Acacia, Freemasonry and DMT

[e1evene1even]

I was just reading through the book "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" by Manly P Hall and found an interesting quote about acacia. I was thinking perhaps the reason acacia is so revered and holds such religious importance is because many varieties of acacia contain psychoactive alkaloids like DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, Bufotenin and even MAOIs.

In Freemasonry the acacia is said to represent "purity and endurance of the soul", seems pretty fitting for a DMT experience. Knowledge of psychoactive plants would not only be one of the most important pieces of knowledge to preserve, but also one of the most highly guarded secrets. Much of the meaning Hall gives to acacia makes a lot of sense in a psychedelic context. I wonder if he knew of its psychoactive potential, or if this is just a coincidence?

Among the ancient Egyptians and Jews the acacia, or tamarisk, was held in the highest religious esteem; and among modern Masons, branches of acacia, cypress, cedar, or evergreen are still regarded as most significant emblems. The shittim-wood used by the children of Israel in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant was a species of acacia. In describing this sacred tree, Albert Pike has written: "The genuine acacia, also, is the thorny tamarisk, the same tree which grew around the body of Osiris. It was a sacred tree among the Arabs, who made of it the idol Al-Uzza, which Mohammed destroyed. It is abundant as a bush in the desert of Thur; and of it the 'crown of thorns' was composed, which was set on the forehead of Jesus of Nazareth. It is a fit type of immortality on account of its tenacity of life; for it has been known, when planted as a door-post, to take root again and shoot out budding boughs above the threshold." (See Morals and Dogma.)

It is quite possible that much of the veneration accorded the acacia is due to the peculiar attributes of the mimosa, or sensitive plant, with which it was often identified by the ancients. There is a Coptic legend to the effect that the sensitive plant was the first of all trees or shrubs to worship Christ. The rapid growth of the acacia and its beauty have also caused it to be regarded as emblematic of fecundity and generation.

The symbolism of the acacia is susceptible of four distinct interpretations: (1) it is the emblem of the vernal equinox--the annual resurrection of the solar deity; (2) under the form of the sensitive plant which shrinks from human touch, the acacia signifies purity and innocence, as one of the Greek meanings of its name implies; (3) it fittingly typifies human immortality and regeneration, and under the form of the evergreen represents that immortal part of man which survives the destruction of his visible nature; (4) it is the ancient and revered emblem of the Mysteries, and candidates entering the tortuous passageways in which the ceremonials were given carried in their hands branches of these sacred plants or small clusters of sanctified flowers.

 

[nanobrain]

i wonder if any of Aussie founding fathers like say Arthur Phillip were initiates, 'cause acacia is our national floral symbol...

 

[swilow]

Lovely golden wattle though I'd choose a different strain were I emblem choosing.....

 

[akshenethno]

Golden wattle is extractable(sp?) and kangaroo is better than beefLove the emblem!

 

[Fishface]

'This 'ere thing's a Wattle, the emblem of our land. You can stick it in a bottle, you can 'old it in your 'and'

Sorry 8( %)

 

[swilow]

^^^Apology rejected, nice ditty

 

[Fishface]

Monty Python's, not mine

 

[e1evene1even]

I would sort of hope a 33rd degree mason (or high level member of any other 'secret society') would know all about natural entheogens, what secrets and knowledge could possibly be more important? Knowledge like that would have to be preserved secretly as during the middle ages when the only forms of medicine allowed were prayer and bloodletting. Anyone using herbs, was practicing witchcraft and could be killed.

There is SO much information regarding mushroom symbolism and its importance in the origins of religion, but I haven't seen too much regarding Acacia. Considering the genus of Acacia contains mescaline, amphetamines, Bufotenin, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, NMT, β-carbolines, Tetrahydroharman, and MAOI's (according to wikipedia), it seems a pretty good candidate to be passed down through the ages as an important symbol.

 

[B9]

Kangaroo, they sound tasty, gimme one .....please

 

[PacificChef]

Freemasonry, Acacia, and DMT

I have recently joined a local Lodge in Portland, Oregon. None here seem to have any knowledge of Acacia as a source of psychoactive substances, but, by my observation, Oregon Masonry has taken quite a loss in active members, and many are simply too old to be caught up even in the psychoactive actions in the 60s and 70s (yes there is an entire 2 generation gap). I reached the same conclusion for myself, that you reached, during the 3rd Degree initiation rites, and am curious as to an historical references which discuss this (obvious) correspondence....

 

[|>R()|)!G/-\|_]

In the Bible, Exodus 25 +, God delivers instructions to have the tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant built using very specific materials and dimensions. Acacia is the main wood specified. There aren't references to a ton of other woods that I know of but it seems the Bible has a fascination with acacia for some reason.