•
We were already very familiar with the significance of five-sided figures long before we began to look at Washington DC. We have described pentagons before as being ‘inside-out pentacles’ or five-pointed stars. Joining the corners of a pentagon together, as shown below, creates a pentacle.
The pentacle is the most common historical representation of the planet Venus. We have explained why this is probably the case in our previous books. Briefly, it is because five Venus cycles as seen from the Earth have almost exactly the same number of days as eight Earth years. This seemingly ‘magical’ coincidence therefore imbued both five-sided and eight-sided figures with a special significance in the minds of ancient star-watchers.
Five-sided figures are also extremely important to the United States. The five-pointed star can be seen repeated on the Great Seal of the United States, on the national flag and on United States currency. To Freemasons it also has a special significance. It is known as the ‘Blazing Star’ and from around 1735 it was detailed as being part of the furniture of the Free-masonic Lodge. It was to be found at the centre of the mosaic pavement in a Masonic temple, though it often appears above ground level, in the east, and invariably carries the letter ‘G’ at its centre.
As to what Freemasons consider the Blazing Star actually represents there is no apparent consensus. Many Freemasons, especially historical ones such as Robert Hewitt Brown, recognized the Blazing Star as being representative of the Sun – though this is a strange way to depict the Sun, which is almost invariably shown in other contexts as an orb. Other Freemasons suggest that the Blazing Star may be Egyptian and represent the star Sirius that we mentioned so frequently in earlier chapters. For our own part we remain content that the Blazing Star represents the planet Venus. Its presence in Freemasonry is one of the clues for the Mystery Religion origins of the Craft – even if the average Freemason these days has no idea regarding this fact. It is suggested the ‘G’, often to be found at the centre of the star, stands for the word ‘God’ but of course ‘Goddess’ is also spelled with a capital G.
Figure 29. Pentacle drawn within the corners of a pentagon
Obviously a star-shaped building for the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense would not have been very useful and would have offered very little space for its intended purpose. So even if the five-pointed star had enjoyed some symbolic meaning in the minds of those who planned the new building, a pentagon was a much more useful and practical shape.
As we have seen, the Pentagon building connects to both the Ellipse centre and the Capitol in megalithic units of 366 MY, and since the Ellipse and the Capitol share a similar relationship with each other a triangle of megalithic proportions can be drawn that joins all three sites. The sum total of the distance involved between the three is close to 10,020 m, which in megalithic terms is 33 × 366 MY. For reasons other than the simple measurements involved surely nobody would try to suggest that the existence of this triangle, with all its symbolism for Washington DC and the United States, is merely a figment of our overactive imaginations?
The corners of this triangle define Washington DC’s geographic heart (the Ellipse), its democratic heart (the Capitol) and its military heart (the Pentagon). What is more, the existence of the triangle, with its 33 × 366 MY proportions, offers all the proof we need that the relationship between the three is deliberate and that Freemasons were involved.
In Freemasonic terms there is certainly significance to the number 33. As with all Freemasons, Scottish Rite Freemasons have to go through the normal three degrees that lead them to becoming a full member of the Craft. (A degree in this sense is a particular ceremony and its associated ritual that allows a Freemason to gradually climb the Masonic ladder.) Different groups of Freemasons do things in slightly different ways but the Scottish Rite, which can certainly claim to be descended from the oldest existent branch of Freemasonry, has degrees or levels well beyond the obligatory three degrees. In fact there are 32 degrees in Scottish Freemasonry that can be achieved through the Scottish Rite Freemason’s own efforts and advancement, and a further degree that can be offered to any 32nd-degree Freemason who, it is judged, has given exceptional service to the Craft. This therefore makes a total of 33 degrees, which is as high as anyone can climb in Scottish Rite Freemasonry.1
Franklin D Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States, was the man who steered the United States skilfully through the hell of the Second World War. This same man helped to rescue the United States from the horrors of the Great Depression and set the nation back to work. It was Franklin Roosevelt who personally ordered the change of location of the Pentagon at the last minute, ensuring it would be built in a location that would create the megalithic triangle that is 33 × 366 MY in length. Roosevelt was a Scottish Rite Freemason who had attained 32 degrees and who, for his work in the Craft, was awarded 33rd-degree status!
During the research for this book we looked at the ceremonies and rituals associated with the 32nd and 33rd degree. In the case of the latter there is not much to report because as we have pointed out the degree is ‘offered’ rather than ‘earned’ (though it is suggested that there is a more secret 33rd-degree ritual that has never been published). However, the 32nd-degree Scottish Rite ceremony is so significant we could hardly believe our eyes.
