The candidate is told that the
Masonic temple where these degree rituals are taking place in "..is, or ought to be, a true
representation of King Solomon's temple.."
Solomon's
temple faced west. Every Masonic temple
faces east towards the rising sun.
The
Worshipful Master's chair
The Worshipful Master of the Lodge conducting
these degrees may be seated on / under an effigy of SET the Sun God, when the candidate
bows the knee towards the east for the oath taking.. This is the seat of authority which
candidates submit to.
"The Blue degrees are but the outer court or protico of the Temple. Part of the
symbols are displayed to the initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false
interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them, but it is
intended that he shall imagine he understands them" - 'Morals & Dogma'
Initiation to the First Degree up to the end of the
Obligation
The Tyler prepares the Candidate in a room outside
the Lodge room where he is to be initiated by divesting him of all metal articles.
The
Candidate removes his outer clothing until he stands in socks, his left shoe, trousers and
shirt only.
His shirt is unbuttoned to reveal his left breast, his right sleeve is rolled up to
reveal the elbow, his left trouser leg is rolled up above the knee and a slipper is placed
on his unshod foot.
A hangman's noose is then placed around his neck, the end of the rope hanging down
behind him. He is blindfolded.
He is then led by the Tyler to the door of the Lodge and the Tyler knocks.
The inner Guard, moving with the prescribed step and making the First Degree sign,
says, 'Brother Junior Warden, there is a report.' After several ritual responses, the
Inner Guard opens the door and asks the Tyler, 'Whom have you there?'
'Mr John Smith, a poor Candidate in a state of darkness,' says the Tyler, 'who has been
well and worthily recommended, regularly proposed and approved in open Lodge, and now
comes of his own free will and accord, properly prepared, humbly soliciting to be admitted
to the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry.'
There follow several repetitious exchanges, the Inner Guard places the point of a
dagger to the Candidate's left breast. He is asked, 'Do you feel anything?'
'Yes'.
The Inner Guard raises the dagger in the air, and the still blindfolded Candidate is
led by the right hand by the Junior Deacon to the kneeling-stool before the Worshipful
Master, who then addresses the Candidate for the first time.
'Mr John Smith, as no person can be made a Mason unless he is free and of mature age, I
demand of you, are you a free man and of the full age of twenty-one years/'
'I am'.
'Thus assured, I will thank you to kneel, while the blessing of Heaven is invoked on
our proceedings.'
The Candidate kneels. The Brethren move in the prescribed manner, the Lodge Deacons
crossing their wands above the Candidate's head, while the Worshipful Master or the
Chaplain prays aloud, 'Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father and Supreme Governor of the
Universe, to our present convention and grant that this Candidate for Freemasonry may so
dedicate and devote his life to Thy service, as to become a rue and faithful Brother among
us. Endue him with a competency of Thy Divine Wisdom, so that, assisted by the secrets of
our Masonic art, he may be the better enabled to unfold the beauties of true Godliness, to
the honour and glory of Thy Holy Name.'
The Immediate Past Master says or sings, 'So mote it be.'
'Mr Smith,' continues the Worshipful Master, 'in all cases of difficulty and danger, in
whom do you put your trust?', and the Candidate replies, 'In God.'
'Right glad I am to find your faith so well founded. Relying on such sure support you
may safely rise and follow your leader with a firm but humble confidence, for where the
name of God is invoked we trust no danger can ensue.'
The Candidate rises to his feet with the help of the Deacons. The Worshipful Master and
the Brethren sit. The Worshipful Master then gives a single knock with his gavel. 'The
Brethren from the north, east, south and west will take notice that Mr John Smith is about
to pass in view before them, to show that he is the Candidate properly prepared, and a fit
and proper person to be made a Mason,' says the Master.
There then follows various ritual motions and the Candidate is led in a procession
around the Lodge. Arriving at the place where the Junior Warden stands, the Junior Deacon
takes the Candidate's right hand and taps the Junior Warden's right shoulder with it three
times.
The Junior Warden asks, 'Whom have you there?'
'Mr John Smith,' replies the Junior Deacon, 'A poor Candidate in a state of
darkness, who has been well and worthily recommended, regularly proposed and
approved in open Lodge, and now comes of his own free will and accord, properly
prepared, humbly soliciting to be admitted to the mysteries and privileges of
Freemasonry.'
'How does he hope to obtain those privileges?'
'By the help of God, being free and of good report.'
The Junior Warden then takes the Candidate's right hand, and says to him, 'Enter, free
and of good report,' and he is led to the Senior Warden, before whom a similar exchange
takes place. 'Worshipful Master,' he says, making the appropriate sign, 'I present to you
Mr John Smith, a Candidate properly prepared to be made a Mason.'
