
|ni["io.v
""n of your life, and those around you' For those of
tne transformation
you to read with an open mind'
Vou *no are brothers, I
"n"outage
andreviewthedegreesyouhavebeenthroughwhilereadingthis,l
prot"" that it will-provide further light on your quest, and-you wjllhave
be
of the very teachings of the craft itself
inocteO to see that some
become the stone which the builders rejected'

Above left: Late 1700's alchemiol pla= $mb

Above fughl Alchemical plate of 16F- !r lh
right shows a sinilr one by lawTma
Botiom Leftr "The production o{ tte phibqir
hads md squre at his {er ln hts aicmbl:
ther a trimgle, and then another ci:de ad w
tru ly
/tc
r the
alue in
rof
nd,
his. I

,vill be
lf have

Above leftr Laie 1700's a]chemical Flate showirg the pillars ot Jachin ard Boaz.
Above Righl Alchemical plate of 1625, by Heilrich JamsthaLer shos'ing a figure with a square md compass. (llottom
right shows a similar one by Lamrs Zetzner of 1661).
Bottom l-ell: "The produclion of the Philosopher'5 Stonc," by \{i!'hae1 Maier oI 1618, Notice agair *-.e conpasr iil his
hmds md square at his Jet. In his alchemical text Maier states, "h{ake o{ man and rroman a circle, from thaf a squarc
ihen a lrlmgle, and then another cirtle, an<l yorr ttili have the phiiosopher's stone "
 actually quite ancient. Not oni,, s :
Egyptian texts, but we find it i :-:
fact, the alchemicalscience ln S_-
is almost unquestionably the o-c
"
Chapter 1: AlchemY and MasonrY? tradition. (This ancient historv s-::
Revelation of the Holy GraitO,, C.,t
fundamental to the institutions a^:
when a candidate for Masonry goes through all of the various rituals
Greece, and its doctrines were :.a:
of the many degrees composing the corpus of Freemasonry, they are
Pythagoras, plato, Socrates a^: _
confronted with many signs, symbols, gestures, and unalterable
the Essenes, early Muslims. Je,t.s;
traditions which may at first seem foreign. lt is the hope of the
Templarand cathedral builders - :
Masonic institution that, as the candidate progresses in degree work
the corner stone in the works c, :e
over the years and participates in the conferring of degrees, that he
Newton, Robert Boyle, Elias
will come to understand the moral and esoteric implications of ^s- -,:
Royal Society of Britain. Free-=s:
Masonic symbolism and will incorporate this new light into his life.
Voltaire in the Lodge of Nine l.,,1-ser
Sadly, however, many of the origins of these symbols have been lost,
Freemasonry, and several Masc-s
and ire now in hot debate by Masonic historians. As a result, the
the Comte de St. Germaine. Ca: :,
rituals are performed without most members understanding the full
Paul Revere, Dr. Benjamin R_si
significance of what'light' is being conferred. I hope to show through
would dispute Jefferson,s invo ,,:-t =
this book that some of the origins of Masonic ritual go back to
records no longer survive for ,..,
alchemical terminology and craftsmanship, and allude not only to the present at several public Masc- : :
- -
transmutation of base metals into gold and elixir of life, but.to the
code cipher was found orrong ^ s l
higher purpose of the transmutation of human character from a
the fact that he had more thaF
'biser' to a more noble and golden state. I hope to show that all the -s: :
Franklin wrote in his poor Ricna: s
signs, symbols, lectures, and titles of the Masonic ritual owe their
what you can, and whai you g€i ,3,
origin to the alchemical tradition, and that through a better your Lead into Gold." Albert prke :
understanding of these alchemical keys, a new science is open to the great secret behind Freemason-, I
:
Master Craftsrnan which can operate on the physical, mental, and
in the formation of Freemasor.r, as
spiritual levels of man's being. Fully expecting this hypothesis to be
excellent books on the history o.
completely foreign to the average brother, I ask that alljudgment be =-:
reserved until the case is completely presented.
ln a nutshell, alchemy can be ce"-€
something of a 'lower, or ,lesse- ,a
The process and science of alchemy is a very arcane and djfficult into something of a ,greater or .r-,3-;
subject to present with people who are unfamiliar with it; in fact, it is
always done through the actior,. :; rr
eveh difficult to discuss with those who have studied it for years. I will has been compared to turning ea:
therefore try to be a thorough as possible. The word "alchemy" is Masonic symbolism, it may bE cc-r
generally bblieved to come from "al-khem" or "from the land of
ashlar into the perfect ashiar thrcL_.;:.
kfrem"- which was Egypt. Even though most people associate
of the gavet of wilt. psychotogis: CI-
alchemy with crazed magicians ingesting mercury and working in from a will-less person to a slF a::_r
toxic fumes during the Middle Ages, the science of alchemy is action of the 'heat' of daily tnals a^c
 ::rually quite ancient. Not only is it found in some of the oldest
-3yptian texts, but we find it in the oldest Sumerian texts as well. ln
the alchemical science in Sumer was called 'GRA.AL', and this
=C,
s almost unquestionably the origin of the Holy Graal- or "Grail"
ry? :adition. (This ancient history is covered extensively in the book
?.evelation of the Holy Grailby Chevalier Emerys). Alchemy was then
re various rituals rndamental to the institutions and philosophical schools of ancient
nasonry, they are 3reece, and its doctrines were passed on by philosophers like
unalterable fllthagoras, Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. lt was later propagated by
rpe of the :re Essenes, early Muslims, Jewish Qabbalists, and the Knights
s in degree work Templar and cathedral builders in Europe. Finally, we also see it as
legrees, that he :le corner stone in the works of people like Francis Bacon, lsaac
cations of NeMon, Robert Boyle, Elias Ashmole, and others who developed the
ht into his life. oyal Society of Britain. Freemasons like Benjamin Franklin and
t/oltaire in the Lodge of Nine Muses studied alchemy in relation to
ls have been lost,
; a result, the Freemasonry, and several Masons were also known alchemists like
tanding the full :he Comte de St. Germaine, Cagliostro, GeneralJoseph Warren,
to show through Paul Revere, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and Thomas Jefferson. (Some
back to would dispute Jefferson's involvement in Freemasonry since initiation
1o
Je not only to the
records no longer survive for him, however the record of him being
present at several public Masonic events and the fact that a Masonic
rfe. but to the
cter frdm a code cipher was found among his personal papers should attest to
;how that all the the fact that he had more than just a side interest in the fraternity).
lual owe their Franklin wrote in his Poor Richard's Almanackof July 7th,1757:"Get
better what you can, and what you get hold. 'Tis the Stone that will turn all
nce is open to the your Lead into Gold." Albert Pike also believed that alchemy was THE
rl. mental, and
great secret behind Freemasonry. All of these traditions had their part
ypothesis to be in the formation of Freemasonry, as will be found in many of the
alljudgment be excellent books on the history of Freemasonry.

ln a nutshell, alchemy can be defined as the process of taking

re and difficult something of a 'lower' or'lesser' valued nature, and transmuting it
th it; in fact, it is into something of a 'greater' or'more valuable' nature. This process is
I it for years. I will always done through the action of heat or fire. On a physical level, it
-alchemy" is has been compared to turning lead into gold. On the moral level in
:he land of Masonic symbolism, it may be compared with turning the rough
associate ashlar into the perfect ashlar through the heat produced by the action
nd working in of the gavel of will. Psychologist Carl Jung equated it with turning
rlchemy is from a will-less person to a self actualized individual, through the
action of the 'heat' of daily trials and tribulations. On a spiritual level, it
relates to the individual coming to a closer understanding and
connectionwiththeirGodthroughrightmoralaction,prayer'and
meditation during times of hardship. All of these describe the
relates
alchemical definition, but in order to understand how directly it Chapter 2: The Ak
describe the alchemicalsymbolism and
io-ir""*"ronry, I will need to
famed 'Philosopher's Stone"- or the Grand
in" pioC""" of making the The first stage in the alchemicd hn
prolongs life,
Arcanum of alchemy i"hich turns base metals into gold, Philosopher's Stone, is for the l*asl
and stimulates consciousness. choose an herb with a particular*
planetary influence. The ancient d
'planets' made up of the Sun, lrout
and Saturn. Each of these seven .pt
the week, and our names of the day:
these planets; for example ,sln€;f
fFuesday and Mars), "Wotan's dayf {
'Tho/s day" (Thursday and Jufr1
Venus). This planetary influencen
associations in the body of the pers
under the influence of, for exampbl
sun ruled the heart, and therefore
heart if a medicine was made d I an
lr
the heavens above and the earth bd
make correlations. Already tre gle
perspective_ The Master Craftsnrrr :
liberal arts and sciences to perbrm I
surprising that in the ancient uortt e
sciences was ruled by one of the s
After having found the herb needed,
fir
ground by its roots, ground up as
dr
and put in a vessel with either cr
d**
rectified spirits of wine. (The
herb and these oils could be easfy s
spirits of wine absorbed the oilsadr
the herb was ground up and had frr
above it, it was caused to sit and dgr
which time it was shaken vigorurOyt
the main body of matter in the ressd
it was called by alchemists "caputrm
'dead head". This was the first stage

l0 u
I

3lates Chapter 2:The Alchemical Process

m and
irand The first stage in the alchemical literature for the production of the
s life,
Philosopher's Stone, is for the Master Craftsman (alchemist) to
choose an herb with a particular affinity for what was believed to be a
planetary influence. The ancient alchemists recognized seven
'planets' made up of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury,
and Saturn. Each of these seven 'planets' ruled a respective day of
the week, and our names of the days come from the Norse names for
these planets; for example 'sun-day' and 'moon-day', "Tiw's day"
(Tuesday and Mars), "Wotan's day" (Wednesday and Mercury),
"Thor's day" (Thursday and Jupiter), and "Freya's day" (Friday and
Venus). This planetary influence was believed to have corresponding
associations in the body of the person, and by choosing and herb
under the influence of, for example the sun, it was believed that the
sun ruled the heart, and therefore that herb could help heal a weak
heart if a medicine was made of it on Sunday. As exact knowledge of
the heavens above and the earth below was therefore needed to
make correlations. Already the globes on the pillars come into
perspective. The Master Craftsman also needed to know the seven
liberal arts and sciences to perform this function, and it should not be
surprising that in the ancient world, each of the seven liberal arts and
sciences was ruled by one of the seven planets.

After having found the herb needed, it was then pulled out of the
ground by its roots, ground up as fine as possible with all parts in tact,
and put in a vessel with either dew collected in the morning or
rectified spirits of wine. (The dew allowed oils to separate from the
herb and these oils could be easily separated from the water, and the
spirits of wine absorbed the oils and collected them that way). After
the herb was ground up and had the liquid placed at a low water mark
above it, it was caused to sit and digest for twenty four hours- during
which time it was shaken vigorously twice to help separate oils from
the main body of matter in the vessel. As the green herb turned black,
it was called by alchemists "caput mortum", which in Latin means
"dead head". This was the first stage of the alchemical process. lt

ll
 argest concentrations of it we-e ::
wasthendistilledseventimes,aprocesswhichturnedtheliquid
reddishandthenintoavaporousair,andthencausedittofallina :rd wheat or corn. \Men Mcses
i;.lfi; ior, "" a whitish or clear fluid substance. This separated the :cwded, the alchemists recocrz:
iorpon"nt, of the herb_ with the body of the herb remaining behind 'act, it was believed that any:-re:
inon"vessel,andthevitalcomponentsoftheherb,containingthe ranna', 'bread', or'salt' thal : ,,,2
end of each a chemists believed
oils of it, being separated into another vessel' At the that Moses e
-gyptians, as confirmed by t.e a-
the herb were collected and were symbolically
Oi.1iff"ttn, oit! trom
l.utphur,, of the herb. The remaining tiquid component the =iavius Josephus. The Egyp: ars
in"
:exts like the Egyptian Book ci:"e
n"in *"" originally sitting in was said to contain the symbolic
""r6J
;r"r"ury, oilif" for"" th"at was believed to come out of the air and be 3ook of Coming lnto Light) as : A
:uestion- "what is it?" 'Manna" -
orawnintotiquioslikealcohol.Theherbitselfwassaidtohavewithin
"salt"
it incorruptible body which was symbolically called the :?'ln their hierogtyphics. the Eg.,t
turther, in the Book of Jashe: :-.
" "J"""f
oftheherb,Attheendoftheseventhdistillation,theoilsandthe
oin"i iquio were put in one vessel, and the remaining
f
herb was put Cld Testament by early Jewis- :-
then sometimes called ,'iho gave Moses the Ten Cc-r--a
into another. The combined oiland liquid was
;;r..,""u"nlv dev/, in alchemical language. The final remaining herb Yahweh himself! The alcher" sts :
ooov"tt,n"endofthisfinalstagewasnownolongercalled..caput :te secret art of extracting th s -.a
"feces"' 3rble says that Solomon rec€ re:
rotiut", or "dead head", but rJther became known as
inat it nao been comptetely digested in the exchange for'bread', and ma--a
;il;bii Ju" io the fact
digestion :emple.
i"iier and now smelled with offensive effluvia! The final away'
occuned at the "bowels" of the vessel as all the liquid distilled -his same'manna' in Hebre',',, ra-
taking the remaining. herb
The next step in the process involved
as "she-manna", in the ancier: ,,',e
withoilsdistilledoutofit,or..feces',,andburningthemtoashes.ina rolynesian cultures as "manna' ;
turn black, but as
calcination dish or crucible. The ashes would at first 'manni". lt may
moreheatwasaddedtotheashesalongwithcirculatingair,the have also bee^ :-,
^ame of the founder of the G.cs:,
asrreswouldturnreddishincolor.Symbolicallyalloftheseprocesses
Master i,ent by "Manni" or "Mannes- a-:
culminated in the symbolic killing of the herb' Next' the
(called salts), and would Itlanadean Gnostic Christian saa-
Ciift.r"n woutd tjke the reddiJh ashes and the use of :re west. . lt was further believ*
subject them to a special corrosive process with heat .

make the red salts turn into a :re "Semen of God" and "Teacr:.
itr*g alkalis and acids which would
terminology Scrolls and other texts that it .,tas
niighi*hit" color. This white substance in alchemical
the 'raised salt" and srbstance. Since this manna or si
was called the 'secret salt" the 'spiritualized salt"
,niOOen manna'. lt was secret salt because only the Master rade it somewhat undetectab e :
tfrl ,,,'as called the "stone that the c_ ,:
others
craftsman would be able to look for it and find it, whereas ',vhat is it"- "manna?"
they had' Th.us it was called
would throw it away- not knowing what
;;stone that the builders rejecled". This raised salt was said to be
if,e -ne medieval alchemists also re ,
back to
ih; k"y ingredient to bring the reflned essence of the herb to be :s what is usually translated as ':
in everything, and was thought
iit". tt *"ioelieved to oe-nioden
people .-cm the
most more correct Greek ira-s
of a ipeciat metallic nature- the seed of metals, though
lraftsman"- which in Greek lr,as :
didnotknowhowtolookforitandthereforerejectedit.Someofthe
l2
irquid largest concentrations of it were to be found in gold, grapes, pine,
fall in a and wheat or corn. Vy'hen Moses 'burned' the golden calf into a 'white
arated the powder', the alchemists recognized it as a code for this substance. ln
rg behind fact, it was believed that anytime the Bible alludes to 'white stone',
rrng the 'manna', 'bread', or'salt' that it was a code for this substance. The
'each alchemists believed that Moses learned this technique from the
bolically Egyptians, as confirmed by the ancient historians Manetho and
onent the Flavius Josephus. The Egyptians described this substance in their
lrc texts like the Egyptian Book of the Dead, (also known as the Egyptian
: air and be Book of Coming lnto Light) as a white powder which they termed as a
ave within question- "what is it?" "Manna" in Hebrew likewise means- "what is
d the "salt" it?" ln their hieroglyphics, the Egyptians showed it as a loaf of bread.
nd the Further, in the Book of Jasher, one of the books removed from the
r was put Old Testament by early Jewish priests, it was Jethro the metallurgist
nes called who gave Moses the Ten Commandments of Yahweh, and not
g herb Yahweh himself!The alchemists believed that King Solomon knew
C caput the secret art of extracting this manna out of gold, which is why the
E5 Bible says that Solomon received 666 talents of gold each year in
ed in the exchange for'bread', and manna was also stored in the Ark at his
igestion temple.
lled awaY.
raining herb This same 'manna' in Hebrew can be found in the old Sumerian texts
lshes in a as "she-manna", in the ancient Vedic texts as "vi-manna", in ancient
rlack, but as Polynesian cultures as "manna", and in Tibetan and Cathar texts as
rir the "manni". lt may have also been the inspiration behind the esoteric
r processes name of the founder of the Gnostic Christian Manichean sect, who
tster went by "Manni" or "Mannes", and it is also behind the name of the
C would Manadean Gnostic Christian sect- also called "John Christians" by
the use of the west. . lt was further believed that when the Essenes referred to
-rn into a the "Semen of God" and "Teacher of Righteousness" in the Dead Sea
:rnology Scrolls and other texts that it was alluding to this secret salt
;ed salt', and substance. Since this manna or secret salt behaved in ways that
aster made it somewhat undetectable through normal means, this is why it
; others was called the "stone that the builders rejected" and described as
vas called "what is it"- "manna?"
; said to be
: back to The medieval alchemists also believed that Jesus was an alchemist,
^ought to be as what is usually translated as "carpenter'' in English, really comes
rost peoPle from the more correct Greek translation (tekton) meaning "Master
'ome of the Craftsman"- which in Greek was a metallurgist and not a carpenter.

13
 him gold' frankincense' and ln brief, this was the eni:.e a :.te
This is also why three wise Magi brought symbols in alchemy wh,c^ -e a::
are very rich in the
mvrrh; as gold ano pine resin 6ianmnJense) This is also whv the four elements of earih \,,a::- .
:J;;;i JJrt] tvirn'*"tl t"oit"tlu" sedative'
Symbolically' element called ether; il.e:^,-=
"no
Egyptian Pharaohs *"tJ[*i"J*'tn tn"t" three items' :

be born from Mary' whose name combined to form the phircs:c-,r

this is also why Lesus was said to
he wgs born in Bethlehem- which salt, and mercury; the twc :a -
ot "t""",
means "salt wate/' .House ,.1, found in ancient Hermetic u,T:::
I

of "nO
Bread',. lf you remove the or cross
means in Hebrew you get "chrisos"- which the use of acids and alkalrs - ci
,,christos,,_ the d;;k *;;Jior,,cnrist",
from the qabbalistic sciences of lr-e l"
is the Greek word for gold' used the two main pillars lrcr :*
was to take this white powder how all the components in :re a,
The final stage of the whole process
process to it called "raising it", also fervenfly wrote that un ess :
manna or secret satt ano oL'a special into a better and more mora .€:
which would at first t,ttlt nl"i-"nJ
tn"n it would turn blood red' and
process, then they will not s_t:=
this new substance *"" ine'red lion' or in some old texts as
with alchemists insisted that yo- :.:
the "red dragon". Thi;;il;;i"'.
""lt"O tot salts) could be recombined
'dew" and this flnal red to achieve the Red Lion wrli- .e:
-,

the saved oil (sulpfrui) and' liquiO lmefqry) to calcinated his bad habits. fe:= :
etixir was known t'riJ;"ri"iioiui" Thiselixir of life was thought able to produce the Grand A-:a-
",
be able to heal any part of tne OoOy
and extend life spans' and'was
zupposed to also taste like Art". Symbolically then. the a ::-:
associated with the "noiy graif" lt was
three main alchemical parls_ r-
btood, and was cailed the "Blood of osiris" in ancient
i""6' "or"ii#"i
head, the mercury or air of :f e ::-
;il;ti;. I"i"iliwas called the "Blood of christ" bv abdomen.
"no this red liquid and 99ilg
Christian atchemists]by turtn"r taking "
to it, it iuouro turn white one last time' and this new
;;;;;G;";s base metals into gold when
white substan"" *"r',"iJio t'"nt*'te
pft"i" called the "white
heated. This last *nit" was sometimes
eagle".
manna' or "bread"' and'the red
The alchemists believed that the white
elixir, or,,btood,,,*";;;;;io t'".t*"ru"_disciples by Jesus at the
manna into the shu-bread to
last communion, ;ust ai frrfoses baked
feed the wandering H;&;' iley atso believed that Jesus learned it
was oassed to John the
from John tfre aaptisi anJ tne seciet
Baptist svmbolically had his
Evangelist- anO tnis"is-w-hy'iof* in" "to
head cut off (caput rn"rt"i.ri John.ihe Evingelist wrote that
;; "rdthe hidden manna and the white
g';;"
he that overcomes;ll
;;";. Ferrraps tnii ii ars6 why the crucifixion takes place a
;'t[yrr"; ol "dead head"' which related to
Golgotha- a name;;;;; the Christos is removed from
the beginning ot t'e i;*ir 6uioiwnlch
us "chrisos"- meaning "gold"'
the cross or (t) - (dd,;;;;iving

t4
rd ln brief, this was the entire alchemical process. The only other key
symbols in alchemy which related to this process consisted of the
he four elements of earth, water, air, and fire (and sometimds a fifth
ly, element called ether); the three principles of nature that needed to be
I combined to form the Philosopher's Stone, which were the sulphur,
salt, and mercury; the two main planetary bodies (and polarities)
found in ancient Hermetic writings of the sun and moon; and finally,
in the use of acids and alkalis in balance. The alchemists also adopted
the qabbalistic sciences of the Hebrews in their terminology, and
used the two main pillars from their qabbalistic diagrams to describe
r how all the components in the alchemical work went together. They
r, also fervently wrote that unless one learns to transmute themselves
ttd into a better and more moral person while working the chemical
s process, then they will not succeed in the alchemical work. Also, the
uift alchemists insisted that you could only crack their codes and be able
d to achieve the Red Lion with help from God. As the individual
Ito calcinated his bad habits, fears, and prejudices, he would then be
Ers able to produce the Grand Arcanum in the lab- also called the "Great
Arf. Symbolically then, the alchemists showed man composed of
three main alchemical parts- composed of the sulphur or fire of the
head, the mercury or air of the chest, and the salt or water of the
I aMomen.
w
EN

]F red
!E
ilto
rned f
E;
l.lD
b
tsdb
Itun
r-

l5
 Chapter 3: The Masonic Connection scheres added to the 22 pa:r-s
:cmbinations- and relates to :n:
Now, you may be saying that this is allvery interesting and cryptic, 3;ves this diagram and talks an,:
Dogma. ln coming to understa-,
but what does it have to do with Freemasonry? I will now go through 'epresentation of the body ant ,
Masonic ritual and show how it alludes directly to the alchemical
aichemical layout for the corr-F€
process, and will then attempt to show how this could have been :hilosopher's Stone, or Red L:
historically incorporated.
achieved. Forexample, it was :,
sephiroth on this qabbalistrc c a
Alchemy first and foremost sought to join the physical with the
cf the trinity of opposite forces ,
spiritual. ln alchemical symbolism, the physicalworld was
:orresponded to the seven c ai.
represented by the square (like the four corners of the earth), and the
:reation. (lncidentally. the i.a-:
spiritual world by a circle- which had no beginning or end. The two
sometimes depicted as an e,3
tools used in making these symbols are the square and compasses,
east of many lodges in Frar-
and in the three degrees of symbolic blue lodge Masonry, the spiritual
United States). The middte p a.
compasses gradually overcome the physical square as the candidate
Toon, mercury, and the su^ - :
receives further light. ln fact, early alchemical texts from the 1500's
:ecognize as the lesser lighis- :,
flatly state that in order to attain the famed Philosopher's Stone of
alchemy, you needed to "square the circle". This is also why 'rom the EA:. proficiency exai"r -
rext page from Anton Kirche-s
Leonardo Da'Vinci depicts a square and a circle joined around man in :

hls Vitruvian Man drawing- with the square of earth centered on the
genitals and the circle of spirit centered on the belly button. The
abdomen between the two separates the higher and lower nature-
which we can appreciate with the Mater Mason penal sign. Also, let
us not forgel what is a square? lt is an angle of 90 degrees, or the
fourth part of a circle.

What might designated as the "blueprint" in blue lodge Masonry, is

none other than the two pillars of the temple with the central pillar of
man standing between them. As the brother moving through the EA
degree becomes exposed to the left hand pillar of B:., the events in
the ritual help him to understand that this pillar alludes to the left hand
side of his body. Likewise, the FC Degree teaches the same
correlation with the pillar of J:. and the right hand side of the body.
Then by the MM degree, the brother has both pillars and is balanced,
and has what in qabalistic diagrams has been called the'tree of life',
or'Jacob's Ladder'. This diagram is made up of three pillars, three
main levels or steps going up the pillars- demonstrated by the penal
signs, ten spheres and22 paths between the 10 spheres. The 10

l6
 spheres added to the 22 paths give us a total number of 32
combinations- and relates to the Scottish Rite degrees. Albert Pike
gives this diagram and talks about it extensively in Morals and
I and cryptic, Dogma. ln coming to understand this blue print as both a
otY go through representation of the body and framework for consciousness, and an
dcfremical alchemical layout for the components of the alchemical work, the
have been Philosopher's Stone, or Red Lion was deemed possible to be
achieved. For example, it was believed that the top three spheres, or
sephiroth on this qabbalistic diagram represented the establishment
with the of the trinity of opposite forces, and the bottom seven spheres
Yas corresponded to the seven planets and/or metals, and days of
: earth), and the creation. (lncidentally, the triangle formed by this trinity was
end. The two sometimes depicted as an eye in a triangle- a symbolfound in the
rd compasses, east of many lodges in France, and later put on the Great Seal of the
nry, the sPiritual United States). The middle pillar of the tree was composed of the
s the candidate moon, mercury, and the sun in early alchemical texts- which we may
m the 1500's recognize as the lesser lights- or sun, moon, and Master of the Lodge
er's Stone of from the EA:. proficiency examination. (See the Tree Diagram on
so why next page from Anton Kircher's Edipus Egyptiacus).
d around man in
entered on the
uton. The
lucer nature-
lsign. Also, let
egrees, or the

p Masonry, is
central pillar of
firrough the EA
., the events in
s to the left hand
E SAME
e of the bodY.
and is balanced,
the'tree of life',
e pillars, three
nd by the Penal
eres. The 10
-.* ----tu\
Kfin}tr{A$p!'r:q?io*{ *:t.rAlxlsic s'Jln .sLI&! ??YAl- {}r l$sEqnoN
isl,-u, tsoot{ $t L"c}d€E&v!\G c'\l}ALA o}'Thg llSBREw'i
"*E,qlEiLA^FOq
z^t Now, in relation to alchenry
: h,T gRrd trY
HOruACN SF''''-_-
Sephirothffi Firut ritual that we learn to take tfre "ro
'perfect' ashlar. This perfect ash&
EA himself- who is placed in the
of a building, which is at the ponl
the north and into the first light cil
the corner stone of all noble edift
Il
instruction and corner stone cere
Masonic wages, which in traditir
were said to be associated with s
respectively; (corn represented fi
carried the symbolic mercury or s
&loses was its oil). These are sprinkled (
d-
F=
FE
compiling of the three principtes (
lfoses ie stone was said to be the creatbn
ElcriaL Ld*
alchemy.
/,i

