what is the historical origin of the three lesser lights in craft masonry and how do preston and mackey explain their symbolic arrangement

Carl Claudy traces the historical origin of the three lesser lights to ancient mystery rites, such as those of Eleusis, where three lights placed around a sacred space represented the Sun, the Moon, and Mercury 2.

Albert Mackey explains the symbolic arrangement of the three lesser lights primarily through the sun's role as an emblem of light and sovereign authority 1. In his reading, the lights traditionally represent the sun, the moon, and the Master of the Lodge, illustrating how the Master governs the lodge with the same regularity that the sun rules the day and the moon rules the night 1. Mackey further amplifies this by associating the lights with the three governing officers of the lodge: the Master in the East represents the rising sun, the Junior Warden in the South represents the meridian sun, and the Senior Warden in the West represents the setting sun 1. He compares this tripartite solar arrangement to ancient systems of triple authority, including the Indian Mysteries of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva, as well as Druidical rites 1.

The supplied sources do not include William Preston's specific explanation of the three lesser lights or their arrangement.