The Pillars of the Temple

Very Illus.^..^.. Bro.^.. Kristine Wilson-Slack 33°

Date Published: 9/24/2025                        

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The twin pillars of Freemasonry stand not merely as architectural symbols, but as gateways to wisdom, strength, and balance, echoed across sacred traditions from the Bible to the Tao Te Ching. They invite the seeker to rebuild a spiritual foundation, uniting reason with faith, and the celestial with the earthly. To pass between them is to begin the Great Work: the transformation of the self. But when you stand before the pillars, will you choose to remain in shadow or emerge as an architect of light?

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The Pillars of the Temple: Rebuilding a Spiritual Foundation

“These two Pillars respectively correspond with the two hemispheres, the two Elements—Fire and Water, the two human faculties—Reason and Faith. They are the immovable principles of stability and strength upon which the foundation of Masonic teaching rests.” -Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma

Many seekers today feel unmoored from their spiritual path, lost in a world that prioritizes material gain over inner enlightenment. Freemasonry, through its symbols and teachings, offers a blueprint for restoring balance, wisdom, and strength—qualities exemplified in the twin pillars that stand at the entrance of the Temple. These pillars serve as metaphysical gateways, guiding the initiate toward spiritual enlightenment. Their lessons are ancient and resonate deeply with the wisdom found in sacred texts from various traditions. To rebuild our spiritual foundation, we must not only understand their esoteric significance but also embody their teachings in daily life.

The Twin Pillars: Gateways to Wisdom and Strength

In Masonic symbolism, the twin pillars represent two essential forces: wisdom and strength. Together, they form the threshold through which every initiate must pass, a reminder that knowledge without action is futile, and strength without wisdom is reckless. The pillars are adorned with pomegranates, netting, and lily-work and on their tops, they hold the celestial globe and the terrestrial globe. These globes show the length and breadth of Freemasonry’s reach. These pillars are always within a Masonic Temple and prevalent within ceremonies. Traditionally, they were made of brass and contained the whole of Masonic Knowledge within them. 

“The two great Pillars that stood at the porchway of the Temple of Solomon are not merely architectural ornaments, but symbols of that equilibrium which must be maintained between wisdom and strength, that the temple of human virtue may endure forever.” – William Preston, Illustrations of Masonry

The concept of dual pillars is not unique to Freemasonry. In the Torah, these columns stand at the entrance of Solomon’s Temple, serving as a connection between the Divine and the material world. The Bible echoes this theme in Proverbs 9:1: "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars." These pillars signify the divine foundation upon which spiritual knowledge is constructed. Similarly, the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256) states, "There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right course has become clear from the wrong." The two pillars metaphorically represent this distinction—one guiding the seeker towards enlightenment, the other supporting them with strength to remain on the righteous path.

The Esoteric Meaning: Balance and Mastery

The Hermetic axiom "As above, so below" finds resonance in the twin pillars, which illustrate the need for harmony between the celestial and the earthly. The Tao Te Ching reminds us: "To know the strong masculine, yet keep to the feminine, is to be a valley receiving all things under heaven." (Chapter 28). This reflects the balance between force and wisdom—akin to the equilibrium between building and stabilizing. This is also reflective of the Kabbalah, or Jewish Tree of Life. If we equate the pillars to the two sides of the tree, all those who enter the Temple between the pillars are being established as a force of balance between the two. It reminds Freemasons that they should, in all things, bring these forces together within themselves. 

In Gnosticism, the pillars symbolize spiritual ascent toward gnosis, serving as a portal between the profane world and knowledge. The Gospel of Thomas (Logion 22) states: "When you make the two one ... then you will enter [the Kingdom]." These pillars represent the duality in creation that must be unified. In Freemasonry, initiates are imbued with this energy as they pass through the pillars. 

To cross the threshold between the pillars is to engage in the Great Work: the transformation of the self through knowledge and virtue. The I Ching presents us with the reasons why we choose to pass these portals: "The superior man establishes the moral order in accordance with the universe." This is the essence of the Masonic journey—learning, applying, and refining oneself in harmony with universal principles. Freemasons work in concert with the Divine to achieve His plan. 

Rebuilding the Spiritual Foundation

How does one begin the work of spiritual reconstruction? Freemasonry teaches that the process is both internal and external. One cannot become a Freemason unless they see the spark of it within their heart. There is a yearning to know more and learn the questions to the big answers – why are we here and what is my purpose? After that, the physical step needs to be taken, and the twin pillars are simply the beginning. 

A strong foundation requires daily reflection on Truth, study of ancient and modern knowledge, a curiosity to know and growth, and a heart that holds desire for a connection to virtue and humanity. George Oliver declared, “[these pillars] stand as silent sentinels at the entrance of our Masonic edifice, representing the steadfast virtues upon which every Mason must build—one denoting the establishment of divine law, the other the strength to uphold it.” Masons are called upon for all these activities to bring about a spiritual strength. Freemasons rely on their religious faith as well as the expanded teachings of Freemasonry to bring about the continued perfecting of themselves and humanity.   

The Eternal Quest: What Lies Beyond the Pillars?

To stand before the pillars is to recognize the beginning of the journey, not its end. They remind us that stability and strength must be cultivated continuously. As the Zend Avesta states, "Good thoughts, good words, good deeds lead to paradise." The initiate must ask: What temple am I building? What foundation have I laid? To rebuild a spiritual foundation, you need to understand what it is made of – sand or stone? Is it brass or tin? 

Freemasonry does not offer answers; it offers the tools to seek them. Each individual must undertake their own Great Work, reconstructing their spiritual temple brick by brick. And so, the question remains: As you pass between the pillars, will you emerge as an architect of light, or remain in the shadows of the profane?