freemasonry of the ancient Egypt 16

freemasonry of the ancient Egypt 16

CRATA REPOA

 

 

 

FIFTH GRADE — BALAHATE

 

The Chistophoris had the right to demand and the Demiurges could not refuse

this Grade. The candidate was conducted to the entrance where the assembly

was held, and he was received by all the members. He was then conducted to

another Hall, disposed for a theatrical representation, in which he was, in a

way, the sole spectator, for each member took a part.

 

A personage called Orus accompanied the several Balahale who all bore

torches; they marched into the Hall and appeared as if seeking something.

Orus drew his sword upon arriving at the entrance of a cavern from which

flames proceeded; at the bottom of it was the murderer Typhon seated with a

crestfallen appearance. As Orus approached, Typhon raised himself up, having

a terrifying appearance, a hundred heads reposed on his shoulders, his

whole body was covered with scales, and his arms were of immense length.

Orus advanced towards the monster without allowing himself to be in the

least discouraged by his dreadful aspect, threw him down and overwhelmed

him. He then decapitated him, and threw the corpse into a cavern, which

still continued to vomit flames. He then in silence exhibited the hideous

heads.

 

This ceremonial terminated by the instruction which was given to the Bal-

ahale, and which included the explanation of this allegorical scene. It was

explained that Typhon symbolized fire, which is one of the most terrible

agencies, notwithstanding which nothing in the world can be done without it.

Orus represented industry and labour, by the aid of which man performed

great and useful enterprises in subduing the violence of fire, directing its

power, and appropriating its force.

 

The Chistophoris was instructed in Chemistry and the art of decomposing

substances and combining metals. He had the assistance of masters when he

needed the researches and experience which they had in that science.

 

The word of the order was Chymia.

 

 

 

• I 76 •

 

 

 

CRATA REPOA

 

 

 

SIXTH GRADE— ASTRONOMER BEFORE

THE GATE OF THE GODS

 

I In preparations of this degree began by putting the Candidate in irons. I he

I hesmophores conducted him to the Cate of Death, which had to be descended by

loin slops, because the Cavern of reception was that previously used for the

third degree, and which was on this occasion filled with water in order to row

,|„ Barque of Caron. Some coffins placed here and there struck the eyes of

i In Candidate. He was informed that they enclosed the remains of those

members who had been put to death for betraying the secrets of the society;

in. 1 1 hey menaced him with a similar fate if he committed the same crimes.

 

I le was then laid into the midst of the assembly in order to take a new

o iili. After having pronounced it they explained to him the history of the ori-

gin of the Gods, which were the objects of the peoples adoration, and by

which they amused and directed their credulity; but they indicated to him at

i In same time the necessity of conserving polytheism for the common

people ’They amplified the ideas which had been presented to him in the first

degree, upon the doctrine of a sole Being who embraced all time, presided

ovri the union and regularity of the universe, and who, by his nature, was

ibove the comprehension of the human spirit.

 

I he grade was consecrated to the instruction of the Neophyte in the

knowledge and practice of astronomy. He was obliged to give the night to ob-

 

• 1 1.. 'minions of polytheism were noi absurd at their origin. These traditions resulted from the in

 

of ingenious emblems, devised to reveal the principles of life and the workings of universal

 

Ian I he emblems themselves came to be confused with the principles they represented. Thus lor

, .ample. the ox was used to symbolize strength, but in the course of ages the Irue meaning was for

p..,lrn and men worshipped the ox not as a figure but as a fact. Heroes were venerated for their prodi-

 

actions, outstanding virtues, art in gratitude for the services they had rendered society. After a

 

unimaginative mortals deified these heroes, honoring the men rather than the virtues which they

 

I.pn seined, fills is how superstition denatures reasonable things, leading the unlearned into emir

in. I tin abuses which inevitably result f rom error.

 

 

 

. 177 •

 

 

 

GRATA REPOA

 

 

 

GRATA REPOA

 

 

 

scrvations, and to conform to the labours they exacted. He was advertised to

be on his guard against the Astrologers and drawers of horoscopes, whom they

looked upon as the authors of idolatry and superstition, for this Mysterious

Society held them in aversion. These astrologers had chosen the word Phanix

for the word of the order, and which the Astronomers turned into derision *

(Herodotus, Hist. Aethiop, liv. 3.)

 

After the reception they conducted the Initiate towards the Cate 0 / the Cods,

and introduced him into the Pantheon, where he beheld all the Gods and saw

them represented by magnificent paintings. The Demiurgos retraced anew the

history, concealing nothing from him.

 

They placed under his inspection a list of all the Chief Inspectors in the

chronological order in which they had lived, as also a tabular list of all the

members of the society spread over the face of the globe.* They taught him

the Priestly dance which figured the course of the stars. (Lucien, De Saltatione ).

 

The word of the degree was Ibis, signifying crane, which symbolized

vigilance.

 

 

 

•In those remote times the priests professed the most enlightened and sane doctrines, and were ene-

mies of ignorance, treachery, cheating, and superstition. It is a truth demonstrated by thousands of

examples that knowledge develops brains— that the lights of Philosophy, while elevating the soul,

spread reason and lead men to ideas that are just, to opinions that arc wise, to feelings that are philan-

thropic, and to actions that arc honorable and useful.

 

’With the decline of the pagan Mysteries, the members of the secret schools separated and. traveling

to different parts of the world, they scattered fragments of the old doctrines among many races and

peoples. Thus, a portion of the philosophy professed by those who dwelled along the Nile penetrated

into the forests of Germany, where it mingled with barbaric practices and lost its purity and sublim-

ity. Religious persecutions in the different eras had expatriated initiates who spread philosophies

among foreign nations. It is easy to understand how wise doctrines, disseminated among uncultured

peoples, lost the name of action and degraded to theological despotism and fanatical superstition.

 

Thomas Paine in a pamphlet mentions researches he made into the origin of Freemasonry

among the habits and practices of the Druids. Other writers contend that Freemasonry had its origin

among the ntes practiced in the Pyramids. It would appear that the presence of Frcemasonic symbol-

ism among so many different peoples points to a common origin of the symbols, the doctrine, and

the interpretation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEVENTH GRADE— PROPHET OR

SAPHENATH PANCAH

 

( The man who knows the Mysteries —

lamblicque De Mysteriis Aigypt.)

 

 

 

I Ins ( ir.idc was the last and most eminent. In it they gave a detailed and mosi

. omplcte explanation of all the Mysteries.

 

I he Astronomer could not obtain this degree, which established his apti-

n id. in all the functions, public and politic, without the assent of the King

ind I )emiurgos; and at the same time the general consent of the inner mem-

hmof the Society.

 

I he reception was followed by a public procession to which they gave the

ii.iiiu ol Pamylach (Oris circumcisio— circumcision of the tongue).

 

I his would seem to be a figurative __EXPRESSION__, by which they wished to

i\ that the Neophyte had acquired all knowledge which they could give

him his tongue was acute, and he was permitted to speak of all knowledge.]*

 

I hey then exhibited to the people the sacred objects.

 

I lie procession finished; the Members of the Society departed clandes-

tinely to the city during the night, repairing to an appointed place and re-

i v.< niMmg in some houses of a square form, which had several apartments

« h i lamented with admirable pictures, representing human life (voyage of

I in as m Egypt). These houses were called Maneras (residence of the Manes),

lot the people believed that the Initiates held a peculiar commerce with the

Manes of the departed; the Maneras were ornamented with a great number

• •I columns, between which were some coffins and a sphynx.