LOST SYMBOLS

In reading Dan Brown's latest book, The Lost Symbol, I applaud him for his magnificent research and his knowledge of symbols and ciphers. His book is one to read if one wants to understand the symbolism of the Freemasons and their effect on our nation's capitol. Several years ago, I traveled to Washington D.C. and visited our nation's Capitol. Having been a student of symbols for many years, it was easy to see much of the Masonic symbolism in our capitol building plus more.

There is an unobvious obvious that Dan Brown did not touch on, but then he was developing his plot based on Masonic symbols, which are primarily universal symbols.

When I first arrived at the Capitol, I looked up and what I noted was a 19 1/2 foot bronze statue crowning the dome. This statue is a woman named the Statue of Freedom. Now, what is a woman doing gracing the top of the United States Capitol? The creator of this marvelous statue was a Thomas Crawford and it has graced the top of the Capitol since 1863 with the original and formal name of Freedom in War and Peace.

What astounded me as I walked around the Capitol Rotunda and over the entries into the Capitol was the unobvious obvious feminine principle depicted in the frescoes, pediments and sculptured statues.

For instance, when entering the entrance to the Capitol, there is a pediment over the entryway titled "Genius of America" representing Justice, USA and Hope, which are female figures. Together with Justice, USA and Hope there is a female figure named Peace protecting Genius represented by the goddess Minerva, also known as the goddess Athena. A Roman/Greek goddess in our U.S. Capitol Building? However, wait; this is not the only depiction of Minerva/Athena.

The pediment over the House wing is titled Apotheosis of Democracy. Interesting word - apotheosis. It's sub-title is Peace Protecting Genius and this is depicted by a female figure representing Peace. Peace points to a youthful winged figure named Genius holding a torch signifying immortality. The wings signify knowledge and wisdom. The pediment was done by Paul Wayland Bartlett (1865-1925). Again we have the feminine principle as the primary figure.

Entering the great Rotunda, one looks up and sees the Apotheosis of Washington representing George Washington rising to the Heavens surrounded by female figures representing Liberty, Victory and Fame. According to the dictionary I used, apotheosis means deification or godlike. On the perimeter of this marvelous fresco are six other frescoes. One is dedicated to Science and portrays Minerva/Athena teaching Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton and Samuel F.B. More while she is pointing to an electric generator creating energy in stored batteries.

Another fresco is titled War and the female America stands in a chariot while holding a sword aloft with a eagle by the chariot. Moving on to another fresco, we have Marine showing Neptune, god of the seas in a boat with the goddess of love, Venus laying a transatlantic cable. I find this very interesting to contemplate. The frescoes of Commerce and Mechanics portray men while the one named Agriculture has the goddess Ceres sitting on a McCormick reaper.

The feminine principle, which has been almost ignored for eons, is well and alive in our U.S. Capitol. However, those who are our representatives appear to be oblivious to this. It is the unobvious obvious. Only when we unify the female-male principles in balance will we have peace, justice and true justice.

Unfortunately there are those who will read this book and reject its powerful message sprinkled throughout and these are the ones who have a narrow or closed mind. We are moving into a new age and the truth is being revealed, however the close minded people will be blinded and fearful of organizations such as the Ramtha School of Enlightenment that teaches students to expand their minds and to look within for their own salvation.

There is an old adage that says many eons ago four wise sages were creating the human form and one asked 'where will we put God?' One sage, let's put God in the ocean because the human will never look there. The other sages disagreed, saying "No, they will conquer the oceans." Another spoke up and said, "Let's put God in the sky" and again the other sages disagreed by saying, "No, the human will conquer the sky." A third sage spoke up and said, "Let's put God in deep in the Earth" and the others shook their heads no while saying "No, the human will conquer the Earth." A fourth sage smiled and said, "I know where to put God. Let's put God inside the human. They will never think of looking there." And so it has been.

Dan Brown's book The Lost Symbol is an excellent book that has brought the Masons into a true perspective of what the organization is truly about. I am delighted to have this understanding since my maternal grandfather was a Mason and my mother a member of the Eastern Star. Nevertheless, wouldn't it be even more wonderful if there were no separation of the male and female in the Masons? And wouldn't it be even greater if the word 'man' was not used as being the human form? Why not use the word 'human'? This includes both woman and man. It is something to think about.

THE FEMALE ASPECT OF THE U.S. CAPITOL

Few citizens of the U.S. realize that our Capitol in Washington D.C. has a treasure trove of feminine statues and the feminine represented on the pediments of some government buildings. The Statue of Freedom adorns the top of the Capitol building. She stands there in all her glory overseeing the Senate and House of Representatives. She was created by Thomas Crawford and is 19 feet 6 inches tall and stands 288 feet above the east front plaza. She was placed there on December 2, 1863. I wonder if any of our government officials have taken the time to contemplate this.

Within the Capitol rotunda, the center fresco is titled The Apothesis of Washington (George) and was done by Constantine Brumidi in 1865. George Washington is portrayed as rising to heaven accompanied by the goddesses Liberty and Fame. He is surrounded by 13 females representing the original states. I learned that Apothesis means the raising of a person to the rank of a god.
Yes, honoring George Washington by raising him to the rank of a god!

Surrounding this fresco under the dome are other frescos and the two that are of the most interest to me is the one titled Science. Science shows the goddess Minerva (aka Athena) teaching Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton and Samuel F.B. Morse. The fresco titled Agriculture has the goddess Ceres seated on the McCormick Reaper with feminine entities.

One should wonder what goddesses have to do with the United States Capitol. My knowledge is that goddesses are usually associated with paganism. There is not one Judeo-Christian figure or symbol used to represent Liberty and its ideals! There also seems to be a number of Italian artists/scultors who portray these goddesses in the U.S. Capitol. There is nothing associated with the Catholic Church.

Outside the Capitol building, there are sculptural pediments. One, over the East entrance is titled Genius of America. Yes, genius! There are three females. This pediment was created by Luigi Perseco from 1825-1828 out of sandstone. This deteriorated and a reproduction was created by Bruno Mankowski 1959-1960.

Perisco's original design included the figures of Peace, Plenty and Hercules and these were replaced by John Quincy Adams with the figure of Hope. As it is today, the Central figure is America and she is resting her right arm on a shield inscribed with "USA" and it is supported by an altar inscribed with "July 4, 1776." America is pointing to Justice lifting scales of Justice in her left hand and in her right hand, she holds a scroll inscribed with "Constitution, 17 September 1787." On America's left is an Eagle and also the female figure of Hope who is resting her arm on an anchor. The entire pediment is 81 feet and 6 inches wide and the female figures are 9 feet tall.

Outside the Supreme Court is a large statue of a female representing Justice. She is seated and holding a small female who is blindfolded. Interesting. There is also a pediment over the entrance to the Supreme Court. In the center is a female Liberty and flanking her are males representing Law and Order. Under this pediment is engraved in stone "Equal Justice Under Law." I would think that the Supreme Court Justices and lawyers would take this to heart because women have not received equal justice nor have people of color.

Several years ago I visited Washington D.C. and viewed what I have written about above. It was an awe-inspiring experience. Not once did I see anything that pertained to the Judeo-Christian religions or Islam. Our Founding Fathers did not create these United States based on Christianity. These symbols of goddesses and females go back to ancient antiquity. They knew something that our current officials apparently do not know. Perhaps we should remind them.