Sulayman the Magician...

Peace and blessing be upon you...

Hopefully this post will find each of you in the best of health and spirits. Speaking of spirits, this particular post was inspired by a conversation between two brethren of my lodge regarding "black magick." What does magick have to do with Freemasonry? Well, this is what I've found....

"God appeared to Solomon that night in a dream and said, 'Solomon, ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.'

Solomon answered:

'LORD God, you were always loyal to my father David, and now you have made me king of Israel. I am supposed to rule these people, but there are as many of them as there are specks of dust on the ground. So keep the promise you made to my father and make me wise. Give me the knowledge I'll need to be the king of this great nation of yours.'

God replied:

'Solomon, you could have asked me to make you rich or famous or to let you live a long time. Or you could have asked for your enemies to be destroyed. Instead, you asked for wisdom and knowledge to rule my people. So I will make you wise and intelligent. But I will also make you richer and more famous than any king before or after you.'"

~ I Kings 3:7-12


Solomon; the son of a shepherd, and a former Prince himself, who eventually became a King. But how many are aware that he was also a magician, a sorcerer or a practitioner of black magick? Ah yes... just like Moses was still practicing Kemetian magick while leading the Israelites out of Kemet (Egypt) under the direction of YHWH. The book of Numbers, within chapter 21, describes the Nehushtan that Moses used to heal the Israelites who were bitten by snakes. This is what a Nehushtan or Nehustan a.k.a. the "Staff of Asclepius" would've looked like:

Now it can be seen as a symbol for medical services, but let us not go off into tangents...

Some would imagine that after Solomon conversed with YHWH that he awoke with all knowledge and wisdom the very next day or maybe over the course of the next few days. We're not certain as to how long it may have taken Solomon to achieve this level of intelligence, but an idea that we can all agree upon is that Solomon has been considered one of, if not, the wisest man that had ever lived.

A question surrounding the enigma of Solomons' mind: "How did Solomon gain this knowledge and wisdom?" We know that he became full of wisdom... but what was the process or by what method? It would appear that Solomon did leave the world a clue attesting as to how he gained his wisdom, but this clue was written in an encrypted fashion. This one particular clue can be found within the Testament of Solomon. Before we start, I'd like to draw your attention and point out that as one begins to read this testament, you will see the unfamiliar term: ' pseudepigraphic' in the introduction.

This particular term 'pseudepigrapha' basically means that although the text states a particular individual as the author of the text, we cannot ascertain or prove 100% that the author (i.e. Solomon) really wrote the particular text; more than likely because we were not there physically to witness the alleged author ( i.e. Solomon) scribe the account.

Well if this be the case... then every V. of S.L. should, can and will be considered as pseudepigraphic; because no one from this current day and age were able to witness any of the accounts scribed within our Volumes of Sacred Laws; unless of course, you have access to the Akasha Records. ..... Personally, I thought it necessary to put that argument of the term 'pseudepigraphic' to rest before we begin this journey.

The Testament of Solomon (an Old Testament book voted against at the Council of Nicea) deals with the construction of the Temple by Solomon and his workmen. It has been noted by archaeologists and theologians that the description of Solomons Temple was not of ordinary construction by any means... the work and dimensions were extraordinary and according to the testament of Solomon himself, all of the workmen that contributed to the extraordinary design were not ordinary men either... half of the workforce were demons summoned by our first Grandmaster Solomon. These demons were controlled by a ring that Solomon wore that bore certain symbols. I'll get to those symbols in a moment.

Over this past Summer, I had a conversation with a Past Master and he had mentioned that he had read a book I believe to be entitled "The Craft and It's Symbols" by Allen E. Roberts; but don't quote me on that book. However, he stated that there were two plates (pictures) located in the back and that one of the plates looked demonic in nature and that the other plate was of an older gentleman with long hair and beard blowing in the wind. I then mentioned that in alchemy an older gentleman is normally equated with Father Time; even within Freemasonry, there can be found an older gentleman, or "Father Time," playing in the hair of the Weeping Virgin.

The Brother stated that he was aware of this but these plates seemed to be "out of place" because the book did not expound on the plates at all; and the book was actually talking about King Solomons Temple. I began to wonder and stated to the Brother that "...there has to be a correlation between the Temple and Time."

