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relationship to Astrology
I was recently asked by our new Entered Apprentice if there was a relationship between
the Officers of the Lodge and the Planets. From my background study of Alchemy I knew a
relationship existed and to me it appeared obvious, but as much as I tried I couldnt
recollect any masonic book or literature tackling this question directly. Many books have
been written about Freemasonry and the Mystery traditions, its history, mythology and its
symbolism, but none as able to address this question specifically.
Firstly, I would like to set a very brief historical backdrop to Hermetic Philosophy and then
focus on the details of the Planets and Officers.
In the book Jung and Alchemical imagination (3), Jeffrey Raff quotes Paracelsus :
For Paracelsus, imagination belonged to the spirit (italics mine - Compasses), while
fantasy belonged to the body (italics mine - Square). Imagination discovered the
latent forces in nature, and compelled herbs to yield their power. It is no surprise
that imagination was paired with the spirit, for the spirit has been defined as the
capacity to create images. Imagination was able to uncover the powers of nature,
The role of the imagination within esoteric practices is an essential component both in the
Magickal and Mystic Arts. Thoth the Egyptian god of writing, wisdom, and magick, which
will be the subject of another talk, was considered within some circles to have reincarnated
as the prophet Enoch. Within the Cabbalistic and Talmudic tradition he was said to be be
born without father or mother and on his death bed ascended into heaven without dying
and became the Archangel Metatron, the Heavenly Recording Angel. It is with the
formulae of ascension into heaven without dying that is of interest to us esoteric masons.
What is immediately noticeable is that the sequence is reversed between the Alchemy and
the Cabalistic. As all things of an esoteric nature it isnt always clear why linearity is at
times abandoned, but one find a deeper level of understanding in the Alchemical Axiom
Contra Natura which translates as Against Nature. This can be further understood in a
Magickal sense in that often principles are reversed on the inner planes.
The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus: "That which is Below corresponds to
that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to
accomplish the miracle of the One Thing." Thus, whatever happens on any level of
reality (physical, emotional, or mental) also happens on every other level.
The prototypes or ideas of things exist first on the plane of Divine eternal
Consciousness and thence become reflected and reversed in the Astral Light, which
also reflects on its lower individual plane the life of our Earth, recording it on its
tablets. Therefore, is the Astral Light called illusion. It is from this that we, in our
turn, get our prototypes. Consequently unless the Clairvoyant or Seer can get
beyond this plane of illusion, he can never see the Truth, but will be drowned in an
ocean of self-deception and hallucinations.
With these qualifiers, let us now undertake this journey through the masonic officers. So
everything now is experienced as an interior state. The world of the profane has been left
behind. The lodge is close tyled.