Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Masonic letter 'G'



I thought I would do something a bit different from what one might expect to see as part of the Pagan blog Project. I chose to write about the Masonic letter ‘G’ for my first official entry. I must start off by saying that I am NOT a Mason, though I might be one day. I have had many Masons as friends over the years. The Masonic letter ‘G’ stands for more than the typical response of God, though that could be included.

One of the things the symbol ‘G’ stands for is the Grand Architect behind the Universe. The original Masons were builders, stone masons actually. Therefore design and architecture were very important to them. This is also the reason behind the two most recognizable Masonic symbols, the square and the compass. Since they knew the importance of getting a design exactly correct, they saw a Grand Architect behind all of nature.

Coming hand in hand with design and architecture is Geometry, which is also another meaning for which the Masonic letter ‘G’ stands. One must get the angles correct otherwise the structure will not be Square or Plumb. As below, so above; As within, so without… The study of Geometry in the external physical world leads one to Sacred Geometry. Sacred Geometry is the design and plan of the Grand Architect on the spiritual planes which reaches down to us in the physical.

Two ancient and important languages to the Masonic Orders are Hebrew and Greek. The Greek word for geometry is Geometria, meaning literally to measure the world. The Master Mason must take a measure of his own internal world. A Hebrew word having it’s meaning from the same source is Gimatria better known as Gematria. Gematria in short is a system of assigning numerical value to a word or phrase, in the belief that those words or phrases with identical numerical values bear some relation to each other. Gematria is another meaning of the Masonic letter ‘G’.

The Masonic letter ‘G’ also stands for the Hebrew letter Gimel. Gimel numerically is three. Three is the symbol of stability and balance. Stability and Balance make for a stronger building; the same is true internally for each of us. Gimel also represents the camel or the camel’s journey through the desert. Traditionally it is taught that this journey is from the West to the East. Why West to East? The journey to the East is a journey to the Source of Light, physically represented by the Sun.

Hebrew Scholars taught that Gimel represents the rich person running after or seeking out the poor in order to bestow good upon them. Here is an excerpt from “The Hebrew Letters” by Rabbi Ginsburg to provide more of an explanation concerning Gimel. ‘In running, the leg is firmly in contact with the earth; through an act of will, the soul directly affects physical reality. The final reward, the ultimate revelation of God's Essential light, will thus justly be bestowed upon the soul in the very same context as its life's endeavor, the physical world.’ Anyone familiar with the Masonic order knows that helping out those less fortunate is something Masons take to heart. We could delve off in all sorts of directions and get lost in obscurity and minutia concerning Gimel and Gematria but that would be another article entirely.

As mentioned above one answer to the question, 'What does the ‘G’ stand for?', is God. This is true but hopefully as pointed out in this article not strictly in the traditional ‘Christian’ sense of the title. As Greek is a very important language to the Masons ‘G’ also stands for Gaia. Gaia is the primordial Earth Goddess in the ancient Greek religion. With Gaia I bring this post back full circle, for the readers of the Pagan Blog Project. What follows is an Orphic Hymn to Gaia.

Oh Goddess, Source of Gods and Mortals,
All-Fertile, All-Destroying Gaia,
Mother of All, Who brings forth the bounteous fruits and flowers,
All variety, Maiden who anchors the eternal world in our own,
Immortal, Blessed, crowned with every grace,
Deep bosomed Earth, sweet plains and fields fragrant grasses in the nurturing rains,
Around you fly the beauteous stars, eternal and divine,
Come, Blessed Goddess, and hear the prayers of Your children,
And make the increase of the fruits and grains your constant care, with the fertile seasons Your handmaidens,
Draw near, and bless your supplicants.



Bill Schell
(AKA) Frater Frabato
Formerly and sometimes still known as Mr. Moon

21 comments:

  1. Comments are always welcome. If any Masons happen across this article, please let me know what you particularly think about it.

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  2. I like the way you brought it back to Gaia. Well done!

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    1. Thank you for the prompt and kind feedback. Hey, I am following your blog now are you following mine?

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  3. I don't know anything about the Masons and found your post very interesting. I like that you incorporated Gaia into it :)

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    1. Thank you. Maybe this post is educational as well as interesting. Truly am glad you liked it.

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  4. Wow,, really great, yes very educational and interesting, I thought it sort of fun as well. Great job Mr. Moon. Blessed be,

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  5. Pretty spot on. When we use the "G" it generally speaks to God/Geometry. Since Geometry is the one universal language clearly, to us, it must be the language of the Divine. It can also allude to the "Great Work" I'm sure everyone here is familiar with that saying so no need to delve deeper there. You find the "G" mostly in the current/former British commonwealths (except for England for some reason lol) and German States since in our language it's "God" and the Germans say "Gott" but you wouldn't find it in a lot of Spanish speaking nations because them using the word "Dio" would leave the "G" much more limited in meanings. The great thing about Masonry is that we do have official definitions for our signs and symbols but we also allow for the personal interpretation. Personally I go with Geometry but that's just me.

    B.J. Deverell
    Yantis Lodge #382 (Texas)
    S.S. Chapter #63
    S.S. Council #44
    DeMolay Commandery Knights Templar #20
    Scottish Rite - Valley of Dallas

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    1. Thank you B.J., glad you didn't think I was reaching too much.

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    2. Not at all. I'm glad non-Masons are interested in studying us; and not for the reason of trying to prove we're evil lol. If any of you ever have any question just shoot them my way and I'll get back to you. Clearly can't talk about a lot of things but I'm good for most questions.

      -B.J.

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    3. Lots to study. The same folks that think you are evil think I am even worse or at least as bad anyway. Morals and Dogma is among my personal library, among other Masonic related material.

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    4. Morals and Dogma is by far one of the greatest books ever written. It brings together Philosophy, Science, Mathematics, History, and Religion from every age. It wasn't until reading it did I ever sit back and truly realize how similar it all is. Makes you really ponder what the "Proto-Religion" (as I call it) was of which all modern beliefs sprang. But to anybody reading this that hasn't read Morals and Dogma be warned; if you don't have a SOLID foundation in the above stated topics you won't understand this book. Albert Pike was beyond genius and saw the connection between all things and if you don't go in to it with a lifetime of dedicated study the true meaning of it all will be lost in you.

      -B.J.

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  6. This is fantastic! :)))) Love learning about them. I don't know a whole lot I must confess. What I have come across I've always been fascinated with. Very interesting post and fantastic read. Blessings,

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  7. Thank you Patricia. Glad you found it fascinating.

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  8. This is by far, my most read post so far at least. It is still getting views, but not like it did. Probably because it is off the front page now, as as 'older' post.

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    1. That's great! Glad to see such interest. I'm curious; does the square and compasses w/ or w/o the "G" show up in any of your groups or is it just found in Masonry?

      -B.J.

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    2. Just found in Masonry, as far as I know.

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