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Brethren, It is Thanksgiving time once again, believe it or not. The time of year where we give thanks to all that we are thankful for, people in our lives we love and who mean so much to us. As I reflect on this last year I think back on the roller coaster ride I have been on. Many highs and many lows, twists and turns pulling me in all directions. I am so grateful for my family and friends who have helped pick me up when I needed it and supported me in times of need. To all my Lodge Brothers, NJ Freemasonry, my Brethren from all over the world who have shown time and time again that Freemasonry has no borders. You guys are my second family. I am eternally thankful for the TWT writers who have contributed throughout the year making the magazine a success in enlightening Masons worldwide. I am forever appreciative to all the supporters of TWT whether you have just found us or have been a loyal reader for years. Without you we are nothing. I truly hope you enjoy the November issue. The authors have all put in a lot of hard work making this excellent edition of TWT. Your comments and questions are always welcome.
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The articles and opinions in The Working Tools Masonic Magazine (TWT) are not necessarily that of the Editor-Publisher. The author of any article or submission found in TWT does not represent the Grand Lodge or any Appendant Body of the Editor-Publisher. TWT is an Independent Masonic Magazine that reports on current news and Information regarding Freemasonry and Appendant Bodies of Masonry.
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General
Word of the Month Thanksgiving Proclamation Masonic Did U know This Month in History Old Tyler Talks Widows Son Cigars 8 9
Featured Writers
David Browning Robert L.D. Cooper 10 William Stephey 12 Kevin Wardally 13 Mohamad Yatim 14 Matt Johnson Joseph Mascaro 29 30 32 33 34 37 23 22 21 17 18
Appendant Bodies
York Rite Gregg Knott Barry Newall 40 41 42
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The Working Tools is published monthly by Corsig Publishing & Cory Sigler, It is not affiliated with any Grand Lodge. Letters or inquiries should be directed to Cory Sigler, Editor, at E-mail: TWTMAG@yahoo.com All letters become the property of the Working Tools. Photographs and articles should be sent to the attention of the Editor. Every effort will be made to return photographs but this cannot be guaranteed. Please include a selfaddressed stamped envelope. The Editor reserves the right to edit all materials received. 5
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Dr. John S. Nagy is a Master Mason and author of the Building Series of Masonic Education books. His books and his
workshops cover aspects of Masonry designed to Build Better Builders. You can find out more about him, his books and his workshops through his website at: http://www.coach.net
Matt Johnson is an active member of Pioneer Lodge #82 of Arizona and the Scottish Rite. He is the author of "The Freemason
Conspiracy" available only at twtmag.com. Kyle James Ferguson is a member of Union Lodge No. 291 in Scranton, PA & Kingsbury Lodge No. 466 in Olyphant, PA. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, a Cryptic Mason, a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees, and a 32 in the AASR, NMJ where he is Junior Warden of the Keystone Lodge of Perfection in the Valley of Scranton. He is a member of The Masonic Society, a Level 1 Scholar in the PA Academy of Masonic Knowledge, a Fellow of the Grand College of Rites, and is the author of a blog called The Philosophical Freemason (http://philosophicalfreemason.blogspot.com/).
Barry Newell Raised to Master Mason in 2006 in Oriental Lodge #60, Boise ID. WM in 2009. Served as Excellent High Priest for Boise Chapter #3, RAM, and currently sit as Illustrious Master for Idaho Council #1, Cryptic Masons. I also sit as Generalissimo for Idaho Commandery #1. I am also a member of the Order of the High Priesthood and the york Rite College. Member Scottish Rite since 2011. David Browning David Browning is a Master Mason and is installed as the Senior Deacon of Selma Lodge 320 in Selma, North
Carolina. He is a Certified Lecturer and is currently serving as the District Deputy Grand Lecturer for the 16th Masonic District. He resides with his wife and three children in NC.
