The Tree of Life II

Adapted from http://cabalamaconaria.blogspot.com
As Fellowcraft, and later as Masters you go to tread other paths. You need to give other steps and perceive why you do them. Are you satisfied, mechanically, by giving the steps that you are merely informed about? If yes, you are losing the best of the experiences. It is like traveling by train with the windows closed. You will never enjoy the beauty of the nature outside and the splendor of the life that is kept disguised under blanket of the unknown and the ignorance.
Each detail, each step that we give is in an aggregate direction. It has a symbol, has one meaning. Who does not know where he goes, it will never know where it is, and it runs the risk not to arrive the final place.
We have emphasized many coincidences between the AASR and the tree of the life (Kabala). As the Kabala is also encoded in folding screens with symbolism taken from Astrology is inevitable that associations appear that ties up to common symbols of expression. For example, when we watch in the blue lodges of the AASR the positions of officers, we may identify similarities with the structure of the Tree of the Life. We may identify the astrological signs in the columns and other Lodge symbols.
Regarding astrology, many doubts and questions emerge about the rational acceptance of concepts that are millenarian. In spite of being very easy to comprehend the effect of the proximity of the MOON, in the fishing activities and many other activities, we also acknowledge, directly, the effects of the SUN light in our day-by-day. But we don’t have the perception of the presence of the other planets planets with the same easiness. In this regard, we study the presence of the SUN in the houses 10, 11 and 12 of our native maps, and the effects of its presence in the human beings affections. The approach is controversial if we take notice that the interpretations are distinctive according with the implied publications. In particular, it cannot be left out of consideration that the human beings are individually governed by free-will, in different intensities.

In the figure KABBALH and the ASTROLOGY are confronted, indicating the cycles that mark our existence. The astrological energetic influences produce, designing a circled form, creating multiple reactions, some positive, others negative, according with the orbit traced by the planets opposing to the planets that influence each individual's birth. It is, in this regard, that differences between individuals may be aprehended and explained. Some individuals serach for knowledge and use it to modify the records of the invisible forces that rule on us since birth. Others let the intimate forces prevail in the course of their destinies as leaves taken by the wind.
Through this, we may reflect about the patterns each one may find appropriate to become a good freemason rather then others. It may solve the problem why freemasonry chooses its affiliates and not individuals choose freemasonry, as the guiding lantern for their own actions. Astrologically, we may find people that are more feasible to the studies and searches required by the Masonic path.

The above figure, in the lower part, shows the Tree of Life, the human evolution in astrological terms. It underlines the period from 6:00 am to 12:00 am as the time of birth that affects the houses 10, 11 and 12 of the zodiacal calendar.
It shows individuals more inclined to naivety, luxuriousness and antagonism. These tendencies if not properly managed, by the free-will of every individual born in this range of time can lead to propensity to confrontation, what is not advisable in a fraternal society like freemasonry.

Do you know at what time you were born? Reflect and maximize your free-will and become a better freemason. Knowledge has only any value if its shared. And has much more than one may presume.

The Tree of Life (1st Part)

Adapted from http://cabalamaconaria.blogspot.com

As Brethren we live deeply the masonry in a journey of diverse mysteries. In this journey, many the curiosities are that we find in the search to engrave it of the rough stone, the stone that we are. As searchers of the occult knowledge of the Tree of Life (Kabbalah) we are recognized, in a plural sense, by "Adam kadmon". We go straight ahead, through evolutive steps, moving at the right, then turning to the left. Have anyone question itself about the steps one do in climbing this Jacob Ladder? If we are not robots, it's decisive that we perceive our fraternal destiny. With free-mind, self-help and fraternal support of our brethren we need to know: where do we go? how do we go? when do we go? If brethren, between ourselves, have not put these questions is time to get the answers in the architecture of the Tree of Life, transmitted million years ago by the GAOTU to Moses. As Master Masons we need to perceive this source of knowledge, to bring help to our recent-initiated brothers. To you - who already are a M:. M:. - I ask: have you drank the water of knowledge from the Tree of the Life? Everything in freemasonry is handle, symbolically. The most important of the symbolisms is represented by the figure of the 10 SEPHIROTS (Tree of the Life). Note that they are 10, not 20, 30, nor any other number. They are 10 (ten) as 10 were the commandments received by Moses from God. Than observe the figure of the Tree of the Life. Each circle has a symbol. They are 10 circles (sephirots) together. Each circle has an Hebrew letter and a certain sound, that represent them in the Tree. To reach the knowledge of each Sephira in every path the hidden mysteries must be pursued. It is necessary to work, througout an arduous plan for simple curious people. What do you already know about this knowledge? In the Tree of the Life one can find the answers to all questions. As an Adam Apprentice you are still in the first level of the LAND, with the feet stuck in the ground (Sephira Malkut). From here you foresee 3 (three) sephirots, and three paths. Here are the three aims to be tread. From Malkut, look and reflect on the importance of the number three. Only after you may understand Brother the secret veiled in each sephira and in each path and you will be apt to look for other aims. And you, my Master, have you already the knowledge of the occult mysteries in these paths, as well as the ones of those sephirots where finish? In the masonic knowledge you knew them as masonic decade. Do you remember?

