In our latest masonic education presentation, we investigated the Manitoba legislative building and all the esoteric symbolism connected with it. We delved into the clues hidden in plain sight to uncover its hermetic, magical, alchemical and of course…. masonic secrets.
The most ostentatious and expensive of all the provincial legislative buildings in Canada, the building’s primary architect Frank Worthington Simon was a Freemason. Quite stunningly EVERY premier of Manitoba from 1870 to 1967 (a 97-year stretch) was a confirmed Freemason. Freemasons have been credited with the building of some of the most iconic buildings the world over and are notorious for preserving and transmitting secret knowledge through the use of building. Many masonic buildings therefore can be considered ‘books in stone’ often built to hide secret knowledge through dangerous times. The uncovering of the lessons and the symbolism embedded in the Manitoba legislative building brings into view the belief shared by many Freemasons that architecture has the capacity to reform the soul.
Completed in 1920, the Manitoba legislative building is the most elaborate and ostentatious legislative building in all of Canada. It has often been called ‘a temple masquerading as a government building’ and an ‘encyclopedia of sacred knowledge in stone’. The temple symbolism within the building is multi-layered and multi-dimensional and draws inspiration from a host of cultures – Egyptian, Greek, Jewish and Native American to name a few. The legislative building’s temple symbolism goes as far as having rooms clearly identifiable as the outer or cleansing room of the temple, the altar and the Holy of Holies (which is out off limits to the general public). The very misunderstood 666 is also embedded into the dimensions of the building as it is in the louvre pyramid and Washington monument. In our presentation we spent some time investigating this number of the ‘beast’ and its role in mathematics, popular culture, the dimensions of the earth and its place within the AOTU (Architecture of the Universe). Hopefully, dispelling any conspiracy nonsense about the building in particular or the fraternity of Freemasons in general.
Atop the building is the Golden Boy, a prominent statue and symbol of Manitoba modelled on the legendary Hermes, who is revered by the Freemasons as well as a host of other secret orders. Within the legislative building’s sacred walls, you will also find the Fibonacci series, the golden mean, a nod to the ancient Egyptian origins of Freemasonry and a mysterious black star radiating its blessings throughout the continent, right from the geographic heart of North America (see image below).
It gave this author a sense of honor and pride in presenting this building to the lodge, not only as a Freemason’s but also as a Canadian- as the Manitoba Legislative Building, besides being a masterpiece of Masonic architecture is also a unique and beautiful piece of Canadiana.
Link to presentation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYfY87zbhuc&t=1150s
Image: Visitors to the Manitoba Legislative meditating in the pool of the black star situated at the navel point of the building