Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.The ritual of the degree involves a narrative drawn from the New Testament, featuring a confrontation between King Herod II and John the Baptist, symbolizing the dangers of pride and sin, and emphasizing spiritual aspirations over worldly gains. The purpose of the degree is highlighted as encouraging the construction of “a Temple not made with hands” within oneself, dedicated to the God of Truth, and also prepares initiates for the mysteries to be revealed in the next degree.The episode also explores the influence of various religious practices and philosophies, and the importance of an allegorical reading of scriptures. The discussion extends to the concepts of the "One True God," the process of emanation, and the personified attributes of deity, as well as the opposing forces to the creative process. The Kabbalah is presented as a key to understanding esoteric writings, and the Tracing Board and Degree Ritual are analyzed for their symbolic significance.This series on the Scottish Rite uses the following primary sources (which you are encouraged to read as well):Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma: Annotated EditionScottish Rite Ritual Monitor & GuideA Bridge to LightDiagramsSt. John's Vision (by Albrecht Dürer)17th Degree Tracing Board17th Degree Jewel Front17th Degree Jewel BackTree of LifeChapters01:14 Introduction02:03 Mythological Setting04:34 Purpose of the Degree07:19 Morals and Dogma10:36 A Survey of Ancient Religions12:36 Timeline of Religious Influences15:12 Gnosticism17:11 The One True God17:52 Emanation20:18 Allegorical Reading of Scriptures22:30 Personified Attributes of Deity23:15 Logos - The Creative Word24:34 Contending Forces25:52 The Kabbalah29:30 The Tracing Board31:53 The Degree Ritual35:22 The Jewel of the Degree37:59 ConclusionsLinksHistoire Critique du Gnosticisme (Amazon)Apocalyptic Literature (Wikipedia)Gnosticism (Wikipedia)Philo (Wikipedia)Kabbalah (Wikipedia)A Garden of Pomegranates (Amazon)The Mystical Qabalah (Amazon)Z'ev ben Shimon Halevi (Amazon)Aryeh Kaplan (Amazon)Gershom Gerhard Scholem (Amazon)

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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