On the Denomination of The Rite
ANCIENT: One finds the origins of our Rite in the Rite of Mizraim [Venice, 1788] and the Rite of Memphis (Montauban, 1815). In 1881 these two Rites were united.
PRIMITIVE: The actual Rite of Memphis-Mizraim stems from the first filiation, coming from the Primitive Rite of Paris in 1721, which was followed, in 1779, by the Primitive Rite of Philadelphs at Narbonne.
RITE: The Rules and Ceremonies practised in our Tradition.
The Rite is an Initiatic Way in itself.
MEMPHIS: Is a capitol city of ancient Egypt, situated at the point of the Delta of the Nile. It was here that the Rite was created by Initiates in contact with this ancient civilization.
MIZRAIM: This word is the plural of Egyptian and first appeared in a group of Sociniens in Venice. The Patent and Constitution was given by Cagliostro.
SOVEREIGN SANCTUARY: Specified by the Rite of Memphis-Mizraim, is the government of the Rite, of the Order, and the Obedience.
A Brief Introduction to Congregational Illuminism
By Tau Dositheos
What does it mean to work in free communion? First, one should realize we are here talking about certain underlying principles rather than hard and fast rules. Congregational Illuminism is an open system based upon these principles. Being an open system it is fluid and adaptable rather than rigid and constrained. Free Communion is a verb (i.e. these principles put into practice), or as some may prefer, a particular approach that is adopted to engage in the Work.
Congregational Illuminism or Illuminati is non-hierarchical and non-authoritarian. This means there is no rank or stratification and there is no central authority or “inner circle”. Congregational Illuminism is based on a bottom-up rather than a top-down model. We feel that all too often has it been shown that strict hierarchies within magical organizations have led to petty politics and useless power struggles. We say, do away with all this, level the playing field and focus on the Work. We have no Grand Poobahs. What we do have is an ever-growing number of sincere and dedicated Illuminists who have voluntarily come together in free association with each other to work in unity, openness and peace.
Our goal is Illumination. Our approach is both experimental and experiential. We are not an Order, or a singular organization. Many independent groups have formed. Many individuals contribute in their own ways as well. We view this diversity as a great benefit. We share our gnosis across borders. We peer review our successes and our failures. We feel this approach aids us all in attaining a closer approximation to what is true and to what works. We hold no superstitions sacred. We take a scientific and function
al approach to the Work. There is nothing to hide. There are no secrets. There are only our own efforts and struggles towards enlightenment. This is enough.
CONGREGATIONAL ILLUMINIST BODY
[This statement was prepared on the In Free Communion working group, with special thanks to T Allen Greenfield and Brother Kibrick]
At this important point in the evolution of the Western Magical Tradition, it is becoming increasingly apparent that restrictive forms of gnosis based upon “grade systems” are becoming irrelevant for many who are attempting to perform the great work at this time; that is perhaps why you have read this far. Congregational illuminists operating on the principles of Scientific Illuminism find that, although some may have worked alone for extended periods, they may be living in a place on the Earth where they have no contact with others who may benefit from the sharing and developing research that could be usefully applied individually and collectively.
All congregational illuminists are dedicated to the furtherance of the Great Work, through themselves and through mutual aid.
The Initiatic Teaching of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis and Misraim
Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis Misraim (A.P.R.M.M.) it is the result of the complex intertwining of the Rite of Misraim (or Egyptian), risen in Venice in 1801 and spread into Italy and France, and of the Rite of Memphis (or Oriental), founded in 1839 in Paris, on the basis of reelaborating the degrees of the Misraim, including the oriental initiation and ritual style.
The A.P.R.M.M., differentiated itself, right from its conception, from the other Masonic Ritual Bodies, since it was structured to represent, in a single Ritual Body, the twofold masonic-illuministic system. Thus containing in itself the great western and oriental Iniziatic systems. It is essential to clarify that the path offered by the A.P.R.M.M., to the seeker journeymen, through its Ritual Chambers has as its primary purpose to furnish traditional tools for a secure individual spiritual growth. Furthermore the Ritual work, founded on the universal principle of aware, elective and spiritual cooperation, carried out by the Initiate in the ritual Chambers, creates conditions for the generation of positive effects of a spiritual nature, not only within the lodge structure, but also to the outside, that is on the whole Universe.
The return of these spiritual values on all the living beings, certifies and justifies the goal of our worshipful Rite. The diffusion of goodness and justice to all the levels of human and social life, the diffusion of true prosperity and happiness for all the beings, no longer needs to be a utopia. Other Ritual forms, instead, more or less similar to Our Worshipful Rite, immediately after their conception, suffered re-elaborations and drastic simplifications of the own philosophical ladder (of 33º, or less practiced degrees), so much to twist the true purpose for which these ritual Bodies had been created. In fact these Rites having excluded from their ritual articulation the cabalistic, gnostic and hermetic degrees, mutilated the Ancient and Primitive organisation in its totality, including the first section, Symbolic lodge, transforming it, against its grain, in a philanthropic and political association.