.*s7l7 Further, the Master Mason I

triangle in it. This just happens b

for a crucible or calcination distr i
keys of Valentinus from 1659 anc
the period. Above the apron. the I

signs, which divide the body inb I

(FC), and water (EA)- as ouflined

in these three degrees. Also. retn
alone of allthe elements has nwr
is the action of fire, air, and water
Philosopher's stone. This relates
"ChRM" Abiff in Hebrew. Fire. in I
relates to the head. Air in Hebr*
the chest. Water in Hebrew is "H/
The first Hebrew letter of eacfr g
'ChRM"- or "Hiram". ln Masonc n
from the old French 'biffef- nrean
"Hiram Abiff'means "Hiram the e
water that need to be rediscovere
to 'raise' the dead earth- or hansr
and spiritualized state. These four
l8
 Now, in relation to alchemy it will be remembered from Masonic
ritual that we learn to take the 'rough' ashlar and form it into the
'perfect' ashlar. This perfect ashlar of EA instruction is related to the
EA himself- who is placed in the north east corner- like a corner stone
of a building, which is at the point from coming out of the darkness of
the north and into the first light of the east. This perfect ashlar then is
the corner stone of all noble edifices. We also learn from FC
instruction and corner stone ceremonies of the corn, wine, and oil, or
Masonic wages, which in traditional alchemical symbolism and texts
were said to be associated with salt, mercury, and sulphur
respectively; (corn represented the body, or salt of the herb, wine
carried the symbolic mercury or spirits, and the sulphur of an herb
was its oil). These are sprinkled on a corner stone just as the
compiling of the three principles of salt, sulphur, and mercury into a
stone was said to be the creation of the Philosopheds Stone of
alchemy.

Further, the Master Mason's apron is a square with an inverted

triangle in it. This just happens to be the ancient alchemical symbol
for a crucible or calcination dish, as found in the alchemical cipher
keys of Valentinus from 1659 and in the keys of other alchemists of
the period. Above the apron, the brother demonstrates the penal
signs, which divide the body into the three main parts of fire (MM), air
(FC), and water (EA)- as outlined by the penalties of each obligation
in these three degrees. Also, remember from EA ritual that, "the earth
alone of all the elements has never been found unfriendly to man". lt
is the action of fire, air, and water on earth that makes the
Philosophefs stone. This relates to the very name'Hiram Abiff', or
"ChRM" Abiff in Hebrew. Fire, in Hebrew, is called ChAMAH, and
relates to the head. Air in Hebrew, is called "RUACh', and relates to
the chest. Water in Hebrew is "MAY|M', and relates to the abdomen.
The first Hebrew letter of each of these words spells the name
'ChRM'- or "Hiram". ln Masonic ritual this is Hiram 'Abiff'- coming
from the old French 'biffef'- meaning "to eliminate" or "eliminated".
"Hiram Abiff' means "Hiram the eliminated". lt is the fire, air, and
water that need to be rediscovered in the alchemical process in order
to 'raise' the dead earth- or transmute matter from its dead to its alive
and spiritualized state. These four elements can also be seen

t9
 should also be noted that the relates to the FC degree penali_, -
depicted in the four cardinal virtues' lt leave the remaining ground up re:
in the Bible is
Hiirtli.""iated with King Solomon's tem.ple because of his extensive remaining ground up herb- whrc- .
renowned and called toi oi rcing Solomon squirrel holes or prairie dog hcies
r.no*i"Jg" in metals tit"t"tiu'gy' and not necessarily for
"no 7'.13,14', and the second that have "beasts of the field- in t :
architecture. See the tirst eooL otlings alludes to.
Book of Chronicles (2'.13-14)'
Abiff are within the three The next stage is in the MM de-:-*,
The keys to rediscovering the parts of .lit"T 'bowels burnt to ashes, and (t a s :
the.alchemical process First of
degrees themselves,
"^iti'"V'"ttline to the caput molum; or "d-ead
all, the EA degree's p"."f t'g" ituO"t
calcinations stage in alchemy c,
=
stage due to it's digestion, and ,',*
il""0;;.t"g" oT atcnemy, or t6e herb tr-eing worked on The tongue
,rs&sJiwmwtteattlZ4h;- alludes to the stage of 24 bowels), and burning it to ashes :,
being buried in tne This process is further emphasz::
the need to shake the vessel
hours at the beginnin;;f d; wo;r' a1o
help separate the.oils iPt th" who was the patron of metaliu:c,' :
twice in 24 hours, u"ti uig;ro'sly, to,
the strong grip of a MM is torri! :
about the fact that all herbs
herb. Atso, atchemicai teiti are explicit the Hebrew letter shin- which r -l
fortheworkneedton""orr""tedbtytheirroofsinordertoobtainall
very clear that at equated with fire. This is why He:'
the essence of tfre pfant' nf"n"ti"if
texts are also
is not to come in contact with hand placed in this position. es f,,.
this stage of tne proclss,-tne nern
contaminates other
metal of any kind- *p""i"iry iron (a metalwhich Alchemists always revered Vu :a-
r"i"ftu".lfy), which'relatei to the degree and metallic
divesting of all
to the emphasts patron of their art. From the 153_: :
substances at the beginn'ng of the EA we read:
King Solomon's
that no tool of iron *Js ui"i the construction of
'(l;; "tto vt"r.- which was associated with
ilpi; *". "Alchemy is a necessary. indrspe.
*"iiu"'to that iron could conquer or overcome other
the fact"rro-r"r"t"J is its artist. He who is a Vulcar- *a
metals). Vulcan can make no headwa_, ^
by the FC penalty' wh-e-re must above all know that God has
The next stage in the process is outlined created something out of noth ^c
,heart and vitats pr"""o the high-est pinnacle of the temple,
the the purpose of its use and i;ncl:,
"i"
there to be devourejnVine
"n of the aif'' This alludes to the
vuftures
of the And since allthings have been c..e
distillation stage in where- ll"'" Ylt?l oils and essence
"i"h!tY distillation apparatus as air' is finished, but Vulcan mus: :-
herb rise up to the n'gh"tt'p"i"t of the flask This Things are created and given :c
like dew into another
only later to fall again'ioi"i'nO"nte) of the herb behind form that is proper to them Fc- :
the body
process actually oi"iOJI tn" n"io- ie"uin.g
does not transform itself irtc ::
white separating tneir"e-art uit"fr of t[e herb- or oils and spirits
become a pot. This is true c'e
ii", earty alchemicaltexts, this stage was
tnl?.t of"the ftask. tn"nJ ngart and oth.er o,tg?l"-,?nd
represented uy vurtu[-s'picr<rng fut.thg the top point of Now that the red ashes (called e:
takins them to th" h;;l;!iti*il:,ynlt-represented This athenor was have been created, they need :c ",
apparatus.
the athenor- or alche?iical distillation the apparatus is symbolic of the 'raising' of H -a-
since
often depicteO in afc-tremo"i t""t" as
a iower,
at this stage as well, which ancient Egyptian myth and ntua
looked like one. Something else happens
rt the relates to the FC degree penalty in some jurisdictions. As the liquids
leave the remaining ground up herb, tiny holes start to form in the
nsive remaining ground up herb- which have the appearance of ground
squirrel holes or prairie dog holes in a field. For those jurisdictions
nd that have "beasts of the field" in their FC penalty- this is what it
alludes to.

te three The next stage is in the MM degree, in which the penalty has the
First of 'bowels burnt to ashes, and (t a s tt f w o h)". This alludes to the
r "dead calcinations stage in alchemy of taking the herb (called feces at this
gue stage due to it's digestion, and which naturally associates it with the
>of24 bowels), and burning it to ashes by the action of fire and air (wind).
vessel This process is further emphasized by the password of this degree,
m the who was the patron of metallurgy and fire from the Bible. Likewise,
rerbs the strong grip of a MM is formed by placing the hand in the shape of
lin all the Hebrew letter shin- which in Hebrew qabbalistic tradition is
that at equated with fire. This is why Hebrew priests also bless with their
rth hand placed in this position, as do Eastern Orthodox priests.
s other
Alchemists always revered Vulcan, also known as Tubelcain, as a
rhasis patron of their art. From the 1530 alchemical writings of Paracelsus
non's we read:
with
"Alchemy is a necessary, indispensable art... lt is an art, and Vulcan
is its artist. He who is a Vulcan has mastered this art; he who is not a
Vulcan can make no headway in it. But to understand this art, one
shere must above all know that God has created all things; and that He has
i temple, created something out of nothing. This something is a seed, in which
to the the purpose of its use and function is inherent from the beginning.
of the And since allthings have been created in an unfinished state, nothing
as air, is finished, but Vulcan must bring all things to their completion.
isk. This Things are created and given to our hands, but not in the ultimate
rlc behind form that is proper to them. For example, wood grows by itself, but
spirits does not transform itself into charcoal. Similarly, clay does not
) was become a pot. This is true of everything that grows in nature."
ns and
point of Now that the red ashes (called dead salts in alchemical terminology)
)r was have been created, they need to next be'raised' or made alive. This
rratus is symbolic of the 'raising' of Hiram. The same motif is found in
:ll. which ancient Egyptian myth and ritual in which the body of the vegetation
21
god Osiris had been cut up and symbolically killed and deposited in a each degree. lnterestingly rf *e -:
tamarisk, and then when the goddess lsis turns herself into the and "light" and spell it backwa-:s
lioness Sekmhet, she is able to raise him to new life). The raising of the Egyptian word for ,,gold" i.Je s
Hiram is done after the sprig of acacia, or evergreen is found, and it Egyptian word for,,brain,,_ .'ais. ,,-
must be remembered that alchemical texts state that the 'spiritual' or the ancient Egyptian word fc.":.c-
'alive salt' is found mostly in grapes, gold, and evergreen or pine. ln that elements of Masonic ntua -:
alchemical texts, it is said that the "alive" salt is then turned into the mystery tradition, which obvicts",
Red Lion by the help of the sun and moon- as found on the rods of uncomfortable with acceptrng -:..
the JD and SD crossed over the raising. Finally, the "Red Lion", are many elements of Mason : r:_
(which is another term for one aspect of the Philosopher's Stone: the fundamental components of a"::
other being "White Eagle"), is raised by the "lion's paw", and upon the even though Freemasonry we:i r"
(fpof). Some jurisdictions will recognize an "eagles claw" in place of Egyptian Hieroglyphs were tra-s
the "lion's paw" and this is why. ln alchemical language, the "fpof' =

was a term which alluded to the four elements with the addition of the According to the historian Josec.-
fifth quintessence- or ether. lt was symbolized by a blazing five Heliopis, called in ancient Ec,"cta"
pointed star- the same blazing five pointed star which is said to be famed "ben-nu bird,,was keii t :s
found in the center of the checkered pavement according to EA Solomon's name is composec :,:
lecture. lt is then that the'word' of a MM, or Master Craftsman is anotherword which in Egypt:a- a-
spoken, and alludes to the Logos, or word of God spoken to he who with the sun, and "on,,- tht Eg, e::
has been prepared to hear it. phoenix (ben-nu bird), and th js .a:
meaning, "place of the sun' l^ -a:
There are many theories surrounding the origin of the MM word. One sometimes called "Omor,, or -,-T,l
theory about the origin of the MM's word is that it comes from the Christian prayers with,'Amen" -re
Hebrew "Manna Bon"- meaning: "what is it- the builde/'. We have began, "Amon-Amon who are - -,
already examined the alchemical association with manna and it's kingdom come, thy will be dor-e :,
relation to the secret alchemical salt, which truly is the builder or was later used in the New Testar*rr
cornerstone of the alchemical work. ln fact, by using the Hebrew KJV). Of course, "Amon,s', is a s: :
gematria, the word "manna" itself adds up to 90 (mem=40 and this is why the Regis Manuscrc: l.
nun=50, which are the two letters in "manna" in Hebrew). This manuscript that mentions the lvlas:
number, 90, also equals the number of degrees in a Master's square. Egypt. I wilt atso point out that ife .
correspondence was associate:,,r.
Another theory, is that comes from the ancient Egyptian "Ma-at Ben". manuscripts and ancient Egyp: a- .
"Ma-at"- pronounced as both "Mah-at" and "Maha" in ancient gold were represented by J pc ^t *
Egyptian, means "truth". The word "ben", on the other hand, means Masons.
both "light" and "stone". This is why in ancient Egypt the phoenix was
called the "ben-nu bird"- as it was associated with the alchemical One final interpretation of the f.il,ll ,,
process of consuming itself in flames and then coming back from the the Hebrew phrase "EBEN (MA S_
dead renewed. This word in Egyptian then, means both: "the truth of stone that the builders rejectec" l-3
light" or the "truth of the stone"- both of which make perfect sense in related to the alchemical substa.:e
the Masonic progression and to what the brother most desires at By more than coincidence, if \tie _si
ted in a each degree. lnterestingly, if we take the Egyptian word for "stone"
3 and "light" and spell it backwards, we get the word "neb"- which was
;ing of the Egyptian word for "gold". We see similar word play in the ancient
and it Egyptian word for "brain"- "ais", which when reversed becomes "sia"-
tual' or the ancient Egyptian word for "consciousness". This would suggest
ine. ln that elements of Masonic ritual have their roots in ancient Egyptian
to the mystery tradition, which obviously most Masonic scholars are
ds of uncomfortable with accepting. However as outlined previously, there
i-. are many elements of Masonic ritualwhich we can find as
lne the fundamental components of ancient Egyptian practice and myth,
.rpon the even though Freemasonry went public almost 150 years before
ace of Egyptian Hieroglyphs were translated.
fpof'
on of the According to the historian Josephus, Moses was a high priest at
Heliopis, called in ancient Egyptian "On", and this is in fact where the
to be famed "ben-nu bird" was kept. lt is perhaps coincidentalthat
EA Solomon's name is composed of the word "sol", meaning sun, "om"
rn is another word which in Egyptian and Vedic scriptures was associated
he who with the sun, and "on"- the Egyptian city associated with the sun, the
phoenix (ben-nu bird), and thus later called by the Greeks "Heliopis"-
meaning, "place of the sun". ln fact, the Egyptian sun God RA was
,ord. One sometimes called "Omon" or "Amon", and this was later used to end
n the Christian prayers with "Amen". The earliest prayers to Amon Ra
have began, "Amon- Amon who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy
rd it's kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," which
er or was later used in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew (6:9-13
brew KJV). Of course, "Amon's" is also an anagram for "mason". Perhaps
rnd this is why the Regis Manuscript, being the earliest English
nis manuscript that mentions the Masons, states that they came from
-s square. Egypt. I will also point out that the sun in alchemical and Qabbalistic
correspondence was associated with gold, and in both alchemical
a-at Ben". manuscripts and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, both the sun and
nt gold were represented by a point within a circle- a familiar symbol to
,. means Masons.
roenix was
emical One final interpretation of the MM Word is that it can be found within
)K from the the Hebrew phrase'EBEN (MA)SU (HA)-(BON)lM"- meaning "the
re truth of stone that the builders rejected". As mentioned previously, this
I sense in related to the alchemical substance called "manna" or "secret salt".
;ires at By more than coincidence, if we use the qabbalistic science of
gematria and replace every Hebrew letter in this phrase with its lmagery literally, it makes nc se-
numeric counterpart (as alluded to in the FC stair lecture), the phrase was buried, and yet here we t^:,.t
adds up to 273, which is also what "Hiram Abiff' adds up to in Hebrew maiden weeping over hrs as-es-
using Gematria. All of this obviously very neatly ties back into the This is a contradiction unless ,,,e
alchemical process we are describing. allegory.

