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In: Freemasonry, Masonic Education, Masonic Influences

Two weeks ago, a brother, friend and the greatest teacher I have ever known, went to take his place in the Celestial Lodge. I’m sure he is already scheduling classes for new arrivals. As far as I know, I don’t have anyone in my family that is or has ever been a Freemason. Freemasonry is something that interested me so I decided to explore it. My first visit to a Masonic Lodge was not an impressive experience. To be honest, the mood was low and most of the Masons in the lodge were not very social. After having dinner and answering a lot of questions,Read More →

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In: Liberal Arts and Sciences

When I got into Freemasonry, I got an introduction to the Trivium and the Quadrivium through Geometry but it was not something that most of the Freemasons I came across actually seriously studied. I believe that the Trivium and the Quadrivium are the pillars of Freemasonry and without them are craft is at a disadvantage, especially in this mass information world. We like to say that we make a good man better but how do we do that? How about teaching a man to logically and reasonably be able to interpret others and the world around them (known as Grammar in the Trivium), being ableRead More →

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In: Freemasonry, trivium and Quadrivium

In the Fellow craft degree, we are taught about the seven liberal arts and sciences and that we should engage with in constant study. The seven liberal arts and sciences are divided into the Trivium and the Quadrivium. The Trivium is studied and learned first, then the Quadrivium. It is essential that they are studied in this order. How many Master Masons engage and study the Trivium and the Quadrivium and the seven liberal arts and sciences after the Fellowcraft degree? From my own personal experience visiting many lodges, the answer is not many. The very essence of what Freemasonry is and the foundation itRead More →

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In: Alchemy, Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, Symbolism

In my article, Freemasonry And The Lodge Within The Lodge (please check it out if you haven’t read it) I explored Freemasonry’s roots and connection to Rosicrucianism in the Age of Enlightenment in Europe. In this article, I’m going to discuss Rosicrucianism, Alchemy and Symbology and how the ideas and practices from them are, in my opinion, one the most important practices and teachings in Freemasonry today. Rosicrucian’s believed in Christianity but they were also free thinkers and men seeking higher knowledge. They realized that the stories in the Bible were important but that they also realized they were symbolic myths and metaphors that heldRead More →

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In: Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism

Within Freemasonry, there has always been and a lodge within the lodge. A light within the darkness of the chaos, drama, media propaganda and distractions of the world. A light that leads the way to full human potential through Freemasonry. This light is very dim now and getting dimmer. “Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism, and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be misled; to conceal the Truth, which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them awayRead More →

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In: Freemasonry, Masonic Education, Masonic Influences, Master Mason

By reading Nietzsche, thinking and absorbing what he’s saying and looking at your life and the world around you today, your perspective and beliefs on life may be changed in a very positive Masonic way. Personally, Nietzsche has helped me to understand who I AM, Why I’m Here and figure out My Life’s Purpose. At the end of the excellent BBC documentary,”Genius of the Modern World – Friedrich Nietzsche” (posted below), you will understand why Nietzsche’s philosophical ideas are so important in today’s world and in Freemasonry. Please watch the short video below and then let’s examine Friedrich Nietzsche’s idea of the Übermensch or superman and how it alignsRead More →

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In: Freemasonry, Masonic Education

In U.S. Freemasonry’s current form, I believe it’s irrelevant and outdated in today’s Technological Revolution. The good news is, I also believe that can be changed… U.S. Freemasonry needs to meet the millennial generation where they are at, not the other way around. In Freemasonry, there is a severe generational disconnect from the millennial generation. The truth is, most 60-70 year olds don’t understand the rapidly changing technological landscape. They are not the generation that’s going to be directly impacted by technology. According to the Masonic Service Association, in 2015, Freemasonry had the lowest Masonic membership since 1924. Masonic membership was highest in 1959. (1)Read More →

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In: Liberal Arts and Sciences, Masonic Education

All Freemasons are introduced to the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences on their Masonic journey. Many U.S. Masonic lodges, seemed to have forgotten the importance of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences. Unfortunately, very few Masons today, take their introduction and instruction on the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences with any degree of seriousness, and never learn anything about these classic arts. “The liberal arts do not conduct the soul all the way to virtue, but merely set it going in that direction.” ~ Seneca, Moral Letters to Lucilius, Vol. 2 “It is not so very important for a person to learn facts. For that,Read More →

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In: Joseph Fort Newton, Masonic Education

Years ago, I worked with some other Master Masons to create a Masonic Builders Group within the Freemasonry. We were going to start a local group, branch out to the whole state and then take the idea nationwide. The group was based upon Joseph Fort Newton’s Masonic Builders idea. This was an excellent plan, that had all the right people in place but for many reasons, never took off. As Brother Fort Newton said; “Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.” “Time is a river…and books are boats. Many volumes start down that stream, only to be wrecked and lost beyond recall inRead More →

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In: Masonic Education

Masonic Education should be interesting, educational and engaging. Everyone should feel that their time at lodge was well spent. Interesting, educational and engaging Masonic education, comes from time spent studying a subject that really interests you. Masonic education, shouldn’t be a half-assed attempt at filling space in the lodge because brothers think that the lodge should have Masonic education. It shouldn’t be, someone reading an article or a couple of chapters in a book and pulling out some quotes to discuss a subject that they know little or nothing about. Masonic education should include a visual presentation and a handout (given at the end ofRead More →