Eventually, the Brother gave me a copy of a lecture (that he had written) and within this lecture can be found the following statements near the conclusion:

"...even the word 'temple' meant time. King Solomon's Temple was emblematic of one year or the time it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun is 365 and 1/4 day or 1 Earth year."

What is interesting to note is that few scholars and religious historians, such as H. Van Dyke Parunak and Glen Taylor, have stated that the Temple of King Sol-Om-On was actually "constructed as a Sun Temple and was in harmony with the universe and solar calendar." According to a text in Hebrew (8:5) we are told that Moses was instructed by YHWH to build a tabernacle and Moses was repeatedly warned to make sure he followed instructions precisely because the tabernacle represented heavenly realities.

Some theologians have likened the tabernacle to a solar calendar because it was perfectly accurate, perfectly usable, and perfectly meaningful as it charted time by hour, day, month, and year. According to history, Solomon's temple was a permanent larger scale version of the portable tabernacle that Moses was instructed to build. So it would be safe to presume that Solomon's temple was emblematic of a solar calendar as well or "time"; being that it was a larger version of the tabernacle of Moses.


I am beginning to slip-off onto another tangent... so lets get back to the discussion at hand.


Within this particular masonic book, we have the discussion of King Solomons Temple, a picture of Father Time and a picture of a demon or demons.

Demons + Temple (Time) = Testament of Solomon.

Now I'm sure that someone believes that I'm reaching.

Really?

Well, if so... then explain this:

Now gematria (as I'm sure you're aware) is the numerical value of letters. A = 1, B = 2, and C = 3 etc.

Demons = 70

Temple = 71

70 + 71 = 141

Now here is the most exciting find:

The number 141 really isn't a number. Look at it: 141 You'll notice that the number 4 is between two parallel lines. As you and I both know, parallel is a term in Freemasonry, geometry and in everyday life that refers to a property in Euclidean Space of two or more lines or planes. You'll also realize that between the parallel lines isn't the number 4 at all. . . it is actually the planetary symbol for Jupiter.

In case one doesn't know the correlation between Solomon and Jupiter... it would be Solomon's Pentacles of Jupiter. I've placed an image of each pentacle of Jupiter below with the descriptions that follow after the images (Figures 18 - 21).

Also within Figure 18, notice the symbol of the Square and Compass, the geometric echoes of the two triangles at the top of the wheel, and the ancient symbol for a female womb. All of these symbols can be found within the layout of the Lodge. When you scroll down and view the Pentacles below, also take notice at the bottom of the wheel the three (3) parallel lines on the right side of the wheel. On a side note, remember I stated that Solomons' ring bore certain symbols? Well, I would like to mention that it only takes two (2) parallel lines to form the Star of David on your masonic ring and three (3) lines to form a pentalpha on your ring. This is a pentalpha:

The importance of a pentalpha? Well it's the symbol that Solomon used, as a seal on his ring, to summon and control the demons to build the Temple. Some state that he also used the Star of David or Jewish Star as a signet on a second ring to summon and control lesser demons to construct the Temple. However, below are the images for Solomon's Pentacles of Jupiter:

To view a larger image, just click on the image above...

Figure 18 -- A Solomon Seal for acquiring treasure, improving, growing and succeeding in life. This Solomon Seal is composed of mystical characters of Jupiter. Around it are the names of the angels: Netoniel, Devecia, Tzedeqiah, and Parasiel, written in Hebrew.

The prominent angel on the seal is Parasiel considered the lord and master of treasures and lost secrets. Other angels included, Netoniel the angel of glory, fame and notoriety. Devecia who provides balance, tranquility, peace and quiet. The angel Tzedeqiah, who brings honor, fame, riches, glory. The first pentacle of Jupiter serves to invoke the spirits of Jupiter, and especially those whose names are written around the pentacle, among whom Parasiel who is considered the lord and master of treasures, and teaches how to become possessor of places.

Figure 19 -- The Second Pentacle of Jupiter -- This is proper for acquiring glory, honours, dignities, riches, and all kinds of good, together with great tranquillity of mind; also to discover Treasures and chase away the Spirits who preside over them. It should be written upon virgin paper or parchment, with the pen of the swallow and the blood of the screech-owl.

