Masonic & Occult Symbols Illustrate

used to express an OCCULT but analogical signification.” Another book reminds us that “An emblem is a figure or symbol which stands for SOMETHING ELSE.” We are also told that there is a HIDDEN MEANING to these symbols, so what is presented to the candidate is not what is really meant. Eastern Star writer, Mary Ann Slipper, states “that everyone who becomes a member of the Order of the Eastern Star should be familiar with the ESOTERIC meaning of every symbol used in the work....” One Short Talk Bulletin, which was supposed to be read in the Lodge, says: “It may be asserted in the broadest terms that the FREEMASON WHO KNOWS NOTHING OF OUR SYMBOLISM KNOWS LITTLE OF FREEMASONRY. He may be able to repeat every line of the ritual without an error, yet, if he does not understand the meaning of the ceremonies, the signs, the words, the emblems and figures, he is a MASONIC IGNORAMUS.” Throughout this book we will be looking at numerous symbols and we’ll discover some of the HIDDEN MEANINGS behind these symbols. We will also see how various symbols represent pagan gods and goddesses. Additionally, we’ll learn how many emblems conceal and shroud sexual connotations under the guise of symbolism. Charles G. Berger explains: “At first, in art, the sex organs were represented by pictures of them, but as man developed and ideas of morals changed, such representations seemed offensive or crude, and they were therefore GRADUALLY MODIFIED UNTIL THE SYMBOLS COULD SCARCELY BE RECOGNIZED AS SEXUAL in origin. OTHER EXPLANATIONS AND MEANINGS WERE INVENTED FOR THE MASSES, who were not supposed to understand the TRUE MEANINGS. Thus, SYMBOLS CAME TO HAVE TWO MEANINGS, the esoteric and the exoteric. The ESOTERIC meaning was the true or original meaning. UNDERSTOOD BY ONLY A FEW and closely guarded by them. The exoteric meaning was the invented, or modified, explanation intended for the many. The sacred mysteries, which are often mentioned in connection with many ancient religions and which were closely guarded by the initiate, concerned esoteric meanings in the religions of previous times. These sacred mysteries very often were merely continuations of the simpler forms of early sex worship carried on by a select few." The Migration of Symbols also states: “Without doubt the symbols that have