The symbolic "hearing" of the MM's Word can be interpreted to Some other traditional alche- a
represent the raised consciousness with the completion of the charcoaland clay from the En ji
alchemical elixir. lt is the trowel of the MM degree which is the tool make alkaliand acid from in c.::
that brings everything together, and represents the hidden force or white 'alive salt'- called ,ma^^a
fifth element which binds the various parts of the alchemically elixir- we are also taught that ,,the.e s -
based stone. The elixir is made up of the Red Lion powder to which, when properly ign ta: :
suspended in the 'dew', or oils and liquid saved from distillation. This point within a circle with twc -3s
also relates to the 133 Psalm, emphasized in the EA degree-'the alchemical symbol of the ar: *-:
dew of Hermon...promising even life forevermore". made through the alchemica ,,,:-
circle was the ancient SlFi-rbc ,3..
Finally, let us review the MM password. T:.. Again, this name is alchemical ciphers, the cjrcre :e:r
associated with being a metallurgist, or alchemist, (like Hiram) and associated with what was sa c ::
master of the mineral kingdom. The password for the second degree the time it takes to produce :^e tr-
alludes to the vegetable kingdom- as represented by the hanging either side of the point with j. a :,-
corn. Corn- again, alluded to the salt in the alchemical process from Evangelist and Saint John rf e 3.al
which the body of the Philosopher's stone is made. ln fact, vegetable alchemicaltradition that Jesrs --
alchemy was called the 'Lesser Work", and mineral alchemy (dealing should likewise not be SUrpr5 -; 1
with metals) was called the 'Greater Work' or sometimes the 'Great symbol for John, and a doub e --_:
Art'. We should therefore not be surprised to learn that the password John's, and this was also the s, -
for the second degree has an alchemical allusion. ln the FC degree alchemy. Albert pike believe: :-=:
ritual we are informed that the password for the second degree has symbol for this reason. lt is the-e.:
"come to mean a sheaf of corn over a waterford"- but this does not day of John the Baptist, June 24:
mean that the actual translation of the word means this- nor does it Babylonian god Oannes- whc ra:
mean that it always meant this. ln fact, when we take the FC science to civilization after he a-:
password and translate it into Greek, it spells orBcol"r0oq : which don aprons. Oannes later becene
translates as "l revere a stone". With everything else we have became "John",
connected thus far, it is clear to see what kind of stone we are talking
about- it is the alchemical stone, or Philosopher's stone. Allof the emblems of the MN,t :g:.
manuscripts, most particularj,i :nI
On Hiram's tomb, as found in the Master Mason's lecture, we find the beehive represented the ial :
further alchemical imagery. We see the figure of father Time, also bring raw materials they have :,c :
associated with Saturn and by extension lead in alchemical imagery, transmute them into golden hc-:,
counting the golden locks of the maiden- symbol of gold, as she star in the center of the lodqe ,,,=s
stands over the urn of ashes and holds pine. lf we accept this quintessence, as previousli c sc,-:
with its imagery literally, it makes no sense, as we are informed that Hiram
r). the Phrase was buried, and yet here we have a monument which shows the
rto in Hebrew maiden weeping over his ashes- thus suggesting he was cremated.
k into the This is a contradiction unless we understand it as an alchemical
allegory.

eted to Some other traditional alchemical symbols in degrees are the chalk,
of the charcoal and clay from the EA degree, which the chemist can use to
r is the tool make alkali and acid from in order to turn the reddish salts into the
€n force or white'alive salt'- called 'manna' in alchemical texts. With the charcoal
nically elixir- we are also taught that "there is nothing more fervent than charcoal,
der to which, when properly ignited, the most obdurate metals yield." The
stillation. This point within a circle with two lines on either side was an old
gree-'the alchemical symbol of the amount of time it would take for gold to be
made through the alchemical work; whereas just the point within the
circle was the ancient symbol for the sun in nearly all cultures. ln
name is alchemical ciphers, the circle between two lines was a further symbol
Hiram)and associated with what was said to be the symbolic alchemical year- or
econd degree the time it takes to produce the Philosopher's Stone. The two lines on
re hanging either side of the point within a circle, said to represent Saint John the
process from Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, may also allude to the believed
act, vegetable alchemical tradition that Jesus inherited and passed on. perhaps it
hremy (dealing should likewise not be surprising that the eagle was the traditional
:s the'Great symbol for John, and a double headed eagle symbolized the two
the password John's, and this was also the symbol for the "White Eagle" stage in
re FC degree alchemy. Albert Pike believed that the Scottish Rite inherited this
J degree has symbol for this reason. lt is therefore not coincidence that the feast
his does not day of John the Baptist, June 24th, was the former feast day of the
; nor does it Babylonian god Oannes- who was said to teach the alchemical
he FC science to civilization after he anointed priest kings and made them
r; : which don aprons. Oannes later became Johannes, which in English
re have became "John".
) we are talking
e. All of the emblems of the MM degree are from old alchemical
manuscripts, most particularly the beehive. ln alchemical symbolism,
ure. we find the beehive represented the lab (or lodge), where the bees (Masons)
r Time, also bring raw materials they have collected from the earth in order to
micalimagery, transmute them into golden honey (lead into gold). The five pointed
rld. as she star in the center of the lodge was always an alchemical symbol for
npt this quintessence, as previously discussed, by which Sulphur, Salt, and
Mercury (symbolized by the tapers?)are turned into the Philosopher's that it revealed the correct prcC,t.l,l
Stone. This was further achieved with the help of the sun, moon, and that needed to go into making ::e :
alchemist- or "sun, moon, and Master of the Lodge", as in EA degree
proficiency. One of the remaining symbots cf a,
Masons was the Ark of Noah Tc :*
This correlation is particularly emphasized in the alchemicalwriting with Noah related to the alche.r :a
known as the "Emerald Tablet of Hermes", in which it says of the world is obsessed with matena se-
Philosopher's Stone that, "it's father is the sun, it's mother is the flood comes, representing wale- a.
moon" (see Appendix A). Some have even seen the name "Hiram" as Noah lets a dove go into the a r -e:
a Hebrew version of the name "Hermes"- who is credited with writing distillation; and finally Noah tar:s :
the alchemical text itself. (When you take the letters that spell "Hiram" offering to God, representing ".e :-
in Hebrew and emphasize a different set of vowels- since Hebrew word "Ararat" in Sanskrit mea^-s .
has no vowels, then it can be pronounced "Herme"- which is the crossed over into the Bible. bu: i:*
Greek Hermes). Coincidently, the word "Herme" in Greek also means recognize them. Another exans:
"pillar", and atop the Masonic pillars are the two globes. ln Hermes' usually interpreted by Biblicai -aa:r
Emerald Tablet he says, "as above so, below; as below, so above" in Sanskrit, the "Nazod'was the nare
order to produce the Philosopher's Stone. On the Masonic pillars are at illumination. A "Nazorean' s :-:-
emphasized the "above" and "below" that Hermes speaks of. The open, which may, in fact allucie:: ::
Greek Hermes was the Roman Mercury- who was the messenger MM degree. Obviously this a:s: : _
with a rod that had two snakes winding up it. This is why in some is usually incorrecily interprete: as
Masonic jurisdictions the Junior and Senior Deacons have Mercury- Greek. This third eye related :c :-:
or Hermes on top of their rods. ln other jurisdictions, the sun and and between the two eyes. wh c: _:
moon are featured, which come directly from Hermes' Emerald of the autonomic nervous syste* :
Tablet. Again, from a qabbalistic standpoint, in the early alchemical which is where it gets its name *:-
diagrams of the qabbalistic tree (Jacob's Ladder), the middle pillar
featured the sun, moon, and mercury- which would be the sun, moon, Finally, as was shown in the arre-
and Hiram- or sun, moon, and Master of the Lodge, represented by through nine stages composed :':
the burning tapers. and white three times. Therefcre : ,
changes, which should be stoni"::-
The Philosopher's Stone itself was always symbolized by a perfect the Grand Honors of Masonr!
cubic stone, which is a familiar symbol in the symbolic lodge of
Masonry, and this "stone" is emphasized in the FC pass and MM As can be seen from this Chac:er -
word, as we pointed out. The other symbol it was sometimes depicted the symbolic degrees can be fcr-:
as was a circle, square, and triangle interlaced. This represented the allude to alchemical stages and n-:,
spiritual gold circle, the four cornered square of the four elements, everything in Freemasonry has a::-.
and the triangle of sulphur, salt, and mercury. ln the center of every is suggesting that if you really ,',a-:
Masonic Lodge can be found a circle, square, and triangle- symbols in the symbolic blue ic.oie
represented by the compasses, square, and three lesser lights. The an alchemical understandino c.,i*.a
47th problem of Euclid, as credited to Pythagoras, was also a the craft was understood by-Mas:-s
significant symbol to alchemists. This is because alchemists believed like Albert Pike understood tha: i-e.
)sopher's that it revealed the correct proportions of salt, sulphur, and mercury
)on, and that needed to go into making the perfect elixir.
\ degree
One of the remaining symbols of alchemy that is also significant to
Masons was the Ark of Noah. To the alchemists, the myth associated
writing with Noah related to the alchemical process itself. ln the myth, the
f the world is obsessed with material senses, representing earth; then a
the flood comes, representing water and the digestion stage; after which
liram" as Noah lets a dove go into the air, representing the air itself and
h writing distillation; and finally Noah lands on Mount Ararat and makes a burnt
rll"Hiram" offering to God, representing fire and calcination. Not surprisingly, the
;brew word "Ararat" in Sanskrit means "lllumined one". Many Sanskrit words
the crossed over into the Bible, but few readers of the Bible would
io means recognize them. Another example is the word "Nazorean"- which is
lermes' usually interpreted by Biblical readers as "watchef'. However, in
above" in Sanskrit, the "Nazo/' was the name of the third eye said to be opened
rillars are at illumination. A "Nazorean" is then one whose third eye would be
I The open, which may, in fact allude to the "eye of Deity" featured in the
€nger MM degree. Obviously this also alludes to Jesus the Nazorean- which
30me is usually incorrectly interpreted as "Jesus of Nazareth" from the
Iercury- Greek. This third eye related to the pineal gland, situated right above
r and and between the two eyes, which is in charge of regulating the glands
'ald of the autonomic nervous system. lt also looks like a small pine cone-
hemical which is where it gets its name from.
e pillar
;Un, moon, Finally, as was shown in the alchemical process, the entire work went
:nted by through nine stages composed of the substance turning black, red
and white three times. Therefore it went through three times three
changes, which should be significant to some Masons in relating to
perfect the Grand Honors of Masonry.
eof
dMM As can be seen from this Chapter, most of the Masonic symbols of
:s depicted the symbolic degrees can be found in older alchemicaltexts and
;ented the allude to alchemical stages and processes. This is not to say that
lments, everything in Freemasonry has alchemical roots and meaning, but it
of every is suggesting that if you really want to understand the Masonic
symbols in the symbolic blue lodge degrees, then you have to have
3hts. The an alchemical understanding of what is behind them. This aspect of
)a the craft was understood by Masons in the 1700's and even some,
ts believed like Albert Pike understood that there was some kind of correlation in
the 1800's. The complete meaning behind all of it may have even
been lost to him however. There are more symbols that relate to the
alchemical process in both the York and Scottish Rite, so therefore it
is important that we examine these at least to a degree, in our next
chapter.

have been e).tracted. This is dorE beE

the sun, moon, and [4aster figures. AqiE
De Alchimia, 1526.
Below: Raised body- J. Lacini6, 171a.

