That could be. I am not a Mason, but I have studied the history of the Aleutian mysteries and there is a clear connection. Also, how do we explain the references in so many materials coming from the Freemasons? The book below as an example. If there is no direct connection, they sure do admire the legends. It seems to be a direct connection to me.

THE Mysteries of Freemasonry
CONTAINING ALL THE DEGREES OF THE ORDER CONFERRED
IN A MASTER'S LODGE,
AS WRITTEN BY
CAPTAIN WILLIAM MORGAN.
All the Degrees Conferred in the Royal Arch Chapter and
Grand Encampment of Knights Templars—Knights
of the Red Cross—of the Christian Mark—and
of the Holy Sepulchre.

Originally posted by JoshNorton

Originally posted by SuperiorEd
Not according to Albert Pike in Morals and Dogma. I have read it twice.

And this, Masonic Light would argue, is one point where Pike was wrong. Or, at least, he was mislead and in later books changed his stance on that relationship. Coincidentally this is the origin of the oft quoted Pike passage about low level Masons being mislead by high level Masons. He wrote that because the blue lodge degrees don't mention the Templars at all, and he was told (incorrectly) later that there WAS a connection. He considered the lack of education on the Templar topic to the blue lodge degrees an example of omission based on rank. But, again, he was wrong.

No Mason should consider Pike's word as gospel anyway. As others have written, it's just one man's opinion.

Originally posted by SuperiorEd
Albert Pike was the founder of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

No, he only rewrote the degrees for the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite. It was founded in the United States prior to his birth.

Originally posted by SuperiorEd


That could be. I am not a Mason, but I have studied the history of the Aleutian mysteries and there is a clear connection. Also, how do we explain the references in so many materials coming from the Freemasons? The book below as an example. If there is no direct connection, they sure do admire the legends. It seems to be a direct connection to me.

THE Mysteries of Freemasonry
CONTAINING ALL THE DEGREES OF THE ORDER CONFERRED
IN A MASTER'S LODGE,
AS WRITTEN BY
CAPTAIN WILLIAM MORGAN.
All the Degrees Conferred in the Royal Arch Chapter and
Grand Encampment of Knights Templars—Knights
of the Red Cross—of the Christian Mark—and
of the Holy Sepulchre.

Oh, I fully admit they admire the legends. But I think that's pretty much the most anyone can prove. Morgan published in 1826. The Templars were disbanded by the church in 1314. That's 500 years in between.

It seems more likely that the people who were writing the degrees that became the upper numbers in both the York and Scottish Rite systems were enlightenment and post-enlightenment era gentlemen, pining for chivalric virtues and really wanting to style themselves as "knights". You'll also see that timing-wise the creation of some of the degrees coincides with the popular rise of egyptology, so you'll see a lot of stylized Egyptian art in some lodges as well.

But nobody has been able to identify an unbroken chain of teaching going back 700+ years, much less 2000+ years.

That was quite a bit before the double helix code of DNA was cracked in 1953....but I do agree with the post that said it represents the fragility of life (carlos castaneda would say something about us being "luminous eggs"). I am not sure about the medieval cannon but the king's horses and men sure could represent cavalry and infantry, resp. What about the "wall".....any thoughts on it's symbolism? Castle wall? but how significant? What about man (HD being proxy for same) reaching unsustainable and dangerous heights (ie, Icarus)?

Originally posted by SuperiorEd
Have you ever read Enoch I? He lived 365 years, but walked with God between heaven and earth as a messenger for 300.

I haven't read Enoch, but he does figure in to Masonic teachings. Both the York & Scottish Rites have degrees where the nine vaults of Enoch are unearthed by Templars and a cube with God's name inscribed is found. Curiously, the word found is different between the two Rites... (From what I understand. I haven't gone through the York Rite system yet...)