freemasonry of the ancient Egypt 17
I Ins i% probably a note of the French Brother, who translated the work from the German. It is more
prol table that the circumcision was real and not figurative. The Hindu practitioner of Hathi Yoge
li.ii ill, longue cut loose at the underside to enable him to insert the end in the gullet, and so stop
bleaching. — J.Y.
• 178 •
• 1 79 .
GRATA REPOA
On arrival, die new Prophet was presented with a beverage named Oimel-
las (veritably oinomeli, composed of wine and honey, Athena, liv. 9), and they
told him he had arrived at the end of all the proofs.*
He was then invested with a cross, of which the signification was peculiar/
and known only to the Initiates, and he was obliged to wear it continually.
(Rufin. liv. 2, Ch. 29).
He was invested with a very beautiful white striped robe, very ample, and
called Etangi. They shaved his head, and his coiffure was of square form.
(Pierius, liv. 32, Gd. Cabinet Remain, p. 66.)
The principal sign was made by carrying the hands crossed in the sleeves
of the robe, which were very wide. (Porphyre De Abstinentia).
The word of the order was Adon* (Lord, root of Adonis, singular Adonai.
Histor. Deor. synt. prim., Lilio Gregor autorc, p. 2).
I he Prophet had permission to read all the mysterious books which were in
the Ammoniquc language, to which they gave him the key, which they called
Poutre Royale. (Plutarch, De Amore Fraterno. Diodorus of Sicily, in Additionibus .)
The greatest prerogative of this grade was to contribute his vote in the elec-
tion of a King. (Syncsus, De Providentia ). The new Prophet could, after a time,
arrive at the offices of the Society, and even to that of Demiurgos.
THE OFFICES AND HABILIMENTS
— The Demiurgos , Chief Inspector of the Society. He wore a robe
of sky blue, sprinkled with embroidered stars, and a yellow ceinture
*The account of the beverage of sweet and agreeable Iiquerc that was presented to the new prophet
should be understood allegorically. The cup represented knowledge or wisdom from which wise men
drink as from a fountain of ever living water.
The form of the Cross goes back far beyond the origin of Christianity. The Greeks, for example,
used cruciform ornaments. Their buildings, consecrated to various religious beliefs, were built in the
form of a Cross. This form represents the four corners or angles of the world.
'The word Adon means lord and is the root of Adonis, which is the singular of Adonai.
GRATA RKPOA
Mnntf.uicon, liv. 2. p. 102., fig. 1. Ungcrus, De Singulis). He wore from
hr. neck .i sapphire surrounded with brilliants, and suspended from a
golden chain. He was also Supreme Judge of all the land.
2 - I he Hierophant was clothed nearly the same, except that he
wore on his breast a cross.
3 - The Stolista, charged with the purification of the Aspirant by
w.uei, wore a robe of white stripes and a peculiarly formed foot cover-
ing I he guardianship of the vestibule was entrusted to his care.
I - 1 he Hierostolista (Secretary), had a plume for his coiffure, and
held m his hand a vase of cylindrical form, called Canonicon , for ink.
S — The Tkesmophores, was charged with the introduction of Aspirants.
C —The Zutcoris fulfilled the functions of Treasurer.
7 — 1 he Komastis had charge of the Banquets and controlled the
lUstophores.
8 — The Odos was orator and chanter.
BANQUETS
All die members were obliged to wash themselves before going to table. They
writ not permitted to use wine, but might have a beverage resembling our
ttitnlern beer.*
I hey carried round the table a skeleton, or Butoi (Sarcophagus/ figure of
a coffin)/
* I Im I gyptian priests were very strict in the use of any alcoholic beverage and did not permit wines or
••long dunk t«> any of their orders. Mahomet concurred in this attitude and made temperance one ol
»Im pillais of Islam.
'h i limn here, according to all appearance, that the word sarcophagus had its origin.
1 \> • oid mg io the old traditions, a human skeleton was always seated in a place of honor at elaborate ban
i|iiriv "minding the guests that even as they feasted and made merry death was never far from them— to
hi . >1* I adage, live well in this world but never foiget that you will soon leave this temporal state.
CRATA REPOA
The Odos intoned a hymn called the Mannas, which commenced thus:
“Oh, death! come at the convenient hour.” All the members joined in chorus.
When the repast was finished all retired; some to attend to their occupa-
tions, others to give themselves up to meditation; the greater number, accord-
ing to the hour, to taste the sweets of sleep, with the exception of those
whose turn it was to watch in order to introduce by the Cate of the Cods (Btran-
tha), the initiates of the 6° who desired to make celestial observations; these
were obliged to pass the entire night and even to second, or rather to direct,
the astronomical labours.
SPECTRAL FORMS APPROACH THE NEOPHYTE
From Christian’s Histoire de la Magie
COMMENTARY
Manly P. Hall
PREPARATION
1 1 was customary for the members of initiate bodies to accept candidates ol
only exceptional distinction. In both Greece and Egypt, the disciples were
tested as to their knowledge of the arts and sciences, particularly geometry,
.isironomy, and music. Initiation was an honor bestowed for unusual merit
.iiul integrity. The ancient rule holds good to this day in most occult schools.
I hese institutions accept only such disciples as they themselves choose to ac-
»rpt, nor will applications for membership be considered. Each disciple, ac-
cording to the ancient rite, had to be sponsored by a member in good
standing, who acted as his guardian, guide, and mentor.
Pythagoras is said to have applied in vain for admission into the Egyptian
schools. Finally, after many years of waiting and preparation, he was elected
into the Mysteries of Isis at Thebes. It is recorded that Plato also received ini-
tiation, but only after producing the highest credentials. The Mysteries would
initiate no one who was of die status of the slave or had been convicted of
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