"…in every Work of Art there are
always 4 meanings,
the literary, the allegorical, the moral and the anagogical
(Greek anà-ago: bring up)"
Dante Alighieri, Convivio, Tome II
"Research" is a concept
that comprises many essential aspects. Some of these are particularly striking:
competence, boldness and ability to analyse. We must not forget, though, that
in the process of research a bit of luck is very important as well.
This is even more relevant in the
esoteric research. And in good and evil, perception is often the compass of
orientation. Amongst masons as well, then, intellectual acumen or the lack of
it makes the difference between those who "know" Masonry and those who simply
"enjoy" it.
The research for Masonic esoterism
can start from different points. A lot depends upon the researcher’s attitude.
He can be driven to myths, legends and metaphors which embellish the story of
the Freemasons, or he can tend towards the interpretation of the hermetic symbology
which is veiled and re-veiled (veil twice) in the architectonic features: every
"sign" is taken apart and analyzed.
The choice of an architectonic "reading"
means to study the products of the Master Masons. And this is, according to
the experts, the most direct way to penetrate their "Mysteries".
Consequently the researcher learns
to observe the architecture of Temples and Cathedrals as if they were "Books
of Stone" which can be interpreted by different points of view, therefore it
must be decided which of them need to be given more importance.
The devotional profile acknowledges
the "Books of Stone" as the centre of its own religious passion; therefore it
considers them places for glorification of the carnal cult inspired by feelings
and emotions.
The vision of the master masons
is overall mythical and recognises in the great "Books of Stone" the reason
for appointing themselves as initiatory nobility.
Next to the several
emotional profiles we must add the esoteric vision of the Work. This was the
vision of the Architect Masons who marked the Cathedrals with a message which
they exposed to everyone’s view, confident that only an initiated would be able
to recognize it. All the others would see it without recognizing it.
Afterwards, the same
message became the architectonic fundament of the Freemasons Lodges,
so that every Lodge became a Temple raised to celebrate The Glory Of The Great
Architect Of The Universe. 
