100 degrees of the Rites of Memphis Continued Part 3

You have a printed Ritual of this degree; alter the number. Marconis recommends what may be added as a 2nd point with the title of Commander.
Instruction for the division of the Seasons: The apparent motions of the stars, their velocity, distance, terms and gravitation. The purification of metals and how to render them ductile. The botanical properties of plants and vegetables; and the mode of extracting their sap to prolong  life. Thus to acquire a knowledge of the Temple of the Universe.
Sign: Right hand to heart, extend arm palm down, Answer: interlace fingers and place with thumbs erect on the heart to form two squares.
Touch: Press three times the right hand on shoulder; Answer: with right hand three light shakes.
Password: Sirius (Dog Star).
Answer: Sothis (the same and a cycle of 1 to 61 years).
Sacred Word: Nature.
Answer: Eliah (Fortitude).
Battery: *******   *******   *******   *******   *******   *******   *******.

Founded in 1870 of 3 grades, or points: Believer; Elect and Perfect.
1. Purification by the four Elements.
2. The symbols should recall the Unity of God.
It has reference to primitive worship and the consequences resulting from the Astronomical observations of the Priests of Babylon, Chaldea and Sidon. It quotes a Chapter in Al Koran, being the protests of Abram against star and idol worship. The labour is consecrated to Geometry and astronomy.
President: You understand now our Mysteries, our Science, our Altar and our God; it is with the idea of Unity that the luminous triangle unites all our symbols.
In investing you with the Habit, I invite you to let it cover for ever the darkness of error and prejudice.
1. Section Believer, Sign: Place left hand over the eyes and the two first fingers of right hand on the lips.
Touch: Take each others little finger.
Password: Meunith.
2. Section Elect, Sign: Right knee on floor, cross arms on breast.
Touch: take mutually the fingers of the right hand.
Password: Tzdikim.
3. Section Perfect, Sign: Place open hand on forehead as if to screen the eyes, thumb in square.
Touch:Take right hand mutually, and give seven light shakes.
Password: Abraham, Answer: Brahma.
R.W.: Sarah, Answer: Saris-Wati
Sacred Word: Jehovah
Battery: * (The Unity).
Jewel and Symbol: A luminous triangle.

For this degree take the printed Ritual you have. It deals with ancient Initiation and Marconis recommends that it should be Catechitical to test the Aspirants progress.
Sign: Points upwards with right forefinger.
Answer: Form a triangle with the thumb and index finger before the stomach.
Sign of Help: Clasp the hands, pals outwards, above the head, saying: To me Children of the Widow.
Sign of Order: Right hand supported on the lip.
Touch: Master Masons Grip, one says Mo, reverse hands, other says Ha, again reverse: Bon. The other says: Mo-Ha-Bon (rememberance of the dead).
Password: Kekathites (one who knows the written law).
Answer: Gomel (recompense). 
Sacred Word: Cagil-Pen-Edul (do that thou wishest should be done unto thee).
Battery: *.
Jewel and Symbol: A triangle with the letter M in the centre.

You have already this degree under the 2nd title in a printed Ritual and can use it for 38º. Marconis says that the ceremonials resemble the ancient Initiation of Egypt.
In the centre is a brasier with a pure flame; and it is preferred to all others, as the custom of the greatest nations, the Egyptians, Greeks, Peruvians.
On his entrance the Neophyte is veiled, and hears an address comparing the ancient mysteries of different countries which, in effect, represented the contest between Light and Darkness.
Sign: a military salute with the Sword; Answer: make a triangle on the forehead with thumb and indexfinger.
Touch: Press five times on the palm of each others right hand with 2nd finger.
Password: Hori (celestial day); Answer: Achmoneyn (name of a tomb).
Sacred Word: Zurishodoai (God is my strongest rock).
Battery: *****   *****   *****   *****   ******,
Jewel and Symbol: a silver key crossed with a cubit rule.

In the Phoenician language AEon signifies a central point of developmen. It also has reference to the Avators or Saviours Gods treated by the Mysteries.
Marconis says that its precepts are drawn from the Izesclme, a Zoroastrian work of 72 chapters. Our Order, born with the first races of mankind has initiated and developed everything that has been of service to humanity. As the child of the dogma of true light it has marched at the head of civilization and advanced the progress of intelligence.
Our Order is the depository of all that is valuable to man, as it has preserved in its temples that which the profane world has long lost - the virgin simplicity of natural laws.
Properly speaking the Zoroastrian Masonry of the last century was divided into three points: the Veiled; the Elect and the Seer, and its object was the rehabilitation of Man, so that he might approach his Creator. Thus it brings the Seer in contact with the facts of Magnetism, Somnambulism, dreams, prescience of prevision, and sympathies and antipathies.
1st. Section (Veiled), Sign: right hand on brow.
Touch: Place left hand on heart of examiner.
Password: Amara.
2nd. Section (Elect), Sign: Place two fingers of left hand on the mouth and the right over the heart.
Touch: none.
Password: Archimage.
3rd Section (Seer), Sign: Join the two hands, flex the left knee and fix the eyes on heaven.
Touch: Take each right hand and press seven times.
R.Word: Anagogie (elevation); Answer: Dounnoun (abode of the Lord).
Sacred Word: Locutuis-Aius (the Word, the Lord)
Battery: *    *    *.
Jewel and symbol: Star with a central point.

Marconis instructs that this grade should consider the fundamental laws of nature and instinct. Touching upon the existence of a God, who draws us to himself by eternal chains, whose links are the love of goodness.
This faith is so far from being revolting to our reason, that it lends us wings to fly in search of Truth and provides a powerful authority wherewith to establish the principles of true moral light.
Our Mysteries shut up in physical and metaphysical sciences, are the revealing torches which speak to our Spirit, and which thus consecrate our faith. That which God wills he conserves. He is the AO, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end in the nature of his essence. From Him all things proceed and to Him all things return.
Sign: point to heaven with the index finger of the right hand.
Touch: link the two index fingers.
Password: Karaelites.
Sacred Word: Kekathites (one who knows the written law).
Battery: **    **       ***    ***    ***       **    **.
Jewel and symbol: on a triangle, seven stars, placed 2, 3 and 2

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.

This degree teaches that our Order is a social chain which dates from the foundation of the world: that in spite of savage and barberous wars, and the catastrophes of time which have overthrown and changed the face of the world, it remains pure and stainless and a shelter from the contagions of earth.

It takes as symbotic basis the grand work which God had placed before the eyes of all men, in providing with equal and impartial Justice for the wants of all terrestrial existence. It is with ths idea that Masonry inscribes on her banner the word "Fraternity", or in the language of wisdom "death to egotism".

The Receiver says: Consult the heavens, the greatest and most beautiful of all books, written by the hand of God himself.
Sign: with index finger of right hand trace the stars; holding an instrument with left hand.
Touch: point with index finger to the Pole Star.
Password: Orion (the Constellation of Horus).
Secret Word: Jah (it is the Pole Star among certain Arabs.)
Battery: *****   *****   *****   *****   *****       **   **.
Jewel and Symbol: upon a triangle, a broken Star

The degree you have in print will answer for this; but when reprinted might be much improved (consult our English Lectures of a Chapter, Senate, and Council). The Aspirant, in Marconis last revision, overruns the 12 Symbolic Houses of the Sun. The degree teaches that birth and death are represented by the two emblematical columns, and enclose our earthly destiny that life is the workshop in which is found the hidden treasure-house, where the wise learn to accomplish their destiny with strength, courage and dignity. The ancient Hermetic language is threefold, religious, philosopic and scientific; as a religion k is that or the initiates of all ages; as a philosophy its principles must be sought in the schools of Egypt; as an Art in the pages of Lulti, Paracelsus, Flammel, and a score of Alchemists.
The temple is approached by seven steps, the first is a square, or symbol of the four elements; the second a triangle for the three principles, and these have an important signification in reference to our own humanity, and are found in systems analagous to our own.
Sign: point upwards with the right thumb and say Tacendo (silence).
Answer: place right hand flat on the heart, thumb forming a square, and say Sprendo (Hope)
Touch: make the Hermetic cross left hand palm down, the other covers with left, same with right.
Password: Abot (the East), Answer: Helios (Sun, or gold) Mene (Moon or Silver) Tetrammaton (Sacred name of God).
Secret Word: Karnak, Answer: Hermes (Greek Thoth).
2nd Secret Word: I.N.R.I. (given only in Consistory).
R. of W.: Thoimosis.
Battery: *****   *****   *****   *****   *****      **   **       *****   *****   *****   *****   *****.
Jewel and Symbol: On a triangle 7 stars 4 an 3.
N. H.: The new part might be used for another Hermetic degree.

Teaches a knowledge of that great open book the Stellar Universe, as the stars are mapped out in the Constellation, the positions of the Planets or Plutarch says that the most ancient Herakles of Egypt, Tyre and Greece represented the force which sends the Sun in its apparent path through the 12 signs, but the Sun itself and all its planets has a journey of its own.
Hermetic allegory; severe proofs for complete initiation; trial of Mercury; fire lost by Negligence; new embarrassment; an instant lost; the Great work advances; planets take their places; proof of life; expiation necessary; formation of a new man; product of labour; truth discovered.
Sign: take sword, and circle round the floor.
Touch: mutually join right and left hands.
Password: Bereg.
Secret Word: Adonai (Arabian alchemist).
Jewel and Symbol: a book of which is 12 star, and the letters J. H.
Battery: *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *.

Second life of man; means of setting out from darkness; continuation of the erection of a symbolic edifice. The purified manis led by a child; First intelligence of intermediary beings that form a chain which unites us into divinity. Reflections upon the number 3; the white, green, blue; the messenger indicates the gates; rendered worthy of Initation in the Sanctuary.
Sign: grasp the beard with the right hand.
Touch: grasp the fingers of each others right hand with the left.
Password: Fides (faith).
Secret Word: Solimy (Princess of the Preademite Pitris, or Genii, and an Assyrian divinity).
Jewel and Symbol: triangle upon which is an eye.
Battery: ***   ***   ***        ***   ***   ***.

The degree paints our morals. The two columns symbols of life and death; mysterious Jewels pass from hand to hand and change Masters; the descent of true doctrine march of the Neophyte; ecnounter with the green lion; labour of the Great Work; allegory of the fig-tree as an emblem of the truth-seeker; discovers a useful number.
Sign: place reciprocally the left hand on each other's right shoulder, and the right hand on each other's head.
Touch: place right hand on the heart, and the left on each other's right shoulder
Password: Lux (light).
Secret Word: Deus (God).
Jewel and Symbol: on a circular plate, seven tents: 2, 3, 2.
Battery: **   **        ***   ***   ***        **   **.

The most ancient of all Symbols, the seven Stars of Ursa Major's annual revolution round the Mystery Sun, a talisman (swastika), the seven Ristus and their consort in the Pleides, one unfaithful.
The Columns fall; scene changes; flaming star shows the route the adept should take. Downfall of the traveller; passage of the obscure vault; candlestick of seven branches which gives light to all the world, its influence acts unceasingly on nature and man; new calculation of numbers; use and virtue of the mapped signs of the Zodiac, and their spiritual influence invention of the Compasses.
Sign: incline head, place right index on brow.
Touch: with both hands seize each other's shoulders.
Password: Spero (hope).
Secret Word: Vigilo (watch).
Jewel and Symbol: a heptagon with a star at each angle.
Battery: *    **   **     ****   ****   ****    ****.

The degree teaches much of nature; the purified man reading from a mysterious book. The Sun rises, the door opens, the Neophyte is surrounded with flames. Allegories which represent the highest mysteries.
Emblem of a discorded love; chamber of punishment; altar of Sacrifice; fury of the elements; the producer and destroyer of forms; necessary combat; new apparition of a Celestial Guide; Secrets of Medecine.
Sign: make a hasty step and then recoil.
Touch: with right hand tap thrice the hilt of the sword.
Password: Constantia (constancy).
Secret Word: Fidelitate (fidelity).
Jewel and Symbol: on a triangle are three interlaced circles.
Battery: **   **   *.

 

49º ......