The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual
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4.7 • 15 Ratings
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- $13.99
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual is the first book to explore in depth how the passwords, penal signs, due guards, and emblems of the symbolic degrees of Freemasonry relate directly to the alchemical process for producing the Philosopher's Stone. This book is intended for Masons who wish to gain further light into the secret meanings of their tradition. Albert Pike believed that at the heart of Freemasonry were the secrets of alchemy, however it has never been substantially proven in one book until now. Chemical lab processes are explored in detail along with the symbolic "blue lodge" degrees in order to show how they correlate. The keys given for the first time in this book may be one of the most important working tools ever given to the Master Mason wishing to understand his craft.
Timothy Hogan is a Past Master of East Denver Lodge #160 AF&AM, and holds many titles and degrees in Freemasonry. Tim Hogan regularly lectures around the world on the mysteries of Freemasonry.
Customer Reviews
Interconnection
Timothy Hogan's work, as well as his lectures, help connect diverse elements of western esoteric traditions in a way that really makes sense. On this book, he focuses deeply on the effect the alchemycal work leaves on the person who goes through the process, rather than on the result itself. He describes it as a path to awaken consciousness, as many other mystery school traditions teach, as it naturally shares the structure of all secret knowledge. It's just the way human consciousness connects with nature again and again, depending on the evidence, and information the person has at the historic period where the work takes place, be it any form of modern science, philosophy, ancient scripture or art.
Hogan gives us an alchemycal description of the process of creation within our minds, the different stages of this process in alchemycal terms (earth, water, air, fire) and explains clearly and thoroughly the deep role alchemy played in establishing masonic symbolism and ritual, with plates from traditional alchemy manuscripts and published works from the 13th century, and later.
Any freemason, regardless of degree or tradition will benefit from reading this, and all of Tim's books. Also helpful for the anthropologist, historian or masonic scholar. An interdisciplinary work as relevant for comparative work, as Frances Yates' work is for the historian interested in the evolution of secret thought in western civilization.
J. I. Vazquez
Good Read
In retrospect to taking a different look at the symbolism of FMY, it provides answers to why some things are the way they are. Nice quick read.