From the Office of the Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer
The Cabletow
I wonder how many of us have given serious consideration to the significance of the Cabletow of Freemasonry, which has both physical and spiritual Symbolism. Its derivation and definition are uncertain and the word probably comes from either a Hebrew or German word meaining a pledge of the body. This definition becomes significant as one obligation follows another.
An intriguing definition of the Cabletow is given by Carl Claudy in his introduction to Freemasonry and I quote: It is symbolic of the lifecord by which the embryo receives life from the mother. It is the Masonic cord by which the Masonic infant it attached to his Mother Lodge. As soon as the infant is born the physical cord is severed, but never the knife was ground which can cut the spiritual cord which ties a man to his mother.
In Masonry the physical restraint of the Cabletow is removed as soon as the spiritual hand of the obligation has been assumed,, but never the means has been made by which to cut the obligation which hinds a man spiritually to his Mother Lodge and to the Craft, Expulsion does not relieve from the obligation; unaffiliation does not dissolve the tie; demitting to another Lodge can not make of the new Lodge a Mother Lodge.
The Fellowcraft wears the Cabletow so that it may be an aid to his journey; an urge to action; a girding up; a strengthening for the Masonic life to come; by it a Brother may assist him on the way. He also learns that the Cabletow is more than a rope; it is at once a tie and a measurement.
In the Master Mason degree the candidate pledges himself as fully as it is possible for him to do so. He is brought fully to light. Spiritual bonds are completed and physical shackles forever removed; for we do not care to restrain by physical bonds one whom spiritual bonds will not fetter.
What is the length of a Cabletow? Thousands have asked, but few have attempted to answer. Who can define the length of a spiritual tie? Each Brother must decide for himself the length of his Cabletow. Measurement of service should have no physical restraint imposed by others.