Below: Alchemical Cypher key o{ Vakrf-,_

how the symbols associated wnh rcruciH
-
acrlr
simitar io th6 Master Mason's ap{uF

28
3n
o the
bre it
rext

Above: "the raising of the body", symbolic of raising the

stone to a new state in alchemy. M. Maier. A$anta

have been extracted. This is done b€tween

the sun, moon, and Master flgures. Aquinas,
De Alchimia, 1526.
Below: Raised body- J. Lacinius, 1714.

Above: Raising the stone by the "lion's paw" until it is tt

Red Lion (which is another name for the philosopher,s
Stone". M. Maier, Atalanta Fugi€ns, t6iB.

Below: Symbol for the Philosopher's

Stone: the squared circle. 1624.
Below: Alchemicat Cypher key of Valentinus- 1659. Notice
 ':
!' t.6 *.rrl
-t*t N...t
'.lio
"*-tg
u;F"
€F'\?P"* r jr.
*-,oi."N r.g )
..

Siiii.,:r,

f'*l:-\Fq.-: :'...w
Above:Noah's Ark in a alchemical plate from 1677.1he Above: The vullores oi the air taking the hea:
opening of the work is compared by alchemists to the ol an herb D. Siolc.us von Siolcenberg. Vir:
Biblical flood, as well as the rough sands ol the sea. Chymicum- 1624
.j;jtETri:r;+.if'nli:r'-:1:.*:ill:: ':': 'f ' , 't, ,,

#{
)' r:
"u
I.
,,&;

".}l'i'
r .)::

taking the viials to the highest pinacle. M. Maier,

Atlanta Fugiens, 1618.
Left: Eye of Dieiy symbolizing the perfeclion ol the alc
both on the above and below. Also {ealurod in it is the
earth, the moon. and a llaming slvord'which was trac
symbol of a comet. J. Bohme, Theosophische werke,
Belowr "Use the rose lo cDllect the honey', Here tha b-
bee hive is emphasized by i:ludd in the alchemical w.-
Fludd, Summum Bonum '1629.

-;' 'tl.11:'\",,.!,4.
::rd Above:Alchemical plaie of -\:::: -.--:-"
,::. ..4; :-l' deit.v. Also, one algei r> r.,.J:: - . : --
tu;.* hulds d (ompd)>. Tne ^l:e- ...i- '
.,r;? -'' --
and fir'e poinied :t;rr on il. l.:. .' -
emblem malet, and i-lre l:'.. ,- -, -' -
rhe lodge. Finalh. the .1.i.: : : : .

alsu found in the Masler \l;- - ;"---

47th pr:blerl of Euclid r.'ar ',.*.=: : . : :
ihe three, ornporrcnL-.,i... : . ... -
 ---

,
:af-_-* 1i
-/,iF- ,'-.-.^
! I

bf _* [)
^rn*,\
_--n
**<i lt'l
$-r
it\l/\
\/\/
Abav*:('Iirp)This symboi
v;as an alci€mical symbol
-----:-': 0trffii meaning'year". The syrr-
bol belou' ii symbolized
both 'gold'and the sun.
The composite of these
tw-o is the fami|ar
Mascnic symbol
Below:A)chemical plar:e
frorn :\lbertus blap;nus'
Philophia Naturalis, i650.
F,Iotice the compass in thc.
upper ilght corner, ihe
square and rrile in the bot-
tom righ L corner, thLe pct o{
n"1.una in ihe lon er lef!
a" "i-r corrrer, the scales in the
*&-
upper left comer, and thcf;.
: :a-::sl'
tire figure's bod)' is made
rLp c{ the elements arrd he
is sunounded by the sun
and mocn. Also on the
i --€ 5l-
=-i'-=1r I iop is the'caput mofium'
t=.a. - ai:ll or'dead head.'

.:2 a': -,

Above:.Alchemical piate of Anton Kircher, 1665. Notice the eye of

deity- Also, one mgel is holding a plumb, one a squarc, md c,ne man
holds a compass. The other rnan holds a Bible w-ith a six pointed star
and five pointed star on it. The six pointed star is what ihe ldasonic .
emblem makes, and ihe fir'e pcinted star is c:n the checkered flc,r'i o{
the lodge. Finally, &e 3,4,5 traiirgle cf liythagor:as is shown: r,hich is
aiso found in the Master Mason degree. As sti,ted in the paper, the
47th problerl of Euclid was r.rsed by alchemists as a rieasure {or how
the three cornporentB of salt, sr-Llpher, and mercurv rvent Logethet.
 Chapter _1: The

Both the Scoftish and york Rites c#

'.4ff
n:A-':.: . i4" :'e:
'Iop I eli: \,rlice lhF llal n.1Lirlg
the cl-
a Master l\,Iason, while bcing jn thc mil*
rose, cross, md the ioul clemsnts. Tal-
Secret Symbols of lhe Ros]e&gi&: 16,j,
Abor.e; ''The l'hilosopher's 9tone" by
Valenliius' l-es l)orrzc (lleIS cteJaghrlx
rbcq. \lolice thc pcrlc, L.ubi. .,l(\rp. ari
kiig holds a ccJmpass The Lillies ed i:g
to the white and red phase of the u'or1c
ani-l men are lurther errphasized.
Above Lefl Flates shorvjllg the 'caput rl
'rlcad heacl'stage, md also the 'resurca3:{
associaled with "raisjlg" i11 the MlvI De-
I6th centurv.
l,eli: Alchenical diagrmt of Robert
FIuJJ': .lrun rrg Lhr rfu-ee drr i.rons or
man as in Masorlic ritual, ud how. thev
.lllude to Jire, air, u.1 water Abol,e Lhe
mu's hcad is ihe thr&) pomted tuimgle
ofT iBhl. rd\e- lrum Llhru5qr,{ ('L-rril,
Vol. ll.16t9.
i;
i
;:1i:"l5
. --f ., :
Right: 'lhe mailrr portal f the Caiheclr;r1
further instruction on the alchenfca
Scottish Rite brother who achierr,es
jurisdiction receives a black
hat_ qn
work. lf he receives the honor of rs
receives a red hat- alluding to the n
he then receives the high [onor *,
obtain a white hat- representinE the
process. The association with black
the Scottish Rite degrees is menbq
and many of the degrees_ like the 2
Pnnce Adept), go into great deta,i
a
degrees make it clear that trere are
degrees of Freemasonry if you can
also why symbols tike the pioenx. ,
pelican are found within the Sco&sn.
processes in the creation of the phfrh
texts.
Let's look at the apron of the 1gtr de
example. On it is found a pelican pe
young with a cross coming out beir;n
middle ages, and alchemilalvessd
the components in it were symbolba
to give birth to it,s new, young fo,rm
crucible, which is why crucifii and cn
rose not only represented the unfo{Ci
cross of matter, but the word -ros'
for "deu/'. The word Rosicrucias_ q.
play on words for "dew chalice'- a$rx
ia

'.' ..:. i=Y *. Notre l)ame in Faris lving ot

ris showing
sholvi
sl one oi the t|
mily relefs fcntu rug1 alchemlca
LluruS chemlcal
alch ym-
:al sym
sym-
tto,'q.ti\t the Holy Grail by extension. This
,i...:", ir: my) har her head
uru
bolisrn. l1e tvorr u (T(rcFresentir
(rcFre
rd in th.e heavers
he heaveas
th. her
ing alc
rresenting alchr
alche-
,s and
rd feet
lfpr Hermeticism and alchemy if the tei
@
. .:
t.. ..*Q. on the earth. The ladde!der is the s{sfeps in
,s ir
:*l .r -!: alchemy. will be heard that the Emerald Tabtd
Traditionally, in the Scottish Rrte. wtu
degree they were entiiled to place a r

32
 Chapter 4: The Upper Degrees

Both the Scoftish and York Rites of Freemasonry continue with

further instruction on the alchemical process. For example, the
Scottish Rite brother who achieves the 32nd degree in the southern
jurisdiction receives a black hat- symbolic of the black stage of the
work. lf he receives the honor of receiving the KCCH, then he
receives a red hat- alluding to the red phase of the alchemical work. lf
he then receives the high honor of receiving the 33'd degree, he will
obtain a white hat- representing the last alchemical stage in the
process. The association with black, red and white in alchemy and
the Scottish Rite degrees is mentioned in the degrees themselves,
and many of the degrees- like the 27th degree (Knight of the Sun or
Prince Adept), go into great detail about alchemy itself. These
degrees make it clear that there are alchemical symbols in the
degrees of Freemasonry if you can learn to see them. perhaps this is
also why symbols like the phoenix, raven, double headed eagle and
pelican are found within the scottish Rite- and all allude to alchemical
processes in the creation of the Philosopher's Stone in alchemical
texts.

Let's look at the apron of the l Bth degree (Knight Rose Croix), for
example. On it is found a pelican pecking it's own breast to feed it's
young with a cross coming out behind it surmounted by a rose. ln the
middle ages, and alchemicalvesselwas actually called a pelican, and
the components in it were symbolically said to destroy itself in order
to give birth to it's new, young form. The cross was a symbol of a
crucible, which is why crucifix and crucible have the same root. The
rose not only represented the unfolding of consciousness out of the
cross of matter, but the word "ros" (a play on rose), is the Greek word
for "deu/'. The word Rosicrucias- or "ros-i-crucias" therefore was a
play on words for "dew chalice"- alluding to the alchemical work and
the Holy Grail by extension. This degree makes further exploration of
Hermeticism and alchemy if the lecture is closely listened to, and it
will be heard that the Emerald Tablet of Hermes is quoted.
Traditionally, in the Scottish Rite, when a brother attained the 18th
degree they were entitled to place a symbol next to their signature,

JJ
which consisted of a cross atop a triangle, which is a symbol from
alchemy and it represents "the completion of the great work." ln both the Scottish Rite and the
\,:"
featured is the Seal of Solomon
Albert Pike certainly explores alchemy a great deal in Morals and the Star of David. This symbor
:l:
Dogma, as well as other works like his Esoterika, and he even s :::
triangles, and some have suggsste:
suggests he at least has some understanding of certain aspects of and compasses make when ilie,
the work. For example, on pg 780 of his chapter on "Knight of the from an alchemical standpoint
a_:
Sun" or Prince Adept in Morals and Dogma, Pike says: symbolism, fire was representeo
s:::l
:, l
upward triangle with a line thro_:_ -
"The secret knowledge of the Grand Scottish Master relates
and earth with a downward trra-i
to the combination and transmutation of different substances; combine all of these together ,.:i = _
n

whereof that you may obtain a clear idea and proper understanding, :
result is the Seal of Solomon T^
you are to know that all matter and all material substances are s s,
standpoint, represented the co_: _i
composed of combinations of three several substances, whole, and by extension
extracted from four elements, which three substances in lerhaps not surprising ,"pr"=.:,=.
combination are salt, sulphur, and spirit. The first of these to Masc^ : _
this symbol showed up on monir-r€-
produces solidity, the second softness, and the third spiritual, temples, as would be assumed
vaporous particles. These three compound substances work potently :_: _
built by the Knights Templar
together; and therein consists the true process for the
transmutation of metals." There are hundreds of more alc^e_,:
many to mention them all here r
The Royal Arch and Cryptic Mason degrees of the York Rite delve :* s
added that both Rites delve intc
quite a deal into the "key-stone" of Hiram, which is white "because Templar, which are pivotal in
tj: s
white is the color of manna." ln fact manna is a critical aspect to these prevailing schools of thought "tiul-
degrees, and it is always related to the "stone that the builders as :c ,q*
cne is that it came direcfly-from :-: r
rejected"; a term which is fundamental to the alchemical terminology suppression in 1307, and the or^e-
for manna- or the secret white salts, which are to be found cuilders of the Middle nges. lov,
_r

everywhere, but no one but the alchemist knows how to see and Knights Templar who provided t:e
,
= =-
raise them. ln the York Rite the title "Thrice lllustrious" is used, which -:
as they created over 1,000 gothrc
was the title for the Greek god Hermes- said to be the inventor of s:,
:hapels in their short 200 y"""r, .o,_,
alchemy and the author of the Emerald Tablet. Manna is also :athedrals, like Notre Dame of par-s-,
emphasized with Aaron's rod- both of which go into the Ark. ln early symbols showing the entire alche-
York Rite rituals, Aaron's rod was depicted as a rod with two snakes i;
'agade of Notre Dame of paris has _,
entwined around it, which was the wand of Hermes. One snake was Jon't depict the Bible at alt, but r.a:-el
red and one was white- representing the red and white aspects of the sigures like the
elusive St. Denn s s .l
Philosopher's Stone, among other things. The Royal Arch "gates" and symbolizing the caput mortum stace
:
banners are likewise composed of all of the colors that the ritiate Dionysus the Aeropagite_ ,r*-:
Philosopher's Stone itself can become- blue, red, purple, and white, )ythagorean alchemical
sch6ols ,,,.r- :,,
all of which were used to create some of the colors in the stained rf Dionysus- who was Osiris in e r-_
glass of the cathedrals of Notre Dame" 3,
rther cathedrals- most particula rti'C -.
 ln both the Scottish Rite and the York Rite one symbol that is always
featured is the Seal of Solomon, or the six pointed star- also called
1d the Star of David. This symbol is composed of two interlaced
triangles, and some have suggested that this is also what the square
sof and compasses make when they are interlaced. What is significant
he from an alchemical standpoint is that in ancient alchemical
symbolism, fire was represented by an upward triangle, air by an
upward triangle with a line through it, water with a downward triangle,
ES and earth with a downward triangle with a line through it. lf you
ES; combine all of these together into one composite symbol, the end
nding, result is the Seal of Solomon. This symbol then, from an alchemical
dt9 standpoint, represented the combination of all the elements into one
whole, and by extension represented the Philosopher's Stone itself.
')
Perhaps not surprising to Masonic historians is the fact that first place
e this symbol showed up on monuments in Europe was not at Jewish
ral, temples, as would be assumed, but rather in temples designed and
rctently built by the Knights Templar.