Editor's Note -- In the centre of the Hexagram are the letters of the Name AHIH, Eheieh; in the upper and lower angles of the same, those of the Name AB, the Father; in the remaining angles those of the Name IHVH. I believe the letters outside the Hexagram in the re-entering angles to be intended for those of the first two words of the versicle, which is taken from Psalm cxii. 3:--'Wealth and Riches are in his house, and his righteousness endureth for ever. '

Figure 20 -- The Third Pentacle of Jupiter -- This defends and protects those who invoke and cause the Spirits to come. When they appear show unto them this Pentacle, and immediately they will obey.

Editor's Note -- In the upper left corner is the Magical Seal of Jupiter with the letters of the Name IHVH. In the others are the Seal of the Intelligence of Jupiter, and the Names Adonai and IHVH.--Around it is the versicle from Psalm cxxv. 1:--'A Song of degrees. They that trust in IHVH shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.'

Figure 21 -- The Fourth Pentacle of Jupiter -- It serves to acquire riches and honour, and to possess much wealth. Its Angel is Bariel. It should be engraved upon silver in the day and hour of Jupiter when he is in the Sign Cancer.

Editor's Note -- Above the Magical Sigil is the Name IH, Iah. Below it are the Names of the Angels Adoniel and Bariel, the letters of the latter being arranged about a square of four compartments. Around is the versicle from Psalm cxii. 3:--'Wealth and Riches are in his house, and his righteousness endureth for ever.'


Now, there are two other strong similarities that can be found within our craft and the Testament of Solomon, the WM (who can be symbolical of King Solomon) states: "The First shall be Last and the Last shall be First."

Also, during 1st degree work, notice that the WM places a cornerstone in the Northeast corner to further add onto the Temple...

It should be interesting to note that the current brethren of the Lodge would make up the symbolic stones of the unfinished Temple. But get this... normally within Operative Freemasonry, the first stone ever to be laid is the cornerstone and then all other stones become apart of the project, but Speculative Freemasonry appears to do just the complete opposite.... we already have the stones (Brethren) that make up the Temple ... whereas we continue to add cornerstones to our Temple or Lodge. Operative is physical while the Speculative is spiritual... AS ABOVE SO BELOW .... the two are complete opposites of each other.

I would have you to take notice to the 118th verse of the Testament of Solomon that speaks of such a stone being added as the cornerstone to complete the Temple:

"...and the Temple was being completed. And there was a stone, the end stone of the corner lying there, great, chosen out, on which I desired lay in the head of the corner of the completion of the Temple. And all the workmen, and all the demons helping them came to the same place to bring up the stone and lay it on the pinnacle of the holy temple, and were not strong enough to stir it, and lay it upon the corner allotted to it. For that stone was exceedingly great and useful for the corner of the Temple. .... And I Solomon, beholding the stone raised aloft and placed on a foundation, said: 'Truly the Scripture is fulfilled, which says: 'The stone which the builders rejected on trial, that same is become the head of the corner."

According to the pentacles above, it would appear that Solomon obtained his knowledge, riches, honor, and wisdom via magick. Through this magick, he was able to construct the worlds most enigmatic Temple (known to mankind) with the assistance of demonic principalities and humans working together in unison underneath the power of his signet ring with the blessings of YHWH.

The speculative personal and collective Temple of Freemasonry is being constructed by men who have been considered to be "evil from the days of their youth" (according to Gen. 8:21).

So it seems that the evil nature within Man, along with his good, is constructing his inner Temple underneath the signet of a masonic ring, with the blessings of Deity because "no man should ever enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of Deity." The seal of a masonic ring circumscribes and subjects his spirit... squares his thoughts... controls and tames his inner-self; all for the construction of a Temple of Conscience... which will benefit the outer-world that comes into his immediate contact; just like the Temple of Solomon... which benefited all of mankind that came into its immediate contact.

