Some Deeper Aspects Of Masonic Symbolism

This early work by Arthur Edward Waite was originally published in the early 20th Century and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'Some Deeper Aspects of Masonic Symbolism' is one of Waite's writings on secret societies. Arthur Edward Waite was born on the 2nd of October, 1857 in America. After the death of his father, Waite and his mother returned to her native England, where he was raised in North London, attending St. Charles' College from the age of thirteen. Waite left school to become a clerk, but also wrote verse in his spare time. The death of his sister, Frederika Waite, in 1874 soon attracted him into psychical research. Waite became a prolific author with many of his works being well received in academic circles. He wrote occult texts on subjects including divination, esotericism, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry and ceremonial magic, Kabbalism, and alchemy.

THE subject which I am about to approach is one having certainobvious difficulties, because it is outside the usual horizon ofMasonic literature, and requires, therefore, to be put withconsiderable care, as well as with reasonable prudence. Moreover,it is not easy to do it full justice within the limits of a singlelecture. I must ask my Brethren to make allowance beforehand forthe fact that I am speaking in good faith, and where the evidencefor what I shall affirm does not appear in its fullness, andsometimes scarcely at all, they must believe that I can produce itat need, should the opportunity occur. As a matter of fact, somepart of it has appeared in my published writings.I will introduce the question in hand by a citation which isfamiliar to us all, as it so happens that it forms a good point ofdeparture:- "But as we are not all operative Masons, but ratherFree and Accepted or speculative, we apply these tools to ourmorals." With certain variations, these words occur in each of theCraft Degrees, and their analogies are to be found in a fewsubsidiary Degrees which may be said to arise out of the Craft-as, for example, the Honorable Degree of Mark Master Mason. Thatwhich is applied more specially to the working implements ofMasonry belongs to our entire building symbolism, whether it isconcerned with the erection by the Candidate in his ownpersonality of an edifice or "superstructure perfect in its partsand honorable to the builder, " or, in the Mark Degree, with ahouse not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, or again withSolomon's Temple spiritualized in the Legend of the Master Degree.

Few individuals exerted more influence in "esoteric Masonry" than did A.E. Waite. His hunger for the "hidden wisdom" of Masonry, as well as life, drove him to his studies of all matters esoteric. Respected as a scholar, magician and Mason of quality, his words drew praise from many, yet were controversial enough to draw a fair amount of criticism ... likely to Waite's delight. This collection of Masonic papers from A.E. Waite represents some of the finest thoughts on the "deeper aspects" of Masonry. Includes: "Discourse on the Fellowcraft Degree"; "Emblematic Freemasonry, Building Guilds and Hermetic Schools"; "Pillars of the Temple"; "The Templars Orders in Freemasonry"; "Some Deeper Aspects of Masonic Symbolism" and more.

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "The Symbolism of Freemasonry" (Illustrating and Explaining Its Science and Philosophy, Its Legends, Myths and Symbols) by Albert Gallatin Mackey. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.