How does Albert Pike interpret the symbolism of the Square and Compass?
Albert Pike interprets the Square and Compass as profound symbols representing the duality of spirit and matter. The Square symbolizes the earthly and material aspects, representing morality and the principles of right conduct, while the Compass signifies the spiritual and celestial, representing the need to circumscribe our desires and passions. Pike elaborates that the Square is associated with geometry and fixed states of matter, embodying solidity and proportion, whereas the Compass relates to the movement of spirit and the heavens, indicating a dynamic aspect of existence.
He notes that in the Lodge, the Square and Compass cross each other, symbolizing the progression from the degree of Entered Apprentice to that of Master. For the Apprentice, the points of the Compass are beneath the Square, indicating a state where material concerns dominate. As one progresses to the Fellowcraft degree, one point of the Compass rises above the Square, and in the Master's degree, both symbols dominate, representing the mastery over both spiritual and material realms.
Pike states, “Free masonry is the subjugation of the Human that is in man, by the Divine; the conquest of the Appetites and Passions, by the Moral Sense and Reason; a continual effort, struggle, and warfare of the Spiritual against the Material and Sensual.” This encapsulates the essence of the Square and Compass as tools for moral and spiritual development, guiding Masons in their journey towards enlightenment and balance between the material and spiritual worlds.