Post by water on Feb 14, 2009 13:17:47 GMT -5
www.cuttingedge.org/EasternStarG.pdf
EASTERN STAR GODDESSES
The Eastern Star ceremony is composed of five degrees--each one
supposedly taken from the Bible. This, however, has not always been the case.
Turning to The Mosaic Book, written by Rob Morris, the founder of the Eastern
Star, we find the following names of the officers: Heleon, Philomath, Verger,
Herald, Luna, Flora, Hebe, Thetis (or Thesis), Areme, and Warder.(1)
A book entitled History of the Order of the Eastern Star, which was
published in 1989 by the General Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star, pointedly
mentioned that in:
...1860, Dr. Morris set about organizing under a different title
or name....
The TITLES OF THE OFFICERS WERE CHANGED, lectures or charges
were taken from Bible stories and GIVEN BIBLE NAMES, but many of
the principal IDEAS REMAINED UNCHANGED....This proved to be
popular, and many Master Masons were authorized to communicate the
degrees. The lectures remained in five charges, UNDER DIFFERENT
NAMES, but the CABALISTIC MOTTO, and CABALISTIC WORD REMAINED THE
SAME.(2)
PAGANISM UNDER GUISE OF CHRISTIANITY
Fascinating! The symbols, colors, Cabalistic Motto, Cabalistic word, and
the SYMBOLIC MEANING HAVE REMAINED THE SAME, but the NAMES WERE CHANGED TO
BIBLE NAMES. In other words, the Eastern Star is not, and never has been,
Bible-based! It is only using the names of Bible characters to continue its
paganism under a guise. In fact, we are told: "The reading of Scripture text
between the points was originated by the Patrons of Queen Esther Chapter,
Indianapolis, Ind., and inserted in the Ritual in 1878."(3) This was 28 years
after the founding of the Eastern Star!
WHY were the names changed? Could it be to DISGUISE the fact that the
five women were originally the names of goddesses? Yes, that's right! Are you
aware that Luna, Flora, Hebe, and Areme are names of goddesses and that Thetis
is the name of a sea goddess (or nymph) in mythology?
ADAH WAS LUNA
Adah was originally known as Luna.(4) Who was Luna? According to Pearl
Cleveland Wilson, Luna, in:
...Roman mythology, [is] the goddess of the moon. A minor deity,
Luna was connected chiefly with calendar reckoning....Luna was
sometimes associated with the Roman goddess Diana. Her Greek
counterpart was Selene, an early moon goddess.(5)
Hecate was the "name by which Diana was known in the infernal regions. In
heaven her name was Luna."(6) It's no wonder that Hecate is called the "Queen of
the Witches" since she taught SORCERY and WITCHCRAFT,(7) but why would this be
one of the goddesses chosen for the Eastern Star under the name of Luna? Could
it be that the person who selected these names was well-versed in mythology
and witchcraft? Diana's symbol, by the way, is a CRESCENT AND STAR, which is a
FERTILITY emblem and a SYMBOL OF WITCHCRAFT.(8)
VIRGIN OR LESBIAN?
We also discover that Diana is the patron saint of the FEMINISTS AND
LESBIANS.(9) She shunned men and "devoted herself to hunting, always accompanied
by a band of young women, who, like herself, abjured marriage."(10)
Do you recall that this is the goddess who represented Adah, Jephthah's
daughter? Remember that Adah was a young girl who was committed to perpetual
virginity in order to fulfill the vow her father had spoken (see Judges 11:37-
40).
As mentioned, Luna (also called Diana, Hecate, Selene, and Artemis) is a
moon goddess. Another moon goddess is Io.(11) In Greek mythology:
...the violet sprang for Io, a priestess of Juno's temple, with
whom Jupiter was almost caught in one of his flirtations. Not
having time to conceal her, he changed her into a white heifer;
but grass not being good enough for so delicate a creature, the
god created the violet as her special food.(12)
Would you like to guess what flower was selected for Adah (who was at one
time called Luna) in the Eastern Star? That's right! It's the violet.(13)
Aleister Crowley, both a Mason and Satanist, mentions that "Luna is
blue...."(14) What color was chosen for Luna who is now called Adah? Blue, of
course! Is this just an amazing set of coincidences or was there extensive
preparation involved in laying out the plans for this organization and the
ritual which followed?
