This morning, your tour leaders will start you off with a detailed talk about the origins of the founding fathers and the Freemasons, and how the Rosicrucians fit into this Age of Enlightenment.
Now’s the chance to ask all your most burning questions of these two experts, Michael Long & Greg Roach!
After lunch, our expert Mason tour leader will be taking us on a walking tour around the Capitol.
We’ll visit the Capitol Building, the Peace Circle, several spots at the Library of Congress, the Botanical Gardens, and the Supreme Court.
At each stop, we will see Masonic symbols of the Age of Enlightenment, deliberately encoded into the buildings and the décor to enhance Washington DC, to build it up as an important epicenter of higher ideals, and to instill a sense of reason in those who viewed its secret meanings.
For example – The Library of Congress: (The Thomas Jefferson building)
Outside is a fountain, a collection of statues depicting the Court of Neptune: A mythic tribute to the King of the Unconscious and Lord of the Gateway to the magical realm.
On the second level of the front there are busts of nine luminaries of thought. Inside a reflection of the principles of the Enlightenment with sculptures atop the columns with representations of Art, Science, Religion, Law, Poetry, Commerce, Philosophy and History.
There are also bronze statues of Francis Bacon, Plato, Newton, Moses, and Homer in the main reading room.
On the floor of the Great Hall are zodiac signs surrounding a great central sun with markers of the four directions.
In the Main Reading Room The Southwest Pavilion is painted with the sculptures representing Spring (“Plant,”) Summer (“Bloom,”) Autumn (“Seed,”) and Winter (“Decay”.) The Northwest Pavilion has statues of sculptures representing Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
To the East of this building is the John Adams building with door carvings of Thoth (Egyptian god), Ts’ang Chieh (Chinese patron of writing), Nabu (Akkadian god), Brahma (Indian god), Cadmus (Greek sower of dragon’s teeth), and Tahmurath (hero of the ancient Persians).
Afterwards, we will go on to Judiciary Square.
- John Marshall Park: John Marshall statue (Freemason) Supreme Court Justice who asserted the doctrine of “Judicial Review” which angered his cousin Thomas Jefferson.
- Urban Life panel carvings
- Albert Pike statue
Take the evening off and rest your feet in the Lorien Spa, or else check out some of this city’s nightlife!
Meals Included Day 4: Breakfast
