The subject of this article, titled simply as The Knight Kadosh, contains my personal philosophical reflection on the 30th Degree.

First of all, I would like to explain the term Kadosh (Kadash and Kodesh) in more detail. The former comes from the Hebrew קָדֹוש  (kah-dochsh), an adjective, meaning holy, sanctified, and in older writings (by G. Campbell) also referred to as purified. The root word Kadash is a verb in Hebrew and means, among other things, to sanctify, to demarcate, to consecrate and to commit oneself. The latter, Kodesh, is not to be confused with Kadesh (a biblical place), is a masculine for holiness, and is used in Hebrew to distinguish from something sacred to the simple and profane.

Knight Kadosch is also called "Chevalier de l'Aigle blanc et noir", "Knight of the White and Black Eagle". Whereby the esoteric philosophical meaning of this knightly degree lies below this term, because the designation is not rather the Holy Knights but the chosen ones, the Elus. And here, under the Mystical Ladder, the concept of "ne plus ultra", the highest, becomes clear. I will go into more detail about this in the course of my article.

Provocatively, I would like to make it clear that although this degree in its literary work represents a clear kind of revenge (or also called "degree of revenge") and a retribution or a commitment to the struggle against the throne and altar (of the Church), it is nevertheless a false assumption, because the "only retribution" that the Freemasons can exert in the name of all persecuted then and still today,  lies in the work of bringing about a moral condition so that all recent attacks on freedom of conscience are made more difficult.

Further, in this degree, I hear, the legend of Hiram is replaced by Jacobus Burgundus Molay, and thus also the last degree of the Chosen Knight (Elus) is told. In retrospect, this degree symbolizes the downfall of the Templars and the victory over freedom of conscience, according to Lennhoff in the Masonic Lexicon.

But how does one attain this freedom of conscience? It can only be attained through knowledge in the sciences, the "Holy Books" and through the acquisition of the virtues. This is exactly what "Mystic Ladder" symbolizes, but it has been adapted and modernized by time. Therefore, I do not want to deal with individual seven to seven rungs of the leader, but I do want to devote my attention to the basic idea of the Mystic Leader.

So I went on a quest to describe the terms, ignorance, knowledge and virtue in more detail. I didn't reach for an encyclopedia, but rather tried to understand the differences and similarities. Well, the more I searched, the more I found myself on a path that I knew, but it was clear that I did not know the path I knew. I don't want to test your patience any longer, my brethren, with terminology, it's philosophy...

Yes, philosophy, my brethren, for truly this concept (Φιλοσοφiα, love of wisdom, philosophia) is the universal science, the supreme principles and at the same time the doctrine of world view, i.e., the science of the "principles" (presuppositions, foundations) of knowledge, cognition, being, and action, and at the same time the attempt (always to be renewed) of a comprehensive synthesis of the general results of thought and the sciences into a unified and Outlook.

In more detail, the specific object of critical philosophy is above all the basic concepts and principles of all cognition, which are examined and evaluated for their source, their validity, their truth and reality content, their contribution to knowledge. Philosophy does not go directly to the "supersensible" or "transcendent", but to the presuppositions and conditions of the stock of the empirical world of facts contained in experience and in the sciences, whose uniform, fundamental, universal conceptuality is strived for. Philosophy is an analytical-synthetic and critical-evaluative science, it is based on experience, but rises independently to the ("a priori", "transcendental") conditions of possible experience in general; thus it becomes a science theory, the self-consciousness of knowledge, its foundations and methods.

But philosophy also examines the presuppositions of correct action (volition and evaluation), it is the supreme science of value and purpose, not only the doctrine of cognition and being, but also of ought, of the highest norms. It examines the results of the sciences on the basis of the presuppositions found and proven in epistemological criticism, and thus — with the help of "speculative" imagination — it arrives at the connection between the various sides of reality as "critical metaphysics". Philosophy interacts with life and the individual sciences; as it is influenced by both, it constantly – directly or indirectly – has an effect on them and is thus a powerful cultural factor.

The Valley of Columbus is establishing a paver garden in front of the Scottish Rite Center. It will start at the bottom of the steps on both sides of the front porch and extend to the end of each side of the building. It will be similar to the pavers at the Masonic Children's Home in Macon. This is a great opportunity to support the Valley of Columbus Building Fund by purchasing a paver, and to honor those people or organizations that have a special meaning to you (to include yourself!). Complete the order form in this issues of The Ashlar or open in a new window HERE.

As a result of our Power of 3 Program plan to raise $3M in 3 years to provide low- or no-cost intervention to help Georgia children with communication disorders find their ‘voice,’ I asked Ryan Gilliam, the Chief Operating Officer of KNR Therapy, how potential RiteCare donations could be used by KNR Therapy at the Autism Learning Center in Columbus. Below is his response:

“Thank you for considering us for your continued generous support. Below, I have provided detailed information regarding our staff, client numbers, the impact of various donation amounts, and our future growth plans.

Current and Projected Staff and Client Numbers:

• Current Clients: 60

• Current RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians): 35

• Current BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts): 7

Projected Numbers in the Next Few Months:

• Clients: 71

• RBTs: 50

• BCBAs: 15

Impact of Donation Amounts:

• $20,000 Donation: This would cover advanced training materials for staff development or specialized toys/equipment for client therapy, allowing more clients to have PECS communication tools and resources.

• $50,000 Donation: Could fund technology upgrades (like tablets for interactive learning) or support a series of parent training workshops, providing essential learning materials or therapy tools for all KNR clients.

• $100,000 Donation: This would significantly contribute towards advanced therapy equipment or furnishing a therapy room (sensory room) to enhance the therapeutic environment. We have a room in the clinic that needs a shower and plumbing removed to repurpose the space for our clients.

Potential Funding Utilization Ideas:

• Supporting Columbus State University's ABA Program: Establishing a chair at Columbus State University to develop an ABA program aligns perfectly with our mission to grow the BCBA population. This initiative will benefit our clinic and the wider community by increasing the availability of qualified professionals.