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.
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