ESTHER WAS HEBE
The goddess originally mentioned in the Eastern Star for Esther was
Hebe.(15) We are told that in Greek mythology Hebe is "the goddess of youth and
the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was for a time the cupbearer of the
gods...."(16)
RUTH WAS FLORA
Flora was the goddess who had represented Ruth.(17) Flora, also known as
Chloris, was the goddess of springtime and flowers in Roman mythology.(18)
Why was Flora chosen to represent Ruth? Could it be that this particular
goddess was selected because of occultism? You see, in the occult the four (or
sometimes five) elements play a prominent role. The color yellow symbolizes
the earth element and Ruth's color is yellow.(19) How appropriate, then, for her
to be depicted by a goddess of flowers and springtime. The emblem for Ruth is
a sheaf or sheaves of barley.(20) "Generally speaking, all sheafs (sic), bunches
and sprays stand for PSYCHIC FORCES...."(21) Remember, we do know that the sheaf
is not actually representing a sheaf for Shirley Plessner reminds us: "An
emblem is a figure or symbol which stands for SOMETHING ELSE."(22)
MARTHA WAS THETIS
Martha was originally called Thetis (or Thesis).(23) In Greek mythology she
was a sea goddess.(24)
Why would a sea goddess be used to represent Martha when Martha's story
has nothing to do with the ocean? Is it possible that a sea goddess was
necessary to reflect the element water? The color dedicated to Martha is green
and green is the color used to symbolize the water element. In the Egyptian
creation story, green is assigned to water since water played a part in their
creation.(25) Green also symbolized victory and was used in the funeral
ritual.(26) Remember, the story of Martha does involve a funeral--the death of
Lazarus. It also symbolizes victory since Lazarus was raised from the dead. In
fact, the story of Martha and Lazarus actually seems to parallel the story of
Isis and Osiris. Aleister Crowley discloses: "The pure earth, known to the
ancient Egyptians in that Equinox of the Gods over which Isis presided, was
green."(27)
The Eastern Star ritual tells us that Martha's flower is the pine cone
(or fern).(28) In A Dictionary of Symbols we find that "the pine is a symbol of
immortality."(29) That fits quite well with Martha since there is a death and
resurrection connotation. What is also intriguing is that the pine tree is
"sacred to the sea god."(30) Ah, is this just another reason why Martha was at
one time identified as Thetis, the sea goddess? Isis, by the way, is also
referred to as the "Star of the Sea"!(31) Did Morris choose each goddess with
the different elements and specific colors in mind or are these just mere
"coincidences"? You be the judge.
ELECTA WAS AREME
So far we've covered the goddesses Luna (Adah), Hebe (Esther), Flora
(Ruth), and Thetis (Martha). There remains one more--the impersonator of
Electa who was called Areme. Now, who was Areme? In all likelihood, you have
never even heard of this name, much less know anything about her. Scores upon
scores of reference materials were examined only to find NO MENTION of her
name at all. Book after book on mythology, as well as dictionaries,
encyclopedias, occult books, and numerous other sources were checked. The
results were the same: no mention of Areme.
Knowing that the other four names previously used in the Eastern Star
were names of goddesses, I was quite sure that Areme would also be a goddess,
yet no one seemed to know anything about this name. Was there a particular
reason why this name was so elusive? After much more research, a phone call,
and several letters, the pieces of the puzzle seemed to start to fall into
place.
In conversation with a former witch, (who was also a Satanist and Mason),
I was informed that in witchcraft there is a SECRET GODDESS WHOSE NAME IS ONLY
KNOWN TO THE INITIATES.(32) The witchcraft group to which he belonged did not
have Areme as their secret goddess, but different traditions have different
goddesses. He also told me that the color associated with this goddess is
usually red or white. Surprisingly (or perhaps not so surprisingly!) Areme's
color just happens to be red. I started wondering, Could the Eastern Star
actually have a SECRET GODDESS like the witches do? Was Rob Morris aware of
this? Could this be why there was no reference to Areme? Even the well-known
witch, Starhawk, referred to "the SECRET NAME of the Goddess" in her book The
Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess.(33)
AN EGYPTIAN GODDESS
Shortly after this conversation I received a letter from another former
witch. He wrote that Areme "was an OBSCURE Egyptian goddess."(34) At least my
suspicion that Areme was a goddess was finally confirmed. If Areme was a
secret name known only to initiates, obviously there would be very little or
no information about her available.
So, then, all five names that Rob Morris had ORIGINALLY used were the
names of GODDESSES, although each of these goddesses impersonated a BIBLE
CHARACTER. In fact, names of gods and goddesses are still in use in Masonry.
For example, the collars worn for the 25E sport the names of Osiris, Ahura,
Isis, and Ceres, along with the fertility symbols of the crescent moon and the
bull.
Remember the next time you, a family member, or a friend attends a
Masonic or Eastern Star meeting and impersonates one of the "Bible" women that
behind this facade stands a GODDESS! Exodus 23:13 gives this warning: "Make no
mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."