There are hundreds of more alchemicalsymbols in both the rites, too

many to mention them all here in this book. However it must be
elve added that both Rites delve into the significance of the Knights
tu5c Templar, which are pivotal in alchemical history. There are two
to these prevailing schools of thought as to where Freemasonry came from:
i one is that it came directly from the Knights Templar after their
rology suppression in 1307, and the other is that it came from the cathedral
builders of the Middle Ages. However, we now know that it was the
nd Knights Templar who provided the initial imputes for the cathedrals,
. which as they created over 1,000 gothic style churches, cathedrals, and
rof chapels in their short 200 years of public existence. These
cathedrals, like Notre Dame of Paris, are completely covered with
r early symbols showing the entire alchemical process. ln fact, the front
;nakes fagade of Notre Dame of Paris has several images all along it which
(e was don't depict the Bible at all, but rather every stage in alchemy.
ts of the Figures like the elusive St. Dennis is featured with his head cut off-
tes" and symbolizing the caput mortum stage. St. Denis was actually the
initiate Dionysus the Aeropagite- who was initiated in the
white, Pythagorean alchemical schools which re-enacted the initiation rites
ned of Dionysus- who was Osiris in Egypt. The same can be said of the
other cathedrals- most particularly Chartres, which also features
35
images of Knights Templar themselves, not to mention the Prophet learn from their instruction i*.r
Melchizadek holding a Grail chalice with the Philosopher's Stone in it, Masonry certainly opens a b:c:
the point within a circle, and certain monuments that only light up
inside the cathedral on St. John's day- June 24th . Chartres also Alchemy must therefore cort
features an alchemical clock sun dial, which shows which planet is various Rites of Masonry Aga"u*
ruling each hour of the day for alchemical operations. art, a greater understaniing-cr :
these other aspects of FreJ-es
So whether we are looking at cathedral builders or Orders of now examined how alchemy s -
Knighthood as Freemasonry's origins, both theories lead to the same also examined how it relates ii I
source- the Knights Templar. Since we also find alchemical symbols relate to the initiation process cf
found in the actual old Templar Preceptories and churches, and since answer this question, we mijst .,
we know they were in contact with custodians of alchemy in the Holy of the ancient world ofld see ,rit
Land- like the Sufi, then it is clear where this tradition came from. We process and to Freemason-, -
:
should also not be surprised that it was the Knights Templar who
invented CPR and used mould extracts for healing as a form of early
alchemical experimenting with antibiotics. The Templars must have
inherited alchemicaltexts, and along with possible archeological finds
at the ruins of Solomon's Temple, were able to start to develop the
science. Masonic bodies like the Royal Order of Scotland certainly
suggest this Templar connection, and perhaps this is why the second
degree password, when converted to the Greek orpr'r7"t0oq, has a
gematria value of 1307- which is the year of the Templar round up
and persecution. Certainly the alchemists of the 1600's wrote fondly
of the Templars, and these same alchemists published the first
diagrams of "Masonic symbols" centuries before the craft announced
itself to the public in 1717.|t is also on the early Templar gravestones
of Scotland that we find squares, compasses, a grail chalice, and the
skull and crossbones- all of which later became associated with
Freemasonry. The skull and crossbones, for example, related to the
"dead head" or "caput mortum" stage of the work. These same skull
and crossbones can be found painted in some old Templar buildings'
The Templars also used the symbol of the rose-cross in their
temples- later associated with the Rosicrucians.

Other Masonic bodies like the Allied Masonic Degrees, and the
Masonic Societas Rosicruciana likewise contain alchemical symbols
and instruction. Groups like the Masonic Societas Rosicruciana for
example, contain blatant alchemical teachings in all of their degrees,
which are not even veiled. These groups are by invitation only, so
there are few Masons who are fortunate enough to experience and
hophet learn from their instruction. An interest in the alchemicalaspects of
fione in it, Masonry certainly opens a brother up for consideration however!
ht up
abo Alchemy must therefore continue to stand as a cornerstone in the
anet is various Rites of Masonry, Again, by a greater understanding of the
art, a greater understanding of the symbolic ritual and teachings of all
these other aspects of Freemasonry can be understood. We have
t now examined how alchemy is related to Freemasonry, and we have
the same also examined how it relates to chemical operations, but how does it
symbols relate to the initiation process of transmuting the individual? To
and since answer this question, we must next look at the ancient initiation rites
rthe HolY of the ancient world and see how they relate both to the alchemical
fiom- We process and to Freemasonry in particular.
rwho
n of earlY
rst have
picalfinds
Jop the
ertainly
he second
,hasa
rund uP
*e fondlY
first
nnounced
navestones
e, and the
I with
bd to the
ame skull
r buildings.
eir

d the
rl symbols
cbna for
ir degrees,
only, so
ence and
37
 s
$
Tn
TINCTURA

lAbole Leit: Dorrble

Fafcicu{w:dhetwic&s : lHeaded Eagic from
'OR,' 16th ccntury
Rosierucian
i.elCoile&bns. lAlchemrcal tert.
EXPRESsING lAbove Right:
ihc IngreG, ProgreG, and Egre{s, :Compass diagiam
ofrhc Scset llermerick lciense , :from Roberi Iludd's
out of tie c*oifcft and msll Atchemical rvrit-
FemoutAutscar.
ings:1621.
.olle&ed and drgcfit,l in l-uch zn Left: Chymicai
:dcr, thrr it may prove to rht adoret€e, (irllectilms of
mronely of rtr Begirmrs. hu:lroficim 1650-
$f lhis lrigh Ait, bt aofieiritbtr- :notice all of the'
!o dilpot d i! r$r lnnd
lvtasonic emblems rn
:jWhcrcrtnto is addcd, Thc -4r6tw6
' Crud Stcrer uf Herncrrr h Phrlo,bphy. thc lcft hand pillar,
i Borh mxde Eml!ft rn'ith the sun and j
!3 By moon {eatured
lda{ot/e,EL1uire,
t '--$anu ".. :.' .t abovc, and iie
lvlaster I lermes cen- {irom Secret Symbols of the Ros jcrucn: t€ ry
tered- rt.ho some hl -hrwing l-ow 'l .gh. r , n:tpd iuff *::
and animal. l{ dl5o.\uates he .fr!1.\ -r ::.j*r
associate with Hrram _.:Er -
5fo\'t.ind h trro placcr t|efular r\::_- : :_ ::.c
€_
Ahi{f

38
i:-
5efif,til, h

?&c frail,oJ lle

7l* Frnii o! lln
fitlw PrinaPle'
Y#F t+iiliFla

bT ALL
ir<cprrtc

bove Le{t: Double

eaded Eagle from
ilh centurv
misucian
tlhemical text.
bove Right:
onpass diagram
wr Robert Fiudd's
k*rmical lvrit-
18s1621.
efb Ch)'mical
iollections of 1650-
mice all of lhe
[aonic emblems in
rc left hand piIlaq,
ri*r the sun and
mn featured
bove, and lhe
lsts Hermes cen- From Secret Symbols of the Rosicruciffi. 15th century. this paticular plate i$ filled rvith Masodc syalbolism- It sta-ts out
by showing how "Light is called forth from the darkress", md thm shows the tluee kingdom of mineral, vegitable,
red- *'ho some and aniqal. It also equates the "philosopher's stone" lvith the "coru stone of all atchitects," also the pine tlee is
sociate with Hiram shown, md in two places the point within a circle as a s)mbol for gold is shown.
tbitr

39
 Chapter 5: The Initiation Process

Fundamental to initiation processes like Freemasonry are the use of

the four elements as found in the alchemical process. The alchemical
process of an element always goes from earth to water (with
digestion), from water to air (with distillation), and from air to fire (with
calcinations). Likewise, the same use of elements was found in the
ancient initiation schools of ancient Egypt, and later in the early
Gnostic schools of Christlanity, in which an initiate went through
various "baptisms" by water, air, and fire at different degrees, or
levels of study. This is very much like how Freemasonry emphasized
water in the first degree, air in the second, and fire in the third degree.

Let me explain what the word "Gnostic" means, therefore, so we can

understand it in context to Freemasonry. Gnosticism is the idea of the
"Gnosis" or direct knowledge of the divine. The word "Gnosis" is the
Greek word for "Divine Knowledge", and the Gnostics are mentioned
many times in the Scottish Rite degrees. To the early Pagan Gnostics
and later the early Christians- who were unquestionably Gnostic (if
the scriptures are understood in the proper light), this Gnosis was
something that was achieved through various stages of initiations and
personal revelations. Fundamental to the idea of Gnosticism and by
extension Christianity in its originalform (and later Freemasonry) was
the idea that All is God, but we are incarnated in a body which is like
a tomb or a prison. Until we achieve consciousness breakthrough, we
are living in our own personal Hell, of our own creating. After
consciousness breakthrough, we come to the understanding that the
kingdom of Heaven is all around us, but we just needed to open our
eyes. The moment of awakening was called "Gnosis" and the center
of the mystery was the Christos- or Christ in Christian traditions and
Osiris in Egyptian traditions. ln this capacity, Christ does not need to
be a person per se, but rather a state of consciousness that is
achieved when the crown of the head becomes awakened. The initial
physical feeling of such an experience is usually accompanied with
the feeling like oil is being poured all over your head- which is in fact
the origin of the word "Christos"- meaning "anointed one". This may
even have some relation to the excretion of certain hormones from
the pineal and pituitary glands in the head- which are associated with

41
the crown and 'third eye' (mentioned previously). "Christos" is the and by extension their own ego T'
Greek word for the Hebrew "Messiah"- both of which mean as "Hylics", and the early Chnstarn:
"anointed". The ritual of anointing Kings on the head can be found false physical body- called the 'eo
going back to ancient Egypt and Sumer and is alluded to throughout terminology referred to these peoo,
the Bible- for example in Psalm 133: since they couldn't perceive the sp
"Behold! How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell understand that their true body w-a
together as One. lt is like the precious anointment upon the crown they were consumed with their egc
that ran down upon the beard- even Aaron 's beard, which ran down represented symbolically by a don*
to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew stubborn. Overcoming this stage n,
that descended upon the mountains of Sion, for there the Lord person riding the donkey- symhorz
commanded the blessing of eternal life." and represented by Jesus nding lrr-
Avatars like Mithras and Osins a,Fc
\Nhen we use the word "Gnosis" in the western tradition, it is traditions. ln the story of pinoccha
imperative that we do not make the mistake of thinking it is when he is obsessed with his o*r-
exclusively western and attainable only as Christians. ln fact, words when he overcomes this stage of o
from other cultures refer to the same state. For example, individuals the spiritual path was therefore afltu
who have attained Gnosis are referred to as "Knowers" in Pagan, "raising the dead". Throughout thre
Taoist, and Christian traditions, "Arifs" in lslam, "Gnanis" in Hinduism, bondage usually represented th6 i-
"Buddhas" or "Bodhisattvas" in Buddhism, and we also see the idea before the flood, the slavery of Egry
in words like "enlightened" or "llluminated". This is why Freemasonry few examples. Again, this stage.xz
accepts brothers of all faiths who have a belief in God, and it is not bound" personality of the alchemnrr
the responsibility of Freemasonry to tell a brother what religion to
follow. Once a person had an expene-rce
however, they underwent a chanEr
As Freemasons, we need to be principally concerned with the English translations of the Bible nei
Christian drama however, and the symbolism associated with it, as it "repentance"- though the Greek'm
relates also the symbolism found in the Masonic degrees themselves, "Metanoia" didn't mean that you ne
and to the meanings behind the experiences associated with Hiram. church, or apologize to God for 'n-u
Therefore we will examine the path to Gnosis from this early Christian interpreted, but rather that you srn
vantage point. Keep in mind that this same myth can be found in focus towards attempting to underr:
different forms all over the ancient world- including with Mithras, and you were therefore free in ilrc,
Krishna, Odin, Buddha, Jupiter, Apollo, Dionysus, lndra, Pythagoras, spiritual awakening, and in Freerrre
Semiramis, Prometheus, and even Quetzalcoatl. This being the case, implement being pressed again* r
even though we are looking at the Christian myth, keep in mind that stage of initial awakening symbollc
the initiation aspects of this myth are actually universal. realization that you live in a pnsor
first initiation usually involved bashr
Wthin the Gnostic tradition, there were four states of consciousness to as a "catharmos" or purificabonr I
with three initiatory steps between them. The first type of personality represented the soaking of the hen
was represented by earth and involved people whose consciousness process. Some Masonic tradftons I
were totally obsessed with the physicalworld, the physical senses with the candidate starting out in a
42
rs the and by extension their own ego. These personalities were referred to
as "Hylics", and the early Christians taught that they identified with a
found false physical body- called the "eidolon"- or double. Bibtical
roughout terminology referred to these people as "blind" or "dead" or "asleep",
since they couldn't perceive the spiritual root of things and didn't
vell understand that their true body was spiritual and not physical. Since
crown they were consumed with their ego, this ego was sometimes
'an down represented symbolically by a donkey- since the animal can be so
the dew stubborn. Overcoming this stage was usually represented by the
ord person riding the donkey- symbolizing control over the lower nature-
and represented by Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, or other
Avatars like Mithras and Osiris also riding the donkey in their
S traditions. ln the story of Pinocchio, he almost turns into a donkey
when he is obsessed with his own ego, but later turns into a real boy
:t. words when he overcomes this stage of development. Restoring Hylics to
dividuals the spiritual path was therefore alluded to as "giving the blind sight" or
)agan, "raising the dead". Throughout the Bible, places of slavery or
Hinduism, bondage usually represented this hylic state- for example the earth
the idea before the flood, the slavery of Egypt, or the control of Rome being a
lmasonry few examples. Again, this stage was associated with the "earth
it is not bound" personality of the alchemical elements.
lion to
Once a person had an experience of the divine nature of the world
however, they undenrvent a change of heart, so to speak. Most
lhe English translations of the Bible refer to this change of heart as
rth it, as it "repentance"- though the Greek word associated with it is "metanoia."
remselves, "Metanoia" didn't mean that you need to confess to a priest or join a
th Hiram. church, or apologize to God for "missing the mark"- as it is so often
y Christian interpreted, but rather that you simply changed your heart and your
:nd in focus towards attempting to understand your connection with God,
hras, and you were therefore free in the truest sense. lt is the first step in
rthagoras, spiritual awakening, and in Freemasonry it is symbolized by the sharp
g the case, implement being pressed against the heart at the EA degree. This
nind that stage of initial awakening symbolically was represented as the
realization that you live in a prison of your mind or in a tomb and the
first initiation usually involved baptism by water- sometimes referred
:iousness to as a "catharmos" or purification in early texts. This water stage
ersonality represented the soaking of the herb in a vessel in the alchemical
rciousness process. Some Masonic traditions to this day still start the first degree
SENSES with the candidate starting out in a small dark room which has bread

