The Chamber of Reflection by Adam Wolf #ccmasons
Masonry is a journey for which one must prepare properly. One way this is accomplished in many American lodges, and indeed in our own Culver City-Foshay Lodge, is by means of The Chamber of Reflection.
This practice, adopted among Masons, stems from an ancient Jewish tradition that great care should be taken for the personal condition of all Israelites entering the temple. It is also based on the ancient tradition of the cave of initiation. Generally, the Chamber of Reflection is a somber place wherein the candidate can reflect silently upon his life, what has taken place and upon the journey on which he is about to embark.
The room is generally dark and, through various symbols based on alchemy, the candidate will, alone and with a piece of paper and a writing implement, compose a soul searching exposé about his feelings on life, his own mortality, and the Masonic journey that will be transformative for him. Symbols within the Chamber are usually a skull, a sickle or scythe, an hourglass, bread and water, sulfur, salt and a cockerel (symbolizing mercury), a lantern or candle, and the acronym V.I.T.R.I.O.L., usually written on the wall. Vitriol (sulphuric acid) is interpreted as “VISITA INTERIORA TERRAE, RECTIFICANDOQUE, INVENIES OCCULTUM LAPIDEM”, or “Visit the Interior of the Earth, and Rectifying it, You Will Find the Hidden Stone.”
Because masonry communicates much of its messages through symbolism, it could be said that the Chamber of Reflection should be an essential part of a candidate’s initiation and should be more common place throughout the state.
Fraternally,
Adam Wolf, Master