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Monthly Archives: August 2015

Discussion Group: Freemasonry: A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol

28 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by Wes in Uncategorized

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discussion, Freemasonry

Over this past summer, our Lodge held a discussion group on the Kirk MacNulty title A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol, published in 1991.  I noted that there was a lack of questions geared toward this kind of discussion, so I did a little googling and looked for some questions to be prepared for the discussion.  To be fair, I did a pretty poor job of collecting the source of some questions in the General Section.  For that I apologize and will happily give credit where it is due.  Please feel free to let me know and I will add sources in footnotes if you desire specific credit.  Some questions

The discussion was broken into two parts, one on the text, the other on the art.  Unfortunately the art discussion was poorly attended and didn’t add much value.  The discussion on the text was lively and fairly well attended.  I am not including the second session art portion as there was a bit of art work that I am uncertain of its copyright status.

Some observations:

  1. Not everyone took time to read the material.  This led to quite a bit of discussion management.  Opinions, while interesting, really don’t add to the discussion without context.
  2. It seems that even casual students of Masonry really don’t have a good lexicon of symbolism to draw from.  Honing that skill in open Lodge has value.
  3. Widen the net.  Masons from other Lodges may not have this kind of discussion in their home Lodge.  Look for those people to extend the conversation.

This won’t be the last time we do this kind of study, but we will look for more opportunity to narrow the focus and look for members who will truly participate in the discussion in a meaningful way.

Feel free to use these questions in your discussion.  Let me know if you do so and keep me informed of anything interesting that arises.

31

Session 1 – Text

General

  • Was the title of the book appropriate for the content?
  • Do you feel that the theme of the book was adequately explored?  Are there more areas to consider?
  • Did anything in the writing surprise you?  What was the most pivotal revelation from the text?
  • What has resonated the most with you personally, either negatively or positively?
  • Is there anything in the text that you disagree with?
  • How would this text help others?

Pursuit of Knowledge

  • How do you feel about the the mission of “know thyself”?
  • How do you feel about the transmission of “mysteries” from one generation, society or culture, to another?  How do we do this today?
  • How do the degrees represent mystery?  Are they effective at communicating?  Are the effective as bonds?

Thread of Mysteries

  • Is it appropriate to use Greek polytheism to interpret the our own psyche?  Gods relating to individual emotions or psychological phenomena.
  • How do you feel about the assertion that Vitruvius translated those parts into architecture?
  • Do we effectively teach our lessons through the mysteries?  Are there better ways to communicate or make light available?
  • Has the “illiterate” population lost the ability to understand symbols?
  • How do “illiterate” people use symbolism today?
  • How do you think the Reformation or Anti-reformation reshaped Freemasonry?

A New Look at the Renaissance

  • Was it appropriate for the early Christian church to nurture intellectual growth?
  • How did Humanism impact or change the church’s role in spreading knowledge?
  • How did the Medici really influence the growth or spread of reformation?
  • What was the result of misunderstanding where the Hermetica came from?  How does that impact us today?
  • Why did the Muslims allow large exchanges of knowledge during their rule in the late 1400’s.
  • Why did the Roman church adopt the Kabbalistic/Hermetic texts?
  • Is it appropriate to treat the Physical, Psyche, Spirit and Divinity as separate entities?
  • Why did the Church reverse its decisions in the 17th century?  Did that cause or help influence the creation of Lodges?
  • How do you feel about the assertion of influential and intellectual men infiltrating a declining group like the operative Builders Guild?

Freemasonry as a Psychology

  • What is our Masonic Psychology?
  • How would you define Masonic Metaphysics to a new member? (being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, space)
  • Why is the superficies associated with the psyche?
  • Is it appropriate to associate the three levels of the Temple of Solomon to the three Degrees and also the Jungian psychology of personal consciousness, personal unconsciousness and collective consciousness?
  • What is the collective consciousness of Masonry?
  • What is the Masonic Model of the psyche? (19)
  • Are we responsible for leading a man to “know thyself”, or are we to just give him the tools?
  • How are we best disposed to help train the EA, FC or new MM?
  • How can we help new Masons understand the secrets of Masonry without unlawfully revealing them?
  • Is it unlawful to “connect the dots” for a Brother?
  • What did you find the most enlightening about the tracing boards?

