Masonic Light

The concept of light or the word itself has always, from time immemorial, occupied a dominant position in the philosophies of all ancient religions and mystic orders. In ordinary language the word is given several definitions, which on reflection tend to lead to a realization of deeper meanings, which have adorned the philosophies of ancient mystic orders including Freemasonry.

Some of the most common definitions are as follows:

1. It is the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
2. It is also defined as the amount of illumination in a place or a person’s share of it.
3. It is described as the object from which light emanates such as sun, a lamp, a candle, fire, etc.
4. It can be defined as the quality of brightening with animation.

All of those definitions relate to sight, which is the faculty of seeing by response of the brain to the actions of light on the eyes in all things that relate to the material world limited to time and space in accordance with the capacity of the brain, which governs the intellect.

In all ancient philosophies man has always contended with the doctrine of the two antagonistic principles of light and darkness, wisdom and ignorance, good and evil. Indeed there is hardly any ancient system that did not possess the basic recognition of light with the reverence as being emblematically representative of the eternal principles of goodness and wisdom as against evil and ignorance. These ancient systems of religion and esoteric sciences went further to exhibit prominently an emblematic relation between material light and mental illumination, primordial knowledge or the ever active primordial energy. Examples of these philosophies can be found in the Jewish Kabbalistic doctrine, those of the Egyptians, Persians, the dogma of Zoroaster and Brahmans, to name a few. It is a reflection of these doctrines that leads us also to a conscious contemplation of the true meaning of the great phrase “Let there be light, and there was light.” It is significant to note even man in his material existence in reacting to his own surroundings is filled with sentiments of fear when he is face to face with darkness while his reaction to light is that of joy and happiness.

All Freemasons know or ought to know that “light” is one of the cardinal words that form the main fabric of Speculative Freemasonry. It is not only the first symbol that is ceremonially introduced to the initiate, but continues all through his progress in the Craft. Truth and Wisdom constitute part of light, which pervades the whole basis of Freemasonry to the extent that Freemasons are even called the Sons of Light. In the First Degree alone the word is introduced to the candidate in three different perspectives. Those perspectives being, the material light, or the lesser lights, the emblematic light or the Volume of the Sacred Law, and the spiritual light or the creative will of the Supreme Being. These concepts and others that follow after the First Degree are amply enshrouded in illuminating phraseology remembered by every Freemason. Their full import may not be perceived by all but they are constantly there in the rituals of our ceremonies. There are other references to light that are still worthy of note. “To bring to light” or “to see the light” technically means initiation. From the foregoing it is obvious that to the Mason light has a deeper meaning which is darkness to the uninitiated or possibly even the newly made Mason, but visible to the taught Mason.

What therefore is the light that is darkness visible? The first and most important qualification for becoming a mason is a “belief in a Supreme Being”. From this belief arises a second belief that all things were made at the creative spark, or will of the SUPREME BEING. What therefore is the creative spark at which all things were first made? The Volume of Sacred Law bears testimony that in the beginning God created Heaven and earth, and the earth was without form and void. Then came the great spark of creation, and God said, “Let there be light and there was light”. From this record in the Volume of Sacred Law, the transformation of voids into forms such as the the sea, land and all living creatures, etc. took place after the creation or issuing forth light which was the animating force. Indeed it was not until the fourth day that the sun to rule the day and give light to the earth, and the moon to govern the night and the stars were created. What was therefore the first light created on the first day? This light has been described as the unsubstantiated primordial light, the driving force throughout creation, the primordial seed, and the ever active primordial energy.

What light does the Freemason seek to see? The light given in the great creative spark can therefore be equated with the will of God, the creative will of GOD, from which all forms emanate in perfection and from which also the spirit core of man emanates in subsequent creation. This is the beginning of creation and the understanding of the place of man in creation, which Masonic science strives to teach.