Sunday, March 5, 2017

"Albert Pike's Esoterika" Transcribed and Annotated by Arturo de Hoyos


Albert Pike's Esoterika
The Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry
Transcribed and Annotated by 
Arturo de Hoyos
The Scottish Rite Research Society, 2005
Notes by Travis Simpkins

     There are a handful of truly essential Masonic texts, and Albert Pike's Esoterika: The Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry is one of them. Transcribed and annotated by Arturo de Hoyos, Grand Archivist and Grand Historian of the Supreme Council 33°, the book contains copious endnotes that both compliment and enhance Albert Pike's previously unpublished original manuscript.
     Born out of Albert Pike's frustration with the lack of explanation he received upon initiation in regard to many of Freemasonry's most prominent symbols, Esoterika offers illumination that expands upon the core teachings contained within Masonic ritual. Interpretations of such symbols as the square and compasses, the weapons and blows of the assassins, the three grips, the 47th Problem of Euclid and the substitute for the Master's Word comprise the center of Pike's focus. Asides regarding the cable-tow, corner stones, Jacob's Ladder, Tubal Cain, Shibboleth, Solomon and Hiram provide further pause for thought. Appendices containing several 18th Century early Masonic exposes provide the reader with context as to some of Pike's sources. I won't go into further detail regarding the symbolic content and explanations here. 
     I purchased the book as part of the Master Craftsman program offered by the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C.  and it was worth every penny. Anyone looking for education beyond the Lodge room would be well-advised to look into the program here: scottishrite.org/members/masonic-education



Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: Hermes 

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: Tetragrammaton

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: King Solomon

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: Kabbala

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: REBIS

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: 47th Problem of Euclid

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: Jacob's Ladder

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos: House of the Temple

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

Esoterika. Albert Pike. Symbolism of Blue Degrees of Freemasonry. Arturo de Hoyos

The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965): Jesus Christ, from the Nativity to the Resurrection


     Directed by George Stevens, based on the New Testament and other sources, The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) is one of the quintessential Biblical epic films. The plot retells the story of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, from the Nativity through the Resurrection. With a running time of either 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 hours, depending on the version, the film may be best watched in two sittings (or at least take advantage of the intermission). Typical of the time and genre, the sets are a bit "clean" and staged for the First Century period… but that is forgivable. The all-star cast is a who's who of the era, including Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Charlton, Heston, Jose Ferrer, Telly Savalas, Sidney Poitier, Claude Rains, Martin Landau, Donald Pleasence, Roddy McDowall and John Wayne appearing as a Roman Centurion. 


The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Charlton Heston as John the Baptist

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Charlton Heston as John the Baptist

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Telly Savalas

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Telly Savalas

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Charlton Heston as John the Baptist

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Romans

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: John Wayne

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Telly Savalas

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: Max von Sydow as Jesus Christ

The Greatest Story Ever Told. 1965: John Wayne