Greetings Brethren
We often talk to a cable tow in Masonry, and we here it mentioned in
several of our degrees but how many of us really understand what it means.
The words probably come from the German “Kabel Tau”. It is also found in
some older rituals as cable rope. The meaning evolves as we advance through
the degrees, yet the common thread remains.
The cable tow is always present. It may have been used to remove us from the
lodge in the Entered Apprentice degree, should we have refused to conform to our
obligations. In his book on the EA degree Carl Claudy mentions the similarity to the
umbilical cord that connects us our mother. He says “Symbolically the cable
tow is the cord by which the Masonic infant is attached to his Mother Lodge.”
He continues “In the Entered Apprentice Degree the physical restraint of the cable
tow is removed as soon as the spiritual bond of the obligation is assume but never
the means has been made by which to cut the obligation which binds a man to his
Mother Lodge and the gentle craft.” This is very true. A man can be expelled,
suspended, or withdraw, but he cannot be unmade a Mason. He will always know of
the ritual, and the basic tenets of the institution.
We then later learn that it also represents our obligation to the fraternity.
Everything is only binding “if within the length of your cable tow.” This illustrates
that we compel no one against their will. Instead it is left to every brother to decide
what his limitations and desires are.
Fraternally,
Dwayne A. Dolly II