'Brother Senior Warden,' replies the Worshipful Master, 'your presentation shall be
attended to, for which purpose I shall address a few questions to the Candidate, which I
trust he will answer with candour.' He turns to the Candidate, 'Do you seriously declare
on your honour that, unbiased by the improper solicitation of friends against your own
inclination, and uninfluenced by mercenary or other unworthy motive, you freely
and voluntarily offer yourself a Candidate for the mysteries and privileges of
Freemasonry?'
'I do.'
'Do you likewise pledge yourself that you are prompted to solicit those privileges by a
favourable opinion preconceived of the Institution, a genuine desire of knowledge, and a
sincere wish to render yourself more extensively serviceable to your fellow creatures?'
'I do'.
'Do you further seriously declare on your honour that, avoiding fear on the one hand
and rashness on the other, you will steadily persevere through the ceremony of your
initiation, and if once admitted you will afterwards act and abide by the ancient usages
and established customs of the order?'
'I do'.
'Brother Senior Warden, you will direct the Junior Deacon to instruct the Candidate to
advance to the pedestal in due form.'
'Brother Junior Deacon, it is the Worshipful Master's command that you instruct the
Candidate to advance to the pedestal in due form.'
The Junior Deacon complies, leading the Candidate to the pedestal and instructing him
to stand with his heels together and his feet at right angles, the left foot facing east
and the right foot south. He continues: 'Take a short pace with your left foot, bringing
the heels together in the form of a square. Take another, a little longer, heel
to heel as before. Another still longer, heels together as before.'
The candidate is now standing before the pedestal, with the
junior Deacon to his right and the Senior Deacon to his left.
'It is my duty to inform
you' says the Worshipful Master, 'that Masonry is free, and requires a perfect freedom of
inclination in every Candidate for its mysteries. It is founded on the purest principles
of piety and virtue. It possesses great and invaluable privileges, and in order to secure
those privileges to worthy man, and we trust to worthy men alone, vows of fidelity are
required.
But let me assure you that in those vows there is nothing
incompatible with your civil, moral or religious duties. Are you therefore
willing to take a solemn Obligation, founded on the principles I have stated, to keep
inviolate the secrets and mysteries of the order?'
'I am'
'Then you will kneel on your left knee, your right foot formed in a
square, give me your right hand which I place on the Volume of the Sacred Law, while your
left will be employed in supporting these compasses, one point presented to your naked
left breast.'
This done, the Candidate is then made to repeat the 'Obligation' after the
Worshipful Master, 'I, John Smith, in the presence of the Great Architect of the Universe,
and of this worthy, worshipful and warranted Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, regularly
assembled and properly dedicated, of my own free will and accord, do hereby (WM touches
Candidate's right hand with his left hand) and hereon (WM touches the Bible with his left
hand) sincerely and solemnly promise and swear, that I will always hele, conceal and never
reveal any part or parts, point or points of the secrets or mysteries of or belonging to
Free and Accepted Masons in Masonry, which may heretofore have been known by me, or shall
now or at any future period be communicated to me, unless it be to a true and lawful
Brother or Brothers, and not even to him or them, until after due trial, strict
examination, or sure information from a well-known Brother, that he or they are worthy of
that confidence, or in the body of a just, perfect, and regular Lodge of Ancient
Freemasons. I further solemnly promise that I will not write those secrets, indite, carve,
mark, engrave or otherwise them delineate, or cause or suffer it to be so done by others,
if in my power to prevent it, on anything moveable or immovable, under the canopy of
Heaven, whereby or whereon any letter, character or figure, or the least trace of a
letter, character or figure, may become legible, or intelligible to myself or anyone in
the world, so that our secret arts and hidden mysteries may improperly become known
through my unworthiness. These several points I solemnly swear to observe, without
evasion, equivocation, or mental reservation of any kind, under no less a penalty, on the
violation of any of them, than that of having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by
the root, and buried in the sand of the sea at low water mark, or a cable's length from
the shore, where the tide regularly ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, or the more
effective punishment of being branded as a wilfully perjured individual, void of all moral
worth, and totally unfit to be received into this worshipful Lodge, or any other warranted
Lodge or society of men, who prize honour and virtue above the external advantages of rank
and fortune. So help me, God,and keep me steadfast in this my Great and
Solemn Obligation of an Entered Apprentice Freemason'.
Note: In 1986 The Grand Lodge of England removed the candidate's
speaking out of the traditional physical penalties shown in the
illustration. However they are
still within the wording, only more subtly.. The Worshipful master tells the
candidate '.But the danger which, traditionally, would have awaited
you until your latest hour had you improperly disclosed the secrets of
Freemasonry, that of having the throat cut across, the tongue torn out
by the root and buried in the sea at low water or a cable's length from
the shore where the tide regularly ebbs and flows twice in 24 hours. the inclusion of such a
penalty is unnecessary, for the obligation you have taken this evening
is binding upon you for so long as you shall live'.
