Is the Entered Apprentice degree associated with water?
The Entered Apprentice degree in Freemasonry is not directly associated with water as one of the four classical elements. However, there are symbolic elements within the degree that can metaphorically relate to water. For instance, the penalty for breaking the oath in this degree involves being buried in the rough sands of the sea at low water mark, symbolizing the consequences of breaking the vow of secrecy. This imagery of the ebb and flow of the tide can represent the passage of time and the importance of keeping oaths.
Moreover, in the context of alchemical symbolism, while water is not a primary focus, it does play a role in the broader symbolic framework of Freemasonry, which often draws from alchemical principles. The Entered Apprentice degree emphasizes the birth of intellectual light, akin to the nurturing qualities of water in the growth process.