Arithmetic - What does it mean to you?

[Doug Freyburger]

Masonic ramblings,

The fifth in the list of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences is
geometry. Archimedes was working on geometrical theorems with his
fellow Greek philosophers when Roman soldiers arrived and summoned him
to see their Roman general. Archimedes refused to leave. The soldiers
killed him and took his body to their general.

Like arithmetic, geometry remains in the abstract realm but it steps
towards the physical world. Unlike arithmetic, geometry directly
describes objects in the physical world. Geometry can be as mundane as
architecture or as esoteric/mystical as Sacred Geometry. It is said
that any endeavor undertaken should have wisdom to contrive, strength
to support and beauty to adorn it. Any endeavor in architecture should
also have logic to confirm its parts, arithmetic to confirm its size
and geometry to confirm its shapes.

Geometry does more than bridge concepts to objects. That part is in
the lecture about a point having no size, a line having only length, a
figure having only length and breadth and a solid having length,
breadth and depth. Geometry also extends into the infinities of
imagination and creativity as well. Logic reduces. Arithmetic tames.
Geometry expands. That part is what happens when the contemplative
Mason starts to consider what it means to add more dimensions.
Geometry starts as a bridge between concept and object but it also
extends beyond objects to the imagination trying to reach a concept of
the Devine.

Consider that in the sequence of the seven liberal arts and sciences.
Grammar is about being understood. Rhetoric is about convincing
others. Logic is about finding the truth. Arithmetic is about
figuring out how much the correct amount is. Geometry is a bridge
between a concept in the mind and an object and also a bridge reaching
into the infinite and a concept of the Devine.

Building objects can be our work-a-day living. Building objects can
express our imagination. Building objects can be an act of devotion
and self betterment. No wonder geometry and architecture is said to be
the superstructure upon which on Masonic edifice is constructed. No
wonder the Operative Masons were best known for making cathedrals.

How do you apply geometry in your day to day life? Do you use it to
stretch your mind towards the infinite? How do you fit it into the
pattern of the seven liberal arts and sciences?

Fraternal regards and I look forward to seeing many of you at Grand
Lodge in Illinois,
Doug Freyburger PM 2007/8 Arlington Heights 1162 Illinois AF&AM

[Torence]

Post by Doug Freyburger
Geometry also extends into the infinities of
imagination and creativity as well. Logic reduces. Arithmetic tames.
Geometry expands.

The Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Circle of Education for
Greek Freemen, were the “new” points proposed at the reconciliation to
replace the “old” points. They represented a major departure in
thought from the wisdom of the ancients largely contained in pages by
the Book of Books. The “old” points described man in comprehensible
dimension. The “new” points capitalized on an innovation in popular
entertainment at that century turn, the usual cusp mark for our
progress, the scientific lecture. They were for our Fore Brothers a
source for speculation and intrigue as well as revelation.
For our time, Geometry, which deals in length (1-the primary and
infinite point), breadth (2- the secondary axis at right angles to the
point), and height (3-the tertiary expression of volume) has been
expanded to include another eight dimensions. At the last century
science added Time (4-the fourth dimension) and described how time can
vary relative to the Infinite Point or Points. But FreeMasonry has
always included reminders about Time in our work. We have for us an
explanation about Ringlet counting and the knowledge that the number
of our days are as blades of grass and we are as a singular flower in
the field. We absorb His Grace (5-the movement of the primary) as
symbolized by the Sun on the Senior Deacon’s rod and nourished by the
rain from the Crescent or Wet Moon on the Junior Deacon’s staff (6-
movement of the secondary) to produce the wealth we find in our
friendships (7-movement along the tertiary) as expressed by the
cornucopias displayed by the Stewards. We irradiate beauty for a time
(8-the pulse of time) and are brushed by the wind, His Breath, (9-
energetic radiation/absorption along the primary), His Word and the
reminder of the Almighty Fiat (10-energetic radiation/absorption along
the secondary) that as From Dust we were born to Dust we shall return;
and all that will remain of us is Void (11-energetic radiation/
absorption along the tertiary), the shadowy matter and energy of
relationships, God in Eleven Dimensions.


Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois