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Dualism of the Sword and the Trowel
February 29, 2008
The Sword and the Trowel are the two implements most prominently depicted in the Cryptic Degrees, holding a place in the emblem of our order. We have been explained that the sword is used for defense and protection, and that the trowel is used to cement the brotherhood.
I want to take a deeper look at these implements. Particularly, I want to consider them as an example of dualism. The online Encylopedia at www.wikipedia.org says of Dualism: "In a given domain of knowledge, dualism involves the existence of two fundamental principles (or concepts), often in opposition to each other." Well, the Sword keeps people away, and the Trowel binds people together, so these seem to fit the description. Come to think of it, the lessons of Masonry are filled with this statements to this effect. On one hand, we are taught about the Universal Brotherhood of Mankind and on the other hand we are told to keep them in the dark concerning the secrets of Masonry.
The system of Jewish mysticism known as Kabbalah presents us with a picture of Dualism.
The Tree of Life is a diagram used by Kabbalists to help them understand the attributes of their self and of God. It is said that Aur Ein Sof (Light Without End) shines down into the tree and is split like a prism into ten attributes, known as Sephirot (the Hebrew word for Ciphers) and finally reached Yesod (Foundation) and Malkhut (Earth) at the bottom. The pillar on the left is known as the Pillar of Severity (or Strength.) That on the right is known as the Pillar of Mercy (or Wisdom.) The one in the center is known as the Pillar of Equilibrium (or Beauty.) In fact, our Masonic triad of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty is represented more particularly by Hokhmah (Wisdom), Gevurah (Strength), and Tiferet (Beauty). You'll notice that the middle pillar has a gap in it, making it a broken column.
The idea with this tree is usually to go through a series of meditations contemplating each attribute of God in a sequence. But our goal personally is to try to achieve the balance represented by the middle pillar, and more particularly by Tiferet, Beauty or Harmony.
By crossing the Sword and the Trowel in the emblem of Cryptic Masonry, I believe an allusion is being made to achieving this same type of balance between Severity and Mercy. A lesson which is well demonstrated by Solomon in the story of our admission into the Select Master Degree.
I will conclude by defining the Sephirot to aid in understanding the diagram:
Keter = Crown
Hokhmah = Wisdom, Binah = Understanding
Hesed = Mercy, Gevurah = Strength
Tipheret = Beauty
Netzach = Victory, Hod = Splendor
Yesod = Foundation
and Malkhut = Kingdom.
2 Comments:
The Trowel and Sword of the Cryptic degrees have absolutely NOTHING to do with Kabbalah. Visualize the common symbol of the Council degrees. A Triangle within a circle within a square. The Square is the body, the circle is the mind and the triangle is Soul. The main symbol is the Triangle...the Soul is the most important part of us. The Trowel represents the secret SPIRITUAL WORK that we do within us in order to link with God and Awaken to our intrinsic Divine consciousness. The Sword represents GUARDING the "Real" secrets of the Council/Cryptic degrees and ALL of Freemasonry...that of us being Pure Spirit...a spark of God and not divulging these Truths to the unready. Also...."The Sword of Spiritual discernment" or Viveka;Spiritual discrimination in Sanskrit. And, in certain Spiritual traditions...the Sword symbolically represents cutting away or getting rid of material attachments, the ego consciousness...all of the material things within the mind that are hindering us from Awakening and Realizing that we a Pure Sparks of God; our latent Divine Consciousness. Both; The Trowel and Sword, represents the Spiritual WORK, GUARDING, CUTTING that we must do in order to COMPLETE The "Unfinished" Triangle...Awakening to our latent Divine Consciousness and Being. Also, The Trowel and Sword both form a CROSS....another geometric Spiritual symbol. Basically, the Trowel and Sword are traits or modes of action that we inact within us and that leads us to Awakening to the Truth that we are Pure Divine Consciousness...the Triangle. Attaining, Awakening and Realizating of our original Divine/Spirit/Soul Consciousness is what REALLY makes us Spiritually Awakened Master Masons, Royal-Select/Super-Excellent Masters. And, is the REAL essence and meaning of The Council/Cryptic Degrees. In order to Realize and Awaken to what these symbols represent...we must take the time and Spiritual WORK; "The Trowel" and Meditate on them. Sitting down and doing Dharana or consentration mediation on them. The Truth and meaning of All Masonic symbols are in YOU and a part of your Spirit-Soul...they are a part of the characteristics and nature of the Soul. All of you who are reading this.. may you all "Complete" your "Unfinished" Triangle, and may it become the Eye Within Triangle....you becoming Awakened to your orginal, intrinsic Divine/Spirit/Soul Consciousness. Gilbert Iwanski, 32nd, Super-Excellent Master and Hindu Priest.
www.myspace.com/giliwanski and also on facebook.
Comment by Comp. Gilbert Iwanski — July 9, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
Your input is uplifting, brother! But the Kabbala is the key to ALL the masonic degrees, not excluding other systems. Note that the colour of the rite is purple, the colour of Ajna!
Comment by MIAUNEL — February 12, 2010 @ 12:15 am
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