Yermah the Dorado: The story of a lost race

by Frona Eunice Wait

From the center of the holy of holies were struck the distances of the four inner planets; hence it not only showed the three radii of the earth, but the three phases of Hermes, or Wisdom, and the ego in the three worlds, which in this instance was the higher personality sitting in judgment on the deeds done in the body.

The relative size of the earth was represented by the tip of the devotee’s forefinger as he entered the western door and held up his hand in adoration and salutation to Deity.

The structure was shaped like a cross, and was surmounted by tall spires. Over the entrance was an entablature propped by two square capitals. Above this was a frieze with the hieroglyphs of Truth, Fire and Light surrounded by twelve symbolical groups.

Between the sixth and seventh, a figure knelt and stretched out its arms above the two sacred eyes, symbolizing the north and south. This alluded to the diurnal motion of the sun, which is an implicit promise of resurrection, from the sky above us.

At the ends of the emblematic row was another figure, poising a pair of balances.

In the western arm of the cross was a throne, surmounted by a canopy representing the Tree of Life. The golden fleece hung in its branches, and in the center was the lamb immeshed in a nimbus.

Seated on the throne was Hirach, a priest from the Temple of Neptune, whose face was hidden by a green mask. On his head was a tall conical hat made of alternating stripes of red and green, and the same combination of color was observable in his costume.

The mantle was green; the tunic, red; while the arms and legs were covered with striped cloth, as he sat with arms crossed over his breast. In his right hand was a crook, while in his left was a flail.

Hirach, or Conscious Life, personated the higher self of the dead man, and it was his office to weigh the thoughts, words and deeds of Orondo, against the image of Truth. On each side of him stood a priestess, representing the two phases of truth. One held a lily in her hand, to show that she stood for Truth in Action; while the other held the quill of an eagle, signifying that she was Truth in Thought, itself.

The two attendants were clothed in trailing white draperies, and their hands were crossed over their breasts. The sleeves came only to the elbow, but were long and wide, like those worn by Japanese women. Only the throat was revealed at the neck, and there was a peculiar allegorical girdle around the waist. These figures were known as Ma.