En:True Mason, or Académie des Vrais Maçons

True Mason, or Académie des Vrais Maçons

Source: Western Esotericism and Rituals of Initiationare

The following ritual, from the Rite Ecossais philosophique, is a representative example of a French High degree ritual of the latter part of theeighteenth century. As a ritual, the degree of a True Mason, or Académiedes Vrais Maçons, is not particularly elaborate or impressive. Neverthe-less, it includes parts that are deeply saturated with Western esotericism,particularly in the form of alchemy and, to a lesser extent, kabbalah.

These parts are concentrated in a discourse delivered by the Senior Sage or Surveillant, in the explanation of the tracing board, and in theinstruction in the form of a catechism. The ritual takes place in a lodge, called the Academy, and it is per-formed by three main officers, called Most Wise, and Senior and Junior Sages, respectively. The Academy is illuminated by three candles placedon the tracing board. The dominant colors of the ritual are black, white,and red; the walls are draped in black, there should be white and redcolumns, the gloves and the cordons should be white, black, and red.

Given the alchemical nature of this ritual, these colors probably refer tothe three stages of the alchemical process Nigredo, Albedo, and Rubedo. The Academy is opened in the ordinary fashion of masonic ritualsof initiation. That is, the chief officer, in this case the Most Wise, asksthe two Surveillants or Sages whether the lodge room is properly guarded, and if all present are True Masons. The Academy is thenproclaimed to be opened, and one of the brethren, called Sage Academi-cians, is asked to give a lecture on a chosen subject. It is then an-nounced by the Senior Surveillant that a reception is to be made: “Most Wise, there is a philosopher mason in the preparation chamber, whomthe Academy has deemed worthy of being admitted among us.

The candidate, who has been waiting in a chamber of prepara-tion, is divested of all metals, and has his hat, coat, and shoes removed. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up, his hands are tied behind hisback, and finally he is blindfolded. After the usual questions and knockon the door, the candidate is admitted to the lodge room where he is ledto the West, facing the Most Wise in the East. There is an “earthenware vessel, into which are poured wine spirits, mercury and salt. These areto be lighted and furnish the only illumination on the academy.”

The candidate is asked what he desires, and after answering that he wantsto be admitted to the Academy, if he is found worthy, the Academiciansindicate their consent to his request by rapping once on the floor withtheir rods, which they are holding. The candidate is then, in the customary fashion of masonic rituals,led around the lodge.

These perambulations, which are three in number, made in a circle, a square and a triangle. When the perambulationsare completed, the blindfold is removed, and the candidate is caused tosee the earthen vessel with the fire. After four minutes, he is conductedto the foot of the throne of the Most Wise, and there caused to kneel. The candidate then takes the obligation in this kneeling position. Thisobligation is a comparatively short and simple one:I, ......., promise on my word of honor, and under penalty of having my lips sealed and my bowels cut open, never to revealeither directly or indirectly, to anyone at all, and under any pretext, the mysteries which I will behold, and may the Great Jehovah be my strong and holy guide.