Source: “Custodians of Truth : The Continuance of Rex Deus”, by Tim Wallace-Murphy and Marilyn Hopkins, Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, 2005.
Roslin and Freemasonry and Spiritual Awakening.wav
This podcast delves into the history and esoteric connections of the St. Clair family of Roslin, Scotland, proposing them as crucial figures in preserving ancient spiritual knowledge, particularly that linked to the Rex Deus tradition and the Knights Templar. It argues that the construction of Rosslyn Chapel, spearheaded by Earl William St. Clair, served as a deliberate act to encode these traditions and was instrumental in the foundation of Freemasonry. The text further posits that this hidden knowledge, transmitted through symbolism and initiation, played a significant role in shaping historical movements, including the development of democracy and the American Constitution, and advocates for a modern spiritual awakening based on these ancient principles.
Topic 1: The St. Clair Family of Roslin The St. Clair family of Roslin is presented as a significant dynasty known for its long history of service, loyalty, and courage, earning them the name "The Lordly Line of the High St. Clairs". The first member of this family, William the Seemly St. Clair, arrived in Scotland in 1057. He came with Bartholomew Ladislaus Leslyn, accompanying Princess Margaret, who later married King Malcolm Canmore. Henri de St. Clair, the first St. Clair born in Scotland, fought in the Holy Land in 1096 under Godfroi de Bouillon and was present at the siege of Jerusalem. He was accompanied by members of eleven other leading Scottish aristocratic families. These twelve families, linked by marriage and shared beliefs, met regularly before the crusade and continued to meet at Roslin until the late 18th century, by which time hopes of a Stuart restoration had faded. The families included prominent names like the Stuarts, Montgomerys, Setons, Douglases, Dalhousies, Ramseys, Leslies, and Lindsays. All these families were involved with the Templars, propagated Templar traditions after the order's suppression, played a part in the foundation of Freemasonry in Scotland, and supported the Stuart cause. The St. Clairs of Roslin were intimately connected with the Templar order from its very beginning, with their family castle serving as the ultimate destination for Hughes de Payen when he returned from the Holy Land in 1127. The family is described as having spiritual insight running like a river through its history and being the guardians of a divinely inspired gnosis considered the true treasure of the Knights Templar.
Topic 2: Earl William St. Clair and His Role Earl William St. Clair, who lived in the 15th century, is highlighted as the figure who did the most to preserve and propagate Rex Deus traditions. He held multiple important titles, being not only the Lord of Roslin but also the third St. Clair Earl of Orkney. His description as a Knight of the Cockle and Golden Fleece indicates his membership in the Knights of Santiago (represented by the Cockle) and the Order of the Golden Fleece, founded by the Duke of Burgundy. He was also described in his time as "one of the Illuminati, a nobleman with singular talents" and as "a man of exceptional talents much given to policy, such as buildings of Castles, Palaces and Churches." Scottish records confirm his position as hereditary Grand Master of the craftmasons and all the hard and soft guilds in Scotland, including shipwrights, papermakers, tanners, and foresters. Earl William is portrayed as a true son of the Renaissance, corresponding with figures like René d'Anjou. Like Cosimo de'Medici, he was an obsessive collector of original manuscripts and amassed a vast library housed at Roslin Castle. His deep respect for his collection is illustrated by an account of a fire at the castle where his primary concern was the safety of his charters and other writings, showing the importance he placed on these documents, which is presented as reinforcing the family's history of spiritual insight. His position as hereditary Grand Master, authority over the Masonic court at Kilwinning, Templar antecedents, the Masonic symbolism within Rosslyn Chapel, and his scholarship in esotericism are cited as evidence that he possessed the means, motive, and opportunity to transform ancient craft guilds into modern speculative Freemasonry. He is said to have left a lasting legacy that earned him, like his grandfather Earl Henry St. Clair, the title of "worthy of immortal memory."