Kabalah and Freemasonry

The Kabalah is indeed of the essence of Freemasonry." -- co-Mason Helena P. Blavatsky, co-founder of the Theosophical Society, as quoted from secondary source "Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge" by Ankerberg and Weldon, page 236

"Freemasonry is kabbalism in another garb." -- Freemason F. De P. Castelle, "The Genuine Secrets of Freemasony Prior to A.D. 1717, according to secondary source "Hidden Secrets of the Eastern Star" by Dr. Cathy Burns, page 263

"Kabalah is the key of the occult sciences." -- Albert Pike, 33rd Degree Mason, as quoted from secondary source "Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge" by Ankerberg and Weldon, page 219

"The Jewish mysteries are the source of our present tradition of which was carried to Rome, and thence passed down through the Collegia into the mediaveal guilds, finally emerging in the eighteenth century in the speculative rituals fo the Craft degrees, in the Holy Royal Arch and the degree of Mark Master Mason, and in those of other emblems and ceremonies..." -- Freemason C.W. Leadbeater, "Freemasonry and its Ancient Mystic Rites, page 77

"The whole basis of our theory is the Qabalah...." -- Aleister Crowley, Freemason and father of modern satanism as quoted in Craig Heimbichner's "Blood On The Altar", page 116; primary source is "Magic In Theory and Practice" by the self-professed "Beast-666" himself, Crowley.

"....the theories of Qabbalism are inextricably interwoven with the tenets of alchemy, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, and Freemasonry." -- 33rd Degree Freemason Manly Palmer Hall, as quoted from secondary source "Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge," by Ankerberg and Weldon, page 220

"...in the Kabbala we find fragments of the symbolic knowledge which was once the exclusive property of the initiates. So close are the analogiews between certain of the doctrines of the Kabbala and those of the earlier degrees of Masonry, that it has been supposed that Kabbalistic students were responsible for the introduction of speculative Masonry into our modern Craft. The student of occultism does not hold this veiw, for he knows that our speculative rituals belong in substance to a far older past than the eighteenth century, and that they perpetuate the tradition of the Jews, who derived it from the Mysteries of Egypt. He sees in the Kabbala a written and exoteric portiion of certain teachings belonging to the Jews, though handed down...." - Freemasonry and Its Ancient Mystic Rites, Freemason C.W. Leadbeater, page 73

"The Cabala may be defined to be a system of philosophy which embraces certain mystical interpretations of Scripture, and metaphysical and spiritual beings... Much use is made of it in the advanced degrees, and entire Rites have been constructed on its principles." -- Freemason Albert Mackey, "Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry," as quoted from secondary source "Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge," page 220

"Masonry cannot be fully appreciated or understood without knowledge of the Qabalist Tree of Life..." -- Paul Foster case, Freemason and Golden Dawn member, considered to be the outstanding authority of Tarot, Qbalah, Alchemy, and other occult topics, as quoted by Dr. Cathy Burns, "Hidden Secrets of the Eastern Star, page 263

"...all Masonic associations owe to it [Kabala] their secrets and their symbols." --Eliphas Levi, Transcendental Magic, as quoted from secondary source, "Fallen Angel" by Thomas Friend on page 241 [brackets mine; Levi was a 19th century Freemason and black majician, whose works were plaigarized by infamous Freemason, Albert Pike, according to Freemason Manly Hall.]

"The true philosophy, known and practised by Soloman, is the basis on which Masonry is founded." -- Albert Pike, Freemason of the 33rd and last Degree, "Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry", 1871, L.H. Jenkins Inc., p. 785. "According to Talmudic legends, Solomon understood the mysteries of the Qabbalah. He was also a necromancer, being able to summon demons." -- Manly P. Hall, 33rd Degree Freemason, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages", p. 566.

"Freemasonry is founded upon the activities of this secret society of Central European adepts, whom the studious Mason will find to be the definite 'link' between the modern Craft and the Ancient Wisdom. The outer body of Masonic philosophy was merely the veil of this qabbalistic order whose members were the custodians of the true Arcanum." -- 33rd Degree Freemason Manly Palmer Hall, "Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins

"Masonry is a search after Light. That search leads us dire- ctly back, as you see, to the Kaballah." -- Freemason Albert Pike, 33rd Degree, as quoted in Ankerberg and Weldon's excellent book, "Secret Teachings of the Masonic Lodge," page 217