MasonicMinute.com » 2008

May 8, 2008
aedifico42\| On Petitions… Posted at: 10:44 am I got an email today from a brother who wanted me to send him two petitions for membership. I refused. As the Master of my Lodge, I want to meet these men first. I want to know who they are and learn about them. I want to know what they do and how they spend their free-time. I need these guys to meet and mingle with my brothers before they can presume to apply for membership in our brotherhood. I am demanding that the profane world come to grips with the fact that we are, and should be, an exclusive organization. We are closed to the outside. We welcome those WE CHOOSE to welcome. And this welcome is a group decision…not to be made by one random member. Some feel this is an attitude that does not treat all men “on the level.” Some feel that exclusivity is only for those who feel they are better or different than others. Some people, even our own brothers, feel like this attitude will shrink our fraternity. They are all correct, and I agree with them all. Freemasonry is not for everybody. It was never meant to be for every-man. Sure, we teach humility and treatment of our brothers as equals, but we also swear not to share certain ‘gems’ with the outside world. The benefits of our secret knowledge is not shared because we selfishly guard the real secrets. So it is, so it has been, and so should it be. So why is it, then, that we should not jealously guard the portal? Why should we not demand more from those attempting to become part of our sacred circle? Why should I allow any random Tom, Dick or Harry from off of the street to throw down a check and submit a petition? If that man is not willing to come to my Lodge, meet my brothers and present himself to my Craft as a genuine petitioner in the truest sense, then he does not even get to look at that sheet of paper. Simple. Until we get the guts to do the right things, for the right reasons, our Craft will continue to deteriorate. Guard well that which you have my brothers. Diluting your Lodge and allowing mediocrity at any stage of the game can only harm the Craft in full. Be strong enough to take the hard-line. Once we make-up our minds that, sometimes it’s ok to say ‘No’, then, miraculously, life in our Craft will become much, much better.
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May 8, 2008

Posted at: 10:44 am

I got an email today from a brother who wanted me to send him two petitions for membership.

I refused.

As the Master of my Lodge, I want to meet these men first. I want to know who they are and learn about them. I want to know what they do and how they spend their free-time. I need these guys to meet and mingle with my brothers before they can presume to apply for membership in our brotherhood.

I am demanding that the profane world come to grips with the fact that we are, and should be, an exclusive organization. We are closed to the outside. We welcome those WE CHOOSE to welcome. And this welcome is a group decision…not to be made by one random member.

Some feel this is an attitude that does not treat all men “on the level.” Some feel that exclusivity is only for those who feel they are better or different than others. Some people, even our own brothers, feel like this attitude will shrink our fraternity.

They are all correct, and I agree with them all.

Freemasonry is not for everybody. It was never meant to be for every-man. Sure, we teach humility and treatment of our brothers as equals, but we also swear not to share certain ‘gems’ with the outside world. The benefits of our secret knowledge is not shared because we selfishly guard the real secrets. So it is, so it has been, and so should it be.

So why is it, then, that we should not jealously guard the portal? Why should we not demand more from those attempting to become part of our sacred circle? Why should I allow any random Tom, Dick or Harry from off of the street to throw down a check and submit a petition?

If that man is not willing to come to my Lodge, meet my brothers and present himself to my Craft as a genuine petitioner in the truest sense, then he does not even get to look at that sheet of paper. Simple.

Until we get the guts to do the right things, for the right reasons, our Craft will continue to deteriorate. Guard well that which you have my brothers. Diluting your Lodge and allowing mediocrity at any stage of the game can only harm the Craft in full. Be strong enough to take the hard-line.

Once we make-up our minds that, sometimes it’s ok to say ‘No’, then, miraculously, life in our Craft will become much, much better.