Phillip Daniel Newman is a member of Tupelo Lodge, No. 318 (F.&A.M.), New Albany Chapter of R.A.M., No. 49, New
Albany Council of R.&S.M., No. 3, Barney Trice Council of R.&.S.M., No. 48 (S.E.M.),New Albany Commandery of K.T., No. 29, Valley of Corinth, Orient of MS (A.&A.S.R., S.J.), MS College (S.R.I.C.F.)
Mohamad A. Yatim is a Past Master of Atlas Pythagoras Lodge No. 10 F&AM of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. He is a 32o MSA
Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Valley of Northern New Jersey A.A.S.R. (N.M.J.) and a member of the Capitular, Cryptic, and Chivalric orders of the York Rite. Wor. Bro. Yatim is the Grand Superintendent of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America for the State of New Jersey and is an active member in various other Masonic bodies.
William Stephey Jr. Is currently the Senior Steward of Ionic Lodge #31 Newport DE. Very active in both York Rite and
Scottish Rite Masonry, also he serves as Captain General, of St. Johns Commandery and is Master of Entrances on the Council of Sovereign Princes of Jerusalem in the Valley of Wilmington . His real treasures; however, are found in the love his Brothers have shown him.
Michelle Snyder, is an author, speaker, columnist, and blogger. Her post-graduate degree is from the University of Wales. She
lives outside Boston where she teaches classes in symbology and works with a children's theater group. She is co-owner of White Knight Studio with her husband Jay, a MM at Meridian Lodge in Natick, MA. Their work with Dr. Duncan-Enzmanns translations of Ice Age Language is the subject of several books and seminars they produce. Michelles artwork, inspired by her love of symbols, mythology, and folklore has appeared in galleries from Massachusetts to California. Michelle is also an officer http://www.whiteknightstudio.com/ in OES, Palestine 114. http://whiteknightstudio.blogspot.com/
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Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness: Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise,
just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
NOTE:1 Shortly after the Thanksgiving Proclamation was written, it was lost for 130 years. The original document was written in long hand by William Jackson, secretary to the President, and was then signed by George Washington. It was probably misplaced or mixed in with some private papers when the US capitol moved from New York to Washington, D.C. The original manuscript was not placed in the National Archives until 1921 when Dr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, assistant chief of the manuscripts division of the Library of Congress found the proclamation at an auction sale being held at an art gallery in New York. Dr Fitzpatrick purchased the document for $300.00 for the Library of Congress, in which it now resides. It was the first official presidential proclamation issued in the United States.
1. http://wilstar.com/holidays/wash_thanks.html
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By Carl Claudy
glad it is to have him there. Many a man is disappointed. You had our undivided attention as a candidate, as an Initiate, as a Fellowcraft, and when we made you a Master Mason. "Now it's your turn. We are through with your candidacy - you are now a part of the lodge. Every privilege has a duty attached. When you perform those duties, other privileges await you. If you never perform them, you will get no farther. The responsibility we assumed in approving you as a man worthy to be a Master Mason and sit with us must be shared by you. Your responsibility is to be a good lodge member. There are good Masons who are poor lodge members, but they are not the beloved ones. The beloved lodge member, like your father, finds labor and service and takes his pay in the spirit of fraternity, in the love and admiration of other men, in the satisfaction which comes from playing his part." "But what can I do what is my first step?" "You want to make friends in the lodge?" "I surely do." "Then be a friend! I am told that the Master read tonight that Brother Robinson is ill. Go and see him. Old Willis is back at work after being sick a year. Call him up and tell him you are glad. Hungerford just returned from the West. He is out of a job and wants help. Ask him to come see you. Maybe you can help him, maybe you can't. But if a brother takes an interest in him, he will be heartened and given courage. Ask the Master for a job hell use you, never fear. A sister lodge comes to visit us next month. Offer your car to the chairman of the entertainment committee. Bob always has trouble getting enough for his personal column in the Trestleboard; scout around, learn a few things, tell him them. I understand you play the piano. Offer your help to the choirmaster when he needs someone to take the organist's place. There are one thousand and one ways a chap can make himself known and liked in a lodge. All you have to do is look for them." "I see . . ." "Not yet, you don't! But you soon will. When your eyes are opened you'll see the lodge as a mirror. Look at yourself in it and see just what you are. And if the reflection is dejection, dissatisfaction, unhappiness, it is because those are you. When you look in the lodge and see yourself happy, busy, well liked, giving service and taking joy in brotherhood as a return, you will know that you are a real Mason, a real lodge member, a real son to a father who learned that the secret of Masonic joy is to give, that it may be given back to you." "I'll begin now! Don't you want to get a smoke? I'll stay on the door until you come back!''