Topic 3: Rosslyn Chapel Construction Rosslyn Chapel is described as Earl William St. Clair's most lasting and enigmatic legacy, originally planned as a large collegiate church. Its foundations were laid between 1446 and 1450. To undertake this ambitious project, William brought skilled and experienced master masons from all over Europe. This influx of craftsmen led to a considerable enlargement of Roslin village to accommodate them, causing the village to grow rapidly and even rival nearby towns like Haddington and Edinburgh in size. Roslin was granted its royal charter in 1456 by King James II. The master masons involved in the construction were highly compensated, earning £40 per year, which was an enormous amount compared to the £10 per year typically earned by ordinary masons of the time. Earl William, acting as architect, patron, and designer, exercised total control over every aspect of the chapel's construction, leaving nothing to chance. His instructions were so precise that they became legendary; before any carving was made in stone, a model was carved in wood and had to be submitted to the Earl for approval. This meticulous approach, combined with a relatively rapid rate of building that prevented deviations from the original plan and the continuous work of highly skilled masons on the same project, contributed to the "essential, symphonic harmony of design" seen in the chapel. The sculptures are described as "magnificent manifestations of spiritual insight or vision, given substance in stone," and the chapel itself is called a "medieval masterpiece of masonry."
Topic 4: Symbolism and Spiritual Content in Rosslyn Chapel Rosslyn Chapel is presented as a building laden with deep spiritual and artistic content encoded within its carvings. It is emphasized that a realistic analysis of the meaning of these carvings requires understanding them in the context of the St. Clair family history and Earl William's character; otherwise, they risk being seen merely as beautiful or mysterious examples of Masonic art susceptible to misinterpretation. A striking aspect of the chapel is the multitude of symbolic references it contains, drawing from various initiatory spiritual traditions known before its construction, despite being ostensibly a late-medieval Christian church. Examples of this diverse symbolism include a carving of the head of Hermes Trismegistos, often equated with the Egyptian god Thoth and reputed author of the Emerald Tablets. Prolific carvings of the Green Man are found, commemorating the principle of spiritual death and rebirth central to all initiatory paths. Carvings of rosettes and five-pointed stars, which once decorated ancient temples dedicated to Ishtar and Tammuz in Babylonia 2,500 years before Jesus, are also present. The chapel is seen as an "arcane library in stone," where Earl William intentionally hid a plethora of Templar and Rex Deus symbolism among a crowded and seemingly confused collection of carvings as a device similar to seeking refuge in a large city, intended to preserve and transmit knowledge to future generations.
Topic 5: Templar Symbolism in Rosslyn Chapel Symbolism intimately associated with the Knights Templar is said to be found throughout Rosslyn Chapel. The text lists specific signs and seals, as identified by French scholar J-A Durbec, that validate a building's Templar attribution: carvings of a five-pointed star (L'étoile), two brothers on one horse (deux frères sur un seule cheval), the Agnus Dei seal (un agneau pascal tenant une croix patté audessus de lui), a stylized representation of the head of Jesus like the Mandylion, a dove in flight carrying an olive branch (Une colombe tenant en son bec une branche d'olivier), and a form of oriental cross known as the floriated cross. While these symbols can also be standard Christian iconography, finding two or more in combination suggests strong Templar influence. When they all occur together in a building constructed before the order's suppression, it indicates a genuine Templar edifice. However, Rosslyn Chapel, founded over a century after the Templars were suppressed, presents a mystery because its architecture contains the sacred geometry of true Templar construction, and Templar influence is evident in iconography throughout the building, not just in the diagnostic symbols. Examples within the chapel include carvings of the engrailed cross of the St. Clairs in the vaults, which incorporate a variant on the Templar croix patté known as the cross of universal knowledge. The heraldic colors of the St. Clair family, argent and sable, are noted as the same as those of the Sforzas of Milan and the Templar battle flag, the Beauseant. Two Templar burial stones from local graveyards are located in the chapel. The Templar seal of the Agnus Dei appears on a pillar, and a similar pillar bears the Veil of Veronica. A carving of the dove in flight with an olive branch is on the roof amid five-pointed stars. This pervasive Templar symbolism, viewed in the context of St. Clair history and their connection to the Templars from the order's founding, leads to the conclusion that Rosslyn Chapel was created as a lasting memorial to the Knights Templar and a means to transmit their ideals and beliefs.
