Louisiana Scottish Rite Trestleboard APRIL - MAY 2010 ORIENT OF LOUISIANA Volume 12 Issue 2 Scottish Rite FULFILL-BUILD-PROVIDE Triangle to a lifelong study of the mysteries and symbols of The Symbolic Camp of the 32° - Part V whose esoteric interpretations he has now become a faithful Mysteries of Sacred Geometry and Masonic Astronomy steward. Let us never lose sight of this sacred duty. by Before we proceed to unravel some of the myriad esoteric Ion Lazar, 32° KCCH links surrounding the number NINE and the Triple Triangle, let us acknowledge that 9 can be expressed, first and foremost Nonagons, Sacred Enneads and Triple Triangles as 8+1, and as such the Octagon with the point (or circle) in the center deserves careful study as a pre-requisite to the What is the connection between the nine "coats of GOD" Nonagon. I promise you that our little detour will be well worth used in Siberian shamanism and the nine underworlds in the the effort, as the mystic Octagon gracefully hides within its Mayan end-of-time prophecies related to the year 2012? Is there intricate geometry not only the mysterious outline of the eight- some hidden link that connects the nine vaults of Enoch with pointed "splayed" Cross of the ancient Templars, but also many, the Egyptian Ennead and with the Graeco-Roman nine muses? many more secrets related to the alchemical attributions of the What about Shakespeare's cryptic reference to "the nine Sibyls planets in the Zodiac, peculiar celestial alignments and cycles, of Old Rome" in Macbeth? And should the Book of Revela- the Kabballisitic doctrine of polarity, and much more. tion, with its nine choirs of Angels around the throne of GOD, The line connecting the eight points of the Maltese, or even be mentioned in the same sentence as the nine transi- Templar Cross creates an Octagon. In turn, the diagonal lines tional states of Vajrayana Buddhism, or as Dante's nine circles inside an Octagon create an eight-pointed star, which is a sym- of Hell? Finally, and perhaps equally as important, does any of bol of great esoteric significance to us. The eight-pointed star this relate even remotely to the belief that a cat has nine lives? appears in cultures around the globe and can be found on na- Before I reach some unspoken limit of allowable rhetorical tional flags and in religious iconography. Its overall symbol- questions per paragraph, let me confirm your suspicions: we'll ism is one of balance and harmony, while its exact meaning be delving rather deeply into the esoteric mysteries of the varies according to each culture that utilizes it: there are eight NONAGON and of the sacred number NINE as it appears as a immortals in Chinese tradition, and there are eight paths on key symbol in various manifestations throughout many of the the Buddha's Way to enlightenment. Scottish Rite Degrees. A veritable researcher's "cloud nine", you say? We'll see about that. Figure 1 Nonagon shown in the 4th Degree Figure 2 Zodiacal Cross: Figure 3 Octagon in the 20th Degree Lion, Man, Bull & Eagle Initiation into the Scottish Rite, like all true Masonic Ini- If you want to truly understand Pike, study Sufism. You tiations, is emphatically not a static event. True Initiation is a will understand the secret Indo-Aryan doctrines in a new light, deeply transformative change wrought upon the very Soul of and with that will also come a deeper understanding of the the Candidate as the Aspirant to our Mysteries. Initiation is Kabballistic doctrines and "ciphers" that Pike used as he re- also a dynamic social process, not a thing. Degree conferral vised the Scottish Rite rituals. Diagram 3 is an example of was originally envisioned as a gradual progression, tradition- this: you will find the explanation of the relationship between ally spanning a period of 81 months, or the square of 9, as the triangles and squares and the Octagon in the "Scottish Rite prescribed in the old Statutes. And although so many of us Symbols" chapter of the landmark work "Scottish Rite Ritual remember our "initiation" (the Reunion) solely as a singular, Monitor and Guide" (p. 120 old edition, p. 154 new edition). time-linear event where we were "made" a member while watch- Incidentally, this breakthrough study is the main text used by ing a series of ritual plays, true Initiation is, verily, not a spec- students enrolled in the immensely popular and enlightening tator sport. Even as he reaches the summit of the Rite in the Master Craftsman home study Course, now offered in each unforgettable ceremony of Investiture as Master of the Royal Valley. In all fairness, you will note that the interpretation given Secret, in a Consistory lit by the symbolic 81 mystical lights, there of the 20th Degree Octagon is largely exoteric, so I will the would-be Adept makes a