freemasonry of the ancient Egypt 15

freemasonry of the ancient Egypt 15

The sign of recognition consisted in a peculiar embrace, of which the ob-

ject was to express the power of death. The word was — Monach Caron Mini — I

count the days of anger.

 

The Melanephoris remained in these subterranean galleries until they could

judge of his capabilities for advancing in the higher sciences, or if they could

only make of him a Paraskiste, or a Heroi; for he was obliged to pass the rest of

his days in these offices if he attained not to true knowledge.

 

 

 

*The Editor asserts this a mistake, to be attributed to Plato, who had comprehended badly his Egyp-

tian instruction.

 

 

 

. 172 •

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRATA REPOA

 

 

 

FOURTH GRADE— CHISTOPHORIS

 

Battle of the Shades

 

(Tertullien, de Militis Corona)

 

I lie term of anger was ordinarily eighteen months, and when that had passed

ilu Ihesmophores went to see the Initiate, saluting him graciously, and, after

nming him with a sword and buckler, invited him to follow him. They over-

i in ihc sombre galleries, when suddenly some men masked under hideous fig-

iirrs, with flambeaus in their hands and serpents round them, attacked the

Initiate, crying — Ranis!

 

I he Thestnophores incited him to confront all dangers and surmount all ob-

si.ules. He defended himself with courage, but succumbed to numbers; they

I hen bandaged his eyes and passed a cord round his neck, by which he was led

into the hall where he was to receive a new grade. He was then raised extended

and introduced to the assembly, hardly able to sustain himself.

 

I he light was restored to him, and his eyes were dazzled widi die brilliancy of

i lu- decorations; the hall offered an assemblage of the most gorgeous pictures.

I lu- King, himself, was seated beside the Deiniurgos, or Chief Inspector of the So-

nny. Below these high personages were seated the Stolista (Purifier by Water); the

 

I lirrostolista (Secretary), bearing a plume as his coiffure; the Z acoris (Treasurer);

and the Komastis, or Steward of the Banquets. All wore the Alydee [Aletheia], truth.

 

I I was an Egyptian decoration. Actianus, Var. Hist. liv. 14., chap. 34, speaks in

these terms: "Eum omnium hominum justissimum ct tenacissimum opportebar

qtii circa collum imaginem ex saphiro gemma confectam gestabat"

 

The orator or chanter 0 pronounces a discourse in which he praises the new

 

*No one can doubt that the ancient languages were harmonious in their pronunciation. Primitive lan-

guages were composed only of consonants. The speaker or reader inserted the vowels according lo

certain accepted rules. This is one of the principles of the Qabbala. Orators and priests in reciting sa-

« led things expressed themselves in a kind ol chant. Poetry is the language ol the Gods, and it is n.it

ural to bestow a certain rhythm upon the recitation of hymns and sacred poems.

 

 

 

. I 7 1 •

 

 

 

CRATA REPOA

 

 

 

CRATA REPOA

 

 

 

I

 

 

 

Chistophoris for his courage and resolution. He urges the neophyte to perse-

vere for the reason that he has only half completed the labors, which he has to

endure (perform) to furnish complete proofs (of his integrity).

 

They presented him with a cup filled with a very bitter drink, which they

termed rice, which it was necessary he should drain. [This was the veritable

beverage which bore the name of Xuxeon: A thence, liv. 9.] They invested him

with divers ornaments. He received the buckler of Isis (or Minerva); they put

upon him the buskins of Anubis (or Mercury); and they covered him with the

mantle of Orci, ornamented with a hood.

 

They ordered him to seize upon a scimitar which was presented to him, in

order that he might strike off the head of an individual to be found at the

bottom of a very deep cavern which he had to penetrate, and bring the head

to the King. At the same moment all cried — “Niobe, behold the enemy's cav-

ern!” Entering there, he perceived the figure of a very beautiful woman; it was

composed of very fine skin or bladder, and so artistically manufactured that it

seemed to be living.*

 

The new Chistophoris approached the figure, took it by the hair, and

struck off the head, which he presented to the King and Demiurgos. After ap-

plauding this heroic action, they informed him that it was the head of the

Gorgo (Gorgo, Gorgol, Gorgone, are the Egyptian names of Medusa), or spouse of

Typhon, and who was the cause of the assassination of Osiris. They seized

upon this circumstance to impress upon him that he was to be always the

avenger of evil. He then received permission to put on a new clothing which

was presented to him. His name was inscribed in a book amongst the other

Judges of the land. He rejoiced in free communication with the King, and re-

ceived his daily nourishment from the Court. (Diodorus of Sicily, liv. I, de ]u-

diciis Aigyptiorutn.')

 

With the code of Laws they gave him a decoration which he could only

 

 

 

“The ancients probably knew what we call today goldbeaters skin. It is the epidermis that covers the

interior of the dewlap of the ox. It has several uses, the most important is in surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

\m .ii .it the reception of a Chistophoris, or in the City of Sais. It represented

I ms, or Minerva, under the form of an owl; and the allegory was thus inter-

pM i. il: Man at his birth is blind as the owl, and becomes man only by the aid

..I experience and the light of philosophy. The casque expressed the highest

, leg tee of wisdom; the decapitated head the repression of the passions; the

I .in kier a legitimate defence against calumny; the column firmness; the cruse

..I water a thirst for science; the quiver, garnished with arrows, the power of

. luquence; the pike persuasion carried afar, which is to say, that by his reputa-

tion one can at a great distance make a profound impression; the palm and

olive branches were the symbols of peace. (Grand Cabinet Romain, p. 26.) They

hirther taught him that the name of the great legislator was Joa.* (Diodorus

of Sicily, liv. I , De Egyptiis Legum Latoribus.)This name was also the word of the

l )nlcr.

 

I he members held meetings at times, where Chistophoris alone could be ad-

mit led. The Chapters were called Pixon (Source of Justice): and the word in

IIS. .It these holdings was Sasychis (an ancient priest of Egypt).

 

I he Initiate was taught the Ammonitish language. (Ammonitish was a

mysterious language; see word of the I .) The Aspirant having overrun the

\t\ier Mysteries, the object of which was to prepare him, they instructed him in

i hr human sciences, up to the moment of his being admitted to the Greater

Mysteries, and to the knowledge of the sacred doctrine called the Grand Manifes-

tation of light, when there were no more secrets for him.)*

 

 

 

• I lir won! Jehovah expresses without doubt Joa. It is significant that this last word is the sacred word

i lie 88th degree of Misraim. It is through an error that it is written as Zao in the books of the

l< lies, and in the Tuileur de Tons Us Kites, page 421. though we truly can say that the J or Dja of the

I liitdm was expressed by the Z in certain countries.

 

’lambl.chus clearly explains what this was. The Priests professed absolutely to exhibit to the Epotat the

vat i« ms orders of Spirits. The Hero, or half gods, the elemental potentates, archangels, angels, and

luit laiy Spirits. Moreover, they described and explained the origin and qualities of these different or-  der* of the upper world, in a clear and precise manner, shewing the great perfection to which the  I gyptians had reduced the science of Theology. — John Yarkhr