The Dual Nature Of Man's Character
Man's Behaviors Can Be Animalistic Or Divine
Those of us who are Master Masons know that as we progress through the Degrees of Masonry, the Square and Compass take a journey. A journey whereby the once covered Compass eventually overtakes the Square.
I have long interpreted the symbolism of this journey to be a way of explaining that as one internalizes and practices the lessons of Freemasonry, his basic animalistic drives are slowly overcome by his higher, divine nature.
I see the Square as representing the earth, instincts, actions uncontrolled by reason, our unbridled passions. To me, the Square represents the animal side of man. Conversely, I see the Compass as representing that spark of divinity that is contained within all people, pure and primitive spirituality, consideration before action, unruly passions enchained. To me, the Compass represents the spiritual and divine side of man.
I think we represent this in our Ancient Craft through the relative positions of our Square and Compass.
The profane man is welcomed into our labors with the Square above the Compass, symbolizing that as he has not yet been exposed to the lessons of Freemasonry, he is best represented by the Square, ruled largely by instinct and animal passions.
When a Mason is Passed the Square and Compass are equalized. Neither is above the other. The Mason at that time is represented by the Square and Compass in equilibrium. This is in acknowledgement of the fact that he has been working to subdue his passions and improve himself in Masonry. He may be thought to be ruled sometimes by his instinct and animal passions, at other times by his fundamental spiritual and divine nature.
When he is Raised, the Compass has overtaken the Square. He is represented at that time by the Compass, for he is largely ruled by that spark of divinity that is within himself. His passions are bridled, his instinctual and animalistic nature controlled by reason and higher thought. He has become a changed man, a nobler man from what he was before.
The change in the relative positions of the Square and Compass symbolize the difference we as Freemasons hope our teachings will create within our initiates. We hope that we can bring a good man into our Lodge, and by exposing him to the ancient teachings of our Gentle Craft, he will become an even better man.
In my view, that is the goal symbolized by this journey of the Square and Compass. The goal is not always realized of course. Some men are not ready for our teachings when they are given. Some men have hardened hearts. Some can not change. The seeds of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty need fertile soil in which to grow. In some men, positive change will not come.
Yet taking a good man and helping him to become an even better man remains the promise of Freemasonry. That promise can be, and it will be fulfilled within us, if we open ourselves up to the teachings and allow it.
I like to think that every day is another opportunity for myself, and for Freemasons everywhere to subdue our passions, to allow that spark of divinity within ourselves to overcome our earthly and animalistic natures.
“The Compass, therefore, as the Symbol of the Heavens, represents the spiritual, intellectual, and moral portion of this double nature of Humanity; and the Square, as the Symbol of the Earth, its material, sensual, and baser portion."
-Bro. Albert Pike, Morals & Dogma, Sublime Prince Of The Royal Secret
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Interesting idea - the Square and Compass as a sort of yin yang symbol.
The Square - used to establish the basics of straight lines or to test right angles, that is, more rigid and foundational ideas of either/or.
The Compasses - used to step off distances, raise perpendiculars, create circles and arches and ratios. That is, more imaginative and mathematical ideas.
Both are required if we are to build soaring cathedrals, whether physical or symbolic.
An illustration of the Square and Compass goes back thousands of years, even to the new creation of the human species. One of which in Asia pictures a male and female named Nuwa and Fuxi, who have intertwined serpent bodies similar to a DNA strand. Nuwa stands for heaven with a round compass and Fuxi as a symbol of earth with a square ruler; male as the yang and female for yin. This concept runs through psychological, esoteric and exoteric teachings; psychological with Carl Jung’s Anima and Animus, Biblically with Adam and Eve, the Kabbalist call these two attributes Neshema (Breath of Life) and Nephesh (animal soul), as the Greeks Gnostics, Such as the apostle Paul, called this, Psychic (physical body) and Pneuma (spiritual body).
As shown in the Ryder-Waite tarot card, called “the lovers,” illustrated are Adam and Eve, along with the Tree of Knowledge and Tree of Life, the serpent, and an angel. The Angel here is Raphael whose name means, God heals, or God helps. There is a hidden pyramid, or pathway, on this card. From Adam who represents self-consciousness of animal nature, who is looking at Eve, the emotional consciousness, the breath of life, and Eve is focused on the Angel above; who is the spiritual guide. The reverse path leading away from the angel will lead to a spiritual malady, as we can imagine, emotions leading inward to the ego; depending on the animalistic nature. The “awakening” of the spiritual self has been represented by “Squaring the compass.” It’s not until the third degree that the symbol of balance of spirituality becomes the focus, or path of illumination.
You can see, this is the first recognition of having a sleeping consciousness whose eyes are opened to the light. As it is written in the Secret Book of John: “Eve says; I entered into the midst of the dungeon which is the prison of the body. And I spoke this; “He who hears, let him arise from the deep sleep.” And he (Adam) wept and shed tears… He spoke, asking: “Who is it that calls my name, and whence has this hope come unto me while I am in the chains of this prison?” And I spoke this: “I am the foreknowledge of pure light; I am the thought of the undefiled spirit… Arise and remember… and follow your root which is I and beware of the deep sleep.”