The First Degree – EA

  • What is implied in the difference between “humanity” being the Temple of God vs. “man” being a temple?
  • Ego vs. Self – How does a man best accomplish this task?
  • How can we best use the “self” exposed through the Path of Honesty? (21)
  • How does the phrase “To Lean, subdue my passions and improve myself in Freemasonry.” relate to the external world?
  • What are the capacities of the working tools (24 inch gauge, gavel and chisel [european])?
  • What is the view of the tracing board of this degree? (external, looking up)

The Second Degree – FC

  • How can we be sure that a FC candidate has made sufficient proficiency in the proceeding degree?  What is “sufficient” in this context?
  • Why do we use a ladder in the first and stairway in the second?
  • What is the view of the tracing board of this degree? (internal, looking up)
  • Why can’t consciousness be described?
  • Can we store unconscious lessons of the craft?  How do we retrieve them?
  • How can the fraternities circumscription of our behavior become harmful? (25)
  • Can we evaluate or use the unconsciousness of others to extend our lessons?
  • Who determines morality?  Is there a norm that society can agree upon?
  • How does morality balance with free will?
  • To pay the craft their wages, if any be there due.  How does this phrase mesh with the concept of the middle chamber being the place of receiving wages? (JW/Self/experience)

The Third Degree – MM

  • How does death convert to life in the context of the legend?
  • Why are the three principle officers, in balance, said to lose the secrets of a Master Mason? (29)
  • What is the distinction between recognize and believe?
  • Why do we fear death?  Why do we fear death of self?
  • Why does the author make distinctions between active and passive tools?
  • Is the MM degree really the culmination of learning?
  • In what other ways does the Master facing West show charity and compassion?

 

St. John the Baptist

17 Monday Aug 2015

Posted by Wes in Symbolism

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lodge presentation, St. John Baptist, symbolism

presented 06/25/2014

Late last year I spoke about Saint John the Evangelist and it is time now to talk about St. John the Baptist.  As you know we do not put forth one faith above another and it is often strange to new members to talk about the “Saints John” in the context of the Lodge as they are often associated with the Christian religion.  It is important therefore to understand why we pay respect and revere these patron saints of our Fraternity.

The first time we hear about the Saints John is on our first entrance into the Lodge.  The Sr. Steward explains to the Sr. Deacon that we want “to receive the Rights and Benefits” of this Lodge, “erected to God and dedicated to the Holy Saints John.”

During the catechism between the Senior Warden and the Master at the opening of the Entered Apprentice degree, we learn that the SW comes from, “A Lodge of the Saints John of Jerusalem.”

In the instructional lecture we are reminded that in “modern times” the Lodge is dedicated to the “Holy Saints John…who were perfect parallels in Christianity as well as Masonry.”

And that’s it.  We hear no more about the Sts. John in our work.  What gives?

The “Saints” we are referring to are John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.

So what does St. John the Baptist have to do with Freemasonry?  Notably, he is marked as the Patron Saint of Stonemasons.  Our ancient brethren formed the first Grand Lodge on 24 June 1717, which is the day of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist.  One of the earliest recorded lodge of stonemasons working on Cologne Cathedral was known as The Fraternity of St. John the Baptist.  Ancient Grand Lodges also install new Grand Masters during this feast.  (In fact that is what is happening at our Annual Communication for the Grand Lodge of Michigan this week!)

The infancy narrative about John gives us a slight glimpse into his childhood and something to model our own lives after.  Much like our lessons in Lodge, his father, Zechariah, exhorted him to follow the scriptures and wisdom of deity, to honor and obey his parents, and not to be rebellious.  Muslims and Sufis also honor John the Baptist and In the Qur’an, he is described as a prophet, being pious and pure in heart and deed.

John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher.  He was the guy who wandered about preaching a message of forgiveness.  He dressed in clothes made of camels hair and ate locust and honey in the wilderness.  The gospel of Mark tells is that he baptised Jesus and was beheaded for denouncing the incestuous marriage of Herod to Herodias.  In Matthew we are told that he was the one that Isaiah prophesied about.  He was critical of both Pharisees and Sadducees.  Sadducees being both priests and aristocrats did not believe in resurrection and oral Torah tradition.  The Pharisees tended to be poor, democratic, believed in resurrection and believed they were set apart from others through literal interpretation of scripture.  Both believed that “doing,” or “following the rules” would allow redemption.

John, apart from these Jewish sects taught four major focuses:  First one of charity.  In the Gospel of Luke he enjoins the crowd to “share with one who has none.”  Second one of contentment and satisfaction by not taking more than they should and to be happy with what they are given in pay and not complain.  Third, that we cannot claim salvation/redemption or a future simply by our lineage, or who we are by birth.  Our character determines who we will be.  Fourth, that there is a coming that will baptize followers with fire.

John the Baptist is revered by many different beliefs and religions:

  • Eastern Orthodox Christians see him as the bridge between Old and New Testaments.
  • Gnostics believed he was part of the Divinity and there is a tone that he was the Messiah and reincarnation of Elijah who needed to be reborn to know the True God.
  • Catholics revere him not only on the Feast Day, but also on his beheading (Aug 29).  Those that understand the alchemy around this will want to research it further.
  • LDS churches believe that John received his ordination from an angel and appeared in upper New York State.
  • Islam, where he is called Yahya, reveres him as a prophet and forerunner of Jesus as a prophet.  Also that John was with Mohammed when he ascended to heaven.