The Worshipful
master explains 'Entustment' by telling the candidate '.to the symbolic penalty of the degree, which implied
that, as a man of honour, a mason would rather have had his throat cut
than improperly disclose..' and then in an exchange with the Senior
Warden when he asks the candidate to what does it allude the candidate answers ..'the symbolic penalty of the degree, which
implied that, as a man of honour, a mason would rather have his throat
cut across than improperly disclose'
All metal objects are removed from the candidate. This includes his wedding ring, symbol
of the covenant with his marriage partner. From now on she will be classified as being
'profane' (Outside the camp)
The candidate is declared to be 'A poor candidate in a state of darkness'
He is given a Masonic penny and told 'he will need this'. He is then asked to the penny
into the Masonic poor box
He is dressed in 'pauper's clothing'. with bare left leg, bare right arm, bare left
breast and heelless right slipper.
The blue blindfold, called a hoodwink, is placed over the candidate's eyes.
A blue noose (called a cable tow rope) is placed around the candidate's neck
(threatening strangulation or asphyxiation).
The point of a dagger (or compasses) is placed against the heart area of the chest and
sometimes also on the bridge of the nose or under the chin (threatening death or injury).
The candidate is shown the secret handshake/grip, the 'Due Guard' and 'Penal Sign', and
is given the password "Boaz".
During the oath taking the candidate will have held the 'Volume of Sacred Law' (VSL)
which for most UK/USA Blue Lodges would be the Bible.
The traditional penalties alluded to for revealing Masonic secrets to the profane (outsiders) includes the words
". . . having my throat cut across from ear to ear, my tongue torn out by the root,
and buried in the sand of the sea at low water or a cable's length from the shore where
the tide regularly ebbs and flows twice in 24 hours."
[see note above]
Compasses will be placed on top of an open Bible at Psalm 133 and the candidate will
kneel before the altar and kiss the VSL.
He will finally be asked to seal the ritual oath with the words 'So mote it be' (used
only in Freemasonry and Witchcraft)
The candidate may have had the deacons' wands held over his head whilst kneeling. The
wands would form a symbol of the generative part of woman known aa a lozenge, to indicate
that the candidate is being born again.
When the hoodwink is taken off he is declared as having been brought 'into the wisdom
and light of Masonry'.
The candidate is given working tools (as in witchcraft) appropriate to the degree
- 24" gauge, gavel, chisel, square, level, plum line, tracing board, ashlar
& skirret.
The candidate is presented with a white apron which covers his genital area
The full line by line
traditional wording for the Entered Apprentice degree is
available by clicking
The candidate is dressed in 'pauper's clothing'. with bare right leg, bare left arm, bare
right breast and heeless left slipper.
The first degree apron is worn over the pauper's clothing.
The blue blindfold, called a hoodwink, is placed over the candidate's eyes.
The blue 'cable tow rope' is wound twice round the right arm.
The square is pressed against the left breast.
The candidate is shown the secret handshake/grip, the 'Due Guard' and 'Penal Sign', the
Fidelity Sign and the Hailing Sign, and is given the passwords "Shibboleth"
and "Jachin".
During the oath taking the candidate will have held the 'Volume of Sacred Law' (VSL) which
for most UK/USA Blue Lodges would be the Bible.
The traditional penalties alluded to for revealing
Masonic secrets to the profane (outsiders) includes the words
". . . having my left breast laid open, my heart torn out and given to the ravenous birds
of the air or devouring beasts of the field as prey."
[see note below]
The square and compass will be placed on top of an open Bible at Amos chapter 7, and the
candidate will kneel before the altar and kiss the VSL.
He will finally be asked to seal the ritual oath with the words 'So mote it be' (used only
in Freemasonry and Witchcraft)
The candidate is given working tools (as in witchcraft) appropriate to the degree
- Square, level, plum line, trowel and compasses.
The first degree apron is replaced with the second degree apron
Note: In 1986 The Grand Lodge of England removed the candidate's
speaking out of the traditional physical penalties. However they are
still within the wording, only more subtly. The pledge now states 'Do
you likewise pledge yourself that you conceal what I shall now impart to
you with the same strict caution as the other secrets in masonry?'
