Northeast Corner 

When a newly Entered, Passed or Raised Freemason reenters the Lodge room from the Preparing Room he will be conducted to the Northeast Corner of the Lodge Room to receive additional instructions.

Why the Northeast Corner?

Northeast is located halfway between the North, a place of Darkness, and East, a source of Light.  When the newly advanced Freemason is placed there it is emblematic of the start of his journey from Darkness to Light.  He is no longer in Darkness or Ignorance but he is still in search of more Light or Knowledge.

The Sun appears to rise in the Northeast at the time of the Summer Solstice.  On the Summer Solstice, or on about the same day as the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, the Sun appears to rise at its most northerly location. On this day a person can gather the most Light from the Sun since this is near the longest day of the year.  It can be considered as the best day of the year for learning, at least it was before the invention of electricity and the modern light bulb.

The day the Sun is at it most Northerly position at Sunrise is part of the Wheel of the Year which was celebrated by Sun Worshipers and other so-called Pagans.  Christianity also has honored the Sun in this position by dedicating the time of the year to Saint John the Baptist. 

Northeast is represented on a navigational compass as being 45 degrees or 1/8 of a circle.

Thus the newly made Mason stands in the Northeast to start his Masonic Journey through Life in which he will seek more Light or Knowledge.

After the new Mason has been given some knowledge he will be seated in the Northwest Corner of the Lodge with some of the other Brethren.  It is a great place in the Lodge in which to observe the Work of the Lodge.