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Permalink Reply by Mike on May 30, 2009 at 12:17pm

OK, I'll start.

What do you think about this statement,

"The first Mason was Hermes Trismegistus."

I'm not saying its true, i'm just curious what you think.

Permalink Reply by HipGnosis on June 25, 2009 at 3:39am

isn't that the truth?!

Permalink Reply by Chris Labbate on June 25, 2009 at 6:47am

ha hah aha

THE TRUTH !

now that's a tricky one?

if I could get outside myself I might be able to tell you something more.

Permalink Reply by A Living Horus on June 29, 2009 at 9:02pm

Daniel is correct, but i'd like to add a bit more if I may.

Saying Hermes was the first mason is a little "nod" to the underlying esoteric goals of masonry as a whole.

Hermes was never a real, living person. "He" was the anthropromorphised principle of the perfected man, one who after much struggle awakened the energies of the body and became "illumined".

Every ancient civilization who practiced the mysteries had their own name (or names) for this same principle. Christ, Horus, Mithras, Shiva, Abraxas, etc, are but a few examples. It's this jumble of names, each assumed to be separate and unique by modern historians, that causes so much confusion.

In reality, the whole concept behind these stories is very simple.

"Her" (of HER-mes) means "fire", or the divine spark or illuminating principle in everyone. Hermes (as Mercury and Prometheus) are "messengers of god" who "steal fire and bring it down to mankind". This inner fire is the conduit by which mankind can once again bring his life into communion with "something greater" within.

The fire within is the "passion" for life and understanding. It's the driving force or desire that separates a "normal man" from a true "philosopher".

The name "Freemason" itself is a play on this, as originally it was "Phre-Messen" meaning "Sons of Fire". "Sons of Fire" or "Children of Fire" was used universally to describe the initiates into the mysteries in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Trismegistus means literally "three times heightened" or made great, and is the same principle as Osiris and Isis birthing Horus, or Ida and Pingala combining and awakening the Sushumna. It is simply the act of awakening the "solar body", Christ, or Hermaphrodite in man, the "divine torch within".

Hermes Trismegistus could be translated as "awakening yourself with the inner fire".

The rituals of Freemasonry are meant to "stir" that fire body within and gradually awaken and discipline it through degrees.

Does it work? For the majority, no. The social aspect of Masonry is as far as any of them will ever delve, and that is fine. It has been the same way throughout history. There has always been a large semi-public body to the mysteries with a "select few" who are awakened and become the priests and adepts of the organization.

Just realize that the public persona of Masonry (charity events and such) is not the true intention, and that there is something greater within.

Thank you for hearing me out, I hope this helps answer your question.

- Horus

Permalink Reply by Mike on June 30, 2009 at 9:31am

Good morning everyone.

I'm reading some Manly P. Hall, and have come across a couple enigmatic figures and I was wondering if anyone had any references of these individuals that is independent of Hall? The first is the "professor" who supposedly spoke on July 4th, 1776 to the Continental Congress encouraging them to sign the Declaration. The second is a mysterious passenger on board with Columbus on his first Atalantic crossing and acted in the capacity of a counselor. Hall also claims that Columbus was probably a Greek.

Does anyone have any academic references.to these individuals? Any source material??

Thanks
Mike

Permalink Reply by A Living Horus on June 30, 2009 at 11:05am

Hello Mike,

Mr. Hall used one source for the "professor" story, the book "Our Flag" by one Robert Allen Campbell, written in 1890. Campbell was a "neo- Rosicrucian" and published several books on various occult subjects in the last part of the 19th century.

The problem is, there is literally NO other source material for the story. I have read Campbell's book myself and he gives no sources for any of it. This was often the case with "esoteric" books of that era (and every era, unfortunately).

Original documents and contemporary histories relating to the signing of the Declaration make no mention of the "professor" whatsoever.

It's a nice story, but in this instance, I think Mr. Hall used a source material of rather dubious credulity. I have to chalk this one up as yet another fanciful "Illuminati" / "Count St Germain" story, which has become a modern conspiracy meme.

As for Columbus' counselor, I have no idea. I do, however, know for a fact that he had a specialist in Hebrew linguistics (a rabbi) with him on the first voyage, and that this "translator" was on the landing crew which first made contact with the locals. I have the man's name taken from an original source, though i'd have to dig it out of storage.

Perhaps Columbus was a marano and the rabbi acted as his counselor. It's all speculation at this point.

I do personally believe Columbus was not the person we are led to believe, and that there was a foreknowledge of the "new world" and its inhabitants long before Columbus's time. Unfortunately, the man's history is muddied and will unfortunately remain so forever. I don't believe he was Greek, and never saw any indication that he could be. Perhaps Mr. Hall knew more then he let on?

Sorry there's not more information available, if you find any i'd love to see it myself!

Take care
- Horus

Permalink Reply by Mike on June 30, 2009 at 11:44am

Thanks Horus,

That's about what i expected, but rather than approach these facts in an overly cynical way I have decided to see what info is available. I found one version of the professor's speech online, and was struck by the fact that someone would be able to record so long a speech, that was unexpected, so precisely.

Its clear that there was knowledge of the earths spherical nature and that it existed among the learned in the 15th century. There is also some evidence that the American continents might have been visited before 1492, by Europeans and Chinese. I myself have seen the "corn" carvings at Roslyn Chapel, and have to wonder. In the Colonial days there were many reports of Welsh speaking Native Americans in Western VA. Brenden, Madoc, and Erickson all might well have visited the Americas, and I think that given their relatively primitive vessels (when compared to Roman, Greek, and Egyptian technology) its very likely that the classical civilizations might have been able to make the journey if they had ever decided to give it a try. So, I agree its likely that Columbus had some idea where he was going.

Thanks Again,
Mike

Permalink Reply by Michael L. Lewis on July 8, 2009 at 5:25pm

Fascinating replies all. And I would agree with all of them on a mythical level, which is more important and inclusive than a truth level, which is in turn more so than a factual level. Hermes Trismegistus and Enoch seem to track onto one another & the Enochian contribution to Freemasonry is certainly an awesome topic!

S&F,

Bro.: Michael L. Lewis, 32nd Deg., K.T., RR et AC.

Permalink Reply by Chris Labbate on January 10, 2010 at 7:12pm

I did want to add that since I started researching Hermes Trismegistus I got back into the Kybalion. Truly a great book of knowledge and wisdom pointed to I might add in some higher Scottish Rite degrees.

I am currently producing a Full Video Production of the book (Nothing too Major) but non the less I will be sure to post it as soon as it is finished. That starting point could take a candidate from interest to serious master of Hermetic Wisdom, the Occult, Secret Science, Mentalism and above all else to know that we are seated within the mind of God.

After that is their anything at all to fear? At that point it should be the birth of that initiate to start taking an active roll in creating his reality and the tools to accelerate the process.