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When the Grand Lodge of Scotland was founded in 1736 there were approximately 100 lodges in existence, scattered across Scotland. These were mainly stonemasons lodges, although there were a few with a mixed membership and at least one that had no stonemasons at all as members.1 Scottish Freemasonry in the form of The Grand Lodge of Scotland was confronted with difficulty from the outset as it attempted to regulate the affairs of so many independent lodges. Indeed, support for the new body appeared to be lukewarm at best. All known lodges were invited to attend the inaugural meeting held on 30 November 1736 in Edinburgh.2 Only 33 attended or sent representatives to that meeting. Of those, 12 decided not to pursue membership of the new body any further and never became part of the Scottish Grand Lodge system.3 It was not until 1891 that the last of these independent lodges became a daughter lodge of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.4 In order to be accepted as the governing body, the Grand Lodge of Scotland had to compromise on many issues, and it is those compromises which make Scottish Freemasonry unique in world Freemasonry. The new Grand Lodge of Scotland granted a great deal of power to existing lodges - it could not do otherwise, as such lodges preceded it by many years and already had such powers.5, 6 For this reason, lodges under the Scottish Constitution are independent, sovereign bodies in their own right, and Grand Lodge has quite a different relationship with its daughter lodges than other Constitutions have with theirs. That relationship, together with the culture and history of the Scottish people, has ensured that Scottish Freemasonry has a very different character from other forms of Freemasonry. Perhaps these are some of the reasons why Scottish Freemasonry is so attractive to men outwith Scotland. 7
Lodges which had existed prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge retained many of their local practices and traditions, which usually differed from place to place. This is one reason why Scottish lodges have the right to devise their own ritual within reason, of course! There is no such thing as a standard Scottish Masonic ritual, and in theory there could be as many rituals as there are lodges, although in practice lodges adopt an existing ritual and adapt it to suit their aspirations.8 Given that all Scottish lodges had this amount of independence before Grand Lodge, then lodges founded after 1736 expected - and gained - the same degree of independence. This applied not only to lodges in Scotland but also to those in other parts of the world such as the United States of America and Canada where many Scottish lodges were established. Such local autonomy manifested itself not only in wide variations of ritual but also had an effect on many other aspects of lodge organization.9 The most obvious difference is Scottish regalia, particularly aprons. A lodge in one part of the country may have used red for its aprons and other regalia, whereas a lodge on the other side of the country may have used blue and orange. With no standard colors imposed on daughter lodges, they continued with existing designs.10 For this reason, all Scottish lodges can choose which color(s) to use for their regalia. The reasons for the choice of color might be obscure, but more often than not there is a conscious decision taken by the founder members when choosing a particular color or combination of colors. For instance: Lodge Tullibardine-in-the-East No. 1118 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) chose Murray Tartan as this was the clan tartan of the Dukes of Atholl, and John George Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine, was Grand Master Mason at the time the lodge was founded (1913). 11 Lodge Celtic No 291, founded in 1821, uses Royal Stewart tartan, and one of the lodges avowed intentions was to promote the wearing of tartan within the Scottish Craft. This was a romantic - and late - reaction to the repeal of the Act of Proscription of 1746, which, among other things, had banned the wearing of tartan and the playing of bagpipes.12 The choice of a tartan for Scottish Masonic regalia can, like other colors, be for a number of reasons but, because tartan is uniquely Scottish, several specific reasons for their selection can be identified:
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Green Thistle Green was possibly chosen by the Grand Lodge of Scotland because the founder members were inspired by the Order of the Thistle (founded in 1687) - the highest Order of Chivalry in Scotland. Thistle Green also reminds us of our national flower (some would say weed!) - the Thistle, and the associated legend that an invading Viking army went barefoot to sneak up on sleeping Scots. When they stood on thistles the Scots were alerted and the Vikings were defeated. Green is also the color of good luck. Gold The Grand Lodge of Scotland's motto is - 'In the Lord is all our Trust' and is reflected in the use of Gold in the tartan as this color represents T.G.G..O.T.U. Gold also represents the masculine - entirely appropriate for an all male organization.
