Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Independent Freemasonry Movement

A rite of self-dedication and attunement

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM The purpose of this short rite is to involve IFM members around a common set of symbols, and to allow them to participate in a common experience, not unlike initiation into a traditional lodge structure, or any initiatory school of the mysteries. As a rite of self-dedication and attunement, this work will focus on a single participant, however, it naturally can be adapted for use by a group by dividing up the parts as the group desiresi. The format will follow generally accepted procedures from opening and closing a Masonic lodge, as can be found in any printed ritual or monitor, with of course, a few modifications to embrace the spirit of the Independent Freemasonry Movement. The equipment needed will be minimal, and if cost prohibits obtaining all items at once, do not let this stop you from pursuing this work, use your imagination, be creative and adaptive, and make whatever accommodations are necessary to begin the work. Explanatory footnotes will follow at the end of the document along with some possibly helpful suggestions. Strive to commit this work to memory, there are sections left for individual adaptation as well. I hope you find this an enjoyable experience. Michael Germanton North Carolina Summer Solstice 2006

Temple supplies: a small table or shelf, a white cloth, 4 white candles, a volume of sacred law, square and compasses, incense, a bowl of water and a hand towel, stick matches, a chair.

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement It is desirable to be able to set aside a place where you can establish an altar and leave it set up, if this is not possible, it need not be a concern, however, strive to dedicate a corner of a room, or a shelf or cabinet to the work of IFM. Stores such as Wal-mart sell wooden folding tables with a small rectangular top perhaps 15 inches by 30 inches, these make perfect portable altars should this be necessary. They may be a little low for taller individuals, but they are inexpensive and functional. The white cloth will cover the table or shelf, and is an emblem of the purity of your intent. The four white candles may be of any type, white again follows the idea of purity, one candle will be used to light the other 3, so, one may be a slim taper, and the other three could be pillar candles or votives, or those devotional type candles in glass containers. The volume of sacred law is left to each individuals choice, this may also be a selection of different texts, or even a book of mythology or comparative religion, or a text on Masonry, what is important is that it be a text that brings the participant closer in thought, word, and deed, to the Supreme Architect of the Universe. The square and compasses can be purchased from any Masonic supply shop, although these are rather expensive. You can alternatively use a compass for drawing which could be purchased inexpensively and easily, and carpenters square, which again can be found easily. The incense, as far as type and scent is up to you, use cones or sticks as you desire. The bowl of water need not be large, it is symbolic, and will be used for selfpurification. The hand towel can be any color, although white would blend in with the altar and maintain the idea of purity. The use of stick matches over a lighter will be understood from the text of the rite, and of course, the chair is for sitting in!

Preliminaries: The actual work of this rite begins right now, as you read this, already mental patterns are being laid that will enhance and empower this rite for you, and with each successive working this rite will grow into a powerful spiritual practice. Begin by spending some time deciding where to place your altar, and gathering up your supplies. Once youve decided on where to set up your altar, clean the area thoroughly, even give it a coat of fresh paint if you choose, the idea is to spend some time preparing the place for the work to come. You will be setting up and consecrating your own personal temple of the mysteries, dedicated to the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and to the spirit of IFM, therefore, as you clean and organize your chosen space, be mindful of its intended purpose and the coming work. In the ancient mysteries, such tasks were commonly assigned to those who would undertake the work, and are fitting for the work we undertake as Independent Freemasons. 2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement 2

Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Setting up your altar: the altar for this rite should be set up according to the following diagram. Before the actual working of the rite, have all things in place. Naturally, candles will remain unlit until the rite begins, the volume of sacred law will remain closed, the square and compasses can rest on top of the VSL or inside the front cover, or marking a significant passage to you. You may, should you choose, before beginning the working of this rite, find a suitable passage from your VSL that speaks to your heart regarding your current spiritual aspirations, place the square and compasses in the VSL to this passage, and utilize this during the rite itself.

You may find it useful to meditate on the altar set up, and note whatever ideas come to mind for several days before the working of this rite.

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement The rite of self-dedication and attunement For ease of understanding, spoken parts of this rite will be in black, directions for performance will be in red. First section: The first duty of masons is to see the temple secure from the intrusion of the profane, therefore, in whatever manner you choose, go about shutting window blinds, securing the door, turning off phones etc. Second section: Relaxation is essential in any spiritual work, so then, sit in your chair several feet back from the altar, close your eyes, sit up straight, hands resting on your thighs, and begin a cycle of peaceful rhythmic breathing.ii Third section: Stand up and approach the altar, you should have your servant candle and matches on a separate table or stand. Take a match out of the box, pausing for a second to contemplate the elements of which it is composed, and the miracle of the flame it is about to bring forth. In the beginning, god created the heavens and the earth and the earth was formless and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the spirit of god moved upon the face of the waters and god said let there be light and there was light Strike the match I now in humble remembrance of that august and sublime scene masonically say