Now... if you're still not convinced that our Craft is tied into the "Craft" (magick)... lastly, but certainly not least, the Tyler states that his duties are: "...to keep off all Cowans and Eavesdroppers...." The definition of a cowan is as follows:

• a stone mason working without mortar courses



• a non-Witch or non-pagan



• an outsider, someone who is not a follower of the Old Religion

Not long ago... I was conversing with one of the Brothers at the lodge and I asked: "Why would the Tyler state that he is keeping off someone who is a stonemason (cowan)? When Freemasons are supposedly stonemasons..." The Brother kindly stated: "Freemasonry is speculative." After hearing his reply... I agreed 100%.

So, that in turn will call for us to disregard the first definition and pay attention to the latter two. So now... my question which currently stands:

Why would the Tyler state that he is keeping off someone who is a non-Witch or non-pagan and/or an outsider that is not a follower of the Old Religion?

Do a search on the terms "Old Religion" and see what comes back.

.....

Finally my Brethren, I'll close with these words:

"... though I marvelled at the apology of the demons, I did not credit it until it came true. And I did not believe their words; but when they were realized, then I understood, and at my death I wrote this Testament to the children of Israel, and gave it to them, so that they may know the powers of the demons and their shapes, and the names of their angels, by which these angels are frustrated. ..... Wherefore I wrote out this Testament, that ye who get possession of it may pity, and attend to the last things, and not to the first. So that ye may find grace for ever and ever. Amen."

~ King Solomon a.k.a. Grandmaster Sulayman

1ness,


Osiris...

Mason Crosses Color Line...

*** Breaking News ***

We interrupt this esoteric blog to bring you the following news...

By Todd Luck (The Chronicle)
Friday, 18 January 2008

Black man sworn in as head of historically white lodge. History was made earlier this month in Winston-Salem as the state’s first black leader of an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason Lodge was sworn in.

Joseph Adegboyega is the new Worshipful Master of the Piedmont-Pioneer Lodge #685, an AF & AM Lodge that meets at the Masonic Temple on Miller Street. It’s not his first time making history as a mason. In 2002, he became the first black AF & AM member in the state, breaking down an long-established barrier left over from segregation that kept black men out of the organization.

A separate lodge, Prince Hall, was established for African-American masons in the United States. “There should be no reason why a black man should not be in a masonic lodge side by side with the white man except for the fact that the South was bigoted, the South was segregated,” said Adegboyega.

Adegboyega settled in North Carolina in 2001. He was born in Nigeria and attended college in France. He eventually moved to Canada, where he became a member of the AF & AM Lodge, an organization with lodges all over the world with no official restrictions on race. He then met a woman, who would become his wife, in North Carolina and moved to Kernersville to be with her. He is currently a self-employed addiction specialist working at Step One in Winston-Salem.

When he found a masonic lodge in Winston-Salem, his wife told him that it was only for white men. He contacted the Grand Lodge in Canada that put him in touch with the state Grand Lodge. He was allowed to attend meetings locally since he was already a member in Canada. Eventually a vote was held by the local Piedmont-Pioneer Lodge with all members in attendance voting to admit him as a member.

He said in the first meeting he attended, he felt some people didn’t welcome him, but others were overjoyed to see him. The love from those who supported his presence kept him going, he said. “Change happens from within,” said Adegboyega. “And I met some brothers there that day who really encouraged me to continue to come to visit and explained to me they have longed for a day when a black man would be part of the organization.”

Since becoming a member, he’s held various positions as he has moved up the ranks of the organization. Now, as Worshipful Master, he is head of the lodge and votes in meetings of the state’s Grand Lodge. His swearing in was attended by several past Grand Masters and the official photographers of both the Prince Hall and the AF & AM Grand Lodges. The secretary of the local Piedmont-Pioneer Lodge, Frank Collins, has been with the lodge since 1977 and was glad to see Adegboyega take the position. “He’s a good man,” said Collins. “He’s active all over the state.”

Both Collins and Adegboyega said that progress is being made towards AF & AM Lodge and Prince Hall Lodge acknowledging and accepting each other and breaking down color barriers. Adegboyega said progress is also slowly being made towards recruiting black members into AF & AM Lodges. He said since his membership opened the door, several African-Americans have joined lodges in other parts of the state. He said he hopes his example inspires more men of all races to join the brotherhood.