Dark blue Dark blue is symbolic of wisdom and loyalty. The former reminds us of Solomon and the latter he who is the most prominent in our final ceremony. The color also serves to remind us of the main color of our national flag - the Saltire. Black Whilst recognizing that black is not a 'real' color, as such, it is used in the tartan because of its paramount symbolic importance in the highest degree in Freemasonry - that of a Master Mason. When wearing this tartan every Freemason will be constantly reminded of the lessons of the Third Degree and to regulate his thoughts and actions accordingly. Although this is the significance of black in this tartan black also has for Freemasons, the symbolic attributes of mystery, which is entirely appropriate for those who have been Initiated into the Mysteries of Freemasonry. Footnotes 1. The Lodge at Aberdeen (1670) is an example of the former, and the Lodge at Haughfoot (1702) an example of the latter.
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Robert L D Cooper is the Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland Museum and Library and an Honorary member of the Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research.
The views expressed in this paper are the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Grand Lodge of Scotland or any other Masonic body of which he is a member.
About Bob Cooper Brother Cooper has written several books on Freemasonry which are available on Amazon.com at:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B001JS6XV2_ sr?sort=relevance&search-alias=books&fieldauthor=Robert+L.+D.+Cooper Roberts Latest Book The Red Triangle is available on Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Red-Triangle-HistoryAntiMasonry/dp/0853183325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie= UTF8&qid=1339068205&sr=1-1
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The Symbologist
Song of the Bee
Bee keeping is a prehistoric activity. In Spain, depicted on a wall, is an image of a human collecting honey, ca. 15,000 BC. In Egypt there is an image of a beekeeper that dates to 1300 BC. Bee symbolism was associated with kings until the discovery that the king-bee was a queen, after which bees became linked to the Great Goddess, representing communal and mutual support, as well as fertility. A beehive displays an industrious gathering of workers, who toil with seemingly endless energy. The bees wings and their ability to distill heavenly honey from the fragrance of flowers contribute a spiritual dimension to the bees symbolism. Honey is sweet yet beneficial, a healer of wounds, and is associated with ambrosia, the food of gods. In Ireland bees produce the honey from which mead (the drink of immortality) is made, and are protected by law. To the Celts, the bee represents secret wisdom from the otherworld, and Celts refresh themselves with honeysweetened wine. In Greek mythology bees are connected to Zeus, who was born in a cave sacred to bees and was nourished by honey.
Bees are associated with priestesses, prophets, poets, and philosophers: the spiritual associations with bees link them to purity, inspiration, eloquence, and intellect. One legend tells of bees alighting on the lips of babes, granting gifts of eloquence and poetry to Pindar, Plato, Sappho, and St. Ambrose. Christianity considers that bees embody a spark of divine intelligence, imparting symbolic property to the buzz, or song, of the bees. The bees honey and song represent Christs sweetness and pain, mercy and Article 2012 Michelle Snyder, M. Phil., author, judgment. Here, the bee symbolizes the Christian, the hive columnist, public speaker. Visit Michelles website and represents the Church. blog; her book, Symbology: Decoding Classic Images is available at Amazon. Bees are disciplined, and they collectively ensure the survival of their species, and thus symbolize the survival of the human soul. An individual bee symbolizes the quickening power between heaven and earth. Carved on tombs, bees signify immortality. Because bees disappear for three months of winter only to reappear in spring, they have become a symbol of resurrection. Plato declares that the souls of the dead are resurrected as bees. The Path of TWT the Bees, a German expression, refers to the wind that carries the souls.