Topic 6: The Rex Deus Tradition The Rex Deus legend is presented as a significant hidden tradition, with Laurence Gardner validating one aspect by claiming the Stuarts were descended from leading families within the hierarchy of biblical Israel at the time of Jesus. The families who met regularly at Roslin, including the St. Clairs and Stuarts, are said to have shared similar dynastic roots connected to this hierarchy. The Rex Deus families are described as the descendants of the twenty-four ma'madot of Israel, who preserved sacred gnosis at great cost. This tradition is connected to the Knights Templar, with the St. Clairs being members of the Rex Deus group who founded the Templar order. The source suggests that after the suppression of the Templars, under the protection of the St. Clairs at Roslin, Templar tradition and the craft-masons' gnosis were given an opportunity to merge. The Rex Deus tradition is portrayed as a stream of divinely inspired gnosis, which was the true treasure of the Knights Templar, preserved by the St. Clairs and encoded within the carvings of Rosslyn Chapel. The secret legend of the "two Jesuses," potentially alluded to by altered carvings in the chapel, is also linked to this hidden tradition. The death of James the Just, considered one of the founders of Rex Deus, is presented as the historical event allegorized by the Hiram Abif legend in Freemasonry. Certain suppressed degrees of Masonic ritual are said to enshrine Rex Deus secrets, including one describing the scattering of brethren after the destruction of the Second Temple, with one group coming to Scotland (Kilwinning) charged with keeping records, which is seen as outlining the story of the original Rex Deus families. Another degree records the founding of the Knights Templar, which is linked to the Rex Deus families' involvement in founding the order.
Topic 7: The Foundation and Transformation of Freemasonry The foundation of Freemasonry is presented as a mystery, complicated by the craft's historical secrecy. The text discusses the transformation of medieval operative craft guilds into the precursors of modern speculative Freemasonry, noting a prolonged and often bitter debate about where, when, and how this happened. The author proposes that the St. Clair family of Roslin, particularly Earl William, had the means, motive, and opportunity to exert a transformative effect on the medieval craft guilds, developing them into the modern speculative craft. The construction of Rosslyn Chapel is depicted as a key step in this process, as Earl William assembled a large group of skilled masons from across Europe and created a community for them, providing him with the opportunity to extend and develop the organization. This organization was founded to treasure and guard secrets, passing them to future generations worldwide. The source also touches on the early origins of the craft, referencing English poet Robert Graves, who suggested Freemasonry began as a Sufi society, first reaching England in the 10th century and later introduced into Scotland as a craft guild. Graves is cited for describing the Sufic origins of craft-masons, the important role of the Templars, and the later transformation into Freemasonry, placing Sufi origins long before Islam. The text suggests that under St. Clair protection, Templar tradition and craft-mason gnosis merged in Scotland. Earl William's position as hereditary Grand Master and his Templar connections are seen as enabling him to play an active role in this transformation. The new Freemasonry is described as initially having a democratic appeal in Scotland, admitting figures like King James VI of Scotland. When James became King of England, he reportedly used Freemasonry to find allies among trade and craft guilds there. Secrecy became important during an era of repression. The text argues that despite censorship, rituals recorded in suppressed degrees contain evidence of Rex Deus influence.
Topic 8: Masonic Gnosis, Symbolism, and Ritual The concept of "gnosis," defined as spiritual knowledge or mystical insight, is central to understanding Masonic art and ritual according to the source. For the master masons of Rosslyn Chapel and later Freemasons, art needed not only beauty but also deep spiritual meaning. Ars sina scienta nihil est ("art without knowledge is nothing") is quoted, emphasizing this point. Symbolism is described as the mainspring of true inspiration, designed to move and involve people spiritually in a way different from the Church's teachings. For medieval man or occultists, symbols had a real meaning capable of setting intuitive forces free. Earl William's organization, later Freemasonry, was planned to train members through ritual, symbolism, and allegory, providing progressive involvement in the spiritual world through ascending degrees of initiation. This process brought the gnostic realities preserved by the hidden tradition families to a wider audience. The Apprentice Pillar at Rosslyn Chapel is highlighted as a key example of Masonic symbolism, representing the Tree of Life (Kabbala) and Yggdrasil (Norse mythology), embodying artistic and spiritual ambivalence relatable across different faiths. It is one of three pillars supporting a lodge, representing Beauty, alongside the Master Mason's Pillar (Wisdom/Gnosis) and the Journeyman's Pillar (Strength). These pillars must rest on a foundation of Truth and Justice. The legendary story of the murdered apprentice at Rosslyn parallels the Hiram Abif legend, central to Masonic initiation rituals. The maul-marked face of the apprentice and the contorted features of the Master Mason are noted in the carvings, though the apprentice's face was later altered. Other symbolic references in the chapel include the grieving widow's face and the phrase "Who will come to the aid of the son of the widow?", a phrase with resonance for Masons. Memento mori, such as the danse macabre carving, are also present. The text notes that while the building of Zerubbabel's Temple is commemorated at Rosslyn, there is no direct reference to Solomon's Temple, only individual carvings of Solomonic interest. Masonic rituals are said to contain parallels to the Rex Deus oath of secrecy, with penalties for revealing secrets mirroring phrases like having one's throat cut, tongue torn out, or left breast cut open. The charge of idolatry against the Templars involving worship of a head, and their ritual use of skulls, is echoed in Freemasonry's possession of many skulls. Suppressed degrees are discussed as containing Rex Deus secrets, such as the Secret Master degree mourning an anonymous figure (linked to James the Just/Hiram Abif) or the Perfect Master degree commemorating the reburial of Hiram Abif in a tomb with symbols linked to James the Just. The Knight of the East and West degree records the founding of the Knights Templar, while the Grand Master degree describes the scattering of brethren after the Second Temple's destruction, linking to the Rex Deus story.
