The Terrestrial and Celestial Globes

Within the second section of the Fellow craft Degree is found a discussion of the Terrestrial and Celestial globes as representing the operative and speculative nature of the Craft. The earthly life of a Freemason is found upon the terrestrial globe in that his life is spent there. The architecture of our earthly efforts is found on the lands, oceans, and air of this globe. The lessons of the Seven Liberal Arts are to allow the Freemason to understand this world, appreciate the many wonders of nature, and develop his mind to contemplate the more important aspect of his moral and spiritual world.

The Celestial globe alludes to the speculative nature of Masonry in that the canopy of the heavens, both in the day and in the night, leads us to view with reverence and admiration this magnificence creation. The beauty of the heavens should inspire us to our greatest deeds and aspirations of good. Throughout history man has studied astronomy in order to understand the motions of the stars and the depths of the Universe. The reflection upon the inner workings of our place in this universe should make each more aware of our obligations to each other and the Great Architect of this Universe.

Within this set of Globes there are moral advantages to be found in the study of the Liberal Arts, particularly Geometry. Geometry allows us to discover the motion of the heavens, the architecture of our structures, and movement through our days. Grammar and rhetoric allow communication of our ideas, while logic guides us to think and reason through our challenges and problems. Arithmetic and geometry allow us to discover relationships in the abstract and physical world, while music and astronomy addresses the harmonies of our ear and the heavens. Knowledge of these Arts leads to understanding and wisdom.

It is most important to reflect upon these Arts as they apply to our lives and to the actions with which we build our spiritual Temple. It is the day-to-day choices and moral behavior which will make us a true Mason. The Globes represent the two worlds in which we find ourselves in our journey through life. Light, knowledge, and enlightenment are the aims of the Freemason and through them he sees that while the Earthly globe is constantly with us in this life, the Celestial globe is the goal in the hereafter.