The morning star
By W Bro J Rick Atkinson
Freemasonry and the Bright Morning Star Every new Mason encounters the Bright Morning Star in the Third Degree. Its importance quickly becomes apparent but there is a lot more symbolism to be discovered. This two-part article explains the radiance hidden in its ‘glimmering ray’.
I
n every lodge room there is a humble five-pointed star in the East above the Master’s chair. This star is illuminated during the third degree to provide a ‘glimmering ray’ by which the candidate is shown the situation he was in before he was raised by five points. The candidate is then instructed to ‘... lift your eyes to that Bright Morning Star, whose rising brings peace and salvation to the faithful among men.’ Candidates with a working knowledge of the Bible may recognise the title
Jesus used to refer to himself in the closing sentences of the Bible in the Book of Revelation 22:16, ‘I am the root and the offspring of David and the Bright Morning Star.’ This is unmistakable and intentional language which should prompt any Freemason to ask the obvious question: what does it mean, or what is he telling us? One probable answer goes to the heart of why Freemasons are instructed to study the hidden mysteries of nature and science.
Venus
Often the symbolism used in Freemasonry is irrefutable; it is derived from nature itself and can’t be faked or altered by man. The five-pointed star symbol in masonic lodge rooms is one such symbol and discovering its mystery leads to an inevitable conclusion.
Realities of astronomy The rotation of the Earth on its axis makes the celestial backdrop of stars in their constellations in the night sky appear to move from west to east.
Earth
Mercury
Mars Sun
Figure 1 – The orbits of the inner planets. Image from Solar Walk
14
March 2022
Humility – Kindness – Generosity
Freemason
