The Mason’s Journey

When compiling evidence for his work, he went around the world to hear the tribal and cultural stories of various peoples.

He found that no matter where he was in the world, all stories followed the same pattern.

This was true even with tribes that had previously had no contact with the outside world.

He wondered why this was the case, and came to the conclusion that there must be a deep connection between the stories we tell, and human psychological development.

The one thing every human on this planet shares, which connects us all, is a common human psychology.

He called the formula he identified ‘the monomyth’. The other name for it is ‘the hero’s journey’.

The title of his book reflects the fact that there is really only one hero, presented through many guises, and that hero is, essentially, us.

The formula follows the same pattern, everywhere it is told. After reading this, if you didn’t already know about it, you will recognise it in nearly every film and play you see and every book you read.

This image outlines the basic path of the monomyth, or “Hero’s Journey”. 

IMAGE LINKED:  wikimedia Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

The formula goes as follows: The hero has a call to adventure, which they initially refuse in some way.

They may then meet a mentor who convinces them to accept this call, they leave their comfortable known world, and metaphorically (sometimes literally) enter the belly of the whale.

They then embark on a road of trials, such trials often coming in threes.

The male hero will then often meet a goddess, who will tempt them from the path.

Once overcoming this, they will meet with a powerful force which they have to vanquish to experience an apotheosis, some kind of raising of consciousness or awareness.

This process must usually involve death and subsequent resurrection. He then acquires the object of his quest.

An example of ‘the Hero’s Journey’: Theseus and the Minotaur
Source: The Story of the Greeks, H. A. Guerber, 1896

IMAGE LINKED:  wikimedia Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

In a mirror of the initial stage of the journey, the hero will realise that he must take his prize back to his homeland to benefit the people.

He will often consider not doing so and keeping everything to himself, but he decides to do the right thing.

He is then chased on his return journey, as the powers that be wished to keep that which has been taken.

Ultimately, he is rescued from without and returns to improve the lives of the people he first left behind using the bounty he has brought from his journey.

From a psychological point of view, this journey represents delving deep into the symbolic language of the psyche, into the centre of the self, to find truth that can benefit all.

The hero’s journey can also be seen in the Masonic system; a candidate first considers embarking on the Masonic journey but wonders whether it is really for him.

The Mason he already knows, usually his proposer, counsels him in his decision, and he crosses the lodge threshold on his initiation.

This first ceremony is the beginning of his road of trials (presented in three stages).

He may also experience the situations where he has to justify what he does and why he does it to his spouse. Which is sometimes difficult, but is facilitated by the traditional ladies’ nights arranged by every lodge.

Ultimately, the Mason symbolically faces his own death and resurrection, meant to catalyse deeper and more meaningful considerations.

After this meaningful approach to the east, he will gradually develop a wisdom, which he is encouraged to share in the west; with other brethren, and in his life and actions.

The Third Degree tracing board – the Mason must face his/her symbolic death

IMAGE LINKED:  wikimedia Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Freemasonry is an interactive symbolic story. The Mason is the hero, like all of the heroes and candidates of our ancient tribal past.

By progressing through the story, the quality of the Mason’s consciousness and self-awareness is raised. Since the monomyth has been present throughout all of human narrative history, and continues to exist in our current stories, it is very clear that we still crave symbolic catalysts for finding meaning.

They often take the form of passively consumed media, but systems like Freemasonry make the symbolic quest more active and personal.

We live in a world that is losing its symbolism. The antiquity inspired neo-classical period (when, by no coincidence, Freemasonry started to become more publicly prevalent in society) was replete with architecture that was adorned with symbolism that could be decoded.

The arts represented the heroes and gods of the past, which were expressions of the monomyth in stone and paint. A person who was versed in such things could reflect on these symbols and relate them to their own place in their lives.

Even now, we get a feel for this. When we are surrounded by the beautiful neo-classical architecture of cities like London, we get a feeling that we are flanked by meaning.

We can contrast this with the post-modern. The definition of what art is has become broader, and the forms produced are less clear in their meaning to us.

More modern architecture consists of structures of glass and geometric steel. These are, indeed, triumphs of engineering and rationalism; but where is the soul of the architecture that used to speak to us unconsciously?

New structures and art seem to lack the ability to speak to us at the deeper level.

The juxtaposition of the beautiful neo-classical architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral and a stark modern glass walkway.

Image by Frank Nürnberger from Pixabay 

Symbols are important for human beings. They are essential in helping us to truly experience who we are and where we fit in the wider world and universe.

Metaphor must exist side by side with perfectly executed form, yet it is form and function that seems to rule the day, and culture is suffering for it.

Brethren all, I exhort you to dedicate yourself to protect and pursue the symbolic; to uncover the meaning of this system which can richly enhance your understanding of yourself, the world, and the others with which you share it.

I wish you well on your Masonic journey, may you continue to delve deep into the symbolic meaning of our Craft, and may your search adorn you with beautiful wisdom.