The worshipful master explains to the candidate '..to the symbolic
penalty at one time included in the Obligation in this degree (as
below) had he improperly disclosed the secrets entrusted to him,
which implied that, as a man of honour a Fellow Craft Freemason would rather have had
the left breast laid open, the heart torn out and given to the birds of
the air or the devouring beasts of the field' and in an exchange with the Senior
Warden when he asks the candidate to what does it allude the candidate
answers ..'the symbolic penalty of the degree, which
implied that, as a man of honour, a Fellow Craft FreeMason would rather have had his
heart torn from his breast than improperly disclose..etc'
The
full line by line traditional wording for the Fellow Craft degree is available by clicking
The candidate is dressed in 'pauper's clothing'. with both leg bared, both arms bared, bare chest
and heelless left and right slippers.
The second degree apron is worn over the pauper's clothing.
The blue blindfold, called a hoodwink, is placed over the candidate's eyes.
The blue 'cable tow rope' is
wound 3 times around his body at the waist.
Compass points are pressed against left and right breast.
Two swords are pressed in a 'V' against the kidneys. [read
testimony]
The candidate is shown the secret handshake - the 'lion's paw' grip, the 'Due Guard' and four
further signs of Horror, Sympathy, Grief and Distress, and Joy and Exaltaion. The passwords are
'Machoben' and 'Tubal Cain'
During the oath taking the candidate will have held the 'Volume of Sacred Law' (VSL) which for
most UK/USA Blue Lodges would be the Bible.
Ceremony involves enacting out a drama whereby the candidate becomes 'Hiram Abiff' the (mythical)
architect of King Solomon's temple. The candidate as Hiram Abiiff is attacked by three Juwes
(Joo-ees) who kill him by three violent blows to the body and head (or sometimes all three blows are
to the head, right and left temples and forehead). The first blow is with a 24" guage to the
throat, the second with a square to the chest and the third (death blow) with a maul to the head. The
candidate then falls onto an open stetcher and is shown a black coffin shaped cloth with skull and
bones, and is then buried temporarily under the temple rubbish, then moved to burial under the Accacia
tree.
In the drama the candidate is attempted to be raised back to life by the 1st degree secret grip
but this fails. The second degree grip also fails, and it is then that the worshipful master,
impersonating King Solomon, steps forward and applying the third degree 'lion's paw' grip succeeds in
raising the candidate from death into new life in Freemasonry.
The
lion's paw grip..
The
Lion's Paw in the Pyramid Mysteries
The picture shows how the grip
of the Lion's Paw was given in the Pyramid
Mysteries. The priest wore over his head the
mask of a lion. By this grip the spirit in man,
long buried in the sepulchre of substance, is
raised to life, and the candidate goes forth as
a builder entitled to the wages of an initiate.
From
the inside cover of 'The Lost Keys of
Freemasonry' by Manly P. Hall 33rd degree
The candidate is then given the five points of fellowship. Foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to
breast, hand to mouth and mouth to ear.
At this point the Grand Masonic Word 'Mah-hah-bone' is revealed under penalty of death of
revealed, as is the secret word 'Machaben'
The traditional penalties alluded to for revealing Masonic secrets to the profane (outsiders) includes the words ". .
. being severed in two, my bowels burned to ashes and those ashes scattered over the face of the earth
and wafted by the four winds of heaven so that no trace or
remembrance of so vile a wretch as me may
be found among men." [see
note below]
The square and compass will be placed on top of an open Bible at Ecclesiastes chapter 12, and the
candidate will kneel before the altar and kiss the VSL three times.
He will finally be asked to seal the ritual oath with the words 'So mote it be' (used only in
Freemasonry and Witchcraft)
The candidate is given working tools (as in witchcraft) appropriate to the degree -
gavel (maul), chisel, square, pencil, level, plum line. tracing board, ashlar, skirret, compasses and
trowel.
The second degree apron is replaced with the third degree apron - which the Mason keeps.
Other regalia may include the Junior Warden's jewel, sashes, fur collars and cuffs.
Some Blue Lodges add on a Royal Arch "chapter" as a 'completion'
of this degree.
Note: In 1986 The Grand Lodge of England removed the candidate's
speaking out of the traditional physical penalties shown in the
illustration.. However they are
still within the wording, only more subtly.. The pledge now states 'Do
you likewise pledge yourself that you conceal what I shall now impart to
you with the same strict caution as the other secrets in masonry?'
The worshipful master explains to the candidate '..to the symbolic
penalty at one time included in the Obligation in this degree (as
below) had he improperly disclosed the secrets entrusted to him,
which implied that, as a man of honour a Master mason would rather have
been severed in two, the bowels burnt to ashes and the ashes scattered
over the face of the earth and wafted by the four winds of heaven so
that no trace or remembrance of so vile a wretch may longer be found
among men, particularly Master Masons'
The full
line by line traditional wording for the Master Mason degree is available by clicking