The 32nd degree is known as the degree of ‘The Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret’. It is composed of three separate parts. These are the Opening Ceremony, the Ceremonial Section and the Allegory.
This particular ceremony is very elaborate, as befits someone who has climbed as high on the Freemasonic ladder as it is possible to go under one’s own effort. A great deal of play-acting takes place and the various characters all have fictional names.
It is suggested that the 32nd degree relates to the fight for Jerusalem at the time of the Crusades, though no specific location is mentioned in the ritual itself.
The ceremony takes place in what appears to be a fictitious military camp that, according to what we learn later, represents a nine-sided figure, inside which is a seven-sided figure. Inside the seven-sided figure is a five-sided figure or pentagon, and inside this is a triangle. Finally, inside the triangle is a circle, which represents infinity. Most of the 32nd-degree ceremony relates specifically to the pentagon.
Freemasons who already hold the 32nd degree play the part of specific characters in the ceremony. After a typically Freemasonic preamble in which various figures such as the Commander in Chief, the Captain of the Guard and the Master of Ceremonies take part, a character by the name of Constans enters. This is the individual that represents the would-be 32nd-degree Freemasons who are present.
Constans is asked what he requires and he replies that he wishes to be admitted as a fellow soldier and servant in the Grand Masonic Army of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret. He goes on to suggest that he wishes to shield the oppressed, guard the weak, protect the innocent and combat the enemies of God and humanity.
After a few more lines of dialogue the person playing the part of the Engineer and Seneschal rises. This is what he says:
The camp of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is a nonagon enclosing a heptagon, within whose lines is a pentagon which encloses a triangle in the centre of which is a circle. Thus do we find the mystic numbers, 3, 5, 7 and 9, all emanating from the circle of infinity. As these numbers symbolize Divine attributes and Masonic principles, so should Masonic labour emanate from Divine love, be directed by Divine wisdom, and be exercised in Divine power for the good of mankind and the glory of God.
The second emanation from infinity is denoted by the pentagon, each angle of which represents a division of the Scottish Rite Army. Take heed while their attributes are now rehearsed.
In turn, five separate and distinct characters now explain what the five corners of the pentagon represent. Each corner is symbolic of a different lodge, council or chapter. The first corner is the Symbolic Lodge and the second is the Lodge of Perfection. The third angle of the pentacle represents the Council of the Princes of Jerusalem and the fourth is the Chapter of the Knights Rose Croix. The final angle is that of the Kadosh. (The word Kadosh is taken from a Hebrew word that means ‘Holy’, and the degrees of Freemasonry termed as the Kadosh contain a great deal of mystical material.)
Practically the whole of the ceremonial part of the 32nd degree is taken up with the explanations of the five corners of the pentagon, after which the degree is inferred on those seeking it. Beyond this the Allegory takes place. All those who have received the 32nd degree are seated and the play begins.
Constans reappears, and we are told that he seeks knighthood and that he is to stay alone by the altar in a cathedral throughout a whole night prior to his investiture. His armour and weapons are given to him and placed on the altar. All the actors present now leave the stage and for a short time Constans remains alone. After a while a character named Florio enters. He is the first of the tempters who will try to persuade Constans to leave his vigil. Florio urges Constans to come to a dance and to meet his sweetheart.
Constans refuses and Florio eventually retires. The next tempter is a man called Urban. He offers Constans power and influence in the world – the chance to have everything he desires in a material sense. Once again Constans refuses and is eventually left alone.
The next tempter is Rufus, a peasant who tells Constans that his castle has been attacked by a traitor knight. He urges Constans to come directly. Once again Constans refuses.
The final tempter is a monk called Ignatius. He urges Constans to leave his vigil and to seek a contemplative life. Constans falters for a while but he wants to know what will become of the service he has promised to humanity. Ignatius points out that service to God and a monastic life might be preferable but even at this stage Constans remembers his promises to the world and his brothers and so refuses to leave his vigil.
For a moment Constans is left alone again but soon he hears the blast of a trumpet and the call to arms. He hears cries of ‘The enemy’, ‘Save us’ and ‘To the Walls’. He realizes that the city is under attack and that the lives of all the men, women and children within it are in peril. He then learns from the voices off stage that the leader of the army is slain and that defeat is imminent.
