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A Bridge To Light , A Study in Masonic Ritual & Philosophy
A Bridge to Light is an introduction to the Scottish Rite's Degrees and symbolism. It is the most popular exposition available, by one of the Rite's most articulate philosophers and writers. This enlarged third edition has been updated to conform to the Revised Standard Pike Ritual.
335 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 8, 2013
Freemasonry is truly unique in that there is nothing really to even compare it with. It is the Western World's most formalized mystical tradition and it is extremely eclectic. It combines the mystic traditions of almost every major Religion from Hindu to Islam to Kabbalah while using the symbols of Alchemy mixed with Philosophy and illustrated using the allegory of Chivalric Orders.
This book goes through explaining each of the degrees of the Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States which is degrees 4-32. These degrees were re-written by Albert Pike after the Civil War. Each degrees focus on questions of morality and is associated with an ideal virtue that the candidate should aspire to live. Each degree is performed and the Candidate participates, almost entirely without any knowledge of what each Degree consists of.
I personally find Freemasonry extremely gratifying. It is the one place where I truly feel at home with my own views and ideas of the Universe because strangely enough Masonry unites men of all creeds and backgrounds to the common cause of bettering themselves and committing to being benefactors towards mankind. It transcends dogma, nationalities and religions to focus on the core ideas that have driven the social evolution of civilization.
People who want to believe the conspiracy theories about Masonry suffer from a tremendous deficiency of understanding what it is all really about. The greatest secret is one that can never be revealed because it is only found on the individual level. The central idea behind keeping knowledge secret from the uninitiated was that to those who aren't ready it confounds more than it helps. It can also be potentially dangerous because it may destroy parts of one's paradigm about reality and thus put them into a state of existential shock. Like the great Mystic traditions of the Past, the greatest secret is hidden within and is the answer to one of the great riddles of the universe: "KNOW THYSELF!!"
"Men cannot worship mere abstraction. They require some outward form in which to clothe their conceptions, and invest their sympathies. If they do not shape and carve or paint visible images, they have invisible ones, perhaps quite as inadequate and unfaithful, within their own mind" Albert Pike Morals and Dogma
"Riches pass away like shadows on the water;
They are the most inconstant of friends.
Those that are dear to us die;
And Friendships are not immortal.
All men stand upon the margins of their graves;
And one thing alone is beyond the reach of Fate;
The judgement that is passed upon the dead."
This book goes through explaining each of the degrees of the Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States which is degrees 4-32. These degrees were re-written by Albert Pike after the Civil War. Each degrees focus on questions of morality and is associated with an ideal virtue that the candidate should aspire to live. Each degree is performed and the Candidate participates, almost entirely without any knowledge of what each Degree consists of.
I personally find Freemasonry extremely gratifying. It is the one place where I truly feel at home with my own views and ideas of the Universe because strangely enough Masonry unites men of all creeds and backgrounds to the common cause of bettering themselves and committing to being benefactors towards mankind. It transcends dogma, nationalities and religions to focus on the core ideas that have driven the social evolution of civilization.
People who want to believe the conspiracy theories about Masonry suffer from a tremendous deficiency of understanding what it is all really about. The greatest secret is one that can never be revealed because it is only found on the individual level. The central idea behind keeping knowledge secret from the uninitiated was that to those who aren't ready it confounds more than it helps. It can also be potentially dangerous because it may destroy parts of one's paradigm about reality and thus put them into a state of existential shock. Like the great Mystic traditions of the Past, the greatest secret is hidden within and is the answer to one of the great riddles of the universe: "KNOW THYSELF!!"
"Men cannot worship mere abstraction. They require some outward form in which to clothe their conceptions, and invest their sympathies. If they do not shape and carve or paint visible images, they have invisible ones, perhaps quite as inadequate and unfaithful, within their own mind" Albert Pike Morals and Dogma
"Riches pass away like shadows on the water;
They are the most inconstant of friends.
Those that are dear to us die;
And Friendships are not immortal.
All men stand upon the margins of their graves;
And one thing alone is beyond the reach of Fate;
The judgement that is passed upon the dead."
December 8, 2009
Well written. An excellent supplement to Albert Pike's work. Very helpful in clarifying basic concepts of Scottish Rite degrees. Well done, Brother.*.
December 22, 2014
After going through the 32 Degrees this is a must have for any Mason who wants to know more about the meanings behind the experience.
January 24, 2019
Excellent!
September 10, 2025
Excellent!
July 12, 2012
Awesome!
August 3, 2013
Hutchens does a fine job of breaking down some oftentimes dense material to create an excellent primer about the history and rituals of the Scottish Rite.
March 12, 2016
A MUST READ FOR SCOTTISH RITE MASONS!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews