What is the significance of the Anno Lucis in Freemasonry?
The Anno Lucis (Latin for 'Year of Light') is a symbolic dating system unique to Freemasonry, often abbreviated as A.L. This system adds 4000 years to the Common Era, serving as a simplification of the Anno Mundi, which adds 4004 years to the Anno Domini, marking the act of Creation as attributed in the Masoretic text. The Anno Lucis is frequently used on Masonic cornerstones and documentation, and it provides a temporal vantage point from which to interpret Masonic rituals and symbolism. It is particularly significant as it aligns with the dawn of the Taurian Age, which spanned from approximately 4000 to 2000 BCE, when the vernal equinox occurred in the zodiacal house of Taurus. This alignment is crucial for understanding the astrological and solar symbolism embedded in Masonic practices and rituals, as it connects the Fraternity to ancient astronomical knowledge and the cycles of celestial bodies.