14th Degree: Perfect Elu

Way of the Hermit

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.
This episode explores the 14th Degree of the "Lodge of Perfection" - "Perfect Elu." The episode begins with a brief recap of the Royal Arch of Solomon Degree, highlighting Enoch's efforts to preserve the "True Name of God" amidst a forewarned calamity. This narrative sets the stage for the discussion on King Solomon's "Secret Vault," distinct from Enoch's vault, which served as a private meeting space for Solomon, King Hiram, and Hiram Abiff. Following Hiram Abiff's death, the vault remained sealed until a suitable replacement was found. The episode connects this story to the previous degree, where the discovery of Enoch's vault by three architects leads to their initiation into Solomon's Vault and the revelation of the "Sacred Word," thus establishing the "Degree of Perfection."
The episode concludes with a reminder of the significance of personal reflection in uncovering Masonry's secrets and the overarching goal of promoting human happiness through the dissemination of truth.
This series on the Scottish Rite uses the following primary sources (which you are encouraged to read as well):

• Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma: Annotated Edition
• Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide
• A Bridge to Light

Diagrams:

• "Grand Elect Perfect and Sublime Mason" (engraving)

Overview

• 01:14 Introduction
• 02:24 Mythological Setting
• 04:28 Morals and Dogma
• 05:12 The Practical Object of Masonry
• 06:41 Laborare est Orare: Labor is Worship
• 07:36 Pure Religion is to Help Others and Keep Oneself Unspotted from the World
• 11:49 Nothing Can be Imagined More Excellent than God
• 13:34 God Concerns Himself With Human Affairs
• 14:14 Hiram: A Symbol of Humanity in its Highest Phase
• 17:33 God Has a Plan for His Creations
• 18:23 God’s Existence is Self-Evident
• 20:26 God is Our Father, and We Are His Children
• 21: 14 God’s Laws are Designed for Our Happiness
• 22:54 No Good Work is in Vain
• 24:29 The Mason and This and The Future of Life
• 25:34 Masonry Imposes No Sectarian Doctrines
• 26:15 Symbolic Numbers
• 29:03 Jacob’s Ladder Revisited
• 30:20 Solomon’s Seal
• 31:11 The Perfect Elu Ceremony
• 31:59 The Cordon
• 32:40 The Apron
• 33:05 The 14th Degree Ring
• 34:36 The Fall of Solomon’s Temple

Links:

• The Creed of Christendom (Amazon)
• Scottish Rite for Children (ScottishRiteForChildren.org)
• Shriner’s Children (ShrinersChildren.org)
• Ronald McDonald House (RHMC.org)
• Emerald Tablet (Wikipedia)
• Be Here Now (Amazon)
• Real Alchemy (Amazon)

บท

1. 14th Degree: Perfect Elu (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:01:14)

3. Mythological Setting (00:02:24)

4. Morals and Dogma (00:04:28)

5. The Practical Object of Masonry (00:05:12)

6. Laborare est Orare: Labor is Worship (00:06:41)

7. Pure Religion is to Help Others and Keep Oneself Unspotted from the World (00:07:36)

8. Nothing Can be Imagined More Excellent than God (00:11:49)

9. God Concerns Himself With Human Affairs (00:13:34)

10. Hiram: A Symbol of Humanity in its Highest Phase (00:14:14)

11. God Has a Plan for His Creations (00:17:33)

12. God’s Existence is Self-Evident (00:18:23)

13. God is Our Father, and We Are His Children (00:20:26)

14. God’s Laws are Designed for Our Happiness (00:21:14)

15. No Good Work is in Vain (00:22:54)

16. The Mason and This and The Future of Life (00:24:29)

17. Masonry Imposes No Sectarian Doctrines (00:25:34)

18. Symbolic Numbers (00:26:15)

19. Jacob’s Ladder Revisited (00:29:03)

20. Solomon’s Seal (00:30:20)

21. The Perfect Elu Ceremony (00:31:11)

22. The Cordon (00:31:59)

23. The Apron (00:32:40)

24. The 14th Degree Ring (00:33:05)

25. The Fall of Solomon’s Temple (00:34:36)