Lodge Princess Antonia

A Lodge in the Light of Princess Antonia’s Masterpiece

We are a Masonic lodge celebrating the Kabbalistic and mythological unifying tradition of Princess Antonia of Württemberg (1613-1679) by interlinking her philosophy in our Craft rituals. Thereby we aim for a deeper symbolic education of our members.

Princess Antonia commissioned a real masterpiece painting as the middle part of a triptych plus two outer paintings. She and her friends and advisors provided its concept and ideas. One of them was, for example, the late Johann Valentin Andreae (1586-1654) who wrote the Rosicrucian Manifestos as a student — as well as one of his students (Johann Jacob Strölin). Already Antonia’s grandmother (Sibylla von Anhalt) employed Johann Valentin’s mother (Maria Andreae) in her Court Pharmacy. She was deeply interested in the philosophy of Paracelsus and alchemical studies. The same applies to Antonia’s grandfather (Friedrich I) who exchanged ideas with Johann Valentin’s father (Johannes Andreae).

Our Tracing Board

Masonic lodges use so-called Tracing Boards for the symbolic education of their members.

As a tracing board, we use the inner middle painting of Princess Antonia’s study altarpiece (located in Bad Teinach, Germany) with Masonic working tools on top of or around it (depending on the degree):

Looking at Antonia’s painting, you will spot the twelve tribes of Israel in the paradise garden (a symbol of the cosmos), Jesus as the 10th Kabbalistic sefirot in its centre and, of course, there is the rest of the Kabbalistic tree of life too (a bit hidden) — all as a symbol of ways to explore unity and light. And you will easily spot Solomon’s temple with its two pillars. But you will perceive the love for worldliness in it as well, for example in the details of the different plants and trees and animals the princess was extremely interested in, furthermore, there are gemstones and hints towards the planets. The painting interlinks Jewish and Christian mythology as well as the interests of her time. It is a symbol of the human search for truth within cosmic principles.

You may also spot themes in its very details that we know from Masonic high degrees: There are the pelican, the words “kadosch, kadosch, kadosch” (written in the Hebrew language), a high priest in the temple, and much more. In short, all this makes it for us the perfect Masonic tracing board for this very special lodge.

Platonistic, Kabbalistic and Mythological Education

Just some parts of it are visible in the 1st Entered Apprentice degree (the rose hedge, the green lady, and one pillar; the other parts will still appear in dark grey tones / Masonic working tools on top). Then, its knowledge will unfold within the 2nd Fellow Craft degree (the garden, the elements representing the 10 Kabbalistic sefirot, the other pillar) and the 3rd Master Mason degree (all colourful).

In our catechisms and lectures, we cover topics like Pythagoreanism (harmony), Platonism & Neoplatonism (feeling of unity), Meister Eckhart (the idea of a spark of the divine connecting us with everything and everyone), Kabbalah and Christian Kabbalah, next to some mythological ideas. In our meetings, we showcase these topics, use them as examples, and invite our members to follow possible ways in their private studies — whatever way may suit them best. Eventually, the Master Mason will be able to understand and read the tracing board fluently (Antonia’s painting plus the Masonic working tools in the light of the outlined philosophy that we assign to them).

Therefore, we use a modified version of the common Emulation Ritual of traditional British Freemasonry. Our version is enriched by elements from Germany and France as well as by the philosophy of Princess Antonia — hence the name of our lodge.

The Green Lady

At the entrance of the garden stands the lady in the green dress. She’s about to start her journey through wisdom and philosophy as she has already some ideas about unity in her mind (Entered Apprentice). In the centre of the garden, the Kabbalistic tree of life begins with the 10th sefirot. Here, she will face other cosmic and unifying topics too. Once she travels through the incredible diversity of the perspectives provided (Fellow Craft), she will eventually be able to reach the inside of the temple (Master Mason). We identify with the green lady on her journey. She is the jewel of our lodge.

The Princess Antonia Workings

The experience in Lodge Princess Antonia feels like time travelling back to this early inter-cultural and inter-mythological project within the framework of Freemasonry. But living in a fragmented world as we do today, the feeling of unity it provides is still more than relevant for us too.

As part of the Grand Lodge of Modern Mixed Masons we belong to a diverse and international Masonic family. The founder of our lodge who set up the Princess Antonia Workings, Bro. Robert Matthees, is even based in Hamburg, Germany.

Feel free to contact us. We are happy to answer all your questions and / or to connect you to a local lodge close to your place of residence.

Yours Princess Antonia Lodge for Men and Women in London & International (Learn more about women in Freemaonry)

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Literature

English

• Matt, D. C.: The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism, 1998.
• Gikatilla, J., Idel, M.: Gates of Light / Sha’Are Orah, 1994.
• Morlok, E.: The Kabbalistic Teaching Panel of Princess Antonia, in: Church History and Religious Culture 98 (2018), p. 56–90, URL: academia.edu/84448112 (accessed on 21st June, 2024).
• McLean, A.: The kabbalistic-alchemical altarpiece in Bad Teinach, in: Hermetic Journal 12 (Summer, 1981), p. 21-26, URL: alchemywebsite.com/bad_teinach.html (accessed on 21st June, 2024).

German

• Morgenstern, M., Garruchet, M.: Die Kabbalistische Lerntafel der Prinzessin Antonia in Bad Teinach, 2023.
• Gruhl, R.: Die kabbalistische Lehrtafel der Antonia von Württemberg: Studien und Dokumente zur protestantischen Rezeption jüdischer Mystik in einem frühneuzeitlichen Gelehrtenkreis, 2016.
• Betz, O.: Licht vom unerschaffenen Lichte — Die kabbalistische Lehrtafel der Prinzessin Antonia in Bad Teinach, 2000.
• Harnischfeger, E.: Mystik im Barock — Das Weltbild der Teinacher Lehrtafel, 1980.