Working Tools

Does anyone else have a special spot in their hearts for the working tools of masonry? I just live the duality and allusions in the lectures I've heard do far. I'm being raised to the sublime degree of master mason on 29 August 2013. I can't wait to hear the last one. Does anyone have any interesting facts or tidbits or history or stories about the working tools? I'd love to hear it!


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Don't let yours get rusty...

You think the working tools are a hoot: try stringing the obligation together once you've been past. That's something to behold!

The Working Tools are one of the important elements of the Craft due to the fact that they teach how to understand the esoteric nature of Freemasonry and give us a guide as to how we can further interpret the symbolism in our Ceremonies.

tantbrandon said:

Does anyone else have a special spot in their hearts for the working tools of masonry? I just live the duality and allusions in the lectures I've heard do far. I'm being raised to the sublime degree of master mason on 29 August 2013. I can't wait to hear the last one. Does anyone have any interesting facts or tidbits or history or stories about the working tools? I'd love to hear it!


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Yes.
1) You cannot Properly Apply any of your FC Working Tools, The Plumb, The Square and The Level, unless you have Properly Developed them by doing the Work of the EA Degree first. It is the EA Work that Develops each of them.
2) You cannot Properly Apply your EA Working Tools, The 24 Inch Gauge and The Common Gavel, unless you Properly Set your Plumb.
3) You Properly Set your Plumb by Developing Specific Unwavering Standards that are Aligned with and Supported by Sound Life-Nurturing Principles.
4) You cannot Properly Use your MM Working Tool, until you Properly Develop the Material intended for its Proper Use.
5) You don't begin your Masonic Journey until you do Item 3).

I like the fact that the compasses are among the working tools but they are not described as such. We get told about the rest but not about this tool in anything like the same way. They are mentioned at several other points as to the symbolic purpose but their use in the physical work of architecture is not mentioned. For that we need to look to the geometry classes most of us took in high school. Given the state of education at the time grand lodges were formed in 1717 this omission takes on interesting meaning.

Here in England the Compasses number amongst the Working Tools of a Master Mason both exoterically and esoterically. The former being:

I now present to you the working tools of a Master Mason. They are the Skirret, Pencil and Compass. The Skirret is an implement which acts on a centre pin, whence a line is drawn to mark out ground for the foundation of the intended structure. With the Pencil the skilful artist delineates the building in a draft or plan for the instruction and guidance of the workmen. The Compasses enable him with accuracy and precision to ascertain and determine the limits and proportions of its several parts.

"The beauty and glory of the day" by William Walter Melnyk is a book of daily prayers and meditations based on the working tools. It's beautifully deep and helps explore the esoteric meanings of the working tools... A great book


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