freemasonry of the ancient Egypt 14
’One of the deepest secrets of the metaphysical doctrines of antiquity was belief ,n one. umque. eter-
nal. and perfect God. The wisest initiates recognized the unity of the divine principle and left to the
ignorant and uninformed populace polytheistic theologies. The Greeks, like the Egyptians, recog-
nized one God. whose Mysteries they celebrated with appropriate rituals and rites. The less informed
among the Greeks, however, continued to venerate an elaborate pantheon of divinities. The worship
of the One God was celebrated by the greatest of the Greek philosophers in the temple of Eleusis
under the pretext of venerating the Goddess Ceres.
CRATA REPOA
SECOND GRADE— NEOCORIS
I ha degree, and the next, represent similar ceremonies in Craft Masonry, and have also
an a(fmity with two of the higher degrees of the Council Series.
II i In Pastophoris during the year of his Apprenticeship had given sufficient
pi i mis of his intelligence, they imposed upon him a severe test to prepare him
It »i i lie grade of Neocoris (Annobius, liv. 5). The year having expired, he was
pin in an obscure chamber called Endymion (Grotto of the Initiates). Here he
was served with a delicious repast to animate his failing strength, by beautiful
women, who were either the espoused of the Priests, or Virgins dedicated to
I fiana. They invited him to love by gestures. He must triumph over these dif-
lu nil tests to prove the command which he had over his passions. 0
After this the Thesmophores comes to him, and propounds a variety of cjues-
iinns. If the Neocoris answers satisfactorily, he introduced him into the assem-
bly. I he Stolista (or Sprinkler) threw water over him to purify him. They
injuued him to affirm that he had conducted himself with wisdom and
i hastily. After a satisfactory declaration, the Thesmophores runs towards him,
having m his hand a living serpent, which he throws over his body, but with-
draws with the bottom of his apron. (Julius Firmicus Maternus, Chapter 2,
says, it was a gilt artificial serpent).
I he chamber appeared to be filled with reptiles, to teach the Neocoris to
withstand bodily terror. + The greater the courage shewn on this trial, so much
thr more was he lauded after reception. They then led him towards two high
i olumns, between which was a griffin pushing a wheel. (See representations in
the Grand Cabinet Romain).The Columns indicated the East and West. The
' I 111* may In* thought by some improbable, but it is nevertheless true. The Druses offer ii as the last
>•" ii tn.ii to the Initiate, and woe to him if he falls from his vows. It precedes the shadowy appear-
an* e% m what may In- called the Hall of Spirits, which they cause the Initiate to see by Mesmeric will,
and the day s lasting and trials.
1 I he < opts |M»ssessed the art of depriving them of venom.
• I6S .
. 169 •
CRATA REPOA
griffin was the emblem of the sun, and the four spokes of the wheel indicated
the four seasons.
They instructed him in the art of calculating the hygrometer, by which
they measured the inundations of the Nile; they instructed him in geometry
and architecture, and the calculations and graduations of such measures as he
had afterwards to use. But these were great secrets, and only revealed to those
whose knowledge was far above that of the people.
His Insignia was a baton entwined with a serpent* (The Caduceus of
Mercury, emblem of the movement of the sun round the Ecliptic.) The word
of the grade was Eve, and on this occasion they recounted to him the fall of
the human race/ * The sign consisted in crossing the arms on the breast.
(Norden gives designs of this sort.)
The duty of the Neocoris was to wash the columns.
THIRD GRADE— THE GATE OF DEATH
The Initiate of this Grade received the name of Melanephoris. When the Neocoris
had by intelligence and good conduct merited the degree, they carried him at
once for reception.
•The Caduceus of Mercury is the emblem of the movement of the sun around the ecliptic (editorial
note: the motion of the sun is represented by the snakes, but this is only one of the interpretations of
this symbol).