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Also Available on Amazon.com The Lost Unicorn: A fairy tale about Shyla of Tomenshire Art and Symbols: Once Upon a Time World of Symbols World of Symbols: Secrets of the Mermaids
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Working Tools are not often thought of as being things that reside within ones self. They are almost exclusively represented as outside constructions that must be manually used. Untrained minds might come to believe that such external instruments have nothing to do with the Internal Workings of a man. This thinking is most unfortunate. Too few men have an in depth understanding that these external representations symbolize valuable human Characteristics. Developing these Characteristics improves mens overall value and abilities. Men who internalize these Working Tools Transform their very being. The Square, and more specifically the Square of Virtue, is such a Working Tool. It represents a multitude of things, concepts and ideals that are highly prized by those who seek to Develop and Use it. It is Rendered in countless forms and in endless ways. It is referred to strategically in many interactions, Masonic and otherwise. Those skilled in its Use Apply it Masterfully to situations, behaviors and choices. It is both a guide and rule. It is a Working Tool very Worthy of Developing. Development The very thought of Developing a Working Tool is foreign to most men. Most men might think that Working Tools can or should be purchased for some reasonable price and then applied as needed. They are correct in their thinking when such working tools deal with external physical
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walls around aspects of their lives in an Points to Perpend: effort to keep more acceptable things 1. How would your life change if your segregated from their more unruly life elements. Their Common Gavel was fully engaged? resulting actions bring about a psychological disconnect 2. What Conscious steps have you taken to Wield your from the very things that deplete them and therefore need to Common Gavel? be worked upon should they desire their lives to improve. 3. On a scale from one to ten, with one being no true effort and ten being a full out This compartmentalization breeds thinking that assault how would you rate your Square of Virtue eventually gets violently disturbed when imaginary walls dont hold up as presumed. When they tumble, Builders are Development effort? usually left startled and reeling. They begin to see how 4. If you were to remain true to your Obligation, what intimately connected are the very things they made great actions should you be taking next? effort to keep separate. The Builders of such edifices may make effort to rebuild these walls. Footnotes i That unique quality of living creatures that is maintained, They may come to understand though that such a time is a sustained, and nurtured by choices and behaviors. perfect moment to reflect upon what new efforts could be ii http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue made toward Building themselves Better. When this Understanding takes hold, Builders may also realize that the very thing that they need to do to Build Virtue is to wield another Working Tool the Common Gavel. Dr. John S. Nagy is a Master Mason, Lodge Musician Well-Aimed Wielding It doesnt surprise those who have done the Work that the Common Gavel is perhaps the best Working Tool employed to manifest Virtue. After coming to Understand what is Important in life, the Common Gavel is fully engaged toward Divesting that which is not. The efforts any man makes to do so requires developing psychological muscles that might not have been exercised as rigorously as in earlier times. It takes conscious effort to wield this Working Tool. A sharp eye must be kept upon all that is important and safeguarding the same while