Dr. Cathy Burns
www.freewebs.com/htubmanch40_links/fraternal%20teacher.bmp
EASTERN STAR GODDESSES
The Eastern Star ceremony is composed of five degrees--each one
supposedly taken from the Bible. This, however, has not always been the case.
Turning to The Mosaic Book, written by Rob Morris, the founder of the Eastern
Star, we find the following names of the officers: Heleon, Philomath, Verger,
Herald, Luna, Flora, Hebe, Thetis (or Thesis), Areme, and Warder.(1)
A book entitled History of the Order of the Eastern Star, which was
published in 1989 by the General Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star, pointedly
mentioned that in:
...1860, Dr. Morris set about organizing under a different title
or name....
The TITLES OF THE OFFICERS WERE CHANGED, lectures or charges
were taken from Bible stories and GIVEN BIBLE NAMES, but many of
the principal IDEAS REMAINED UNCHANGED....This proved to be
popular, and many Master Masons were authorized to communicate the
degrees. The lectures remained in five charges, UNDER DIFFERENT
NAMES, but the CABALISTIC MOTTO, and CABALISTIC WORD REMAINED THE
SAME.(2)
PAGANISM UNDER GUISE OF CHRISTIANITY
Fascinating! The symbols, colors, Cabalistic Motto, Cabalistic word, and
the SYMBOLIC MEANING HAVE REMAINED THE SAME, but the NAMES WERE CHANGED TO
BIBLE NAMES. In other words, the Eastern Star is not, and never has been,
Bible-based! It is only using the names of Bible characters to continue its
paganism under a guise. In fact, we are told: "The reading of Scripture text
between the points was originated by the Patrons of Queen Esther Chapter,
Indianapolis, Ind., and inserted in the Ritual in 1878."(3) This was 28 years
after the founding of the Eastern Star!
WHY were the names changed? Could it be to DISGUISE the fact that the
five women were originally the names of goddesses? Yes, that's right! Are you
aware that Luna, Flora, Hebe, and Areme are names of goddesses and that Thetis
is the name of a sea goddess (or nymph) in mythology?
ADAH WAS LUNA
Adah was originally known as Luna.(4) Who was Luna? According to Pearl
Cleveland Wilson, Luna, in:
...Roman mythology, [is] the goddess of the moon. A minor deity,
Luna was connected chiefly with calendar reckoning....Luna was
sometimes associated with the Roman goddess Diana. Her Greek
counterpart was Selene, an early moon goddess.(5)
Hecate was the "name by which Diana was known in the infernal regions. In
heaven her name was Luna."(6) It's no wonder that Hecate is called the "Queen of
the Witches" since she taught SORCERY and WITCHCRAFT,(7) but why would this be
one of the goddesses chosen for the Eastern Star under the name of Luna? Could
it be that the person who selected these names was well-versed in mythology
and witchcraft? Diana's symbol, by the way, is a CRESCENT AND STAR, which is a
FERTILITY emblem and a SYMBOL OF WITCHCRAFT.(8)
VIRGIN OR LESBIAN?
We also discover that Diana is the patron saint of the FEMINISTS AND
LESBIANS.(9) She shunned men and "devoted herself to hunting, always accompanied
by a band of young women, who, like herself, abjured marriage."(10)
Do you recall that this is the goddess who represented Adah, Jephthah's
daughter? Remember that Adah was a young girl who was committed to perpetual
virginity in order to fulfill the vow her father had spoken (see Judges 11:37-
40).
As mentioned, Luna (also called Diana, Hecate, Selene, and Artemis) is a
moon goddess. Another moon goddess is Io.(11) In Greek mythology:
...the violet sprang for Io, a priestess of Juno's temple, with
whom Jupiter was almost caught in one of his flirtations. Not
having time to conceal her, he changed her into a white heifer;
but grass not being good enough for so delicate a creature, the
god created the violet as her special food.(12)
Would you like to guess what flower was selected for Adah (who was at one
time called Luna) in the Eastern Star? That's right! It's the violet.(13)
Aleister Crowley, both a Mason and Satanist, mentions that "Luna is
blue...."(14) What color was chosen for Luna who is now called Adah? Blue, of
course! Is this just an amazing set of coincidences or was there extensive
preparation involved in laying out the plans for this organization and the
ritual which followed?