As far as it concerns us, in fact, philanthropy and deep social sensibility, accompanied always by the maximum respect of individual and collective liberties, are values that the initiate should have conquered already before receiving the Egregore and certainly not afterwards. Such values must constitute the input (of the initiatic process) and not the output. They need to be the motivation and the tool and not the final objective. The end of the traditional work and ritual practiced in the various degrees of Our Worshipful Rite, is exclusively individual spiritual growth. It has never been and will never be the development of political or philanthropic activity, directly or indirectly in relation to the profane world, and any action of this kind, from the Brothers of the A.P.R.M.M., even if appreciable, must be considered exclusively as a personal/private activity.
The return of spiritual values on all the living beings, certifies and justifies the goal of our worshipful Rite. The diffusion of goodness and justice to all the levels of human and social life, the diffusion of true prosperity and happiness for all the beings, no longer needs to be a utopia. Other Ritual forms, instead, more or less similar to Our Worshipful Rite, immediately after their conception, suffered re-elaborations and drastic simplifications of the own philosophical ladder (of 33º, or less practiced degrees), so much to twist the true purpose for which these ritual Bodies had been created. In fact these Rites having excluded from their ritual articulation the cabalistic, gnostic and hermetic degrees, mutilated the Masonic organisation in its totality, including the first section, Craft Masonry, transforming it, against its grain, in a philanthropic and political association.
The end of the traditional work and ritual practiced in the various degrees of Our Worshipful Rite, is exclusively individual spiritual growth. It has never been and will never be the development of political or philanthropic activity, directly or indirectly in relation to the profane world, and any action of this kind, from the Brothers of the A.P.R.M.M., even if appreciable, must be considered exclusively as a personal/private activity.
The philosophical ladder of Our Worshipful Rite is composed of 99º degrees or, it would be be better to say 'steps'. These different levels of Theurgy work, even if they can seem redundantly numerous, they must be always considered as a project to be realised in stages, in which the Master Initiate undertakes a descent in the depth of his own being. To have a correct understanding of the Corpus used by the A.P.R.M.M., it is opportune to consider it, in his complex structural unity as a repository of Masonic degrees that are no longer practiced, due to various circumstances, in contemporary Masonry. The rituality of the A.P.R.M.M. is only a precious opportunity of study and deepening of all spiritual currents that have transited within Universal Freemasonry, from its to rise to today.
One of the objectives of our studies is the acquisition of the principles of Classical Gnostic Tradition, being so little diffused and superficially treated during the work of Craft Masonry. When we speak of Classical Gnosis we refer to the doctrine that is founded on the followings principles: pre-existence of the souls; descent in carnal forms; consequent abandonment of the Pleroma (superior world, beyond the senses) for the Kenoma (inferior world of the form) and, subsequently, the possibility re-ascending again it toward the Pleroma; study of the Arcana of a posthumous existence, evoked in the ritual Masonic symbolism with the expression Eternal East. The study of these Arcana that follow the first three degrees of Craft Masonry will be faced through opportune rituals containing symbols and elements deriving from ancient traditional disciplines (for instance, the Alexandrian Gnosis and the Jewish Qabalah) and characterized by signs, marches, passwords traceable to the ancient oriental traditions (like Taoism and Tibetan Buddhism).
We will not dwell on the numerous symbolic references, used in the ritual Chambers, relative to the so called occult sciences like the Alchemy, Astrology and Theurgy. The Fundamental characteristic of Our Worshipful Rite is, finally, its firmly deist and spiritual intimate nature. It is the definite acceptance of the fundamental principle of the eternity of the Spirit and the immortality of the soul. The objective of our Worshipful Rite is to constitute a real but invisible thread that ties the Lower with the Higher. It offers the key to the Arcana, to all the men of good will, so that these same Arcana can be unveiled and practiced.
Spirit of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm
The Lodges of Memphis-Mizraim work the Egyptian Rite. On their Altars are found the Traditional Square and Compasses, and Ruler, symbol of the Great Architect of the Universe. The Lodge of the A.P.R.M.M. is symbolically a closed and sacred place. It is in this place, in this workshop that the ties and privileged relations of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity between the Brothers are established. Masonic discipline is founded on a tradition that puts into play a Human and sacred experience and constitutes a liberating Authority.
The Degrees of Instruction, conferred by the Order of Memphis-Mizraim, are divided into three series:
1. From the 1º to the 3º Degree - Symbolic Masonry.
2. From the 4º to the 33º Degree - Philosophical Masonry.
3. From the 34º to 95º Degree - Esoteric Masonry.
(Differing constitutions appear to have some differences, including whether there are 95°, 96°, 97°, 98° or 99° effective grades or degrees.)