I have told you all of this not to preach some message of salvation, but to help set the context of the many reasons why I believe the ancients picked St. John the Baptist as a patron saint for our fellowship.

The act of Baptism of Jesus and divine election.  Scripture says, “there suddenly was a light,” on Jesus that emanated from Heaven.  I believe there is a correlation between that light and the act of receiving light in the Lodge..  I am not suggesting that we are elected from God to bestow salvation on the world; but I cannot miss the connection that we are elect to gain wisdom and knowledge and continue the building of the temple.  In effect I believe we are called to share our light with those that would seek it with us, which is not dissimilar to the message preached by John.

John is the patron saint of the Knights Hospitaller of Jerusalem.  Theories suggest that the Templars had the head of John the Baptist.  After glory and then being persecuted, it is believed that the early Knights Templar were absorbed into this group of Knights after the dissolution of the Templars in 1307.  It is speculated that the templar went underground inside the Hospitallers to continue its traditions and avoid persecution from the church.  Would these knights possibly have the head of their patron?  Possibly as it was often thought that keeping relics or portions of a saint would help benefit believers and help them in the future.

The date of the Festival, June 24, is close to, or on the summer solstice (which is June 21 this year).  As our ancient brethren were very keen on the importance of astronomy and astrology this correlation should not be lost on us.  The literal translation of solstice is “sun standing still”.  In our minds this should have an impact on how we view the power of the universe and how important it is to know the inner workings of the physical world.  It isn’t just the longest day of the year, it is the event of the Sun and bringer of light is the closest it can be to us and we should stand still in reverence.  It makes sense that our astronomically versed brothers would see this relationship and find a natural point to adopt St. John into the fold.

John teaches charity as being important, and like the Lodge, the one thing that extends beyond ourselves to help others.  Our ancient brothers would have seen this direct connection and quickly adopted John, teaching charity into our mythos.

St. John the Baptist represents man in the wild, searching and preaching.

It is believed that the last painting by our brother Leonardo da Vinci was his work, “St. John the Baptist”, painted in about 1516.  Hermetic literature leads us to believe that John is giving the fire-sign (right index finger pointed upward), which is a key point in our Masonic heritage.  While there is little connection here other than the assumed membership in our august brotherhood, da Vinci did study many of the same hermetic principles we expound in freemasonry.  He was often noted to include “hints” or “nods
to these teachings, embedded in his artwork.  Despite all of the nonsense fantasy around da Vinci, there are truly connections in his work.

The martyrdom of John, because he held fast to his teachings parallels our own myth of Hiram Abiff.  Even torture or threat of death would not cause him to give up on his sacred trusts.

While we cannot say with 100% certainty “why” St. John the Baptist was included in the mythos of Masonry, I think it is clear that there are many parallels that cannot be dismissed as conjecture and should be studied further.
Resources:

Fire, the John Gesture. Philip Coppens. accessed 21 May 2014. http://www.philipcoppens.com/johngesture.html

Full text of “Holy Qur’an”. Internet Archive. accessed 21 May 2014. http://archive.org/stream/HolyQuran_prof.hasanQaribullah_sudan/HolyQuran_prof.hasanQaribullah_sudan_djvu.txt

The Holy Saints John. Ward.  accessed 21 May 2014.  http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/ward.html

John the Baptist.  Wikipedia. accessed 21 May 2014. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist

The Larmenius Charter and the Legitimacy of Modern-Day Knights Templar.  Zubras. accessed 21 May 2014. http://www.knighttemplar.org/files/LarmeniusCharter.pdf

Luke 1 (NIV). Bible Gateway.  accessed 21 May 2014.  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201&version=NIV

Luke 3 (NIV).  Bible Gateway.  accessed 21 May 2014.  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%203&version=NIV

St. John the Baptist: The Iconography.  accessed 21 May 2014. http://www.christianiconography.info/johnBaptist.html

St. John the Baptist (Lenonardo). Wikipedia. accessed 21 May 2014. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_the_Baptist_(Leonardo)

Pharisees. Wikipedia. accessed 21 May 2014. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharisees

Prophet John (Yahya). Islam 101.  accessed 21 May 2014. http://www.islam101.com/history/people/prophets/john.htm

Sadducees. Wikipedia. accessed 21 May 2014. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadducees

Solstice.  Wikipedia.  accessed 21 May 2014.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/sociopol_masonsknightstemplar08.htm

https://ferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/caput-mortuum-violet/

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