We are told that the Lesser Lights represent the Sun, the Moon, and the Master of the Lodge. And that they thus explain the Worshipful Master’s duty to rule and govern his Lodge with regularity.
Fair enough I suppose.
But as with everything in the Lodge, they are symbolic of a deeper truth. What is the lesson we should take from the Lesser Lights?
I have always thought they represent a polar axis (between sun & moon, which symbolically can represent a number of different things) and the worshipful master as symbolic of the attempt to balance the polar axes. For example: sometimes the sun and the moon refers to power/rule (sun) and emotion/relationships (moon). A wise master would use both. They might also refer to the day (work time) and the night (rest time). A wise master would take both. They might also refer to the masculine principle (sun) and the feminine principle (moon). A wise master would use elements from both in his approach.
So symbolically, my take on the three lesser lights is "the world will try to pull you this way and that to all kinds of extremes, your job is to be the master and chart a course between the extremes that respects the value of both"
Of all the geometric shapes, the triangle is the strongest. Less than three sides and everything falls flat. Any more would be superfluous. Equal regularity reminds us to have balance in all things, moderation being the key to a long, happy life.
Obviously, the sun and moon represent chronological regularity, and that is the mundane meaning of the lesser Lights, I think. But, as the MWB pointed out it may well go deeper. By the time our ritual was codified the heliocentric model of the solar system had been widely adopted, perhaps the Master is taking the place of the Earth, between the Sun and Moon. In Alchemy; “The alchemical slogan 'solve et coagula', is the process of dissolving (moon) in order to coagulate (sun) the essential, each time refining the process more and more until it is pure spirit.” Is this suggesting that through the masterful craft of the Master the brethren are refined? In Astrology, “In astrological language, your Sun sign dictates your zodiac personality, while your Moon sign, the second most important influence in your horoscope chart after the Sun, represents your emotions, your inner mood. And the two together strongly influence your emotional mode of operation” Is this a reference to subduing our passions? As our good brother below pointed out the triangle is a powerful symbol, and represents stability, in all these cases placing the WM as the third leg, I think implies his role as a leader, a teacher, a mentor, and an example. In a well-run Lodge I think we are being told that the Master stands between sun and moon, a conduit of the divine Light that illuminates, and purifies. In closing I would point out that the ‘lesser lights’ seem to me to suggest a lower plane than is represented by the Great Lights, VSL and the abstract geometric images, probably a nod to Neoplatonism.
Just for a quick comment, the first thing I think of is the Sun produces the light and the Moon reflects that light just like the Master can produce light that can reflect from the brothers in the Lodge.
My thoughts are I think reflected in everyone else's comments, but are different as well. I'll try to explain.
I see the Sun as symbolic of active energies. For ease of explanation, I think these energies are often referenced as 'male.'
I see the moon as symbolic of generative energies. Again, I see these often referenced as 'female.'
These active energies can, I think, be considered by the term 'Power.' These generative energies by the term 'Thought.' Much like in the Lodge the East is the station of Wisdom, the West of Strength.
In order to create the universe, as we know it, Deity had to have two attributes.
-The 'Thought' to create the universe had to exist. For if it didn't exist, it could not have been created.
-The 'Power' to create the universe had to exist. For likewise if it did not, creation could not have begun.
Thought without power is impotent. Power without thought is wasted.
So Deity created the universe by combining Thought with Power.
Everything in our lives is a reflection of that which is divine. The old maxim: "As Above, So Below; As Below, So Above."
We can learn from this lesson that if we hope to create in our own lives, we must blend Thought with Power.
I know a man well (he has been my handyman for many years) who works like a dog, but is forever either homeless, or teetering on the brink of homelessness. Despite all we (and others) have done to try to help him, and no matter how hard he works, things never improve for him. This, in my view, is because he is utilizing Power, but never has a care for thinking about how to improve his situation. His life is one of Power without Thought.
I know another man who is wicked, scary smart. A great guy. But he doesn't put those smarts to work in order to improve his life. As a result, he has always lived in such a way that most of us would be unable to tolerate. He uses his mind, but he doesn't do anything with the knowledge he possesses or the insights he finds. His life is one of Thought without Power.
When I see the Lesser Lights, that is what I see. Power (the sun,) Thought (the moon,) resulting in Creation (The Master of the Lodge.)