Memphis-Misraim members conceive Freemasonry as an Order that is located outside Time and Space. It unites the Initiated from all places and all eras, Brothers of all conditions, all origins, all beliefs or philosophies who join their efforts in order to build the Ideal Temple of Truth, Justice and HarmonyConcorde. They consider that, more than an institution, Freemasonry is a traditional method of accessing to Knowledge and, through such, to Freedom. The fundamental quest is that of Truth and such cannot be Christian, Buddhist, Islamic, not even Masonic…, it is only Truth.
Initiation is closely connected with Tradition and is composed of a Ritual Mass which can’t be made up. For ages, Initiation has been imparted, preserving its essential guidelines and basal rules in a continuum. Inside Initiation intrudes a “non-human” element consisting of a spiritual influence that achieves the connection with the Divine Order via Rite. However preparative to this happening, the Rite’s activation is necessary and compulsory according to Traditional rules. The cardinal purpose of the initiation is to set in motion all personal and individual processes which have to provoke the excess of the human confinements, awakening the capabilities of emancipation dormancies which each one bears. Initiation substantially entails the person’s interiority, which has nothing to do with populace, and this is why Massive Initiation is a contradiction inconsistent and something nonsensical. Initiation must provoke a transmutation within the individual making them realize their inner Divinity; it must render the individual a New Person, and must comprise the departure point of its true liberation from the human limitations as well as the awakening of their Divine Consciousness.
The 90º degrees of Misraim plus the 94º degrees of Memphis are united, while containing the entire Masonic range via a special nomenclature. The first set of degrees, which is called Masonic, includes the first 30º degrees and it is divided in two rows, Symbolic and Philosophic.
Symbolic row
The Symbolic row is comprised of the first Holy Work Zone and joins Lodges and Triangles:
· 1º to 3º, the Laboratories are working at the “Chambers” of the Apprentice of the Art, of the Fellow Craft of the Art and of the Master Mason of the Art.
Philosophic row
The Philosophic row degrees are grouped as follows:
· 4º to 7º, the College of Sublime Masters of the Perfection Arch (or Dome).
· 8º to 11º, the Sword Knights Synod, Perfect Masons of Heredom (11º is the degree of the R+C Knight).
· 12º to 17º, the Sun Senate Knights, Wise of the Truth - Hermetic Philosophers.
· 18º to 30º, the Stars Brigadiers Council - Patriarchs of Truth.
From 30º to the 90º degree, we enter a sequence which escalates on Arcana Arcanorum (87º-90º). Those who bear 30º 90º degrees are called Sublime Masters of the Great Work.
Illuminati section
The second row is the Illuminant section, which is comprised by four Constitutions:
· THE NATIONAL SANCTUM of Patriarchs Preservers of the Rite (33º 90º 95º).
· THE SUBLIME SECRET TEMPLE of Patriarchs Princes of Memphis (32º 90º 94º).
· THE GREAT TRIBUNAL of the Defenders of the Rite (31º 90º 91º).
· THE SUBLIME CONSISTORIUM of the Sublime Masters of the Great Work.( 30° 90°)
Two more degrees left, which correspond with the function of the National Grand Hierophant, Grand Master 33º 90º 96º and finally the 97º degree is given, as a privilege, to the Emperor Sovereign Grand General Hierophant who retains the Sovereignty of the Rite while he is in charge of all continents on both hemispheres.
The Works of all Chambers and Chapters of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Misraim and Memphis must be conducted in Gloria of the Supreme Artificer of the Worlds and under the Aegis of the Sovereign Grand Sanctum of Adriatic (Superum), which is the Supreme Force of the Order and the Rite on both hemispheres. Otherwise, all Holy Works are invalid.
On 8º 11º degree, the seeker attempts the through the water crossing. He can pass over the bridge which connects the two river banks, but he can also douse into the water with no hope.
On 12º 17º degree, right after having passed through the water, he is able to face the Alchemic path and on 18º 30º degree the Astrological and Cabbalistic path.
Hereafter on the 30º 90º degree the seeker starts to work on the Elements’ Powers and hence with higher powers. The Sanctum Rite, which acts on thin fields, helps and protects the seeker because the Ritual action allows the activation of both channels, the one raises the "Fides" upwards and the other one lowers the "Virtus" downwards, just as in the Emerald Tablet. It is however advisable that great attention exists.
It is pertained on the Rite’s Basis that we should know that all facts are produced in the physical world and all causes in the metaphysical world. And this is why nothing can be produced in physical world, unless it has first been produced beyond the Vail.
The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Misraim and Memphis don’t have at all any views on speculation or sociopolitical level. Indeed, the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Misraim and Memphis show no interest in politics while respecting all Religion confessions.