18 and Masonic Education provider for his two Lodges and for others who support his sharing. He is author of the Building Series of Masonic Education books. His books, Building Hiram, Building Boaz, Building Athens, Building Janus and Building Perpends, his Videos The Coaches Coach: Building Builders Parts 1 & 2 and his Uncommon Masonic Education Workshops cover aspects of Masonry designed to Build Better Builders. His materials are used to instruct Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite and York Rite Candidates in Symbol Recognition, Understanding and Application. You can find out more about him, his books, his videos and his workshops through his webpage at: http://www.coach.net/BuildingBuilders.htm
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The Building Series Masonic Education materials help create a clearer and cleaner understanding of what is required to Build Bet t er Builders. These m at erials are f or Masons w ho w ant m ore! Volume 1 (MM Level) Three Degree I nterconnections Volume 2 (EA Level), Volume 3 (FC Level) & Volume 4 (MM Level) The respective Degree Work, its basis, its background and the interconnections within the Degree Video A Jam-packed 77 minute Masonic Education Overview with additional activities and suggested readings For more information and purchase, go to http:/ / www.coach.net/ BuildingBuilders.htm
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T here has been a great deal of controversy of late concerning the symbol of the skull and crossbones and whether or not it should be regarded as a legitimate Masonic emblem. The present article is an attempt to demonstrate that the aforementioned symbol is indeed authentic in its Masonic association, for it both conceals and reveals genuine Mysteries pertaining to our Craft. Considering the fact that the skull and crossbones continue to be a common addition to Chambers of Reflection and Third Degree Tracing Boards of many Masonic Jurisdictions, as well as a prominent feature within the Templar ceremony and Kadosh Degree of the York and Scottish Rite, respectively, it would seem to this author that the symbols legitimacy is, if the reader will allow the parlance, a given. But, unfortunately, for many Masons the connection between the seemingly macabre emblem of the skull and crossbones and our Gentle Craft is one which remains obscured by what in all probability are simply and understandably the shadows of their own ill-founded fears and insecurities. For, the association of the symbol of the skull and crossbones with notions of piracy and poison has no doubt left many Masons desirous of distancing themselves and indeed the Fraternity from the symbol under discussion and like emblems. Memento Mori. It is natural to fear death, but we as Masons are taught to view that inescapable moment not as something about which to dread, but rather as the motivating factor in accomplishing our own work and duty as men and as Masons. The particles [of the hourglass] run rapidly, and, for aught we know, with the passing of one of them you or I shall die. It is uncertain. We should notneglect a moment, butdo all we can do to the great end of being really happy. For we shall die, and in the grave there is no working. There is no device, no knowledge, no pardon there.
application which is equally if not more profound in its relevance. We shall begin our explication by first focusing on the Masonic significance of the deaths head or human skull. In his book Low Magick, Bro. Lon Milo DuQuette half-jokingly stated regarding the mechanism of ritual work and ceremonial magic that [i]ts all in your headyou just have no idea how big your head is. According to one 18th century Masonic expose, Bro. DuQuette is absolutely right. In Samuel Pritchards Masonry Dissected we encounter the following dialogue: Q. Have you any Key to [the Secrets contained in the Lodge]? A. Yes. Q. Where do you keep it? A. In a Bone Bone Box that neither opens nor shuts but with Ivory Keys. Q. Does it hang or does it lie? A. It hangs. Q. What does it hang by? A. A Tow-Line 9 inches or a Span. Q. What Metal is it of? A. No manner of Metal at all; but a Tongue of good Report is as good behind a Brothers Back as before his Face. -- N.B. The Key is the Tongue, the Bone Bone Box the Teeth, the TowLine the Roof of the Mouth.
