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why do we walk round the room sunwise during the lodge opening
Moving around the lodge room from east to west by way of the south—following the apparent course of the sun in the Northern Hemisphere—is known as the rite of circumambulation. While sun worship forms no part of Masonic doctrine, the practice preserves an allusion to ancient custom where worshippers performed circuits around sacred altars or assemblies.
WaiteClaudyMackey
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Can you explain esoteric part of the entered apprentice journey presented in the first journey of the element water, the second journey represented by the element air and the third journey represented by the element fire?
The circuit around the lodge room in the Entered Apprentice degree—known as circumambulation—is presented in the Craft's traditions as an act of homage originating in ancient solar and fire worship. Early worshippers imitated the apparent movement of the sun from east to west by way of the south, circling their altars in this direction; the candidate's journey around the lodge preserves this ancient imitative rite, linking him to the spiritual aspirations of early man. Beyond its solar connection, this journey introduces the candidate to the principle of human dependence, illustrating that man walks by faith rather than sight and requires a trusted guide to direct his path.
Claudy
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what holy books are placed on the altar in a GLI craft lodge
Five Volumes of the Sacred Law lie open on the altar: the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran, the Granth, the Zend Avesta, and the Bible, alongside the Dhammapada when represented among the membership, as the Grand Lodge of India records . Officers and candidates take their obligations upon the sacred text of their own faith, demonstrating universality across religious traditions.
MackeyClaudygrandlodgeofindia.in
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What are the Lesser Lights in Freemasonry?
The three Lesser Lights represent the Sun, the Moon, and the Master of the Lodge. Positioned in a triangular formation around the altar in the East, South, and West, none are placed in the North because the sun sends no rays from that quarter below the horizon. Originally described as three illuminated candles, their practical purpose was to light the brethren to, at, and from their labour.
MackeyFinchWilmshurstClaudy
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what does the double cube altar symbolise in the royal arch and do writers agree on it
The double cube altar is constructed in the shape of the biblical Altar of Incense. Traditional ritual lectures explain that when fashioned from pure white marble, its form and colour serve as an emblem of innocence and purity, as papers published on Web of Hiram record. Traditional Scottish lectures build upon this geometric symbolism, holding that if a single cube represents equality, purity, and justice, the double cube expresses these virtues in a superlative degree, signifying the purity, excellence, and durability of divine power, as papers published on Web of Hiram record.
westlancsfreemasons.org.ukarchive.orgwebofhiram.org
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The end of the stream
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