An excerpt from Robert Hewitt Brown's Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy.
"The Antiquity of Masonry
Q. What is the probable antiquity of masonry?
A. There can be but little doubt that the Mysteries, from which, as we have seen, Freemasonry is the direct descendant, were first arranged when Taurus was on the vernal equinox, Leo at th…
An excerpt from Robert Hewitt Brown's Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy.
"The Antiquity of Masonry
Q. What is the probable antiquity of masonry?
A. There can be but little doubt that the Mysteries, from which, as we have seen, Freemasonry is the direct descendant, were first arranged when Taurus was on the vernal equinox, Leo at the summer solstice, and Scorpio at the autumnal equinox. The solar allegory, as handed down to us, shows this to be the fact. At the rate of the precession of the equinoxes is known, we can calculate when the vernal equinox was in Taurus. Such a calculation will take us back about four thousand two hundred and eighty years. The antiquity of masonry is thus written on the face of the starry heavens—a record which utters no falsehoods.
It is telling that the transition of vernal equinox from Taurus to Aries astronomically corresponds timewise with the biblical transition of worship among the Israelites under Moses from calf to lamb . The arrival of Jesus marks the transition from Aries to Pisces. The dominant religious symbol to the fish. Simon Peter the fisherman to Jesus and Peter the fishers of men, baptism the immersion in water the natural habitat of fish.
Today, Aquarius is transitioning into the dominant position at vernal equinox. The astronomical heritage of freemasonry is Very old.
From Plato's Timaeus;
"All men, Socrates, who have any degree of right feeling, at the beginning of every great enterprise, always call upon the blessings of God".
Sounds familiar doesn't it?
I have the opinion that masonry is the bastard child of pagan mystery schools such as the druids, the Platonic philosphic and mathematic academicians, and lastly the knights Templar who hid from Roman catholic persecutions on the island of Britain among the professional ranks of real operative stone masons guilds.
Jack, the Astronomical terms you mention here, including Precession of the equinoxes, is what I was planning to explain in my next presentations on Astronomy. Due to its complexity, I was planning to do the presentation in sections, such as beginner, intermediate and advanced. I don't want to lose people too fast; as you mention, items such as Precession are important in speaking of ancient history, and all the wise philosophers in history were familiar with these characteristics of the motion of the stars and planets.
This is how I plan to contribute to Freemasonry as a Teacher; other subjects, I plan to be a Student, and perhaps also a teacher in some respects. I agree with you in this is how the Masonic Lodge should work in its meetings for education.
The Grand Lodge of Washington will finally be creating a speaker's bureau in the upcoming year. I hope that you will sign up to offer your astronomy presentations!
In my view, Freemasonry is the inheritor of the Mysteries. It wasn't the first such inheritor, nor will it be the last, but it is the current.
I am also of the belief that the Templars in England and Scotland did hide within the ranks of the operative Masons. As educated men in the time, they would have been welcomed and could have earned their keep in exchange for their safety. It is this infusion of men that in my view led to the formation of speculative Masonry as we know it.
An excerpt from Robert Hewitt Brown's Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy.
"The Antiquity of Masonry
Q. What is the probable antiquity of masonry?
A. There can be but little doubt that the Mysteries, from which, as we have seen, Freemasonry is the direct descendant, were first arranged when Taurus was on the vernal equinox, Leo at the summer solstice, and Scorpio at the autumnal equinox. The solar allegory, as handed down to us, shows this to be the fact. At the rate of the precession of the equinoxes is known, we can calculate when the vernal equinox was in Taurus. Such a calculation will take us back about four thousand two hundred and eighty years. The antiquity of masonry is thus written on the face of the starry heavens—a record which utters no falsehoods.
It is telling that the transition of vernal equinox from Taurus to Aries astronomically corresponds timewise with the biblical transition of worship among the Israelites under Moses from calf to lamb . The arrival of Jesus marks the transition from Aries to Pisces. The dominant religious symbol to the fish. Simon Peter the fisherman to Jesus and Peter the fishers of men, baptism the immersion in water the natural habitat of fish.
Today, Aquarius is transitioning into the dominant position at vernal equinox. The astronomical heritage of freemasonry is Very old.
From Plato's Timaeus;
"All men, Socrates, who have any degree of right feeling, at the beginning of every great enterprise, always call upon the blessings of God".
Sounds familiar doesn't it?
I have the opinion that masonry is the bastard child of pagan mystery schools such as the druids, the Platonic philosphic and mathematic academicians, and lastly the knights Templar who hid from Roman catholic persecutions on the island of Britain among the professional ranks of real operative stone masons guilds.
Jack, the Astronomical terms you mention here, including Precession of the equinoxes, is what I was planning to explain in my next presentations on Astronomy. Due to its complexity, I was planning to do the presentation in sections, such as beginner, intermediate and advanced. I don't want to lose people too fast; as you mention, items such as Precession are important in speaking of ancient history, and all the wise philosophers in history were familiar with these characteristics of the motion of the stars and planets.
This is how I plan to contribute to Freemasonry as a Teacher; other subjects, I plan to be a Student, and perhaps also a teacher in some respects. I agree with you in this is how the Masonic Lodge should work in its meetings for education.
The Grand Lodge of Washington will finally be creating a speaker's bureau in the upcoming year. I hope that you will sign up to offer your astronomy presentations!
Looks like I'll have to get to work here quite soon! Good to hear!
My own personal theories reflect yours I believe.
In my view, Freemasonry is the inheritor of the Mysteries. It wasn't the first such inheritor, nor will it be the last, but it is the current.
I am also of the belief that the Templars in England and Scotland did hide within the ranks of the operative Masons. As educated men in the time, they would have been welcomed and could have earned their keep in exchange for their safety. It is this infusion of men that in my view led to the formation of speculative Masonry as we know it.