Sacred Order of Sophisians

They lift the fire into the air with their right hand, and form the triangle, then they pass the torch from hand to hand.

After this ceremony, they dip the index finger of the right hand into the water, and greet in turn the four cardinal points with a drop, saying:

"Initiates (men or women) be purified by fire and by water."

They then break the bread and distribute it to the right and to the left, saying:

"Share the bread of life; the weak as well as the strong, the poor as well as the rich, have an equal right to it..."

After this ceremony, the last neophyte (male or female) receives the three symbols, and carries them to the recipient in the cabinet of reflection; having as an escort the trophador provider of nourishment and the hermorus guide/interpreter (or the analogues among the ladies), the latter

explains the sublime morality contained in this triple symbol; but only from a philanthropic perspective.

The recipient is then brought before the college (or the zone) and is questioned there on various points; the answers must reveal the most secret folds of their heart.

The following questions are proposed to them:

"What is nature, wisdom, truth?"

As soon as they are resolved to general satisfaction, the background opens to the sounds of sacred harps: the neophyte is led to the entrance of the temple; the core idea of the tableau is explained to them: virtue vanquishing vice; they are invited to study its developments and are proclaimed initiated into the first class.