Point within a Circle: An EA Perspective
Whilst practicing the EA tracing board, a group of us noticed that the Point within a Circle appears on the tracing board just below the VSL, and it is addressed part 3 of the lecture. During this practice we identified all the items in the lecture and their location in the temple, except the Point within Circle. WB Lim, when asked, said that it would be revealed in the third degree.
Still, the matter is addressed in the EA lecture, so there must be something we're meant to take away from the lecture. This is the text:
"In all well-informed and regularly constituted Lodges, there is a Point within a Circle, from which a Freemason cannot greatly err. This Circle is bounded on the North and South by Two Grand Parallel Line , one representing Moses, the other King Solomon. On the East, it rests upon the Volume of the Sacred Law. In travelling round this Circle, one must of necessity touch upon both of these parallel Lines, as well as upon the Volume of the Sacred Law; and while a Freemason keeps himself thus circumscribed, he cannot materially err."Here's a similar tracing board:
Most EA tracing boards I found with an image search have the Point within a Circle somewhere in them.
As far as we could see, there is no circle within the lodge room itself. Possibly the circle above (in blue, with the G hanging from it), but that seems unlikely because other lodges, like KK, don't have that circle and it's probably decorative.
Inspecting the centre of the room, we found only a 230V power point.
So, where is this point within a circle in the lodge room from the perspective of an EA?
I'll make a guess: it's not physically present. It's like Jacob's ladder in that it's purely allegorical. That part of the guess is pretty safe. So if it's allegorical, then to what?
I think the answer may lie in the 'travelling around this circle'. Could this refer to the Circle of Life? We're 'born' in the East, move to the South in middle age, are seniors in the West and then die and move into darkness in the North (?), to then again be reborn in eternal afterlife in the East again? That's purely a speculation on my part. If it's true it might also suggest why we always move clockwise in the lodge.
As far as the Point, I haven't even got a guess, but I'm sure it's not that 230V power socket.
Anyone else have a theory?
The concept of the Monad brings us into deep metaphysical territory, connecting ancient creation myths, esoteric geometry, and Masonic symbolism. So for those who are about to read this, if you don’t agree or are not interested in going deep into esoteric territory, click away now before its too late.
Thank you @Steve Nunez for that rabbit hole that I just fell into for the past 7 hours :)
Whenever I have a metaphysical or esoteric question, I first go to Pike. I know he is very controversial, but his works are unsurpassed even if they do give you an aneurysm. I tend to go read much of his source text that I can find to get a better understanding on where he is coming from.
This is my take.
To properly address the symbolic significance of the Point within a Circle within Freemasonry, we must place this symbol within a broad philosophical and historical framework, incorporating diverse perspectives from various cultural and metaphysical traditions. My understanding of your question centres on the esoteric significance of this symbol, particularly how it connects with the concept of the Monad across different time periods and traditions, including Freemasonry, Hermeticism, and Eastern philosophies.
Knowledge Base and Theoretical Foundations
At its core, the Point within a Circle symbolies the relationship between the individual and the greater cosmos. Masonically, the point represents the individual Freemason, and the circle signifies the moral boundaries within which he must operate. This metaphor is steeped in ancient philosophical traditions, particularly the Pythagorean and Neoplatonic interpretations of the Monad (Proclus in Euclid 27), which describes the first principle from which all existence emanates. Buck (1911) presents the Monad as a central figure, representing unity, from which multiplicity and the physical universe manifest. This establishes a direct connection between the Monad and the Point within a Circle, where the point symbolizes the undivided origin, and the circle represents the emanating, boundless potential of the universe.
This concept finds resonance across traditions. In Magnum Opus, Pike (1857), while explaining the 25th, 28th, and 32nd degrees, explores the symbolism of creation, describing the point as the origin from which lines, planes, and the cosmos unfold geometrically. Drawing on Zarathustra and other ancient sources, Pike explains how creation emanates from the Monad through stages of increasing complexity, as described in The Chaldæan Oracles (Taylor, 1895). This progression is mirrored in Masonic symbolism, where the Point within a Circle encapsulates both moral and cosmic principles. This parallels Freemasonry’s use of the compass and square as geometric tools and reflects Hermetic traditions, where creation follows a similarly orderly progression.
Wilmshurst (1927) expands on this idea, introducing the tripartite division of man into spiritual, psychical, and physical aspects, symbolized by the equilateral triangle. Here, the point at the centre of the triangle echoes the Monad’s unifying role, as the tripartite aspects of humanity revolve around this central Life-Principle. This balance and integration between the facets of human nature further mirror the Monad’s journey from unity to multiplicity and back to unity, reinforcing the importance of moral and spiritual equilibrium.
Srinivasachari (1934) provides a parallel in the Bhedābheda tradition, where the finite self (jiva) is seen as both distinct from and yet one with the infinite (Brahman). This duality parallels the Masonic interpretation of the Point within a Circle, suggesting that while the individual is distinct, they are always interconnected with the larger cosmic and spiritual order.