My observation is that the darker side of the lodge is in the north therefore there are two lesser lights in the north to brighten the darkness that resides in all of us and the lodge. 2c
I have always thought they represent a polar axis (between sun & moon, which symbolically can represent a number of different things) and the worshipful master as symbolic of the attempt to balance the polar axes. For example: sometimes the sun and the moon refers to power/rule (sun) and emotion/relationships (moon). A wise master would use both. They might also refer to the day (work time) and the night (rest time). A wise master would take both. They might also refer to the masculine principle (sun) and the feminine principle (moon). A wise master would use elements from both in his approach.
So symbolically, my take on the three lesser lights is "the world will try to pull you this way and that to all kinds of extremes, your job is to be the master and chart a course between the extremes that respects the value of both"
Of all the geometric shapes, the triangle is the strongest. Less than three sides and everything falls flat. Any more would be superfluous. Equal regularity reminds us to have balance in all things, moderation being the key to a long, happy life.
Obviously, the sun and moon represent chronological regularity, and that is the mundane meaning of the lesser Lights, I think. But, as the MWB pointed out it may well go deeper. By the time our ritual was codified the heliocentric model of the solar system had been widely adopted, perhaps the Master is taking the place of the Earth, between the Sun and Moon. In Alchemy; “The alchemical slogan 'solve et coagula', is the process of dissolving (moon) in order to coagulate (sun) the essential, each time refining the process more and more until it is pure spirit.” Is this suggesting that through the masterful craft of the Master the brethren are refined? In Astrology, “In astrological language, your Sun sign dictates your zodiac personality, while your Moon sign, the second most important influence in your horoscope chart after the Sun, represents your emotions, your inner mood. And the two together strongly influence your emotional mode of operation” Is this a reference to subduing our passions? As our good brother below pointed out the triangle is a powerful symbol, and represents stability, in all these cases placing the WM as the third leg, I think implies his role as a leader, a teacher, a mentor, and an example. In a well-run Lodge I think we are being told that the Master stands between sun and moon, a conduit of the divine Light that illuminates, and purifies. In closing I would point out that the ‘lesser lights’ seem to me to suggest a lower plane than is represented by the Great Lights, VSL and the abstract geometric images, probably a nod to Neoplatonism.
Just for a quick comment, the first thing I think of is the Sun produces the light and the Moon reflects that light just like the Master can produce light that can reflect from the brothers in the Lodge.
My thoughts are I think reflected in everyone else's comments, but are different as well. I'll try to explain.
I see the Sun as symbolic of active energies. For ease of explanation, I think these energies are often referenced as 'male.'
I see the moon as symbolic of generative energies. Again, I see these often referenced as 'female.'
These active energies can, I think, be considered by the term 'Power.' These generative energies by the term 'Thought.' Much like in the Lodge the East is the station of Wisdom, the West of Strength.
In order to create the universe, as we know it, Deity had to have two attributes.
-The 'Thought' to create the universe had to exist. For if it didn't exist, it could not have been created.
-The 'Power' to create the universe had to exist. For likewise if it did not, creation could not have begun.
Thought without power is impotent. Power without thought is wasted.
So Deity created the universe by combining Thought with Power.
Everything in our lives is a reflection of that which is divine. The old maxim: "As Above, So Below; As Below, So Above."
We can learn from this lesson that if we hope to create in our own lives, we must blend Thought with Power.
I know a man well (he has been my handyman for many years) who works like a dog, but is forever either homeless, or teetering on the brink of homelessness. Despite all we (and others) have done to try to help him, and no matter how hard he works, things never improve for him. This, in my view, is because he is utilizing Power, but never has a care for thinking about how to improve his situation. His life is one of Power without Thought.
I know another man who is wicked, scary smart. A great guy. But he doesn't put those smarts to work in order to improve his life. As a result, he has always lived in such a way that most of us would be unable to tolerate. He uses his mind, but he doesn't do anything with the knowledge he possesses or the insights he finds. His life is one of Thought without Power.
When I see the Lesser Lights, that is what I see. Power (the sun,) Thought (the moon,) resulting in Creation (The Master of the Lodge.)
My observation is that the darker side of the lodge is in the north therefore there are two lesser lights in the north to brighten the darkness that resides in all of us and the lodge. 2c