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.
Seems to me that our animalistic drives aren't necessarily overtaken. Rather, as we seek more light they're more often accompanied by our higher, divine nature. The balance between the two probably varies in different situations. perhaps even several times a day. We might consider always arranging the Square and Compasses as we do for the Fellowcraft degree to remind us that we're never done.
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.”
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.
Seems to me that our animalistic drives aren't necessarily overtaken. Rather, as we seek more light they're more often accompanied by our higher, divine nature. The balance between the two probably varies in different situations. perhaps even several times a day. We might consider always arranging the Square and Compasses as we do for the Fellowcraft degree to remind us that we're never done.
Well said. Love your article
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.”
Good stuff!