The Compass: Freemasonry Symbolism, Mysticism & Monad

The Compass in Freemasonry & Philosophy

 

By Kerry A. Shirts MM

Eagle Rock Lodge # 19

Idaho Falls, Idaho

May 10, 2010

 In the “Transactions” of the Idaho Lodge of Research No. 1965, Vol. 28/2 (Oct. 2006), an article “Compass – Set at 60 Degree Angle” by Jack L. Abrams, PM, (as originally found in the 2006 Trestle Board of Ionic Composite Lodge No. 520, in Fraternal Review of the Southern California Lodge of Research) appeared on pp. 11-12, discussing the compass and its 60 degree angle. Why is it set at 60 degrees?

 “The reason is the equilateral triangle has always been sacred.” [1] The sum of all angles of a triangle is of course 180 degrees. Divide by 3 and we get 60 degrees. “The compass thus set at 60 degrees alludes to the equilateral triangle and if the two points were united in a straight line, it would form one.” And, further, a compass set at 60 degrees can exactly make 6 points on a circle, dividing the circle into 6 equal parts. “The points, thus made, with the one in the center, constitute the mystic number seven.”[2]

 Those 6 points on the circle, when connected with straight lines will form the hexagon (Solomon’s seal, or the Shield of David as it is called).

 But previous to seeing the very interesting sacred geometry of Solomon’s Seal (I shall have to write a paper actually showing the various interesting themes of this graphically, it really is quite amazing to see what comes of it all!), what is the compass itself? What does it represent? Of this, great insight can be obtained for Freemasons who come to understand this magnificently sacred instrument.

 In Medieval times, it was thought “as an abstract symbol of the eye of God.”[3] The legs of the compass thus represent rays of light and grace which shine from the heavens to earth. “The compass has only one role: from a central seed point it creates the transcendental hole called the circle. It opens up a divine space of light, awareness, and potential configuration. Remember that every circle you construct represents the Monad, the complete universe.[4]

 When constructing any circle using a compass, we are literally creating a metaphor! The metaphor is profoundly enough, “the stages of the divine, ongoing, creating process itself. Anywhere you place a center you can scribe a circle and symbolically create the space of the universe itself. The circle is a shape begging to be organized. As the value ‘one,’ or unit, is the parent of all numbers, the circle is the parent of all shapes. All subsequent shapes and patterns will be inscribed within this all encompassing Monad. That’s why the world is called a uni-verse (Latin for ‘one turn’). This is Plato’s ‘Whole of Wholes.’

 The closed upright compass on the point represents the mythological world axis, world mountain, or holy center of many cultures, the symbolic pole or spine that supports creation and around which everything turns in adoration. The center is traditionally known as ‘the keep of Zeus.’ Protector of hearths and boundaries (centers and circumferences) and the source of moral order, Zeus dispensed judgment from the center… the point is the source of out whole of wholes. It is beyond understanding, unknowable, silently self enfolded. But like a seed, a point will expand to fulfill itself as a circle. Ponder the point as a seed enfolding a sacred mystery.”[5] And herein is where the pure power of the Masonic symbolism is demonstrated. “In every well furnished lodge there is or should be a certain point within a circle. The ritual goes on to say that the point represents the individual brother…”[6] And the Masonic brother can properly be called “a seed enfolding a sacred mystery.” And in point of fact (pun, pun) when we meditate and seek our own more subtle center within ourselves, our higher or deeper self, “the power that motivates the actions, emotions, thoughts, and desires. This center of gravity is not in space, but in pure awareness… this power is the motivating power with which we are conscious, identical to the heart of every natural form and symbolized by the center of the circle.”[7]

 Now, the center is established, our compass is upright as the world axis. Now we open the compass. This is a wonderful meditation! Rather than being trivial, this act has great significance for our meditation, as well as the act of creating a geometric universe in symbol. We are engaging in the cosmological creative process with the compass. “It represents the first archetypal principle of the Monad: equal expansion in all directions….the opening compass represents the first manifestation of God’s light [Masons, NOTICE THIS!] and Brahma’s voice, illuminating and vibrating the universe into existence, as espanding states of slef awareness, which we call nature. Nature’s forms represent invisible forces made visible… as you open the compass, consider that you are metaphorically repeating this first principle of the Monad, the opening of light, space, time, and power in all directions.”[8]

 The 2^nd principle of the Monad is whirling, the circle’s rotary movement, giving us cycles, movement, periodicity, circuits, orbits, vibrations, and rhythms.[9] The Monad’s third principle involves the area within the circumference. A circle is not just a curve but the miraculous space inside, which manifests between nothingness (zero dimensional point) and everythiung (infinitely many points around the circumference). “A circle encloses the most space by the smallest perimeter. In other words, the most enclosure with least exposure. The Monad’s third principle is maximized efficiency.”[10]

 

So to sum up the incredibly fascinating metaphor and symbolism of the compass, its reason for existence, so to speak.

The Monad or oneness, expressed as a point and a circle, is the foundation for our geometrical construction of the universe. The three parts of the circle – center, circumference, and radius forming the space within – correspond to the three principles of the Monad: equal expansion, cycles, and efficient space… we express the Monad’s principle in the things we do and create.

Everything seeks unity. The goal of many religions and mythic ordeals is to return to a lost state of Divine Oneness. But we have no need to return to a state of oneness because unity is axiomatic and we already are integrated in it. Barely recognizing our situation, here and now we live in a whole and beautifully harmonious wonder world. Only a self imposed illusion of separateness keeps us from recognizing our own center of awareness and identity with the One. To understand this unity the ancient mathematical philosophers contemplated the principles of the Monad through the arithmetic principles of the ‘number’ one and by exploring its geometric expression as the circle.”[11]

 

I bet you never look at that simple compass resting on the V.S.L. on the altar again will you!

 

 Endnotes

1.        1. “Transactions,” p. 11.

2.        2. “Transactions,” p. 11.

3.        3. Michael S. Schneider, “A Beginner’s Guide to Costructing the Universe: The Mathematical Archetypes of Nature, Art, and Science,” HarperCollins, 1994: 6.

4.       4.  Schneider, “Ibid.,” p. 6.

5.        5. Schneider, “Ibid.,” pp. 8-9.

6.       6.  Jack Buta, “Esoteric Geometry,” in “Philalethes: The Journal of Masonic Research and Letters,” (Dec. 2005): 134. See also the very interesting ideas of Delmotte Patrice, MPS, “To the Glory of the G.A.O.T.U., ‘The Holy Saints John. An Operative Point of View,” in “Philalethes,” (April, 2003): 45-46, wherein he demonstrates the point within a circle can represent the location of the temple most sacred place or of the altar. It is the first step found using the Solstice points (represented by the Holy Saints John), as markers for the first step in erecting a building as well.

7.      7.   Schneider, “Ibid.,” p. 9.

8.      8.   Schneider, “Ibid.,” p. 10-11.

9.       9.  Schneider, “Ibid.,” p. 12.

10.    10. Schneider, “Ibid.,” p. 16-17.

11.    11. Schneider, “Ibid.,” p. 20.

Comments

[robert wilson princehall gatecity42atl.ga]

thanks'

[Chris Albert]

I really love it. Thanks for sharing this post.

[china wholesale]

Hi, the article is so wonderful, I am interested in it. I will pay attention to your articles.

[ugg 5815 boots]

The entire process of creation functions within the laws of Karma. We cannot create a lower self that is contrary to the tendencies generated in previous human embodiments.