Constans wrestles with his conscience because he has promised on his honour to keep his vigil, no matter what happens. Despite this he is in little doubt and so shouting ‘How can I stay while children may be murdered and women ravished?’ he eventually arms himself and rushes off.
Darkness prevails for half a minute or so and then the various commanders and the bishop reappear on the stage. It is obvious from their conversation that although their leader was severely wounded, the battle was saved by the arrival of a new commander, who turned the tide of fighting and helped to defeat the attackers. Nobody knows who this saviour was but it suddenly occurs to those present that Constans is no longer at the altar.
It is assumed he has run away like a coward and scorn is being heaped upon him when four men enter. They carry a bier upon which is the body of Constans. Everyone now realizes that it was he who saved the day by abandoning his vigil and taking part in the fight.
The Prince Commander utters the final words of the Allegory:
Constans our Deliverer. How vain is human wisdom! How blind is human judgment! In our hasty anger we said, ‘Never shall Constans be created by us a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret’. His martyr victory has made of our unjust judgment his eternal glory. It was not for mortal man to create Constans a prince. He was a prince, dubbed and created by the King of Kings whose son he is. It was not for mortal man to reveal to Constans the Royal Secret. It was enshrined in his own unconquerable soul, incarnate in that Love which was his divine inheritance. When he forsook his vigil here, Constans was true to the highest meaning and deepest spirit of his vow. He obeyed the dictates of his conscience and, in loyal response to his country’s call, rushed to its defence.
Can this strange ceremony have anything to do with Washington DC or, in particular the creation of the Pentagon? Indeed it can, but to fully understand what the connection is we must first look at what was taking place in the United States when the Pentagon was planned and built.
Partly because of the horrors of the First World War, but also on account of its geographical isolation, there were many Americans who wanted nothing whatsoever to do with the war that had begun in Europe in 1940. When France fell in May 1940 Britain was, for some time, facing the threat of Nazi Germany alone. The natural instincts of President Franklin Roosevelt were to help America’s old ally, Britain, but the weight of public opinion was against him. Nevertheless Roosevelt found ways in which to be of assistance to Britain, by offering armaments and food.
The building of the Pentagon began in September of 1941 but the United States did not come into the Second World War officially until December of the same year, after the attack made on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese. This means that at the time the Pentagon was planned and building had started, the United States, though helping Britain in all sorts of ways, was still not officially involved in the war. It was, in a figurative sense, like Constans at the altar of the cathedral, maintaining its own vigil.
The moment building work started on the Pentagon the triangle formed between it, the Ellipse and the Capitol was created and in a symbolic sense this was extremely important. As we have already noted the 33rd degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry is not an ‘earned’ degree. Rather it is offered to those 32nd-degree Freemasons who are thought especially worthy of it. Whilst the geometric figure associated with the 32nd degree is a pentacle, the one especially associated with the 33rd degree is a triangle! As we suggested earlier, the triangle formed between the Ellipse, the Capitol and the Pentagon connects Washington DC’s geographic heart (the Ellipse), its democratic heart (the Capitol) and its military heart (the Pentagon). What is more, this triangle could not exist until the Pentagon was begun, just as surely as the 33rd degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry cannot be achieved until the 32nd is held first.
Such is the connection between the symbols and ceremonies of the 32nd and 33rd degree and the planning and positioning of the Pentagon that there simply has to be a direct connection. For years the United States kept its own vigil, as did Constans in the 32nd-degree ceremony. It did not respond to events that were unfolding in Europe during the 1930s, and even when Western Europe was plunged into war the United States did not become directly involved. Meanwhile President Roosevelt struggled with his own conscience, not least of all his Freemasonic conscience. Many of the men closest to the President in Government were also Freemasons but, Freemasonic or not, it must have become evident by 1941, to all but the most diehard isolationists, that the United States would not be able to avoid being drawn into the conflict eventually.
Just like Constans in the 32nd-degree ceremony they could eventually no longer stand in contemplative isolation, and by the careful positioning and building of the Pentagon in a figurative sense the whole of Washington DC, and ultimately the United States of America, passed from the 32nd to the 33rd degree. The name of the 33rd degree is ‘Sovereign Grand Inspector General’. This is an administrative degree and just as surely as the 33rd-degree Freemason becomes the arbiter and leader of his Craft, so with its participation in the Second World War the United States became the arbiter and leader of the world. Now, in the year 2009 and after the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States is the only genuine superpower remaining.