THE POINT WITHIN THE CIRCLE 

 V.W.B. Karl S. Reith, P.M. Joseph Warren Lodge #235, F&AM, Wa.

The study of “The Point Within the Circle” must first commence with the symbolism and lesson from the monitorial lecture.  Wherein we are presented with the following explanation, which has been excised from the entire passage:  “--- a certain Point within a Circle ---“.  “The point represents an individual Brother; the Circle is the boundary line, beyond which he is never to suffer his passions, prejudices or interests to betray him ---

.”.  However, what is not quoted as part of the lecture although additionally presented at the end of the standard quote is: “This is a symbol of great interest and importance, and brings us into close connection with the early symbolism of the solar orb and the universe, which was predominant in the ancient sun-worship.”  This shall be addressed later in the paper.

This monitorial explanation may well be satisfactory for a Brother, and as far as he wishes to contemplate the matter.  If a Brother does choose to contemplate beyond the explanation given, I humbly offer some suggestions to consider.

The point signifies unity, the Origin and the center.  It also represents the principles of manifestation and emanation.  The circle represents the boundary of the perfect whole.

Contained within the “Gothic Constitutions” are (15) fifteen points for the Master and (15) fifteen points for the Craftmen.   I believe it can be said without argument these points should be at the center of those individuals being.  These points are then to be practiced within the bounds of his whole actions.

  In the English working we find:

* Freemasons are taught in the ritual that the compasses remind them of God’s unerring and impartial justice, which, having defined for their instruction the limits of good and evil, will reward or punish according as they have obeyed or disregarded his divine commands.  The freemason, also is taught to “keep within compass,” (“keep his passions within due bounds”) a phrase which we find in general literature as early as 1619, and probably could find much earlier. 1.

* In the Irish workings the compasses are regarded as an instrument for drawing the prefect figure, the circle, which teaches us to place a curb upon our passions, (“keep his passions within due bounds”) while the point within denotes to us the eternal source of life. 2.

* A truly remarkable verse in Milton’s Paradise Lost, written in the middle years of the 1600’s at the very time when symbolic freemasonry was seeking the inspiration of word and phrase is as quoted: “Then stayed the fervid wheels, and in his hand

                                          He took the golden compasses, prepared

                                          In God’s eternal store, to circumscribe

                                          This universe, and all created things,

                                          One foot He centered, and the other turned

                                          Round through the vast profundity obscure

                                          And said, “Thus far extended, thus far thy bounds,

                                          This be thy just circumference, O World!”    3.

Many students, scholars, and writers describe “the Point Within the Circle” as God in the center of his universe.  Many philosophies are hypothized and expounded on and from this definition.

A quote from Albert Pike is as fellows:   * “Masonry to the Masonic Brethren is a search  after, and a journeying towards, Light.”  All things considered therefore, the Mason Word is undoubtedly related to Light, in perfect accord with the “point within the Circle”.  4.

* In ancient Egypt the Sun symbol was represented by a point within the circle. 

Later it (the Point Within the Circle) also became the alchemical symbol for gold. 

The Heliopolis bird of enlightenment, the Phoenix, was known to the Egyptians as the ‘benu bird’, which came from the east as a physical manifestation of Ra.  (Ra of course, being the light or Sun God.)  5.

* Newton believed that the dimensions and geometry of the Jerusalem Temple floor plan contained clues to timescales, and he used these mathematics in his calculations when developing his theory of gravitation.  The Temple, he said, was the perfect micro-cosm of existence, and his diagrammatic Description of the Temple of Solomon is held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford.  At the center of the Temple, in the Sanctum Santorum (Holy of Holies) was kept the Ark of the Covenant, and Newton likened his heart of the Temple to a perpetual fire, with light radiating outwards in circles, while also being constantly attracted back to the center.  In line with this thinking, a point within a circle was indeed a symbol for light in ancient Egypt and, in the lodge ritual of Freemasonry, there is a related conversation which takes place between the Worshipful Master and his Wardens concerning the lost secrets.  ( An old English ritual that has been exposed and published. There are Not any secrets being divulged at this point.)  The Master asks the Question: ‘How do you hope to find them?’  Answer: ‘By the center’.  Question: ‘What is a center?’  Answer: ‘That point within a circle from which every point is equidistant’. 6.

