25th Degree: Knight of the Brazen Serpent

Way of the Hermit

Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.
This episode marks a significant shift from the previous degree's focus on Jewish Mysteries, in that it delves into the teachings and traditions of Islamic mysticism, emphasizing the importance of inward purification and personal sacrifice to establish a covenant with God. The ritual underscores the challenge of genuine transformation and self-assessment, illustrating the difficulty of true change.
The Degree highlights the philosophical depth and the continuous effort required to grasp the deep truths of existence, that require a continual focus on self-improvement and the readiness to sacrifice for the greater good. The themes discussed include celestial influence on human life, the soul's journey, and the symbolism of light in Masonic ritual. The allegory of the Fallen Angels and the significance of celestial symbolism in conveying spiritual truths are also discussed.
The episode also delves into the symbolism of the stars and constellations in Masonic mysteries, the transition between astrological ages, and the mythological symbolism of the Precession of the Equinoxes. The myth of Isis and Osiris is examined as a representation of celestial movements and their influence on earthly cycles, as well as the ancient perception of celestial bodies as intelligent beings influencing earthly affairs, and the pitfalls of idolatry stemming from misconceptions about causality. The episode concludes with reflections on the interplay of light and darkness, the cyclical nature of life, and the Masonic pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement.
The 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

Images and Diagrams:

• The Brazen Serpent (engraving by Pierre Mejanel)
• 25th Degree - Apron, Cordon and Jewel

Overview:

• 01:14 Introduction
• 02:57 Degree Ritual
• 13:27 Purpose of the Degree
• 14:34 Morals and Dogma
• 15:44 Fallen Angels
• 18:09 Stairway to Heaven
• 21:42 Becoming Jacob
• 25:30 The Age of Aquarius
• 27:49 Isis and Osiris
• 30:26 Angels and Demons
• 31:19 Idolatry by Cause & Effect
• 33:13 The Brazen Serpent
• 35:12 Conclusions

Links:

• The Middle Chamber (MiddleChamber.org)
• Prince Hall Freemasonry (Wikipedia)
• Hamlet's Mill (Amazon)
• The Spiritual Science of the Stars (Amazon)
• The Geography of the Heavens (Amazon)
• The Origin of All Religious Worship (Amazon)
• Sabaean Researches (Amazon)
• The Progress of the Intellect (Amazon)
• The Worship of the Serpent (Amazon)
• Druze (Wikipedia)
• Sufism (Wikipedia)
• Nehushtan (Wikipedia)

Chapters

1. 25th Degree: Knight of the Brazen Serpent (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:01:14)

3. Degree Ritual (00:02:57)

4. Purpose of the Degree (00:13:27)

5. Morals and Dogma (00:14:34)

6. Fallen Angels (00:15:44)

7. Stairway to Heaven (00:18:09)

8. Becoming Jacob (00:21:42)

9. The Age of Aquarius (00:25:30)

10. Isis and Osiris (00:27:49)

11. Angels and Demons (00:30:26)

12. Idolatry by Cause & Effect (00:31:19)

13. The Brazen Serpent (00:33:13)

14. Conclusions (00:35:12)