solemn pledge upon the Triple continued on page 12 1 Scottish Rite FULFILL-BUILD-PROVIDE Louisiana Scottish Rite Trestleboard Master Craftsman Program Published bimonthly by the Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation P. O. Box 64 Shreveport, LA 71161 Editor Steve Pence 105 Bay Hills Drive The Master Craftsman Course II is Benton, LA 71006 now available. It is a 9 section course Tel: H: 318-965-9977 designed for Master Craftsman graduates. E-mail: [email protected] Returning to the texts from the first pro- Louisiana Scottish Rite Trestleboard is published bi- gram (The Ritual Guide and Monitor and monthly by the Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation. Any A Bridge to Light), this course re-explores article or views expressed in this publication are those the ritual on a deeper level, looking for the only of the writer and do not reflect the official position moral lesson imparted in each degree and of the Louisiana Scottish Rite. The editorial policy of this publication grants free reign to the Editor, within the then applying that lesson to one‘s everyday lines of Masonic principles and teachings. Articles and life. pictures submitted become the property of this publica- The following members have recently tion. completed the course and have received Permission is granted to use contents of this Trestle- board for Masonic purposes, as long as credit is given to or should shortly recieve their certificates the source. and lapel pins. Editorial Staff Lake Charles Editor: Charles R Bertrand Steven A. Pence, 33° Edwin M Frazier, Jr. Valley of Baton Rouge: Harry C Northrop, III Shane C. Crump, 32° New Orleans Valley of New Orleans: Camille Joseph Guidry, Jr. Ion Lazar, 32° KCCH Frederick J Navailhon Valley of Shreveport: Baton Rouge John F. Ayer, 32° KCCH Howard C States Valley of Lake Charles: Darrell L. Guillory, 32° 2010 Scottish Rite Photo Contest C. Clifford Heath, 32° KCCH Have a good image of your friend in Valley of Monroe: Beryl C. Franklin, Ph.D., 33° costume from the reunion? How about a photo of those guys at the recent parade? Allegiance What about those Brothers who were Calendar of Events The bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite working so hard at your fundraiser? Or, Supreme of Freemasonry, sitting in the Orient of Louisiana, ac- knowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council the kids who were helped from your phil- Rite Care Conference of the Thirty-third degree for the Southern Jurisdiction anthropic event.? Instead of just posting New Orleans April 14-17 of the United States of America (Mother Supreme Coun- all those images on your blog or Biennial Leadership Conference cil of the World) whose See is at Charleston in the State Facebook, or saving them until your data New Orleans April 16-17 of South Carolina, and House of the Temple, Washing- ton, D.C., of which card is full, why not try your luck? Orient of Louisiana If you think you have what it takes, Conference of the Orient Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33° send in your favorite images to the First New Orleans April 15 Sovereign Grand Commander Annual Scottish Rite Photograph Con- Baton Rouge October 30 and test. Submit your best photos to the Su- Reunions Ill. William J. Mollere, 33°, preme Council for a chance to win prizes New Orleans Sept 25 Sovereign Grand Inspector General and have your images published. Win- Shreveport Oct 2-3 Orient of Louisiana ning photos will also be featured on the Lake Charles Sept 11-12 Ill. Charles L. McCarty, 33° scottishrite.org website and in the Scot- Baton Rouge May 22-23 Personal Representative for Valley of New Orleans tish Rite Journal magazine. Monroe April 24 Ill. Ballard Smith, 33°, PGM Personal Representative for Valley of Shreveport The categories for entries are: (1) La Bonne Marie Ill. Richard B. Smith, 33° People, (2) Places, (3) Things & Objects Unity Lodge #267 Houma Personal Representative for Valley of Lake Charles (4) House of the Temple. All photographs April 29 Ill. C. Daniel Smith, Jr., 33° must have something to do with Freema- York Rite Personal Representative for Valley of Baton Rouge sonry, Scottish Rite or any appendant Grand Commandery Knights Templar Ill. Woody D. Bilyeu, 33°, GM Masonic organization. Alexandria April 13-15 Personal Representative for Valley of Monroe Check out the rules and entry form Festivals M: W: Woody D. Bilyeu, 33° online at: Leesville April 17 and Grand Master of Masons in Louisiana www.scottishrite.org/photocontest Baton Rouge July 31 2 Scottish Rite FULFILL-BUILD-PROVIDE The Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation Contributions Speech and Hearing Scholarship The Foundation is so very blessed by Committee the continued financial support from Joe C.