Historical and Symbolic Expansion
Frank C. Higgins (2010) highlights that ancient archaeological symbols, like the Tetraktys, represent the progression of creation from the point to the circle, embodying a complete cycle of existence.
This symbolism aligns with Pike’s (1857) notion that the point expands into a line and then into the cube, a process that mirrors both Pythagorean and Masonic teachings.
This is also seen in the application of the 47th Problem of Euclid, which represents the balance and structure inherent in geometry and moral life. The 47th Problem emphasizes the foundational relationship between form and proportion, reflecting the core Masonic principle that knowledge and enlightenment arise from understanding universal laws, much like the symbolic unfolding of the point into the universe. In this way, the Point within a Circle parallels the geometric order introduced by the 47th Problem, both of which illustrate how structure and harmony govern not only mathematics but also moral and spiritual life.
Similarly, the esoteric concept of the 49 Fires of Creation (see the first figure at the begining), drawn from Theosophical teachings, further illustrates this unfolding. Each fire represents a stage of manifestation from the divine Monad, showing how the initial spark of creation spreads across spiritual and material dimensions. The Point within a Circle reflects this process, where the point represents the first spark of creation, and the circle encompasses the cosmic boundaries within which these creative forces unfold. Just as the 49 fires mark the journey of divine energy, the circle symbolizes the moral and spiritual boundaries guiding the individual's journey within the greater cosmic order.
It so happens that just last night I was watching an episode of the ‘Ring of Power’ wherein the Secret Fire was mentioned (another rabbit hole I went down for a few hours, and now today I find a connection – well at least in my mind). It’s hard for me overlook how this esoteric concept of the 49 Fires has a curious parallel to Tolkien’s Secret Fire. In Tolkien’s legendarium, the Secret Fire is the divine flame that upholds creation, similar to the way the 49 Fires guide the emanation of existence from the Monad. Both metaphysical concepts emphasize the source of life, being, and cosmic order. In a sense, when Gandalf declares himself the servant of the Secret Fire, it mirrors the Freemason’s journey of discovering their inner divine spark—the point within the circle—through the wisdom of ancient teachings. Just as Tolkien's Secret Fire preserves the integrity of Eä (the universe), the Masonic Point within a Circle preserves the moral and cosmic balance, ensuring the individual remains aligned with the universal laws.
So whether you’re a Tolkien fan or an esoteric lover, there’s something profound and maybe a little magical in how these metaphysical fires—whether from Theosophy or Middle-earth—reflect the eternal truths about creation, being, and the journey back to unity.
Anyway, back to the point (pun intended).
Continuing on, Valborg (2007) takes this concept further by discussing the Monad's relationship to cosmic laws, proposing that the Monad represents both the beginning and end of existence, much like the circle, which is without end. The duality of unity and multiplicity here mirrors the esoteric philosophy of the Monad governing the interplay between finite and infinite.
Synthesis and Conclusion
The Point within a Circle serves as both a moral guide and a profound metaphysical symbol, representing the individual's journey within a boundless, divine cosmos. The concept of the Monad, explored by Pike (1857), Wilmshurst (1927), and others, enriches our understanding of this symbol by demonstrating how it encapsulates both unity and multiplicity across different philosophical systems. The integration of Bhedābheda philosophy (Srinivasachari, 1934) adds depth, emphasizing the simultaneous distinctness and oneness of the individual and the cosmos, aligning with Masonic teachings about moral and spiritual boundaries. Thus, the Point within a Circle is not only a symbol of moral circumscription but a representation of the universal process of creation, expansion, and return to unity.
References and Bibliography
1. Buck, J. D. (1911). Mystic masonry: Or, the symbols of Freemasonry and the greater mysteries of antiquity (Vol. 5). Indo-American Book Company.
2. Higgins, F. C. (1913-1915). Origins and Symbols of Masonry: An Examination of the Archaeological, Antiquarian and Scientific Foundations of the Craft.
3. Iyer, R. (1981). Fires of Creation. https://www.theosophytrust.org/850-the-fires-of-creation
4. Pike, A. (1857). Magnum opus.
5. Shaw, A. (2024, September 21). Secret Fire In The Rings Of Power: The Oldest Piece Of Tolkien’s LOTR Lore Explained. ScreenRant. https://screenrant.com/lotr-rings-of-power-secret-fire-explained/
6. Srinivasachari, P. N. (1934). The philosophy of Bhedābheda. University of Madras.
7. Taylor, T. (1895). The Chaldæan oracles of Zoroaster.
8. Valborg, H. (2007). Symbols of the eternal doctrine: From Shamballa to paradise. Theosophy Trust Books.
9. Wilmshurst, W. L. (1927). The meaning of masonry. Gramercy.