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement Let there be Light Light the servant candle, timing this with speaking the word light Take up the servant candle while saying Out of the void comes forth light out of the light comes wisdom, strength, and beauty Light candle #1 while saying Let Wisdom manifest in this temple Light candle #2 while saying Let Strength manifest in this temple Light candle #3 while saying Let Beauty manifest in this temple Hold the servant candle before your heart while saying So may there ever be Wisdom to inspire, Strength to Support, and Beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings Return the servant light to its place, do not extinguish it yet Fourth section: Now, slowly and methodically, open the volume of sacred law, placing the square and compasses upon themiii, the left point of the compasses covered by the square, the right point covering the squareiv No One should enter upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of deity, therefore, let this symbolic action and the intention of my heart, invoke thee, Supreme Architect of the Universe Let the foundation of this temple of the mysteries be laid, erected to the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and dedicated to Freemasonry, may this place be now opened for labor

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement Fifth section: Stand at the altar, cross your arms over your chest, left over right, while saying Supreme Architect of the Universe, I dedicate myself to your service Uncross your arms and take up the servant light again, and light the incense, return the servant light and extinguish it May my aspirations and the sweet scent of my dedication rise to you, as this incense rises up to you, by this symbolic act, may I be purified and set apart to your service Cross your arms over your chest again and say I dedicate myself to the Independent Freemasonry Movement I dedicate myself to the service of my brothers and sisters I dedicate myself to the service of all who I encounter Uncross your arms and reach out with your left hand and with the index finger touch the tip of the incense for a moment As this symbolic action is a sting to my flesh, so should the recollection thereof be to my conscience, should I fail in this dedication Sixth section Wash your hands in the bowl of water while saying By this symbolic action I further purify myself in preparation for service Dry your hands on the towel I dedicate myself to the service of this temple I dedicate myself to spreading the light of freemasonry I dedicate myself to admitting and mentoring those who would enter this temple of the mysteries In the Name of the Supreme Architect of the Universe and in the Spirit of the Independent Freemasonry Movement, I declare this temple of the mysteries duly established, erected to the Supreme Architect of the Universe and dedicated to Freemasonry, may the outer pattern of this temple always reflect the inner pattern of

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement that grand temple, that house not built with hands, eternal in the heavens, So mote it be, Amen. Seventh section: Take a seat on your chair, and spend as much time as you desire in meditation and contemplation of the symbols of the temple and the individual sections you have just performed. When you feel ready, go to the next section and close the temple Eight section: It is now time to close the temple. It must be understood that only the outer temple is being closed, the inner temple is always present. Our outward opening and closing work through ritual is for the purpose of mediating the spiritual powers of the inner temple into the physical world. This should always be kept in mind while closing the outer temple. Thus are my labors complete Here make a prayer from the heart in whatever fashion you choose, mentally or verbally is okay, do what you are led to do, and of course, you may select a model prayer from any Masonic work that interests you Now, slowly and reverently close the volume of sacred law, you may simply close it up with the square and compasses in it, you can rearrange them before your next opening of the temple Having closed the volume of sacred law I extinguish the 3 great lights on the outer And now, extinguish candle #3 while saying May beauty always adorn my labors extinguish candle #2 while saying May Strength always support my labors Extinguish candle #1 May Wisdom always inspire my labors cross your arms over your chest, left over right, while saying

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement May there always be Wisdom to inspire, Strength to support, and Beauty to adorn all of my labors I declare this temple of the mysteries erected to the Supreme Architect of the Universe and dedicated to Freemasonry closed in due form, and its labors ended until opened again May all true masons, wherever dispersed always meet on the level, act by the plumb, and part on the square, may the blessings of the Supreme Architect rest upon us, may the law of love prevail, and may every moral and social virtue cement us And while the symbolic lights of this temple are extinguished, may the Inner lights of this temple shine forth in my every thought, word, and deed So mote it be, Amen. Take a few moments to organize and clean up the temple, if you do not have a place to leave the temple set up, then, now is the time to put everything in storage before opening the door and exiting the temple.

IFM can provide you with examples of group work if needed The following form may be found useful to entering a state of relaxation and peace before beginning deeper ritual work. It is adapted from a version given by Coleston Brown in his books Contacting Spiritual Beings, and the book Patterns in Magical Christianity. These books are available from www.sunchalice.com. I have found it very useful. You can commit it to memory, and run through it slowly as your focus on your breath, or, record it for playback, giving pause indicated by the line breaks shown below. Enjoy!
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You are sitting comfortably with your eyes closed, back straight, and your palms resting upon your thighs. Begin with controlled, rhythmic breathing, four counts per in breath, and four counts per out breath. Be aware, of the rhythmic attunement of your breath with all levels of your being, and realize, that the breath symbolizes, the movement of the spirit. Now, consciously allow deep peace and stillness to penetrate the levels of your being, one at a time. Still your physical body, your tensions dissipate, your muscles relax, your heartbeat slows, and all the internal process of your body function in peaceful harmony.

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement

Now, still your desires and emotions, allowing them to become harmonized, to be absorbed into the great flow of being. Now, let your thoughts too become still. Concentrate only upon your breathing, Empty yourself of everything else. There is only the breathing, the rhythm of the deep peace.
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The VSL, square and compasses are termed the 3 great lights of masonry As the square represents the terrestrial and the compasses represent the celestial, this placement of square is an emblem of interaction between the worlds, or realms, and an emblem of mediation.

2006 Michael Wolf/IFM Confidential to the Independent Freemasonry Movement