Transcripts, Chapter Markers and Show Notes for all episodes are available from our website - WayOfTheHermit.com.

In the episode, the historical context of the Knights Templar's fall and the execution of their Grandmaster, Jacques de Molay, is examined, revealing the financial might that led to their downfall by King Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V. The degree ritual is described as a symbolic journey through four apartments representing Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, where initiates confront death, undergo purification, face judgment, and ultimately ascend. The purpose of the degree is to shed light on the historical persecution of the Templars and draw parallels with Anti-Masonic movements, suggesting a vision for enlightened leadership and a "New World Order" free from corruption.

The discussion then delves into the Templars' aspirations to rebuild the Temple of Solomon and reclaim the Papacy for the East, with the "Ladder of Kadosh" serving as a metaphor for the initiatic journey of moral and philosophical growth. The "Templar Treasure" is speculated to be not a physical artifact but the realization of inner spiritual enlightenment. The symbolism of the Templars' demise and the destruction of physical temples points to a spiritual rebirth and the construction of an inner temple.

The episode concludes with the idea that the initiates themselves are the angels in Jacob's dream, representing the journey of spiritual ascent and descent, and the construction of the "Third Temple" within oneself.

The series on the Scottish Rite uses the following primary sources (which you are encouraged to read as well):

• Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma: Annotated Edition
• Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide
• A Bridge to Light

Images:

• 30th Degree Regalia
• Heinrich Khunrath - Cosmic Rose
• Jacques de Molay

Overview:

• 01:14 Introduction
• 01:38 Historical Setting
• 05:58 Degree Ritual
• 13:16 Purpose of the Degree
• 13:59 Morals and Dogma
• 14:42 New World Order
• 17:27 Knight of the East and West
• 18:54 The Templar Secret
• 20:42 From The Ashes
• 21:37 Ladder of Kadosh
• 23:35 Journey to the East
• 26:18 Down From the Mountain
• 27:28 View From the East
• 30:08 Angels Ascending and Descending
• 32:13 Conclusions

Links:

• Knights Templar (Wikipedia)
• Philip IV of France (Wikipedia)
• Pope Clement V (Wikipedia)
• Hugues de Payens (Wikipedia)
• Jacques de Molay (Wikipedia)
• Emerald Tablet (Wikipedia)
• Trivium (Wikipedia)
• Quadrivium (Wikipedia)
• Jacob’s Ladder (Wikipedia)
• Friday the 13th (Wikipedia)
• Tour de Nesle Affair (Wikipedia)
• Church and state in medieval Europe (Wikipedia)