Missouri DeMolay

Today’s Leaders, Tomorrow’s Future

Symbolism in DeMolay is very present both physically and metaphorically. Sometimes symbolism in our ritual is represented in both ways at the same time. In all of our ritual, the Councilors or Commanders communicate the importance of each station they are committed to; similarly to the Master and Wardens of a lodge. Each station has its own meaning and prevalence in a young man’s journey on the road of life.

The east - the beginning of a young man’s journey before they learn our seven cardinal virtues and a symbol of the rising sun and the morn of life. A young man learns that in the East he has only begun his long voyage on the road of life where he must first lay a foundation where he will build on for his future.

The south - the middle of a young man’s journey. In the South is where the sun is at its zenith and metaphorically the young man is in the prime of his life and has just learned the seven precepts our Order holds so dearly. He has taken the lessons he learned from the seven preceptors and has started to build on his foundation. The young man contemplates what he has done and what he can still do, realizing that he still has much of his life ahead of him and aspiring to become a better man each and every day. Ideally, making good men better.

The west - the end of the young man’s journey and where the sun is setting and the eve of life has come. Here the young man hopes he has lived a life well deserved through the lessons he has learned on his earthly pilgrimage. He looks back on his accomplishments and the good he has done on the way. The young man at this stage is helping those at the beginning of their journey who are about to learn the lessons he has inculcated into his daily life. Here the journey restarts and keeps going.

The significance of these three stations is immense and is why they carry such a great importance in our ritual. They follow us on our own journey with the seven cardinal virtues and help guide us on the road of life. Similar to lodge, without the significance of the East, South, and West or the rising and setting sun; we as DeMolays would not be able to exemplify the ideals we carry with us every day.

Fraternally,

Conner Westermayer

State Master Councilor