THE SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF THE OFFICES IN THE LODGE

The Senior Warden is stationed in the West without light save by reflection from the Worshipful Master in the East, representing the Soul of Man, which, until the light shines upon and quickens it, is a thing of darkness, therefore it is likened unto the moon which governs the night. His Badge is the level of equality, symbolically showing that all Souls stand upon an equality before the Great Architect, and must be adjusted and tested by the level of Divine perfection. The teaching of this symbolic office being to present Candidates out of Darkness into Light, invest them with symbolic clothing, marking their progress thereto and indicating in emulation of the Great Architect of the Universe that it is appointed to every Soul to build a body for itself by its own energies and labour so when the Temple of its Mortality is dissolved, it may wear a body of immortality, clothed with Light as a garment.

The Cowan

THE MODERN COWAN

by Floren L. Quick

 In Scotland, the operative Mason knew cowans to be ignorant builders who put stones together without mortar. They piled rough fieldstones into a wall without hewing them true, or squaring them. They masqueraded as Masters, but they did not have the Word.
Now and again, today - fortunately not too often - we find a modern equivalent of the operative imposter. One such is the Mason who manages a place in an officer's line with little or no effect of his own to deserve it. With only that exertion that is necessary to maintain his place, he continues to advance in line until he receives the jewels and honours that he prizes so highly. But he does not know the Constitution, and he does not understand the traditions and dignity of the Craft. As a presiding officer, his vocal ability is more noteworthy than his executive ability; and when his term is ended, he is seldom seen until another honour or prize appears to be within his grasp. He is a contemporary builder who works without the benefit of the mortar of real enthusiasm or accomplishments. His structure is liken unto the rough stone wall, having little beauty of value. He is the cowans of modern speculative Masonry.
He is to be pitied, for he is a Masonic failure. His honours are shallow. Bringing no interest to his position, he received little of the satisfaction and respect that belong to the real Master.
Masonry has failed to reach him with a clear understanding of those marks of true devotion which she has to offer. He never knows the opportunities that the Craft makes available to those who diligently seek them. He misses the opportunities that the Craft makes available to strive for a just and worthy cause. He misses the opportunity for continuing fellowship and friendship. He misses the opportunity for loyalty and devotion. He misses the opportunity for development of his executive, intellectual and oratorical abilities. And most of all, he misses the opportunity for service - to God - to his community - and to his fellow man. These are the jewels that Masonry has to offer, but in his quest for position and honours, the modern cowan misses them. Like the operative cowan, he does not have the Word.

-reprinted from the Masonic Shimbun in the GLBC Bulletin, Nov. '79

Masonic time and columns

Moving from east to west you have the Master, representing the Rising Sun (or beginning or opening of the day) , to the South of him is the JW; representing the Sun at its Meridian, or mid- day ( the brightest hour, or  when the Sun is overhead). Directly opposite the Master is the setting Sun, the SW or the close of the day - when the  light begins to grow dim and shadows lenghten, or Sundown. Thus far all three positions represent the daytime or diurne.  In the north we have nightime or the nocturne,  where newly initiated brethren or Entered Apprentices are placed. When they are passed they are placed in the South East, truly beginning to see the light. This position corresponds to ante meridian or a.m or, morning before  the hour of 12 noon, which is symbolized by the JW.  Between the  columns of the JW and SW  we have post meridian or pm or afternoon. Followed by night once more, after the Sun sets. The cycle starts over when the sun rises anew the next day. When the lodge is at work the columns  of the Master and SW are up and that of the JW is  down. When the lodge is closed the columns of the Master and SW are down and that of the JW is raised  up. It symbolizes going to harmony (refreshment)  or the "Festive Board" when the JW takes over. Beautifying and adorning the lodge is also understandably the purview of the JW -  the brightest hour of the day. Harmony is a continuation of our meetings with the JW and those under his column  in charge of all the arrangements. As we move from east to west we also see the checkered mosaic square pavement  with the dark squares symbolizing darkness or the sad experiences that we encounter in life and the light squares symbolizing the bright or happy experiences that we have in life.  The serrated edge of the mosaic square pavement symbolizes planetary motion or the rotation and revolution of our planet around the Sun. A complete  rotation once in every 24 hours,  and  a complete revolution around the Sun every 365 1/4 days or one year. And I  extra day every four years  or leap  year. Lines of longitude are set up in degrees corresponding to 360 degrees or a complete circle,  relating to time in hours, minutes and seconds. Lines of longitude were first set up by Bro Christopher Wren when he was President of the Royal Society. They were  approved by Bro Sir Isaac Newton who succeeded Wren as its President. The great naval power of England was aided  by its exceptional  navigational skills.   The perambulations and the Opening and Closing  Odes that we sing are also related to time. Take a closer look. The ritual of the Opening and Closing of the lodge speaks also to these relationships.  The planetary motion goes back to Copernicus and Galileo and our heliocentric solar system rather than the previously     held geocentric system. These is much more to this throughout our rituals in all three Degrees. I find  sub- lunary  abode,  especially eloquent.  In studying the liberal arts and sciences, which we are exhorted to do; astronomy is among the subjects that we are  told  to study.  There is much more that could be said. Some of this is also captured in the lyrics of our poetry and popular songs. I leave you on the note, no pun intended, of the words of one of our popular songs: "I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden, along with the sunshine there's gonna be a bit of rain sometimes".  Indeed our entire  life goes through that cycle (s) repeatedly, till the final sunset.

Columns

"what's the signification of the columns of the Warden's pedestal"?. I didn't have an answer, so I set out to research the answer to that question. I read extensively on the subject of the two columns. Most of what I read was speculative, at best. Except that their are use to identify whether the Lodge is at "labour" or "refreshment". However, nothing in Lodge seems at they are, but they have deeper meaning.  So I'm wondering if these two columns represent to two forms of man, physical and spiritual. As such, when the Lodge is a work, the physical man should work, behave and practice Freemasonry to improve himself and his Lodge, thus that physical column (SW) is raised. On the hand, when the Lodge is close, the spiritual column (JW) is raised, to remind the Brethren that in leaving the Lodge, their are to bring with them those tenets and principles of the Lodge at work, to the outer world. Brethren, your thoughts are being solicited.