Freemason Information Masonic Magazine

Tracing the Generation of the Third Degree

by Adrian T. Taylor, Ph.D. Founding Member of the David A. McWilliams, Sr. Research & Education Lodge F&AM, PHA DC Introduction In the text “Accosting the African Origins of Freemasonry, and Beyond,”[1] this researcher took up the problem of the African/Egyptian origins of Freemasonry. In the latter text, a representative argument was reviewed, as portrayed by Lanier A. Watkins.[2] In Bro. Watkin’s text, a variety of figures peculiar to members of the Craft were displayed, juxtaposed to similar figures found in ancient Egypt, as we can see in Figure 1. Figure 1: Images Peculiar to Freemasons[3] Upon displaying similar figures, it was then contended by ...

Lon Milo Duquette on Masonic Central

Within in Freemasonry, there are many titles and attributes bestowed upon its members, but few come to the table with the appellation of Magus, with a large number of books from their pen and a many years of practice under their talismaned hand, and in that list none stand out more than Brother Lon Milo Duquette. Missed the live show? Listen now! [podcast]http://www.blogtalkradio.com/masonic-central/2009/11/30/lon-milo-duquette-on-masonic-central.mp3[/podcast] A Mason for more than a decade, Br. Duquette has spent many more of his years studying the realms of the tarot, Qabalah, Thelema, and Enochian Vision magic. Capturing the essence of these studies in the quote from Alister Crowley ...

Symbols and Symbolism

By: Carlos Antonio Martinez, Jr., 32º, P:.V:.M:.K:. PART 1 Symbols reveal the intriguing mechanism of Heaven and Earth; they explicate the “gear” of human machinery; they conduct mankind to the atom and the relations between individuals and nature; they narrate the evolution of those human races that barely made it to the boundaries of Science and Civilization. Daily events are not as insignificant as they seem at first sight. Symbols have accompanied Man and Woman since the beginning of time and have helped them to communicate with the Divine through the perspective of all religions. The principal function ...

The Lost Symbol – a review

I need to approach this review in two parts, one from a reader lay perspective, and one from a Masonic perspective. The Masonic perspective can be found here. Dan Brown's new book, The Lost Symbol, reminded me of a parable. A parable is a story embellished with perhaps some grains of reality to convey a broader idea of truth. Dan Brown in his new book, The Lost Symbol, has artfully woven an update of an ancient parable into a modern suspense novel that features prominently the one group that should be most apt to see the connection, the Freemasons. Freemasonry, a ...

Freemasonry and Sufism: Two Roads and one Destination.

By: Carlos Antonio Martinez, Jr., 32º, P:.V:.M:.K:. PART 1 “My heart can adopt all forms, I follow the religion of Love: Whichever road the camel of Love takes, that is my religion and my faith” Ibn Arabi Contrary to the majority of “Exoteric Spiritual Systems” Free-Masonry lacks totalitarian ambition. It accepts that although its method is “just and perfect”, it is not the only one through which its goals are accomplished. It recognizes that its modus-operandi is merely one more of the Traditional Avenues of Access to Knowledge, just like in the Occidental world so were the diverse Gnostic Schools ...

Social Media & the Non-Profit – How Social Media is vital to fraternities

A few weeks back we explored the ideas of Social Media as it intersected with Secret Societies, creating the shift from restricted knowledge to an open communication in the 21st century -ciphers replaced with pixels and WYSIWYG editors. Today, Social Media has surpassed the expectations of those who declared it a passing trend and it has become a vital component of any individual or business that wants to build their brand and broadcast their message to an ever increasing audience. Missed the Live Program? Listen NOW! [podcast]http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Masonic-Central/2009/08/31/Social-Media-and-the-Non-Profit--How-Social-Media-is-vital-to-fraternal-organizations.mp3[/podcast] Download a copy This is more than Mafia Wars, Bejeweled, or What famous actor are you test. ...

Ol’ Leroy McKrank and the Council of the Knights of the Royal Arch

A couple of decades back, Ol' Leroy McKrank decided to join the York Rite. Now this was the only other body of Masonry that Ol' Leroy had ever joined, mainly because he refused to fork over the cash required to join any additional bodies. But at the time, each York Rite body's dues were only five bucks a piece, so Ol' Leroy thought it was a pretty good deal. Fifteen smackers for three organizations? Who could pass that up? Leroy sat through all nine degrees, held over the course of a few months, with an expression of awe on his face. ...

Gnostic Reflections in Freemasonry

By Timothy W. Hogan PM, KT, 32* KCCH, S.I.I., District Lecturer for the GL of Colorado Freemasonry is a system of initiation that draws its symbolism from a variety of sources and traditions. Masonic historians are quick point out some of the connections between Freemasonry and the cathedral builders, the Knights Templar, the Royal Society, Hermetic tradition, alchemists and qabbalists, however the connection between Freemasonry and the Gnostic schools is often overlooked- even though it is perhaps the most prevalent. Gnosticism is a school of thought originally developed in the ancient pagan world and championed by philosophers like Pythagoras, and later instrumental in ...

What drives the Anti-Masons?

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS timb001@phmainstreet.com Palm Harbor, Florida, USA "A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry" "Everybody is worried about Masons taking over the world. Heck, we can't even organize a picnic." - A Mason from Washington state. To find an Anti-Mason, you need look no further than the Internet for there is an abundance of discourse on the Net berating and misrepresenting the fraternity. As Freemasons, we are blamed for everything from the assassination of JFK, to World War I, both Gulf Wars, and God knows what else. The same people who track UFOs, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and Elvis, are the same people ...

Masonic Traveler

Christianizing secular society and the Cult of the Supreme Being

Recently on a local radio NPR station I happened upon a conversation with the Mayor...

Aid to Haiti – delivering RELIEF

Its been a short time since the Haitian earthquake, yet the ground beneath their...

Paul Bessel in Moments Magazine

Br. Paul Bessel, from the web site fame of the same name http://www.bessel.org/ was...

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The Bee Hive

The Journal For Research Into Freemasonry & Fraternalism

In case you haven’t noticed there is a new guy on the block, The Journal For Research...

Ballot Reform

Based on Pennsylvania’s conversions from one black ball to three black balls...

Does Pennsylvania Have A Clue?

It seems that the sweeping changes that MW Thomas Sturgeon made to Freemasonry in...

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Masonic Central

Masonic Central Japan with guest Br. Jim Johnston

Masonic Central Japan! Brothers Michael Pearce and Bill Patterson launch their inaugural edition Masonic Central Asia with their guest Br. Jim Johnston, PhD., who is one of the foremost scholars on Masonry in Japan. Also, Br. Johnston is a Past Grand Master of the island nation, a 33º Brother of the Scottish Rite, and a founding member of the Lodge... [Read more of this review]

Karl Grube from the Bonisteel Masonic library, this Sunday on Masonic Central

Michigan Freemasonry Motor City Masonry has quite a tale to tell. In the shadow of the automotive decline the memories of a Masonic hey day still stand as testament of the fraternities grandeur in the not so distant past. Missed the LIVE broadcast? Listen NOW! AudioPlayer.embed("pod_audio_1", {soundFile: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Fmasonic-central%2F2010%2F02%2F01%2Fkarl-grube-from-the-bonisteel-masonic-library.mp3"});... [Read more of this review]

Table Talk – post holiday catch up on 2009

Update, leave your comment on this post to enter to win a signed edition of the book Crown of Serpents! I know, its been a few weeks since the holiday… now that the christmas trees down, the bits of wrapping paper out of the nooks and the couch, and all the returns of unwanted gifts made, its time to catch up. With the holidays past and the... [Read more of this review]

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Aude Vide Tace

NPR Highlights “New Masons”

Rachel Martin of NPR files this story about contemporary Freemasonry. Similar in...

Always Been Good Enough – The Emblematical Instant Coffee of Refreshment

A budget debate in Excelsior Lodge focused on memorial contributions for deceased...

Kansas Lodge Calls for Papers on Modern Masonic Practices

Mount Zion Lodge No. 266, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas, operating...

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The Euphrates

In His Image

Can we become Gods? Throughout my entire life, there has been one Biblical passage...

The Unlodged Mason

Back in November, my good friend and Brother Frederic Milliken wrote an article...

Brotherly Love

We have heard over and over that Freemasonry is a Brotherhood. That it is a fraternity....

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Reviews

Freemasonry the Reality, a review.