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May 6, 2008
emeraldi42\| Masonic Dualities Posted at: 1:54 pm We as Masons hear the phrase “with every revealment there is a reveilment” all the time. Those us of who study the esoterica of the craft may feel a reverence for the passage in The Emerald Tablet “As above, so below”. We have many symbols that philosophically illustrate the natural duality in man whether it is physical, spiritual or physiological. We learn the importance of balance through the instruction of many degrees that emphasize not only a balance in action, but in thought. This is one of the reasons I enjoy Freemasonry so much. It provides a learning template to examine the world around me as well as myself. I have learned to “see the other side of things” better. I have learned tolerance and understanding, but most importantly I have learned a valuable method of critical thinking. A couple of years ago AEdifico and myself were at one of our lodge’s research meetings when we decided to turn the symbiolism of Freemasonry on it’s head just to see if we could logically debate it’s merit. We continued this exercise with many of our Brethren and it turned out to have a great effect on the motivation to examine our ritual. Needless to say we were pleasantly surprised. Our first major project was writing what we call “The Reverse Staircase Lecture” which I will not get into because it can merit a complete research paper on it’s own, but there are other elements that when looked at “through the looking-glass” if you will, provided excellent tools to learning, understanding, teaching and examining the symbolism of Freemasonry. Here is one: The Mosaic Pavment: We all know the explanation of this one. It’s simplicity is both beautiful and thought provoking. One of the things I though about as I was reading the lecture explanation for this degree was that it is not explicit (in my ritual atleast and I know it varies a little by jurisdiction, but this was my source) which color represents good or evil. Western mentality will intuitively say that black is evil, white is good. This is understandable considering the primordial fear of darkness, etc. While thinking about this I wondered “How do we know that tile is colored black?” If I remember correctly it is because our eyes see every color reflected off the tile except for black, so in essence it is the only color that the tile is not giving off. Anyone who has studied photography may understand this reverse color concept and apply it here. Also, think about the colors of black and white and what they do to light. We know that the color black absorbs light and white reflects it away. So which color show we be emulating? Show we be the receptors of light or reflectors? Which one is evil now? Furthermore, we as men and Masons know that we will always be an apprentice to someone while a master to someone else so it is apparent that both are still necessary (as explained in the lecture) and both are a natural part of life. So the lecture is correct while also leaving it open to other interpretations that illustrate the same concept. Good and evil, white is black, black is white, master and apprentice, as above so below. There are many more that you can find and experiment with, most notably the ashlars. But I encourage who all to take a piece of symbolism, say the Pillars and find correlating examples of why there are used, by whom, when and why. By doing these types of exercises it will reinforce your Masonic education, introduce you to other systems with similar philosophies and most importantly they are always great discussion pieces with your Brothers. So look at it, find something that’s not explicit and explore the thought, then share it
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May 6, 2008

emeraldi42| Masonic Dualities

Posted at: 1:54 pm

We as Masons hear the phrase “with every revealment there is a reveilment” all the time. Those us of who study the esoterica of the craft may feel a reverence for the passage in The Emerald Tablet “As above, so below”. We have many symbols that philosophically illustrate the natural duality in man whether it is physical, spiritual or physiological. We learn the importance of balance through the instruction of many degrees that emphasize not only a balance in action, but in thought.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy Freemasonry so much. It provides a learning template to examine the world around me as well as myself. I have learned to “see the other side of things” better. I have learned tolerance and understanding, but most importantly I have learned a valuable method of critical thinking.

A couple of years ago AEdifico and myself were at one of our lodge’s research meetings when we decided to turn the symbiolism of Freemasonry on it’s head just to see if we could logically debate it’s merit. We continued this exercise with many of our Brethren and it turned out to have a great effect on the motivation to examine our ritual. Needless to say we were pleasantly surprised. Our first major project was writing what we call “The Reverse Staircase Lecture” which I will not get into because it can merit a complete research paper on it’s own, but there are other elements that when looked at “through the looking-glass” if you will, provided excellent tools to learning, understanding, teaching and examining the symbolism of Freemasonry. Here is one:

The Mosaic Pavment: We all know the explanation of this one. It’s simplicity is both beautiful and thought provoking. One of the things I though about as I was reading the lecture explanation for this degree was that it is not explicit (in my ritual atleast and I know it varies a little by jurisdiction, but this was my source) which color represents good or evil. Western mentality will intuitively say that black is evil, white is good. This is understandable considering the primordial fear of darkness, etc. While thinking about this I wondered “How do we know that tile is colored black?” If I remember correctly it is because our eyes see every color reflected off the tile except for black, so in essence it is the only color that the tile is not giving off. Anyone who has studied photography may understand this reverse color concept and apply it here. Also, think about the colors of black and white and what they do to light. We know that the color black absorbs light and white reflects it away. So which color show we be emulating? Show we be the receptors of light or reflectors? Which one is evil now? Furthermore, we as men and Masons know that we will always be an apprentice to someone while a master to someone else so it is apparent that both are still necessary (as explained in the lecture) and both are a natural part of life. So the lecture is correct while also leaving it open to other interpretations that illustrate the same concept. Good and evil, white is black, black is white, master and apprentice, as above so below.