The Light being pursued by Freemasons is the light which is both emanating from and vanishing into the Point Within the Circle!  It is his being.  It is the perfect self, that which was created and given by the Almighty Creator of the Universe.  

* It is said by some, with a nearer approach to interpertation, that the Point Within the Circle represents God in the center of the universe.  In fact in the Kaballah the point is Yod.  So, it may also symbolize His “image and likeness” man, in the center of his universe, the vast expanse of which is the only “boundary” or “limitation” placed upon him.  From this man may learn that the possibilities of human evolution are as boundless as infinity, the Universe itself.  7.

* Geometry is half of the science, the other half is the geometer.  Geometry deals with only one of the tools, namely the square, which is used to draw straight lines, horizontals and perpendiculars, and to prove corners.  The other tool, the compass draws curved lines between two points and describes a circle which is one continuous line without end, each part of which is equally distant from the center.  Within the bounds of the circle all true building must be erected on the square. 8. 

We as Freemasons are to act upon the square.  Acting upon the square takes us back to the two sets of fifteen points mentioned early on in this paper.  It also reminds us of our own monitorial explanation.  A square is constructed from a center point!  *Our ancient brethren used the point within the circle as a test for the rectitude of the tools by which they squared their work and built their buildings.  In the Speculative sense we use it as a test for the rectitude of our intentions and our conduct, by which we square our actions with the square of virtue. They erected cathedrals we build a house not made with hands but with intent and actions.  Their point within the circle was operative, ours is speculative and esoteric. 9.

*Just as the operative renews the square by relying on the central point, so is the regeneration of the soul to be found by faith on the Divine Center.  The secret is lost, not destroyed, It can be found.  The universe is built on mathematical lines.  As Plato puts it, “God is always geometrising.”  The master secret of true building, physically and mentally, is only to be found on the Center,  and the symbol of  “the Point Within the Circle” contains the secret by which we may find that right angle to which all our building must conform, if is to be upheld by the infinite central forces in the material and moral world. 10.

Do not regard the Point Within the Circle lightly my brethren.  Regard it with the due reverence it truly deserves, for it is the greatest symbol of freemasonry.  On the surface it is revealed, its inner recesses concealed! 

My Brethren there have been many writings produced in regard to the meaning and possible origins of the “Point Within the Circle”.  It can be found in many ancient cultures and religions.  I appears in many works of Symbolism, philosophy, and mythology.  If you so choose, I encourage you to pursue your own investigation and study in the matter, and reach your own conclusions.  Every Freemason is entitled to do so --- as long as he stays within due bounds. 

We may individually proceed on different paths of thought and yet be equally true to the same great Truth.  Our views and creeds may not proceed on parallel paths, yet our hearts  may all be true to the one Great Center.

We can only know in part and must believe in part.  Therefore Faith, through the very limitations and conditions of our individual knowledge, becomes the great factor that enables us to move forward and ever closer to the eternal Center of all Light and Truth. 

V.W.B. Karl S. Reith, P.M. Joseph Warren Lodge #235, F&AM, Wa.

FOOTNOTES

1.

2.     }     Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia

3.            Henry Wilson Coil

         1961

4.

5.     }     The Shadow of Solomon

6.            Laurence Gardner

               2005

7.            Masonry and Its Symbols    

               Harold W. Percival

               1983

8.            Freemasonry Its Hidden Meaning

               George H. Steinmetz

               1976

9.            Introduction to Freemasonry

10.          Speculative Masonry It’s Mission, Its Evolution and Its Landmarks

               A. S. Macbride

               1971