43
and water- like a prison, as well as symbols pointing to the way out of heaven, and his witness of the bu-
that prison. The initiation then proceeds with the candidate's first the elementary initiatory process r
initiation out of the symbolic prison- which makes the brother a free- dies in the desert, but Jesus Be- h
Mason, and thereby freeborn, and of their own free will and accord. Land- symbolizing Gnosis. The
",a:
The first stage of initiation was generally concerned with ethics. lt was spelled the same as the narne o'C
called the "psychic" stage by early Gnostics, and it was a stage in Hebrew letter "shin" is insertec I :
which the initiate discovered they were not merely a physical body. will be remembered, related to the

The next initiation was usually done with air or breath and was called At some point in the pneumatrc c,-:
"pneumatic" and alluded to the distillation stage in alchemy. A or eidolon had to symbolicaly d e :
pneumatic initiate came to understand their nature in impersonal body- sometimes called the -caer-,
terms and God not as a person on a cloud somewhere, but rather as Moses had to symbolically dre r3,r-.
the One. Duality begins to become transcended and all relationships out of captivity and into the pro-ll s
with God begin to be brought into Oneness. God and the initiate translated as "resurrection" rn :e E
become the mystery of God in love with itself. All is perfectly One. ln which actually means "awaken n,o,
the ancient Gnostic mystery theatres of Egypt, the various parts of and the Christ. The Christ *"s :nL
the body of the slain Osiris represented different aspects of reality were trying to reach, and it is sr-.:c,
that all had their roots in this One source. The parts of Osiris are the two Saint John's in Masonrc 5r
recollected and put back together through the love of lsis. The Thomas" questions Christ's a\f?{el
pneumatic initiate came to understand that if God was a point within a Greek- and represented the eidc,cr
circle, and the outer circumference of the circle represented the also how it came to be in lslar f..a
physicalform, then lines of radius emanating from the point in the other than Jesus died on the crsss
center of the circle represented various stages of consciousness and did not kill him. They did not crLrc*,
various personas of the One. ln the outer circumference of the circle appearance." lslamic Gnostlcs sJ:
each radius appeared as unique and distinct, but at the source of all Sunnis teach that they represen: r,
was God- the mystery of mysteries. This is why the word "God" Mohammed and the original Mus r
comes from the Hebrew letter "Yod", which symbolized a point. The same initiation groups that the K.c
point within the circle therefore not only represents gold and the sun, with and learned alchemy from Trli
but part of the Gnostic initiation process. Getting to the center of the teachings and Apocryphal texts,*-
circle was the path of Gnosis, which is why Christ said that those who or eidolon symbolically died on :i.e
came before him were baptized with water and air, but he came to Christos of Gnosis. Mystery schoo
baptize with fire. Fire represented the initiation into Gnosis, and in of an initiate to a cross at this staqe
alchemy, we associate it with the calcination stage. kind, goes all the way back to a^Je
Christians, lslamic Gnostics treat C
The path from ignorance to Gnosis and the initiation of water, air, and consciousness of God, our shared i
fire was said to be symbolically illustrated throughout the Bible, as symbolic, of course, to the initiatorr.r
mentioned already with Noah. However even Moses' name is spelled take, and to the early Christiar.s r r
Mem-Shin-Aleph- composed of the three Hebrew mother letters Jesus actually went through this a"i
which are associated in the qabbala with water, fire, and air brother named Thomas. \Mat rnra:i
respectively. Moses' crossing of the Red Sea, his manna from symbolically went through the s,rnnt
 the way out of heaven, and his witness of the burning bush all represent aspects of
late's first the elementary initiatory process. Let us also not forget that Moses
rrother a free- dies in the desert, but Jesus Ben Nun led the people to the Promised
and accord. Land- symbolizing Gnosis. The name "Jesus" or "Yeheshua" is
[n ethics. lt was spelled the same as the name of God "Yahweh" in Hebrew- only the
; a stage in Hebrew letter "shin" is inserted in the middle of the name" "Shin", it
rysical body. will be remembered, related to the MM strong grip and to fire.

lnd was called At some point in the pneumatic process, attachment to the false self-
emy. A or eidolon had to symbolically die so that the new higher spirituat
npersonal body- sometimes called the "daemon" could awaken. This is why
' but rather as Moses had to symbolically die for Jesus Ben Nun to lead the people
I relationships out of captivity and into the Promise Land. The word usually
ne initiate translated as "resurrection" in the Bible is the Greek word "anastasis",
tectly One. ln which actually means "awakening". This awakening was the Gnosis
ous parts of and the Christ. The Christ was the point within the circle that Gnostics
;ts of reality were trying to reach, and it is symbolically why that point lies between
Osiris are the two Saint John's in Masonic EA instruction. This is why "doubting
s.s. The Thomas" questions Christ's awakening. "Thomas" means "twin" in
a point within a Greek- and represented the eidolon- or false physical self. This is
-=nted the also how it came to be in lslam that the Koran suggests that someone
point in the other than Jesus died on the cross for Jesus. The Koran says, "They
ciousness and did not kill him. They did not crucify him. They were taken in by an
e of the circle appearance." lslamic Gnostics, such as lshmaili Shiites and Sufi
-. source of all Sunnis teach that they represent the true lslamic tradition of which
rd "God" Mohammed and the original Muslims were initiated into. lt was these
tra point. The same initiation groups that the Knights Templar had come in contact
c and the sun, with and learned alchemy from. This tradition came from the Gnostic
, center of the teachings and Apocryphal texts which suggested that the fatse twin-
rhat those who or eidolon symbolically died on the cross and Jesus awakened to the
he came to Christos of Gnosis. Mystery school tradition maintains that the tying
csis, and in of an initiate to a cross at this stage, or a symbolic death of some
kind, goes all the way back to ancient Egypt. Like the original
Christians, lslamic Gnostics treat Christ as an image of the
'lvater, air, and consciousness of God, our shared essential identity. This was all
"e Bible, as symbolic, of course, to the initiatory and psychological path that we all
rame is spelled take, and to the early Christians it was irrelevant if a man named
rer letters Jesus actually went through this crucifixion or if he actually had a twin
rd air brother named Thomas. What mattered is that each Christian
na from symbolically went through the symbolic death in order to realize
45
Christ, and by extension a reintegration with God and an radius extending from the c€^1:3.:
understanding of the spiritual Kingdom all around them. This same of the radius is rooted to the ce-::
symbolic death obviously occurs in the MM degree, as the brother other is tied to the body of the .,,,:,
represents Hiram Abiff. ln alchemy, as was shown, it related to the from the ether and fire down :: :*.
death of the herb and then the raising of it to a new life. The death in represented by the objective ,,,r-,:
the third degree occurs right after the third eye is whacked on the us a story relating to a failen ::,::,
forehead- the place called the "nazof'in Sanskrit, and again related (sometimes called ,.mortal Sci-
a.
to the word "Nazorean". ln ancient Egyptian, the word for the gods marriage becomes united w:^ :,s,
"neteru", actually meant the exact same thing as Nazorean, and it with Christ as the Universat c- --:
was sometimes represented by the eye of Osiris or the eye of Horus. initiatory path that each Chns: e-
This third eye must be opened for Gnosis to occur, which is why and the marriage symbolizes :-= s
Jesus said "if thine eye can be single, they whole body will be full of understood by those who ha, -::
light". states: "Bridegroom and bnde=:e,:
shallbe able to see the bndec.:,:^
The symbolic death for a "third degree" can be found going back to such a one." This is also wh;, p:_
ancient Egypt and Sumer as mentioned. ln fact, some researchers husband. Even though rn"n;n .'.,
suggest that the raising of Lazarus from the dead by Jesus was just fo,und to be later forgines b, :^=
=
such a reenactment of this ancient mystery school drama. The name why Paul in some instances s:e=,
"Lazarus" in Hebrew is "ElAusol'. "El" was a Hebrew name for God, at other times condemns Gncsi,:: s
and "Ausor'' was the Egyptian name for the God Osiris- who of Christianity's greatest Gnos:,:s :
symbolically dies and was raised from the dead. ln fact, in the used to condemn Gnosticism_ ,,,*,:
Mandean Gnostic tradition of the Middle East, one of the names for literalist Roman Church of Cc-s=-
God continues to be "Aurso/', and they to this day refer to themselves he personally experienced Ch-s: a
as "sons of the widow". The early Gnostic Manichean sect likewise Damascus. "Damascus', was a 3oa
referred to themselves as "sons of the widow". The story of Lazarus refer to their base in eumran. s..r:i
takes place in Bethany, which in Hebrew is "Bethanu". "Beth" in affiliations. We find the same DaiL
Hebrew means "house" and "anu" in ancient Egyptian was the abode surrounding FatherCRC in the R:s
of the dead. Therefore "Bethany" or "Bethanu" means "house of the of 1604 and1616, whose Cher ca
dead". lnterestingly, if we change the Hebrew name for Lazarus marriage allegory. This is also ,",,t,
around so that "El" is last and "ausot'' is first, we get the name at a wedding ceremony, and *n i *,
"Ausorel" or "Azrael"- which is the angel of death. ln any event, it is Last Supper. The Last'supper .e:-i
widely believed by researchers that the raising of Lazarus was Sophia is united with Chrisirn, t-u
illustrating an initiatory rite, which is why Jesus took so long to go get transmuted into wine at the weoo -:
him out of the cave he was symbolically buried in. the blood of Christ at the Last S_::.

According to the Gnostics, Christ in the Bible and Osiris in the old The early Christian Gnostics uncei-:
world traditions represented the Consciousness of God, and his wife symbolically represent Soph ia_,r,,-
":
known as the Sophia in early Christianity- meaning "wisdom", and lsis witness Christ after the awaken :c_
in the Egyptian rites, represented individual psyche. Christ proclaimed "the tomb is empty"
1:- i
represented the point within the circle and Sophia represented the symbolically said to have seven le^
46
 r?9jur extending from the center to the outer circumference. one
end
of the radius is rooted to the center of consciousness
tCr,iiiti"no tn"
other is tied to the body of the worrd. rn this we see the gradations
from the ether and fire down to the air, the water, ano raiily
tne eartn-
represented by the objective world. The sophia myth then reveals
to
us a story relating to a failen goddess, attached to'the physicai
(sometimes called "mo-rtal Sophia,,), who later through hy.ti""i
marriage becomes united with psyche in a state of Gnosis- or
united
with christ as the Universal or Enthroned sophia. srre represents
tne
initiatory path that each christian initiate takes, througn tne
etements,
and the marriage symborizes the state of Gnosis thaicannot
be
understood by those who have not attained it. The Gospel or enitrip
states: "Bridegroom and bride belong to the bridalchamber.
No one
shall be able to see the bridegroom witn tne bride unless rre
oecomes
such a one." This is also why paul challenges us to make christ
our
husband Even though many of the letters-of paul have r"""ntty n""n
found to be tater forgeries by the Roman church, tnis nefts
io 6xprain
why Paul in some instances speaks stricily in Gnostic raniuage
ano
at other times condemns Gnosticism. The Roman church"u.JJ
on"
of christianity's greatest Gnostics and forged letters from him
trc be
i
used to condemn Gnosticism- which was rival movement to
literalist Roman church of constantine. This is why paul tells
ine
u.1n"t
he personally experienced christ as a vision of right on tne ioJto
Damascus. "Damascus" was a code word used biy the Essenes
to
refer to their base in eumran, suggesting paul ha-s Essene
affiliations. we find the same oam-ascuJreference in the myth
surrounding Father cRC in the Rosicrucian alchemical manifestoes
of 1604 and1616, whose chemicalwedding has the r"r" n'vr-ti""r
marriage This is arso why Jesus transmutes water into wine
at a wedding -allegory.
ceremony, and why we find wine rater used again aitne
Last Supper. The Last Supper represents the point right biore
the
sophia is united with christ and the false self oies. Ju-st as wat,ei is
3t transmuted into wine at the wedding ceremony, wine is turned into
the blood of Christ at the Last Supper.

