Ceremony for the degree of Knight of the Arch of Seven Colours
41°
Dit Amerikaanse rituaal dateert uit de tweede helft van de
negentiende eeuw.
The title of the degree refers to the Rainbow which receives its prismatic
colours as a reflexion from the sun upon the humid atmosphere, and the ancient
operative Free Masons held that it was the patterns on which they worked Arches.
The degree is intended to teach that the Sun is a Well of beneficence, and
the Regenerator of Natures beauties, it quickens these into life. All nations
have bowed down and kissed their hands to this grand symbol of universal fife,
which signals the fatherly aid that God bestows on all creation.
It has not always been thus. Stellar or Star worship was succeeded by that of
the Sun and Moon, and the Pole Star was in the earlier worship, and still is in
many countries, as China, the eye of heaven, t:he Mystery Sun, and the Symbol of
the highest deity. The Gammadion four gammas or G ,
was a grand symbol of the earlier cult:, and is yet venerated amongest operative
Free Masons. In this form (male swastika) it would seem to be Stellar thus (female
swastika) Sunrise. It is the diagrams of the Great Bear, of seven Stars, in its
revolution, round the Pole Star N.E.S.W.
The President closes his allocution, The cause of that grand beneficent
existence is a Mystery to us, of which we can appreciate the material effects.
Thus faith is not in contradiction to our reason. We believe in those sublime,
divine, and supernatural principles which are above our intelligence, because
the second causes of these impressions strike our Senses, and demonstrate the
existence of a superior force.
Sign: Draw the sword and plant it on the Earth. Recover sword, and place self
on guard as if for combat.
Answer: Salute to right, to left, and in front.
Touch: Place right hand upon the guard of sword.
Password: Tsedakah (justice).
Secret Word: Ur (light).
Battery: ******* ******* ******* ********
******* ******* *******.
Jewel and symbol: a rainbow.