ESTHER WAS HEBE
The goddess originally mentioned in the Eastern Star for Esther was
Hebe.(15) We are told that in Greek mythology Hebe is "the goddess of youth and
the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was for a time the cupbearer of the
gods...."(16)
RUTH WAS FLORA
Flora was the goddess who had represented Ruth.(17) Flora, also known as
Chloris, was the goddess of springtime and flowers in Roman mythology.(18)
Why was Flora chosen to represent Ruth? Could it be that this particular
goddess was selected because of occultism? You see, in the occult the four (or
sometimes five) elements play a prominent role. The color yellow symbolizes
the earth element and Ruth's color is yellow.(19) How appropriate, then, for her
to be depicted by a goddess of flowers and springtime. The emblem for Ruth is
a sheaf or sheaves of barley.(20) "Generally speaking, all sheafs (sic), bunches
and sprays stand for PSYCHIC FORCES...."(21) Remember, we do know that the sheaf
is not actually representing a sheaf for Shirley Plessner reminds us: "An
emblem is a figure or symbol which stands for SOMETHING ELSE."(22)
MARTHA WAS THETIS
Martha was originally called Thetis (or Thesis).(23) In Greek mythology she
was a sea goddess.(24)
Why would a sea goddess be used to represent Martha when Martha's story
has nothing to do with the ocean? Is it possible that a sea goddess was
necessary to reflect the element water? The color dedicated to Martha is green
and green is the color used to symbolize the water element. In the Egyptian
creation story, green is assigned to water since water played a part in their
creation.(25) Green also symbolized victory and was used in the funeral
ritual.(26) Remember, the story of Martha does involve a funeral--the death of
Lazarus. It also symbolizes victory since Lazarus was raised from the dead. In
fact, the story of Martha and Lazarus actually seems to parallel the story of
Isis and Osiris. Aleister Crowley discloses: "The pure earth, known to the
ancient Egyptians in that Equinox of the Gods over which Isis presided, was
green."(27)
The Eastern Star ritual tells us that Martha's flower is the pine cone
(or fern).(28) In A Dictionary of Symbols we find that "the pine is a symbol of
immortality."(29) That fits quite well with Martha since there is a death and
resurrection connotation. What is also intriguing is that the pine tree is
"sacred to the sea god."(30) Ah, is this just another reason why Martha was at
one time identified as Thetis, the sea goddess? Isis, by the way, is also
referred to as the "Star of the Sea"!(31) Did Morris choose each goddess with
the different elements and specific colors in mind or are these just mere
"coincidences"? You be the judge.
ELECTA WAS AREME
So far we've covered the goddesses Luna (Adah), Hebe (Esther), Flora
(Ruth), and Thetis (Martha). There remains one more--the impersonator of
Electa who was called Areme. Now, who was Areme? In all likelihood, you have
never even heard of this name, much less know anything about her. Scores upon
scores of reference materials were examined only to find NO MENTION of her
name at all. Book after book on mythology, as well as dictionaries,
encyclopedias, occult books, and numerous other sources were checked. The
results were the same: no mention of Areme.
Knowing that the other four names previously used in the Eastern Star
were names of goddesses, I was quite sure that Areme would also be a goddess,
yet no one seemed to know anything about this name. Was there a particular
reason why this name was so elusive? After much more research, a phone call,
and several letters, the pieces of the puzzle seemed to start to fall into
place.
In conversation with a former witch, (who was also a Satanist and Mason),
I was informed that in witchcraft there is a SECRET GODDESS WHOSE NAME IS ONLY
KNOWN TO THE INITIATES.(32) The witchcraft group to which he belonged did not
have Areme as their secret goddess, but different traditions have different
goddesses. He also told me that the color associated with this goddess is
usually red or white. Surprisingly (or perhaps not so surprisingly!) Areme's
color just happens to be red. I started wondering, Could the Eastern Star
actually have a SECRET GODDESS like the witches do? Was Rob Morris aware of
this? Could this be why there was no reference to Areme? Even the well-known
witch, Starhawk, referred to "the SECRET NAME of the Goddess" in her book The
Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess.(33)
AN EGYPTIAN GODDESS
Shortly after this conversation I received a letter from another former
witch. He wrote that Areme "was an OBSCURE Egyptian goddess."(34) At least my
suspicion that Areme was a goddess was finally confirmed. If Areme was a
secret name known only to initiates, obviously there would be very little or
no information about her available.
So, then, all five names that Rob Morris had ORIGINALLY used were the
names of GODDESSES, although each of these goddesses impersonated a BIBLE
CHARACTER. In fact, names of gods and goddesses are still in use in Masonry.
For example, the collars worn for the 25E sport the names of Osiris, Ahura,
Isis, and Ceres, along with the fertility symbols of the crescent moon and the
bull.
Remember the next time you, a family member, or a friend attends a
Masonic or Eastern Star meeting and impersonates one of the "Bible" women that
behind this facade stands a GODDESS! Exodus 23:13 gives this warning: "Make no
mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."
Dr. Cathy Burns
www.freewebs.com/htubmanch40_links/fraternal%20teacher.bmp