For us God is one, even if we appeal Him under different names. That is why we support equally all religions.
One of the fundamental principles of Ancient and Primitive Rite of Misraim and Memphis, is that God is Truth and lies everywhere, suffice it to be realized by human via inner work.
Characteristics of the Ancient and Primitive Order of Memphis-Misraïm
The characteristics of the Universal Masonic Order of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim are:
Egyptian, Traditionalist, Symbolic, Esoteric, Deist.
Egyptian
Our rituals originate from the Rite of Memphis which conveys the survival of ancient Egyptian Mysteries that were celebrated long ago in the Temples of Memphis and rediscovered in Lebanon within Druze Masonry encountered by Gérard de Nerval. Freemasons who were accompanying Bonaparte during the mission in Egypt then rejected the Masonic authority of the United Grand Lodge of England and began anew with a new Rite.
Traditionalist
By this qualification, the masons of the Rite want to remind their strong attachment to the “Masonic Tradition”, vehicle of the Primordial Tradition, universal in basis, a patrimony formed by the actualization of mankind’s millennium old quest for Knowledge.
Masonic Tradition is nothing more than the expression of the “Immutable Charter” of essential values of all civilizations past and future. This Charter is founded on the respect of Rights and Dignity of the human being in the independence of its spirit and the integrity of its body.
The negation of these values which forge our ethic would undoubtedly mean a certain regression regardless of the explosion in technological or scientific progress.
In the confusion that often characterizes our era, this term of Tradition has been sweetened, even misrepresented, by assigning it either an out-of-date or stiff, conservative and “fundamentalist” connotation. Let us beware of the language deviations that convey a degeneration of corresponding ideas.
Our reference to Tradition must not be confused with a “sterilized attachment to the past” or a “bounded conservatism”. Breaking up with Tradition is breaking up with Wisdom and Universal Principles of Human Consciousness.
Symbolic
Operative Freemasonry originates in the most distant past, from the builders of the pyramids to those of cathedrals through the Tyrian and Judaic corporations, the roman collegia and the medieval corporations of craftsmen. It has been the vehicle of an initiatory technique well before giving birth to speculative Freemasonry.
It created a symbolical language, of which the tools assigned to the degrees of Apprentice, Companion and Master are examples, in order to transform the raw stone (the layman) into a polished stone fitting in the building of the Universal Temple. The initiatory teachings rest on the will and the effort made by each individual member to polish his stone.
The purpose of the symbol, universal language making it possible to overcome the obstruction of languages and their confusions, is to suggest: it remains an open system for Free Thought.
Esoteric
In the Constitutions of the Rite of Memphis-Misraim is proclaimed the following: “You have two ears to hear the same sound, two eyes to perceive the same aspect, two hands to perform the same act.”and “The Masonic science is esoteric and exoteric":
- Esotericism forms the Thought
- Exotericism is the action that results there from.
And yet, even today, the concept of esotericism is often unknown.
It seems then necessary to remind the definition of “esoteric” which comes from Greek “esoterikon” – “reserved only to the adepts”, qualification given in the schools of thought of ancient philosophers, meaning that certain domains were incomprehensible or hardly interpretable by the non-initiated.
Deist
According to the definition of this term, the Order of Memphis-Misraim does not refer to any Revealed Deity.
If it works “To the Glory of The Sublime Architect of All Worlds”, it also has faith in the human progress and postulates the probable existence of an Intelligence at work in all the Universe.
It is adogmatic (without adherence to any dogma) and it practices the greatest tolerance toward each Mason to forge his own convictions, to keep or to change them. Each Mason is free of his beliefs and opinions, however on the condition not to force them upon others and not to belong to any fundamentalist or intolerant tendency.
The Egyptian Rite of Memphis-Misraim calls the Sublime Architect of All Worlds the “Principle Arranger that we can evoke under a hundred different names” and that “the human reason is as powerless to define as to deny”.
As international Rite of Memphis-Misraïm is currently present in many European countries, such as France, Belgium, Bulgaria, Rumunia, England, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, in Canada, the United States of America, the Antilles, Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Chile. Also in many African and Indian Ocean countries, and as far as Australia and Philippines... Memphis-Misraïm is a deist rite which involves the belief in a spiritual absolute that the initiate name the “Great Architect of the Universe” or the “Sublime Architect of all Worlds” which can also be defined as the Source of Love and Joy. The rite claims to be spiritualist which means that it admits a kind of survival after death. The strength, vigor and notoriety of our Rite is founded more on its specificity and the quality of its work than on the quantity of its members. Memphis-Misraïm does not recruit in an intensive way. It is intended for sincere seekers eager to improve themselves by working on Symbolism and Esotericism.
Please visit our website for more info:
memphis-misraim
or
Ancient Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraim
http://www.memphis-mizraim.co.cc/
The Initiatic Teaching of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis and Misraim
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