September 2007
Let There Be LIGHT!
THE PLUMB-LINE
The Plumb-line, which is used by the operative mason to try and adjust all
uprights while fixing them on their proper basis, is to the the Speculative Mason
an emblem of justness and uprightness of life and actions. It admonishes him to
walk uprightly in whatever station he may be placed, to hold the scales of justice
with an equal poise, and to observe the just medium between avarice and profusion,
and to make his passions and prejudices coincide with the exact line of duty.
To steer the barque of this life over the rough seas of passion without quitting the
helm of rectitude is one of the highest degrees of perfection to which human nature
may attain.
Jimmy D. Scott, Worshipful Master
THE MIDDLE PILLAR
I have found reflections on a “Middle Pillar” a useful Masonic tool, that can, for
research purposes, be divided basically into three groups:
1) Israel Regardie’s mystical ritual and famous book
2) The middle way of Buddhism
3) The Jewish Kabbalah
What I find interesting about a “Middle Pillar” is how the middle or Third leg
forms a Triad, one of the most stable structures. The third leg creates stability by
ensuring balance between opposites. Good examples would be a three-legged
stool, a pyramid, a tricycle, a tripod or the simple Triangle. Indeed the Triangle is
the most stable of geometrical shapes and is considered by many the most durable
shape possible, because its endpoints have hinges that will never change unless
one of its three sides is bent.
Throughout history the number 3 has been considered sacred by many diverse
peoples and cultures. The middle pillar creates a trinity which fully expresses the
mysticism and power of the number 3. In Chinese Taoist philosophy (it’s nearly
3,000 years old!), the Trinity is explained as: Tao (the unknown) begets One; one
begets two; two begets three; three begets all things (Tao Te Ching, Chapter 42).
Indeed, most religions deem a Trinity or Triad as a sacredness integral to their
dogma. It is believed that some Trinity-Triad religious imagery and symbolism
date back some 5,000 years in time!
Israel Regardie – Israel Regardie’s esoteric classic “The Middle Pillar” is a book
studied in small circles and dimly lit rooms around the world. He calls the middle
pillar, “the way of the reconciler.” Regardie believed that the path “between
the pillars” (opposites and extremes of nature) could lead one to a balanced and
harmonious reconciliation which he called the “key” to life. His work is an exercise
in ritual and self empowerment, but is for the serious esoteric student only. In
Chapter One he proclaims this concerning the two pillars: “half way between the
east and west … in a properly instituted temple are placed two up-right pillars …
every pair of conceivable opposites to the human mind find their representation
in the implication of these two pillars … unbalanced power is the ebbing away of
life.” Israel Regardie taught that all the religions are valid and all prophets true.
Don’t know about you, but this middle way sounds very Masonic to me.
The Middle Way – In Buddhism the Middle Way or Middle Path represents the
Buddhist transcendental practice of non-extremism and moderation. Buddha in
his first discourse taught that the Middle Pillar or Way can lead to vision, insight,
knowledge, enlightenment and ultimately, calm or peace. Buddha taught that the
middle way was a noble eight fold path of moderation: Right Action, Right Livelihood,
Right Effort, Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right
Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
The Kabbalah – The Kabbalah has been called the “secret doctrine of Israel.” It
is an extraordinary system of Jewish mysticism and wisdom. Famed Masonic
Scholar General Albert Pike 33º believed it was the “key” to unlocking many of
Freemasonry’s hidden doors and inner sanctums. The Kabbalah is most widely
known to us through the “Tree of Life” or Sefiroth. It’s a symbol of three pillars,
10 spheres, 22 paths (the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet and the major
arcana of a tarot deck) and a snake* that winds its way through it all. Standing
between the pillars of Mercy and Severity, the pillar of mildness, the Middle Pillar
is “Keter the Crown” which represents the un-manifest (Tao) from which the
THE MIDDLE PILLAR —from page 4
“ALL” flowed. Famous Masonic author Manly P. Hall states bluntly in his
masterpiece book “The Secret Teachings of All Ages:” “The theories of the
Kabbalah are inextricably interwoven with the tenants of Alchemy, Hermeticism,
Rosicrucianism, and Freemasonry.” (Pg. 158)
My brothers, with this article I've but dabbled into the awesome and inspiring
symbolism which is the Middle Pillar. So much more, so worthy of our valuable
time and attention. King Solomon perhaps said it best when he commented on the
Middle Pillar or Triad in Ecclesiastes 4:12: “A three-ply cord is not easily severed.”
Seems to me the principle officers of the Lodge, the WM, the SW and the JW, form
such a triad or “three-ness” and that is the core of their strength, an inherited,
coded, geometrical stability. An ancient cord not easily cut.
It’s just food for thought, or is that thought for food …
After reading my own article, I suppose I should take a more “Middle Pillar”
philosophical approach: “Food-Thought.”
Fraternally, W.B. Richard D. Edmonds, P.M.
Notes:.
*It’s noteworthy: The snake, symbolically and historically speaking, is more
often used as a symbol of Wisdom than evil.