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aedifico42| Emeraldi’s Irony

Posted at: 10:30 am

   All three of this blog’s readers, and a few others, probably read with interest Emeraldi’s post regarding the letter “G” (scroll down and catch it!).  I also read it, and actually sat down with him over a sausage calzone to discuss the issue (not to mislead…he had two slices of peperoni).

   It occurred to me that Emeraldi was a living breathing example of the Great Masonic Irony…Emeraldi’s Irony…to coin a phrase.  What is Emeraldi’s Irony?  Please let me explain.

   While learning about the hidden mysteries and doing the work required to reveal to ones-self the same, the Mason (let’s call him “Emeraldi”, for the purpose of this blog) is frustrated by the fact that we don’t just “do it the right way”.  In this case, Emeraldi’s point is that the letter “G” is not the symbol that ought to be used.  Other experiences have shown other “Emeraldi” that perhaps certain lectures make more sense when delivered in a “reverse” manner (more on that later).  Some “Emeraldis” even try to out-think the Masonic Myth (see the similarly titled post below).  These are all examples of Masons who see what and how we do things now, and are frustrated at the last few generations who perpetuated what may be described as non-original or ill-conceived changes in our ritual or symbols or stories.

   The beautiful “Emeraldi’s Irony” is that Emeraldi himself is living the Masonic life, working the Mason’s work and thinking as all Masons should.  Instead of advocating for the “simplification” of symbol, or the “return to the original” item, Emeraldi has blindly walked past his own work AS he is WORKING.

   To come to the conclusion that Emeraldi has (as I read it…that the “G” ought to be replaced by the Delta), he had to work.  He read and researched.  He looked-into the history of Masonic symbols and then cross-referenced that with general sources regarding the Delta, what it meant to various peoples and why it might be an appropriate replacement for the “G”.  Emeraldi did the work, and now he wants us to go-back to the way things were.

   But, (and I direct these comments to Emeraldi himself) wouldn’t that defeat the purpose?  If the symbol you saw was a Delta, you would have had the same response that you indicate others do now to the letter “G”.  In other words…you seem to be advocating for the replacement of one symbol for another with no real reason…except for the fact that you would rather have a Greek letter than an English one!  Emeraldi, your curiosity and drive have taken you on a ”Craft Journey” that has expanded your understanding in a number of areas.  You have read about history, other cultures, languages and symbolism.  You have studied Masonry in a way that is not required, but desired.  You have taken the initiative to do the work of a Mason…and yet after all is said and done, you want to deprive others of that same journey?!

   Emeraldi has advocated, often and loudly, that Masons need to read, study, think and learn.  He has just done all that himself.  But the premise of his “G” posting below seems to reveal that he does not think that others should have to do that.  

   Emeraldi’s Irony is this: Emeraldi does the work of a Mason, then riles against the changes of his predecessors, lamenting the fact that current brethren are being misled and/or lied to…and his exploration and discovery is exactly what those same predecessors may well have intended for him.

   Each time we look to the recent past in Masonic history - lamenting the loss of the distant past - we look back and attempt to tie ourselves closer to our history and our brethren in that Celestial Lodge.  We cringe when we see changes (Scottish Rite Masons can relate to this by looking to the apron changes for the Ninth and Tenth Degree) that seem to demystify our Craft.  But the exploration necessary to achieve a greater understanding of former truths brings us closer to them.  Brother Emeraldi is himself an example of what Masons ought to strive for…curiosity backed by drive.

   It is Emeraldi’s Irony that he cannot see in himself that which he desires for our whole Craft.

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