the number 12 includes the sacred numbers 3, 5, 7, and 3 times 3, or 9, and is produced by adding the sacred number of 3 to 9; while its own two figures, 1, 2, the unit of monad, and duad, added together, make the same
Given the structure of the Scottish Rite, including the Camp, and its parallels to the U.S. government and military, I found that the Scottish Rite is not necessarily the highest level of Freemasonry, just as the U.S. military is not the top tier of society. However, I find that Ancient Craft Freemasonry and Scottish Rite Freemasonry complement one another, fostering a deeper understanding of Freemasonry as a whole.
sacred number 3; its was called the perfect number; and the cube became the symbol of perfection. Produced by FORCE, acting by the RULE; hammered in accordance with lines measured by the GAUGE, out of
Sources:
1. De Hoyos, Arturo (2010). Masonic Formulas and Rituals – Transcribed by Albert Pike in 1854 and 1855. The Scottish Rite Research Society, Washington, DC. Page 22. 2. Ibid. Page 23. 3. The text of Le Parfait Macon is translated in Harry Carr, The Early French Exposures 1737-1751 (London: Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, 1971), Pages 157-200. 4. Merriam Webster. Dictionary Definition: Echelon. Accessed from https:// www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/echelon on 11/11/2023. 5. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. About DOD Office of Inspector General. Accessed from www.dodig.mil/About/ on 11/12/2023. 6. McNaughton, John w. (2017). Reclaiming the Soul of Freemasonry, Volume One. Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, Lexington, Massachusetts. 7. The term end-strength refers to either the authorized or actual personnel strength of a specified branch of the military on September 30th of a given year (i.e., the last day of the fiscal year). Congress varies the authorized end-strengths over time in response to various factors, such as national security priorities, force structure changes, and budgetary constraints. 8. Winkle, Davis (2022) Army Times. An end-strength crisis is here for the Army. Accessed from www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/10/10/ an-end-strength-crisis-is-here-for-the-army/ on 11/12/2023. 9. The Knights of Malta are also placed in the equilateral triangle, having shown themselves as faithful guardians. 10. Zimmerman, Brian (2023). Asceville. Why is the Triangle the Strongest Shape-How This Shape Dominates Strength and Stability. Accessed on www.asceville.org/why-is-triangle-strongest-shape/ on 11/13/2023. 11. Retreat: It signals the end of the official duty day and serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the flag. 12. Organizational Structure of the United States Department of Defense. Accessed from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Organizational_structure_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Defens e on 12/1/2023. 13. Britannica. Pentagon. Accessed from www.britannica.com/topic/ Pentagon on 12/1/2023. 14. U.S. Department of Defense. About: Accessed from https:// www.defense.gov/About/ on 12/1/2023. 15. Joint Personnel Support (December 2020). Joint Publication 1-0. CHAPTER II, Roles and Responsibilities, Combatant Commander Responsibilities. “ Combatant Commanders exercise combatant command (command authority) over assigned forces, directing and approving those aspects of personnel support necessary to carry out assigned missions and standardizing personnel policies as they deem necessary. ” 16. 2002-10-24 re The Title Commander in Chief. Accessed from http:// library.rumsfeld.com/doclib/sp/223/2002-10-24%20re%20The%20Title% 20Commander%20in%20Chief.pdf on 12/8/2023. 17. Ordo Ab Chao, The Original and Complete Rituals, 4th-33rd Degree of the first Supreme Council, 33rd Degree at Charleston, South Carolina. (1995). Sovereign, or Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. Kessinger Publishing. Page 373 18. De Hoyos, Arturo (2010). The Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide. Scottish Rite Symbols. The United Supreme Council, 33, Southern Jurisdiction, Washington D.C. Page 180 19. Pike, Albert (2007) Morals and Dogma. Lodge of Perfection: Apprentice Supreme Council, 33, Southern Jurisdiction. Page 15 20. Francken, Henry Andrew. The Francken Manuscript 1793. Lessinger Legacy Reprints. Page 275
the rough Ashlar, it is an appropriate symbol of the Force of the people, expressed as the constitution and law of the State; and the state itself the three visible faces represent the three departments,-The Executive,
which executes the laws; the Legislative, which makes the laws; and the Judiciary, which interprets the laws, applies and enforces them, between man and man, between the State and the citizens. The three invisible faces are Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity-the threefold soul of the State, its vitality, spirit, and intellect. ” From a military perspective, the nonagon and its camps may symbolize the people, government branches, and institutions the military serves and protects. Notably, in the Francken Manuscript, which contains the initial 25 degrees that became the foundation of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, it states the five princes stationed on the pentagon receive their orders from the Sovereign of Sovereigns, the Grand Master, or Commander-in-Chief. This suggests a level of trust, mutual respect, shared responsibility, and cooperation among these entities. In closing, we explored the geometric figures of the Scottish Rite Camp and the various classes of Masons associated with each figure. We examined the definition of the term echelon, its features, and its use in both the military and the Scottish Rite. We also compared the roles of Inspectors General within the Scottish Rite and the Department of Defense, noting that their broad responsibilities are quite similar in an ideal context. As I considered all the information gathered, I returned to the core concept of Ancient Craft Masonry, viewing society as the perfect ashlar.
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