From The Greek Origin of Freemasonry, 1956, 2nd edition, p. 67:
Justice was, and still is, one of the main objectives of the association [Masonry]. In England, the following song was sung to Astrea, the Greek goddess of Justice, during the gayer hours of the brethren, in the lodge:
“As thou Astrea, tho’ from Earth,
when men on men began to prey;
thou fledst to claim celestial birth,
down from Olympus wing’d thy way
and mindful of thy ancient seat,
be present still where Masons meet.”
As I stated in my article on The Muses, in relation to the Goddess, Urania:
“Why are these Masonic English dudes singing this ode to a Hellenic Goddess?”
It Is Written In The Stars
Astrea is derived from the word ‘astro‘ (άστρο) meaning star.
Urania is the Goddess of Astronomy: a Hellenic word meaning star (astro) and law (nomos). She rules Natural Law. (Learn more here.) Urania is the female version of the name of the planet Uranus. He is the God of the Sky: in Hellenic script this name means Sky (Ουρανóς). (Learn more here.)
The sky is where you will find the stars…
The connection to the stars is the link between these two Goddesses – Astronomy (and its watered down version, astrology). Natural, or Physical Laws that govern earthly (and heavenly) existence. It was Hellenic/Pelasgian women who were responsible for the documentation of the Law (Justice) and Universal Knowledge.
Lady Justice
The statues of Lady Justice that are erected outside courthouses, are based on these Hellenic Goddesses even though they are sometimes referred to by different names (i.e. the Greek Goddess Themis, or even Nemesis).
For those interested in the Tarot, The Justice card depicts a woman with a sword and scales, as is depicted by the statues mentioned above. Most of the knowledge and symbolism on which the Tarot is based, is of Hellenic origin (learn more here).
The Winged Ones
In the fourth line of the verse that is quoted at the beginning of this article, Astrea is referred to as “wing’d” (winged). So, she is described as a being with wings. For more information on the connection between winged beings and the Hellenes, click on this link, and scroll down to the subheading, EL is Hellenic in Origin.
Helen