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There are many more that you can find and experiment with, most notably the ashlars. But I encourage who all to take a piece of symbolism, say the Pillars and find correlating examples of why there are used, by whom, when and why. By doing these types of exercises it will reinforce your Masonic education, introduce you to other systems with similar philosophies and most importantly they are always great discussion pieces with your Brothers. So look at it, find something that’s not explicit and explore the thought, then share it

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May 5, 2008
aedifico42\| On The Level… Posted at: 10:56 pm Our ancient brothers used a symbol that the profane world now sees as a harbinger of doom. I won’t mention it in name here, but the symbol is everywhere…and often misinterpreted. That’s one of the fun things about being a Mason…right? Having a secret knowledge about something that others don’t have? Well, that’s one of the frustrating things about being a Mason as well. We often hide things from ourselves. It’s our own chosen ignorance which keeps that great knowledge of the ages from us. We have no reason to know more, because we don’t think we need it. Take for example that symbol I am talking about. Those of you who understand the symbolic language of our Craft already know what it is. The rest of you…Masons included…have no idea what I am talking about. Yet, you still call yourselves Masons (and some of you will even dare to say that you are a Master Mason). It is sad, really. We do not meet on the level…all of us, that is. We are two different Crafts meeting in the same hall, eating at the same table, wearing the same Apron. Those who know, and those who choose not to know. It is so with many organizations, but most brilliant is the shining contrast in our own Lodges. The uninitiated run amok. They bring us all down. Now, to be fair, I do not claim to be one of the initiated. Truth be told, I am only recently becoming aware of the difference (although my mentor tells me otherwise…he thinks I fell into initiation long ago, and just never knew it). Be that as it may, I at least know there is a difference. And some of you do to. You, my brothers, are the frustrated super-minority of Masons, longing for a Craft worthy of your inquiry. Do not fall to dispair my brothers…the Craft is alive an well in your heart. Continue to read and learn and make a stron impression on the rest of them. Don’t over-burden their minds with esoterica or philosophy. Seek-out your like-minded cohort…they are out there waiting to be found. This is the true fraternity that we seek. We may try to legislate or force some shift to the light…but the choice to remain in the dark is supported by the great magnetism of sloth. Work diligently, and you will be recognized by other true seekers. They will know you as you will know them. They will look to our ancient symbol of the Level and feel as you do…energized and focused on moving forward.
MasonicMinute.com Comments (0)

May 5, 2008

aedifico42| On The Level…

Posted at: 10:56 pm

Our ancient brothers used a symbol that the profane world now sees as a harbinger of doom. I won’t mention it in name here, but the symbol is everywhere…and often misinterpreted.

That’s one of the fun things about being a Mason…right? Having a secret knowledge about something that others don’t have? Well, that’s one of the frustrating things about being a Mason as well. We often hide things from ourselves. It’s our own chosen ignorance which keeps that great knowledge of the ages from us. We have no reason to know more, because we don’t think we need it.

Take for example that symbol I am talking about. Those of you who understand the symbolic language of our Craft already know what it is. The rest of you…Masons included…have no idea what I am talking about. Yet, you still call yourselves Masons (and some of you will even dare to say that you are a Master Mason). It is sad, really.

We do not meet on the level…all of us, that is. We are two different Crafts meeting in the same hall, eating at the same table, wearing the same Apron. Those who know, and those who choose not to know.

It is so with many organizations, but most brilliant is the shining contrast in our own Lodges. The uninitiated run amok. They bring us all down.

Now, to be fair, I do not claim to be one of the initiated. Truth be told, I am only recently becoming aware of the difference (although my mentor tells me otherwise…he thinks I fell into initiation long ago, and just never knew it). Be that as it may, I at least know there is a difference.

And some of you do to. You, my brothers, are the frustrated super-minority of Masons, longing for a Craft worthy of your inquiry.

Do not fall to dispair my brothers…the Craft is alive an well in your heart. Continue to read and learn and make a stron impression on the rest of them. Don’t over-burden their minds with esoterica or philosophy. Seek-out your like-minded cohort…they are out there waiting to be found. This is the true fraternity that we seek.

We may try to legislate or force some shift to the light…but the choice to remain in the dark is supported by the great magnetism of sloth. Work diligently, and you will be recognized by other true seekers.

They will know you as you will know them. They will look to our ancient symbol of the Level and feel as you do…energized and focused on moving forward.

MasonicMinute.com: Comments (0)

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