The early Christian Gnostics understood Mary Magdalene to

symbolic_ally represent sophia- which is why Mary was the first to
)15 witness Christ after the awakening- or resuirection, and then
proclaimed "the tomb is empty". This is also why she was
symbolically said to have seven demons cast from her by Jesus-

47
which represented the removing of the blockages of her seven
psychic centers, and the awakening of the seven main glands that
were associated with the seven planets, and by extension the seven
liberal arts and sciences. This is also why Leonardo DaVinci painted
Chapter 6:
her attached to Jesus at the Last supper, and Sophia has also been
intimately linked with the Holy Grail. Let us not forget that the Gnostic
doctrine of Sophia was utilized by Pagan Gnostics prior to the ln conclusion, I hope I have derr-or
development of Christianity, and this is why the Pagan Gnostic symbolism in Masonry, while at f's
Pythagoras coined the term "philosophy"- or "lover of wisdom"- "lover symbols, are actually refening 1tc f
of Sophia", and this relates directly to our Philosopheds Stone. This is of alchemy. V/hile many symbo"rs ,r"

why we should not be surprised to find that Pythagoras is credited such subjects as sacred georneu.r-
with miraculously catching 153 fishes, being immaculately conceived, fields of study were also useO a"rC
raising the dead, and referring to himself as the son of God. (This was the art of sacred architeclu.ne :
account can be found in the writings of Porphyry and other early or books in stone. Alchemy had ar
Pythagoreans). We also find the Sophia myth echoed in the story of middle ages, but even at that ir.re
lsis in ancient Egypt- who was the first to see Osiris rose from the and Popes, (even though a few tcin,
dead just as Mary Magdalene was the first to see the risen Christ. to fill their coffers). To the atchems
This strongly suggests that early Christianity arose from the mingling him more honorable than King Frrr"
and interaction of the Pythagorean Theraputae and the Jewish secrets of nature that these ru ers :
Essene mystery traditions- both of which had common origin in the highly resented and wanted. Fo,, tr
Egyptian mystery schools, and both of whom have common origin in be passed on, it needed to be inacrr
Freemasonry Blue Lodge instruction. The Scottish Rite degrees, like be preserved from generation to ge
the Knight of the East and the West, likewise makes this association. be one of the greatest preserveCc
symbolism, and practice, so thar e,
Since these symbolic initiation rites can be found both in recombine the entire process wth r
Freemasonry and in the early Gnostic schools, then there has to be a never dies out, and the moral res,sc
connection. Since the same initiations with the alchemical elements have the keys to the alchemicat art
follow the exact process for producing the Philosopher's Stone
alchemically, then the initiations had to follow this alchemical process, Many will argue that if the alchennc
and therefore the initiate was symbolically being transmuted to a into gold was an actual possibitrty :
greater form just as alchemy transmutes matter from a base to a would have discovered it by now Fl
precious form. The alchemical process is therefore not just about the shows that A) transmutation has be
production of chemical elements in the lab, but more importantly, this centuries, and B) modern science
is the model for the production of a more enlightened person. By only now with quantum physics anro
raising brothers in Freemasonry, we are likewise taking them through out that transmutation is a fundanne
this initiation and alchemical process. what these modern physicists are n
many alchemists wrote centuries an
to go, and the people still need to h
handle it. ln our modern age horwr,
metals into gold has been accomp,i:

48
 Chapter 6: Conclusion

ln conc_lusion, I hope r have demonstrated that nearry ail of

the
symbolism in Masonry, whire at first grance appearing to be buirding
symbols, are actually referring to the more hioden an"o esoteric
cratt
of alchemy. whire many symbors in Masonry arso appear to retaie
to
such subjects as sacred geometry and the qabbarah,' both of these
fields of study were arso used and incorporateo oy the alchemisis-
as
was the art of sacred architecture and leaving alchemical
unJmarrs_
or books in stone. Archemy had arready been a secret craft by
the
middle ages, but even at that time it was being ouilawed OV (ng,
and Popes, (even though a few kings and popls ensraved
archJmists
to fill their coffers). To the alchemisi, nis aoitity to do his crart
maoe
him more honorable than King, prince, or pot'entate, as he t<new
secrets of nature that these rulers did not; but this aiso made him
highly resented and wanted. For this reason, if its knowredle *as
to
be passed on, it needed to be incorporated in secret ritual ihat
wouro
be preserved from generation to generation. Freemasonrv pro*o
to
be o.ne of the greatest preservers of the archemicar secreisf
symbolism, and practice, so that even today an avid student can
recombine the entire process within the rituat. ln this way,
tne iijrrt
never dies out, and the moral responsibilities demandeo in
oroe"i to
have the keys to the alchemical art are inculcated.

Many will argue that if the alchemical process of turning baser

metals
into gold was an actuar possibirity, then surery our modLrn science
would have discovered it by now. However the historical record -
shows that A) transmutation has been proved many times ou"it,"
centuries, and B) modern science, (which stemmed from archemy),
is
only now with quantum physics and the atomic age starting to ntlre
out that transmutation is a fundamental law of tre universi, and"that
what these modern physicists are writing now perfectty renecis wnat
many alchemists wrote_c.enturies ago. Modern science stiil has a way
to go, and the people stiil need to become moraily mature enough to
handle it. ln our modern age however, the process of turning baier
metals into gold has been accomprished many different *"y"" oy
scientists. Only Freemasonry and other traditional Orders have held
the keys for transmutation to take place on all levels however- both
externally, and within the initiate himself. This topic of the alchemical
process appears to have been more common in lodges of the past,
Apg
as evidenced by the works of Albert Pike and others who talk
thoroughly of alchemy, but the subject has gradually been forgotten
and not passed on to the brethren shortly after the time of the civil The Emerald
war in America. (As Translated by S

"Tis true without lying, certarr

This has left Freemasonry in America in particular with a whole body &
of symbols which are only half understood from their original context that which is above & that wfrijr
in our country. I have found, from personal testimony, visitations, and do ye miracles of one onty thirg
the writings of Masons in other countries, that the topic of alchemy is
still discussed in tiled symbolic lodges in some countries- including in And as all things have been &
the United States. The bottom line is that most of the symbols in One: so allthings have tk>ir bit
Freemasonry can be found in earlier alchemical texts and works,
which makes it apparent that Freemasonry adopted this system The father is the sun, the npqr r

sometime in the past. Understanding the context of these symbols, it in its belly, the earth its nurse_
from their original source, helps us to gain a better understanding of
their use in the rituals we continue to promulgate today within The father of all perfection on
power is entire if it be converEd 1

Freemasonry. This greater understanding, therefore, leads to Greater I

ye fire, ye subfle from the grm
Light, and that is why I have written this book. I hope it has been s
illuminating and will empower you on your Masonic path.
It ascends from ye earfi to ye he
and receives ye forces of thirgs s

By this.means you shall hare ye

obscurity shallfly from you.

Its force is above all forces. Fo

penetrates every solid thing. So r
From this are & do come adnin
(or process) is here in this. Herx
(the.thrice iltustrious), having the
whole world

That which I have said of ye op€

ended."

50
,ers have held
owever- both
the alchemical
s of the Past, Appendix A-
rho talk
reen forgotten
e of the civil
The Emerald Tablet of Hermes
(As Translated by Sir lsaac NeMon c. 1680)

"Tis true without lying, certain & most true. That which is below is like
r a whole bodY
that which is above & that which is above is like that which is below to
lriginal contef
do ye miracles of one only thing.
visitations, and
c of alchemY is
And as all things have been & arose from One by ye meditation of
res- including in
One. so allthings have their birth from this One thing by adaptation.
symbols in
and works,
The father is the sun, the moon its mother, the wind (air) hath carried
ris system
it in its belly, the earth its nurse.
iese symbols,
derstanding of
The father of all perfection on ye whole world is here, lts force or
ry within
power is entire if it be converted to earth. Separate thou ye earth from
leads to Greater
ye fire, ye subtle from the gross sweetly and with great industry.
it has been
ath.
It ascends from ye earth to ye heaven & again it descends to ye earth
and receives ye forces of things superior & inferior.

By this means you shall have ye glory of ye whole world & thereby all
obscurity shall fly from you.

Its force is above all forces. For it vanquishes every subfle thing &
penetrates every solid thing. So was ye world created.

From this are & do come admirable adaptations whereof ye means

(or process) is here in this. Hence I am called Hermes Trismegistus
(the thrice illustrious), having the three parts of ye philosophy of ye
whole world.

That which I have said of ye operation of ye sun is accomplished &

ended."
 Secref Symbols of ffe Rosrcruaa6 dfre td
Chateau d'Omonville, France, 1 997.

TheChemical Wedding of Cfirffirkt

Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1991.

Selected Bibliography Tresner, Jim, with paintings by Rd€rtltG

Caps, and Jewels of the D€{/re€s dfie kt
Scottish Rite Research Sociey, Wbtipnl
Chevalier Emerys, Reve/atlo, of the Holy Grail, 978-0-6151-5878-5, lulu press, 2007.

Charpentier, Louis, The Mysteries of Chaftres Cathedral, translated by Sir Ronald Fraser, RILKO
White, Michael, Isaac Ne.ilton, Ihe l.a$ fu
Books, Athenaeum Press, Sussex, 2002.

Codex Rosae Crucis- DOMA: A Rare and Curious Manuscipt of Rosicrucian Interest,
introduction and commentary by Manly P. Hall, Philosophical Research Society, Los Angeles,
1 938.

Franklin, Benjamin, Wit and Wisdom from Poot Richard's Almanack, The Modern Library, 2000.

Fulcanelli, Le Mystere des Cathedrcles, translated by Mary Sworder, Brotherhood of Life lnc,
2000.

Fulcanelli, The Dwellings of the Philosophers, Archive Press, Boulder, Colorado, 1999.

Freke, Timothy and Peter Gandy, Jesus and the Lost Goddess, Three Rivers Press, New York,
2001

Hall, Manly Palmer, Orders of the Great Work: Alchemy, Philosophbal Research Society, Los
Angeles, 1949.

Hoyos, Arturo De, Scoff,St Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide, The Supreme Council, 33*, Southern
Jurisdiction, Washington DC, 2007.

Macoy, Robert, General Hrsfo/y, Cyclopedia and Dictionary of Freemasonry, Masonic Publishing
Company, New York, 1870.

Official Ritual: Heredom of Kilwinning and Rosy Cross, Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of
Scotland, Edinburgh, 1 998.

Paracelsus, Hermetic & Alchemical Witings of Paracelsus the Great, translated by Arthur Edward
Waite, The Alchemical Press, Washington, 1992.

Jung, Carl G., Psychology and Alchemy, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1968.

Mackey, Albert Gallalin, The History of Frcemasonry, Masonic History Company, New York,
1 898.

Pike, Albert, Morals and Dogma, The Supreme Council of Southern Jurisdiction, Charleston,
'1906.

Pike, Albert, Esoterika: Symbolism of the BIue Degrces of Freemasonry, Scottish Rite Research
Society, Washington DC, 2005.

Roob, Alexander, Alchemy &Mysticism, Taschen, NewYork, 1997.

52
 secret symbo/s of the Rosicrucians of the 1dh and 1f centuries, Diffusion Rosicucienne,
Chateau d'Omonville, France, 1 997.

The chemical wedding of chistian Rosenkreutz, translated by Joscelyn Godwin, phanes press,
Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1991.

Tresner, Jim, with paintings by Robert White, Vested In Glory, The Aprons, Cordons, Collars,
caps, and Jewels of the Degrees of the Ancient & Acoepted scofflsh Rite of Freemasonry, the
Scottish Rite Research Society, Washington DC, 2000_
w.
white, Michael, lsaac Newton, The Last sorcerer, Fourth Estate Limited, Great Britain, 1997.
Faser, RILKO

Gst
GAngeles,

l"kary,2000.

ldLife lnc,

lgr9-

E' Nev/ York,

b(ftty, Los

'. Solthern

rfr Publishing

lhrof

tArtur Edward

kYork,

lxrleston,

& Research

53
 The Alchemical Kevs To
Masonic Ritual is the first
book to explore in depth how
the passwords, penal signs,
due guards, and emblems of
the sybolic degrees relate
directly to the alchemical
process for producing the
Philosopher's Stone. This
book is intended for Masons
who wish to gain further light
into the secret meanings of
their tradition. Albert Pike
believed that at the heart of
Freemasonry was the secrets
of alchemy, however it has
never been substantiallv proven in bne book until
now" Chemical lab pro.""6res are explored in detail
along with the symbohc degrees in brder to show how
they correlate. The keys given for the first time in this )
book may be one of the most important working tools
ever given to the Master Mason wishing to
undeistand his craft.

Timothy Hogan is a Past Master of East Denver #160,

32* KCCH, Knight Templar, Past Sovereign Master of
AMD Council 425, member of the Royal Order of
Scotlan{ MSRICF, Scotti,sh Rite Research Society,
and the Templar Research Society. He has given
many lectures both inside and outside of the United
States on Freemasonry. He also writes for the
publications Ariadne's Web, L'Initiation, and is
author of Revelation of the Holy Grail.

rsBN 978-1-4351 -4440-4

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