Freemasonry - The Reality Tobias Churton is a prolific Masonic author and one I’ve come to hold in high esteem. For many, he may not be a regular household name as his work (and residence) come from abroad in the U.K. and in an dense American marketplace of books, his work is less well known here. Nevertheless, its importance is megalithic... [Read more of this review]

Out Of The Shadows

OUT OF THE SHADOWS A BOOK REVIEW By Frederic L. Milliken THE AUTHORS Alton G. Roundtree is a Past Master of Redemption Lodge #24, the largest Lodge in the Washington D.C. Prince Hall Jurisdiction. He has served his Grand Lodge as Computer Systems Officer, Director of Public Relations, Chairman of the Information Management Committee, Assistant Grand... [Read more of this review]

Building Boaz by Dr. John Nagy

Building Boaz by Doctor John Nagy I have come to find that modern Masonic literature can be compared to the preparation of food. Some Masonic literature is too light to satisfy the appetite and too bland to excite the senses. Other works on the subject of the fraternity are too rich and overpowering to the palate and leave the reader with a case of... [Read more of this review]

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Corn, Wine, and Oil

Masonic Pride Day: An Observation

I’m somewhat ambivalent about Masonic Pride Day—it smacks too much of...

Very busy in the quarries

I’ve been out of work now for seventeen days. I’ve interviewed in person...

Praise vs. Prayer

My rabbi often points out that during the Sabbath, Jews are engaged in praise, not...

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Masonic Tech

Flash Drives, USB’s, or Thumb Drives

Regardless of what you call them, the small portable memory that anyone can afford...

Lodge Twittering…

It may come as no surprise to many of you but I, being a techie person, do use Twitter. ...

Potential Answer to Lodge Dues Administration? Part 2

It has occurred to me since writing the post entitled “Potential Answer to...

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Sojourners

Grand Lodge vs. Blue Lodge: Who Serves Who?

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS timb001@phmainstreet.com Palm Harbor, Florida, USA “A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry” Originally published in 2008 Masons have been meeting upon the level and parting on the square well before the formation of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717 (the first “Grand Lodge”). The invention of the Grand Lodge... [Read more of this review]

Tracing the Generation of the Third Degree

The Unknown Elementalist: Franz Bardon

by Br. Martin Faulks. Franz Bardon He is one of the most important but least known magicians and spiritual teachers of the Twentieth Century. He published a complete path of spiritual and magical development that is completely based of the four elements and stands beyond any tradition. Known only through the four books he wrote which were published... [Read more of this review]

The necissity of Lodge audits

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS timb001@phmainstreet.com Palm Harbor, Florida, USA “A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry” “The audit is an essential part of the checks and balances in the Lodge.” - Bryce’s Law Like any organization, be it a public corporation or a nonprofit institution, it is necessary to periodically review the financial... [Read more of this review]

Seeking Further Light

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS timb001@phmainstreet.com Palm Harbor, Florida, USA Originally published on FmI in 2007 “A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry” Shortly after I wrote the “Masonic Manifesto” last September, I happened to attend a local Masonic meeting. Afterwards, a group of Brothers stopped by a local watering hole to have... [Read more of this review]

Masonic Funerals – Understanding our duty.

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS timb001@phmainstreet.com Palm Harbor, Florida, USA “A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry” Originally published on FmI in 2007 Early last year I lost my father, a 57 year Mason. I had the pleasure of calling him “Brother,” as he raised me to the sublime degree... [Read more of this review]

Teachings of Diogenes – Lesson No.3 – LIght of Teaching

DIOGENES (c. 412- c. 323 B.C.) Diogenes was a very playful philosopher who liked to use great wit when challenging the values and beliefs of his fellow citizens in ancient Athens. He lived in great poverty, probably begging and stealing his food, and steadfastly disdained all forms of luxury. It was because of his determination to follow... [Read more of this review]

Town Hall Meetings

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS timb001@phmainstreet.com Palm Harbor, Florida, USA “A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry” Originally printed on FmI in 2007. “If its a choice between attending a Grand Master’s official visit and attending a Masonic Town Hall meeting, I’ll take the Town Hall meeting any day of the week.” - Tim... [Read more of this review]

The Politics of Freemasonry

by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS timb001@phmainstreet.com Palm Harbor, Florida, USA “A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry” “Evil (ignorance) is like a shadow – it has no real substance of its own, it is simply a lack of light. You cannot cause a shadow to disappear by trying to fight it, stamp on it, by railing against it, or any other form... [Read more of this review]