Now, in the midnight sky this symbol is very curiously duplicated. For there is another constellation (known as Ursa Major), consisting of the same number of stars and arranged in similar order, which, by rotating around the same Pole-star, describes a second circle much larger than the first, for it takes a much wider sweep of the heavens.
These two constellations dominate the celestial firmament, and our Ancient Brethren took note of them. As from the former they derived their ideal of the perfect Lodge "on the center," so from the latter (which is a duplicate or copy of it), they learned the need [41] of "emulation," the essence of which is "perfect obedience" to a central Power; that is to say, regularity of motion around the Supreme Ruler.
From this same symbol they must have learned, too, what was always characteristic of Masons, to subordinate the relative to the Absolute and Eternal.
There is no doubt that our Ancient Brethren cultivated Astronomy, for it is one (the last and most important) of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences which Craftsmen are bidden to study. And it is interesting to note that in the R.A. Chapter we have a reference to those Fourteen Stars as the counterpart of another symbol referred to in the Traditional history of the R.A. Remember how the three M.M.'s from B., having been commissioned by our Rulers, and engaged in some research, come to report the discovery of fourteen Pillars, that is to say, of seven pairs; one pair which is said to be " of exquisite design and workmanship " (answering to the two leading stars in the said constellations), and " six other pairs of equal symmetry and beauty."
Obviously, then, the seven stars appearing on the First T.B. have been duplicated. There [42] are fourteen stars (or pillars) which represent the Lodge "on the center," and an "emulation" Lodge which is the type of every Assembly of Masons, both being, symbolically speaking, concentric.
And this total of fourteen is ultimately increased to fifteen; for when the said M.M.'s from B. pursue their quest, they come upon something like the base of a pedestal or column, which turns out to be far more precious than all the emblems which have hitherto engrossed their minds. About this unique symbol we may note three things: there are certain mystic characters engraved on the plinth; there is a mysterious veil, and then, under that veil, the innermost secret of the Chapter.
In nature the central point is occupied by the Pole- star; and all the other orbs of space, the whole of starland, circles around it. But the mystic seer looks deeper than the material creation, and perceives "a point within a circle" which is invisible, immaterial, and divine. In his efforts to give expression to his ideas, he will devise symbols for this, but that point within a circle stands for the Ultimate Reality, and when we come to it we feel that we are in the presence of the One Uncreate.
[43] Therefore, when the M.M. has attained
to this knowledge he is divested of his trappings and is granted
the status which entitles him to "the full participation
of our Mysteries."
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