The Cosmos in Stone: Tom Bree Reveals the Secrets of Wells Cathedral

Gothic Cathedrals are often looked upon symbolically as architectural images of the Heavenly Jerusalem. So to enter into such a cathedral is to walk among the stars. It is where God’s Will is done ‘on Earth as it is in Heaven’– a place in which ‘the Morning Star rises in your hearts’. 00:00 Welcome 01:53 Tom's intro 3:27 images of Wells cathedral 4:55 West front: doors 6:20 Golden Gate: Jerusalem 8:50 Heavenly Jerusalem 10:10 Ground plan of Wells 10:40 Temple of Solomon 11:50 Dome of the Rock 16:50 The pointed arch 21:15 Spiritual warfare 23:50 Labyrinths 25:20 Sir Gawain: pentagram 27:12 Wells' east end 28:40 Venus pentagram 31:50 Venus octagram 35:56 Virgin Mary 40:15 Lucifer 42:10 Christ 43:44 Dante's Journey 45:35 Wells' nave 50:50 Freemasonry 53:07 Pyramid triangles Modern cosmology is essentially a materialistic description of matter and its movements whereas medieval cosmology was a study by which the soul contemplated the eternal Reality of God – the ‘Divine Geometer’ – via the ordered Creation. It was with such a ‘way of seeing’ that the Master Mason would then emulate God the Creator through employing the eternal laws of mathematics and geometry to fashion a Gothic cathedral to be an image of the Cosmos with Jerusalem at its centre. This slide-show looks at the underlying geometric design of the ground plan of Wells Cathedral and the way in which it embodies a Jerusalem-centred cosmological symbolism which is still used today in the symbolic layout of a Freemason lodge room. The design fuses pre-Christian cosmological symbolism with the Paschal storyline in such a way that Christ’s journey from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday follows an equinoctial middle way between the light and dark extremes of Cancer and Capricorn. The journey then culminates in Eternal Spring with the rising of the Bright Morning Star. Tom Bree is a Geometer-Artist, Teacher and Writer. He teaches practical geometry with its accompanying philosophy at the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London as well as for many other educational organisations and Institutes both in the UK and abroad. In 2023 he published his first book, 'The Cosmos in Stone', which focuses upon the underlying Quadrivial design of Wells Cathedral. The book also focuses upon the use of cosmic symbolism and myth within medieval Christian thought and how this is architecturally expressed in the journey through a cathedral. This lecture took place at the School of Philosophy and Economic Science on 11th February 2026. The School of Philosophy and Economic Science offers courses in practical philosophy and economics with justice as well as other subjects. It aims to approach philosophy in a practical way, encouraging students to apply philosophy in their lives. The School also introduces a mindfulness-type exercise leading eventually to mantra meditation. Enjoyed this video? Subscribe to our channel to watch more videos from the School of Philosophy and Economic Science. Also visit our website for information about courses, lectures and events. Connect with us: Courses: https://schoolofphilosophy.org/pages/... Website: https://schoolofphilosophy.org Facebook: https://bit.ly/2YchKAoSPES Instagram: @schoolofphilosophyUK X: @schoolofphilUK Join our Mailing list: https://schoolofphilosophy.org/pages/... Support the School: The School has many offerings free of charge or at a reduced fee. Any gift, however small, will help the School continue with its work. Make a Donation: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/18466 © School of Philosophy and Economic Science. The School of Philosophy and Economic Science 11-13 Mandeville Pl, London W1U 3AJ 020 3287 1443 https://goo.gl/maps/Vv3kLCGNoVRDTtqe6 Charity numbers: 313115 and SC039950 ===================================================== #practicalphilosophy