CONTENTS Forward Understanding Why This Book is Important by Jordan Maxwell: ........................... vii Part First Chapter 1 Introduction — A Few Words to the Masonic Fraternity ................................................. 2 Chapter 2 The Ancient Mysteries Described ....................... 6 Chapter 3 A Chapter of Astronomical Facts........................... 41 The Ecliptic .............................................................. 42 The Zodiac ............................................................... 42 Aries ......................................................................... 43 Taurus....................................................................... 43 Gemini ................................................................... 44 Cancer ...................................................................... 44 Leo .......................................................................... 45 Virgo......................................................................... 45 Libra ....................................................................... 46 Scorpio .................................................................. 46 Sagittarius .............................................................. 47 Capricornus .............................................................. 47 Aquarius and Pisces ................................................. 47 The Signs of the Zodiac ........................................... 47 The Solstitial Points .............................................. 50 The Equinoctial Points ............................................. 50 The Precession of the Equinoxes ........................... 52 Chapter 4 What the Ancients Knew about Astronomy...............................................................57 i Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy Part Second Arranged in the Form of a Masonic Lecture, and illustrated by a Zodiacal Diagram Chapter 5 Masonic Astronomy .................................................................64 Name of the Order ..........................................................64 Astronomy and Geometry................................................65 The Lodge ......................................................................65 The Officers' Stations ....................................................66 The Masonic Journey ....................................................67 Masonic Words and Names..............................................67 The Royal Arch................................................................68 King Solomon's Temple ................................................72 Hiram Abif ......................................................................75 Chapter 6 The Astronomical Allegory of the Death and Resurrection of the Sun .....................................................84 A Masonic Allegory, Part I — Death of the Sun....................................................... 87 The Raising of Osiris, an Allegory of the Resurrection of the Sun .......................................... 91 A Masonic Allegory, Part II — Resurrection of the Sun .......................................... 94 Appendix To Part Second.................................................................... 98 The Judgment of the Dead ..........................................100 Part Third Chapter 7 Astronomical Explanation of the Emblems, Symbols, and Legends of the Mysteries, Both Ancient and Modern, and the Lost Meaning of Many of Them Restored .....................................106 The Seven Stars .......................................................... 107 The Ladder of Seven Rounds ......................................108 The Masonic Ladder of Three Rounds ........................... 113 ii Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy The Zodiacal Ladder............................................................. 114 Faith, Hope, and Chanty ....................................................... 116 The Three Steps .................................................................... 116 The Winding Steps................................................................ 117 Corn, Oil, and Wine.............................................................. 121 The Blazing Star ................................................................... 123 The Rite of Circumambulation ............................................. 124 The Square............................................................................ 126 Masonic Festivals .............................................................. 128 The Circle Embordered by Two Parallel Lines ................. 129 The Lamb-Skin..................................................................... 132 The All-Seeing Eye ......................................., ..................... 133 Masonic Signs ...................................................................... 134 Masonic Significance of the Zodiacal Signs ...................... 135 The Beautiful Virgin of the Third Degree ............................ 137 Fiction of the Weeping Virgin ........................................... 138 The Evergreen....................................................................... 147 The Sprig of Acacia ........................................................... 148 The Letter "G" ................................................................... 149 The Equilateral Triangle .................................................... 149 The Compasses .................................................................. 150 The Emblem of Ears of Corn Hanging by a Water-Ford, or a Sheaf of Wheat by a River ................. 153 Sibola.................................................................................... 155 Chapter 8 Astronomical Explanation (Continued)............................157 The Pillars of the Porch ..................................................... 157 The Globes ........................................................................... 159 The Northeast Corner and the Corner-Stone ........................ 166 The Checkered Floor ............................................................ 173 Druidical Temples ............................................................. 179 The Cornucopia .................................................................... 180 The Beehive.......................................................................... 182 The Anchor, the Scythe, and the Rainbow ........................... 182 The Coffin, Spade, etc.......................................................... 183 The Key-Stone, and the Legend of its Loss.......................... 183 The Key-Stone ................................................................... 184 The Circle on the Key-Stone ................................................ 184 The Legend of the Lost Word ............................................ 187 iii Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy The Masonic Ark ............................................................... 194 The Lion, the Eagle, the Ox, and the Man............................ 198 The Royal Arch Banner........................................................ 199 The Number "Seven" ........................................................... 201 The Word "Seven" ............................................................ 204 The "Figure" Seven .............................................................. 205 Triple Tau .......................................................................... 205 The Astronomical Triple Tau............................................... 215 The Quadruple Tau ........................................................... 217 The Words "Mystery" and "Masonry" ................................. 220 The Antiquity of Masonry.................................................... 229 Freemasonry Not Sun-Worship ......................................... 229 Chapter 9 Conclusion ....................................................................... 232 Index ......................................................................................... 242 iv Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Osiris ............................................................................................15 Isis and Horus............................................................................ 17 Gnostic Gem of Isis ............................................................... 17 Dionysus, or Bacchus................................................................ 18 Ceres, Demeter, Isis, etc ........................................................... 18 Virgo.......................................................................................... 19 Ancient Egyptian Year.............................................................. 21 Diagram of the Ecliptic and Equator . ..................................... 51 The Royal Arch ...................................................................... 69 Astro-masonic Emblem—Sun in Leo....................................... 92 The Lion's Paw—Ancient Egyptian Drawing ........................ 98 Judgment of Amenti ................................................................ 102 Emblem of Truth—Egyptian .................................................. 102 Masonic Ladder of Three Rounds ........................................ 113 Zodiacal Ladder ...................................................................... 114 Blazing Star............................................................................. 123 Anubis ....................................................................................