“This is an organization that helps to promote brotherly love amongst all people irrespective of their color, and I am glad that I am part of the energy to remove the color line and change it in the South so hopefully one day we can sit in the same lodge with our Prince Hall brothers and having meetings as we’re supposed to,” said Adegboyega. The AF & AM Lodge is a fraternal organization that focuses on charity and supporting the community. There are 56,000 AF & AM members in North Carolina.

By Todd Luck (The Chronicle)
Friday January 18, 2008


Peace and blessings be upon the Mainstream & PHA Brethren of North Carolina and you and your families as well...


1ness,


Osiris...

Masonic Secrets

Peace & Greetings be upon you...

Masonic secrets. What are they? Have they been discovered? If the world is aware of the secret words, grips and what takes place within a lodge, then how and why is that Freemasonry is still considered to be a secret society or society with secrets? Shh. Let's not read to loudly. You do not want to tip anyone off that you're a Freemason. Your active membership is one of the last secrets of our noble and ancient fraternity. Oh wait... your family members, friends and the general public even are already aware that you are a member of the fraternity. So much for our secret(s) eh?

Au contraire, it is my belief that none of the secrets of Freemasonry are given away even when they are supposedly seen or read. My reasoning is as follows:

As you and I both already know, during the medieval days the Freemasons built the most magnificent castles, churches and cathedrals that the world had ever seen. At the time, these masonic guilds had a monopoly on the construction business during that time because no one knew the secrets of their art. Those that were not admitted into the guild would often find themselves asking "How do those Freemasons build these tremendous structures with no wood and/or nails?"

Now what has always peaked my curiosity Brethren is this: As the weeks, months and years went by... how could one watch these structures being built and never learn the secrets of the trade? Well, after giving some thought, I've come to realize that the world was exposed to the exoteric portion of Freemasonry... the work itself and its results. The esoteric portion of Freemasonry took place within the Lodge; which would be learning the working of the tools, how they are used, and eventually becoming a master of those tools and having access to the blue-print designs.

Now the more modern-day question that the world is asking: "How are you adding on to a spiritual kingdom, a kingdom of conscience that is not made with hands, with physical hand-made tools?!"

But wait... the world has read the books from Barnes and Noble, grabbed passwords from websites and even watched the rituals on YouTube;... but they have yet to step foot inside a lodge and learn the working tools and their uses while becoming a master of them; nor have they viewed any designs. They've exposed themselves to the exoteric portions of Freemasonry and never learned the esoterica. The profanes read and dissect books for information, but we as Freemasons read and dissect books for learning and deeper understanding.

Profanes and Freemasons can be on two different paths while possibly reading the exact same book(s). While the profanes are on a path of physical exploitation from the words carried on the pages of a book, the freemason is on a spiritual exploration from the words that are carried on the pages of the exact same book.

Knowledge can be (un)lawfully learned and taught; but Wisdom (Light) can only be found after being sought.

I am convinced Brethren that those men who read our ritual(s) and allegedly know our passwords are just men standing on a distant hill watching the construction of our character, our spirit or our Kingdom of Conscience while they attempt to mimic our structures with nails. Their designs will last them a lifetime; our designs will last us an eternity beyond this lifetime.

Someone had once asked the question: "Is there any secrecy within Masonry which has not found its way into public domain?" Confidently my reply was a simple "yes."

Those secrets would be the designs of your conscience, character, spirit and/or soul. Those secrets are how you construct those designs (with physical hand-made tools) that will stand the test of not time itself, but of an eternity. Now until you reveal those secrets, the world will only be privy to your weekly, monthly, yearly on-going construction and will only see and experience your results.

The Macrocosom is held within the Microcosom of your existence.

Secrets are only secrets when they keep themselves.


1ness


Osiris...

Am I A Builder?

I watched them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town.

With a ho-heave-ho and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and the sides fell.

I asked the foreman, "Are these men skilled
And the kind you would hire, if you had to build?"

And he gave me a laugh and said, "No indeed,
Just common labor is all I need.

I can easily wreck in a day or two
What other builders have taken a year to do."

And I thought to myself as I went my way,
"Which of these roles have I tried to play?"

Am I a builder that works with care,
Measuring life by the rule and square.

Am I shaping my deeds to a well made plan,
Patiently doing the best I can?

Or am I a wrecker who walks the town,
Content with the labor of tearing down.


Author: Brother Hiram Abiff