Those of us who have given any study to Freemasonry, and even those who have merely heard the ritual many times, know that Geometry and Astronomy play an important part in our rituals.  What we may not know is that a great part of our Symbolism, which requires these sciences for its interpretation, is based upon beliefs that existed long before full development of these sciences.

The Northeast Corner is an example.  Its Symbolism was ancient even at the time of the building of King Solomon’s Temple.  As the Lodge is symbolic of the world as pictured in ancient times, when it as believed to be an oblong square, so our Northeast Corner is symbolic of the northeast corner of that world as anciently mapped.  It was the point in the annual course of the sun where it reached its northern limit, marking the summer solstice and the day of the year of greatest light.  The youngest Entered Apprentice in the Northeast Corner stands near the Worshipful Master, who symbolizes the sun in the east, whence comes the light. 

In some of the primitive religions the northeast corner was the seat of Deity and became a symbol of sanctity and virtue.  Freemasonry retains that symbolism for its Northeast Corner when the Master informs the youngest Entered Apprentice of the tools and the Ancient Charge as he begins his journey.

In Operative Freemasonry the first stone was laid in the Northeast Corner, and thereon was erected a temple of other edifice, sturdy and of beauty.  The youngest Entered Apprentice should use the Lessons and the Teachings of the Northeast Corner whereon to erect his Temple, temporal and spiritual, sturdy and of beauty.

The youngest Entered Apprentice in the Northeast Corner stands symbolically midway between darkness in the North and light in the East.  It is his part to determine whether he will move backward toward darkness or forward to the light.

3-5-7 Minute Talks on Freemasonry, Elbert Bede