Clement of Alexandria says someth.ng of this kind. It seems also confirmed by recent Assynan in-
scription discoveries. Also there yet exist in the Himalayan fastnesses societ.es of most anc.ent date,
which transmit such information. We may some time give a paper on this subject, and shew the bear-
ing of these societies upon the transmission of the Ancient Mystenes and Modern Freemasonry.
*As we bring together this particularity with the remark that we find in a celebrated book, one will
find without doubt that the resemblance of the systems deserves the concentrated attention of think-
ing people. We must not forget that the author of Genesis had been brought up at the court of the
Egyptian Pharaoh and had been initiated into the Mysteries. In other words, he had delved deeply
into the secrets of the temple and had come into the possession of a secret knowledge, the profound
significance of which has never been doubted. Moses, likewise, had mastered the principles of reli-
gious legislation and he gave proof of this when he became the leader of his people.
• 170 -
CRATA REPOA
I le w.»s conducted by the Thesmophores into a vestibule, above the entrance
• •I which was written “Gate of Death." The place was filled with different
1 1 ** * " s mummies and coffins, analogous designs ornamenting the walls.
V ii was the place of the dead the Neophyte found the Paraskistes.
I li re he also found the Heroi, or those who open the corpses occupied in
du ii labours. [See Nordens designs.]
In the midst of the vestibule was placed the coffin of Osiris, and as he was
•opposed to have been recently assassinated it bore traces of blood. The offi-
• nl . demanded of the Neophyte if he had taken any part in the assassination
• •I Ins Master. After his reply in the negative, two Tapixeytes, or persons who
mi* i the dead, took possession of him. They conducted him into a hall where
du other Melanephoris were habited in black.
I he King, himself, who always assisted at this ceremony, accosted the as-
| *ii .1111 with a gracious appearance, and presented a golden crown for his ac-
• • planer, enquiring if he considered himself to have sufficient courage to
Mi a.im the trials he has to undergo. The aspirant, knowing that he ought to
i. |e» i ihis crown, threw it down and trampled it underfoot.* (Tertullien, On
fti/’/iwt, Ch. 5.) Then the King cried out, "Outrage! Vengeance'" and, seizing
du sat rificial axe, he struck the Neophyte (gently) upon the head. [The Em-
p. ioi ( ominodius fulfilled this duty for a day, and acquitted himself in such
in energetic way that it became tragical.] The two Tapixeytes overthrew the as-
pii.mf. and the Paraskistes enveloped him in mummy bandages: amidst the
►•i.Miis of assistants, they transported him through a door over which was
written "Sanctuary of Spirits," and as it opened claps of thunder were heard,
wiih flashes of lightning, and the pretended dead found himself surrounded
uidi Inc (Apuleius, Metamorphoses, liv, 2). Charon took possession of him as a
.pint, and he descended amongst the judges of the shades below, where Pluto
n i . seated upon his throne, having Rhadamanthus and Minos at his side, also
\ln ton. Nicteus, Alaster, and Orpheus (Diodorus of Sicily, Orpheus, liv. 4).
I Ins redoubtable tribunal addressed to him some severe strictures upon his
*ln ili. Mylhrau Mysteries be replied, "Mythras is my Crown."
Ill .
CRATA REPOA
course of life, and finally condemned him to wander in the subterranean gal-
leries. They then disengaged him of his wrappings and mortuary apparel.
He then received instruction, and was moreover desired:
1. Never to thirst for blood, and to assist members of the society
whose life might be endangered.
2. Never to leave a dead body unburied.
3. To await a resurrection of the dead and future judgment. 0
The new Melanephoris had to study drawing and painting, as it was part of
his duties to decorate the coffins and mummies. He was taught a particular
alphabet, named the Hiero-grammatical; which was all the more useful to
him, as the History of Egypt, its geometry, and the elements of astronomy
were in this character. He also received lessons in rhetoric, so that he might know how to give the funeral orations in public.
댓글 없음:
댓글 쓰기