Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.This episode delves into the capstone Degree of the "Chapter of Rose Croix", which reveals the "Secret of the Reconciliation of Opposites". David and Gene discuss the three "apartments" or scenes that the candidate is taken through in the "Ritual of the Degree". The first apartment, "The Dark Chamber", represents a world in chaos under the tyranny of evil, where the "Sacred Word" is lost. The second apartment, referred to as the "Dark Side", is likened to depictions of hell in various religious texts. The final apartment represents the Universe, freed from the tyranny of evil and filled with the true Light that flows from the Supreme Deity.This degree is described as one of the most philosophical and practical degrees in Freemasonry. It encourages introspection and presents the enigma of the universe: the question of opposites, and reconciliation of sin and wrong, and pain and suffering, with the theory of the unbounded and unwearying beneficence of God. The Degree both reveals and conceals one of the great secrets of Alchemy, and then unfolds the knowledge required preparatory to receiving the Royal Secret.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 LightDiagramsKnight Rose Croix - EagleKnight Rose Croix - PelicanTree of LifeOverview01:14 Introduction01:35 Ritual Setting06:01 Purpose of the Degree09:06 Morals and Dogma10:26 The Enigma of Good and Evil13:24 The Supreme Being13:49 The Word or Logos16:27 A Religion of Light17:11 Light and Shadow18:51 The Glory of the Heavens20:44 The Dark Side of Doubt23:05 The Human Instinct27:18 The True Word29:28 Double-Sided Regalia30:00 The Rosy Cross31:06 The Eagle and The Pelican32:23 Crowned Compasses32:55 The Tetractys33:47 ConclusionsLinksScottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide (Amazon)A Bridge to Light (Amazon)Histoire Critique du Gnosticisme (Amazon)Jesus (Wikipedia)William Blake's illustrations to Dante's Divine Comedy (Tate Museum )C. G. Jung and the Alchemical Renewal (Gnosis.org)Logos (Wikipedia)Gnosticism (Wikipedia)The Shape of Light: Hayakal al-Nur (Amazon)Tree of Life (Wikipedia)Tetractys (Wikipedia)

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

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