A similar exchange, appearing in the Sloane Ms., led historian Tobias Churton to declare outright that indeed the Lodge is in the head. This suggests that the Lodge, furniture, ornaments, and Officers may all have their reflection within the make-up of man. Sufi-inspired Russian mystic G.I. Gurdjieff offered a similar teaching. According to Gurdjieff, every man, not unlike a For this reason we are given a sobering reminder every time we Perfect Lodge, has an internal sevenfold constitution which he have the fortune to sit in Lodge during the Raising of a Fellow of termed the Seven Men. This notion is not unlike the Theosophical the Craft to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, or, conversely, teaching concerning the septenary nature of the soul of man, an during the Knighting of a Mason as a Templar or Knight Kadosh, interpretation which has, since the occult revival of the 19th that death is always near, and that it could come at any place and century, consistently been extended by authors such as Manly P. any time, regardless of the person or persons involved. Hall, J.S.M. Ward, and W.L. Wilmshurst to the seven Officers which constitute a Perfect Lodge. Be it in the Chamber of Reflection (in the Jurisdictions where one is permitted or required), the Tracing Board of the Master [M]an, the seven-fold being, is the Mason Degree, the Knighting ceremony of the Order of the most cherished of all the Creators Temple in the York Rite, or the Knights Kadosh Degree in the works. And hence also it is that the A.&A.S.R., S.J., that which stands as the primary reminder of the Lodge has seven principle officers, grim truth that death is ever immanent is the chilling human skull and that a lodge, to be perfect, and/or crossbones. However, the symbol also has an esoteric requires the presence of 20
The crossbones are also possessive of an intriguing Masonic application. In the guidelines provided by the Grand Lodge of CO for implementing and conducting a proper Chamber of Footnotes Reflection, Masons are informed that [t]he crossbones are also a 1. meaning Remember Death 2 .Folger Ms. 1 hint at the pillars, the portico of man upon which he must stand 3 Samuel Pritchards Masonry Dissected (1730) as he labors in the quarry. As Matthew C. Pelham, Sr. demonstrated in his thought provoking article A Search for More 4. Tobias Churtons The Golden Guilders: Alchemists, Rosicrucians, and the First Freemasons, p. Light in the Symbolism of the Skull 222 and Crossbones, the association 5. Song of Solomon 5:15 between the crossbones, which themselves are always constructed using human femurs of thighbones, and the two Pillars of the Temple, Reference stems no doubt from the verse in Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine Song of Solomon which announces Churton, Tobias The Golden Builders: in a moving hymn to Deity that Alchemists, Rosicrucians, and the First His legs are as pillars. Still, there Freemasons is another similarity between the Cook, A.B. Zeus Pillars of the Masonic Lodge and De Hoyos, Arturo Committed to the someones (or, more specifically, Flames: The History and Rituals of a somethings) legs which is so Secret Masonic Rite (with S. Brent Morris) absolutely striking that I dare not De Hoyos, Arturo Albert Pikes Esoterika fail to give it mention. DuQuette, Lon Milo Low Magick: Its All In Your HeadYou Just Have No Idea In the Greek myth of Jason and the How Big Your Head Is Argonauts, the ship Argo sailed to Europa in Crete following McNulty, W. Kirk Freemasonry: Symbols, Jasons legendary retrieval of the golden fleece. Upon the island Secrets, Significance of Europa the Argonauts encountered a great metallic giant called Ouspensky, P.D. The Fourth Way Talos, meaning sun or solar, which was cast wholly of solid Porter, Cliff The Secret Psychology of bronze. His legs, on the other hand, while also made of bronze, Freemasonry were cast completely hollow, and one of them, it was said, Pritchard, Samuel Masonry Dissected contained a single vein through which flowed the divine ichor or Ruck, Carl A.P. Classical Myth golden blood of the gods. The presence of the ichor within his The Holy Bible: Master Mason Edition leg animated the giant, enabling Talos to perform the sole Ward, J.S.M. The Master Masons function for which he was created; that is, to circumambulate Handbook Europa three times daily in order to protect and guard the land Zain, C.C. Ancient Masonry from approaching pirates. If the reader will recall, the Pillars of Freemasonry are also said not only to have been hollow and cast from bronze, but according to some traditions within the Craft, it was only one of them which contained the treasured archives of Freemasonry, not unlike Talos peculiar legs, only one of which Image on this page found atwas possessive of the Olympic gods magical ichor. Lastly, it is http://www.mckim.nescotland.co.uk notable that scholar A.B. Cook interpreted the myth of Talos as being a veiled allusion to the Masonically-relevant lost-wax casting method of metallurgy, thus bringing us back full circle to TWT 21
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