Topic 9: Historical Influence of Freemasonry/Rex Deus The source attributes significant historical influence to Freemasonry and the underlying Rex Deus tradition. It notes the connection to the Stuart cause, with the families meeting at Roslin supporting it and King James VI of Scotland becoming a Freemason. When James became King James I of England, he reportedly used informal introductions to Freemasonry to gain allies among trade and craft guilds as a counterweight to the aristocracy. The democratic traditions of the Scottish craft are highlighted as a principal influence on the development of American Freemasonry. A large number of the creators and signers of the American Constitution are stated to have been Freemasons or Rosicrucians, including prominent figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The American Constitution is described as a "ringing endorsement of freedom, democracy, and the rights of man" and a "lasting spiritual legacy" of this branch of Freemasonry. Medieval alchemical symbolism, linked to Freemasonry's mystical past, is said to be enshrined in American life through symbols like the eagle, olive branch, arrows, pentagrams, truncated pyramid, and the all-seeing eye found on banknotes, buildings, and monuments. Beyond America, Freemasonry is credited with contributing significantly to the principles of liberté, égalité, et fraternité that inspired the French Revolution and the transformation of despotism into democracy. It also played a major role in the campaign for the reunification of Italy through its influence on the Carbonari, whose principal leaders, Garibaldi and Mazzini, were active Freemasons. The source recounts Pope Pius IX's strong opposition to Freemasonry, attributing his loss of temporal power (after Italian reunification) to the fraternity. Pope Pius IX is presented as acknowledging Freemasons as the true authors of his debasement and correctly identifying their origins as deriving directly from the Knights Templar, describing them as gnostic and followers of the Johannite Heresy, with the aim of destroying the Church.
Topic 10: The Modern Spiritual Awakening The text describes a modern spiritual awakening arising from dissatisfaction with traditional religious dogma and the limitations of materialism and science. By the late 19th century, the world was seen as growing tired of "outworn, and empty dogma" perceived as increasingly irrelevant. While science and consumer society initially seemed to replace religion, this illusion did not last. Spiritual curiosity grew throughout the 20th century, fueled by dissatisfaction with modern materialism and a growing distrust of political and scientific "experts." The horrors of scientific discovery, such as atomic bombing, contributed to this unease. This period saw a reevaluation of old concepts and a shift in perspective. Predictions were made that scientific inquiry would turn to the "other side of consciousness," potentially making discoveries about the inner life a permanent human heritage rather than a lost secret. Interest in ancient meditation systems increased, and the study of initiatory traditions became more open. The social activism of the 1960s and the consciousness revolution of the early 1970s are presented as creating a synthesis showing the possibility of societal transformation stemming from individual spiritual transformation. This awareness continues to grow, creating a pool of consciousness with potential benefits for humanity. The answers to the world's problems, like conflict and injustice, are said to be found on the initiatory path shared by all great traditions, leading towards "perfect freedom" and mutual respect, rather than solely technological advancement. The text encourages letting go of dogmatic attitudes across various aspects of life. The accessibility of worldwide mystical traditions through literature, courses, and the internet has exploded, but this creates a challenge of discernment for seekers amidst a flood of information. The criterion for judging valid spiritual paths is given as "By their fruits shall ye know them," echoing Jesus. Valid paths are described as requiring humility, patience, perseverance, and dedicated work, being experiential rather than just informational. They aim to reveal the divine spark within, leading to recognition of divine unity in creation and ultimately prompting service to the community, following the examples of ancient Egyptian initiates, Templars, Sufis, and modern mystics. True spiritual travelers move from simply believing in God to knowing God is within, making service to others service to God. This transformative consciousness shift is seen as a hopeful sign in a world seeking truth and interconnectedness.