The Obligation of an Entered Apprentice

The First Degree is made up of fourteen distinct acts, in two series of seven each:

• The first seven are in a State of Darkness
• The second seven in a State of Light

This corresponds to the Ancient Mysteries. The Obligation comes as the last act in darkness.

The three degrees relate to different aspects:

• First Degree - Physical
• Second Degree - Mental/Intellectual
• Third Degree - Spiritual

The approach is by three steps: fifteen, twelve, and nine inches.

Why three steps? Three is the dominant number in this degree, representing balance between two extremes.

Why 15, 12, 9? These form the sides of a Pythagorean triangle (the 47th problem of Euclid), used to construct a right-angle.

From a spiritual perspective:

• Base (9) - Physical aspect
• Vertical (12) - Mental/Intellectual aspect
• Hypotenuse (15) - Spiritual side

The steps are towards the East, defined in the mysteries as the source of light.

The Obligation is taken at the Altar on the Three Great Lights:

• Volume of Sacred Law - The visible emblem of invisible Cosmic Law
• Compasses - Represent the Cosmic (Divine) Principle
• Square - Represents cosmic matter in which Divine Principle takes form

In this degree, the points of the Compasses are concealed beneath the Square, implying that the candidate's spirit is overlain by the tendencies of the material body.

The Altar's position at the centre of the Lodge symbolises what it should be in life: a centre of union and fellowship. It represents the most sacred Altar at the centre of your being.

Parts made bare enable close contact with the sacred area:

• Left knee (bare) - Placed on the floor at the Altar
• Right arm (bare) - Covering the Volume of Sacred Law
• Right heel (slipshod) - On the floor at the Altar

The VSL is open at Ruth Chapter IV, Verse 7:

"Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor."

This refers to ____ taking responsibility for Ruth. Ruth and ____ were the great-grandparents of King David, father of King Solomon.

The Obligation asks you to promise to "always hele, ever conceal, and never reveal" the secrets or mysteries.

'Hele' is an old word meaning 'to hide'.

The Secrets: The signs, tokens and words - "marks by which Masons are known to each other." While these can be found in books and online, keeping them secret is the first real test of your character and fidelity.

The Mysteries: Deeper spiritual knowledge. Silence is imposed more in interest of the individual than the Fraternity. This knowledge is personal and can be misunderstood if communicated prematurely.

The penal sign in this degree relates to the Throat Chakra, associated with communication.

Having taken the Obligation, the Candidate receives the predominant wish of his heart: Light.

'Light' is symbolic. Based on the deeper meanings of the ritual, every newly initiated Brother should seek the light that lies at the heart of our ritual.

Freemasonry is described as:

"A beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."

This statement contains clues that there is something hidden:

• Veiled - Hidden or covered
• Allegory - A story with deeper meaning
• Symbols - Something representing something else