Is your Masonry Magickal?

A number of the thoughts and posts I write about come from things I have seen in different groups or from conversations I have had with Brothers. This one is no different. 

The other day I took part in an investigation committee for a Brother looking to join a Traditional Observance Lodge. OK, It was mine and I am very excited about the possibility of doing Masonic work with these Brothers.

During our discussion it was asked in a nutshell “How did I view Masonry”. We discussed charity, philanthropy, community work, etc. This is NOT Masonry. Sure, as Masons we do work in the community. Yes, we have scholarships and do good works. In my jurisdiction we have a Masonic Foundation dedicated to these efforts. They do a wonderful job at it as well. I have also seen and met people that feel Freemasonry is a social club and treat it like the Elks, Eagles, Moose, and other such Lodges. Now, as I am not a member of those orders I can not and will not speak to their works and efforts.

But I can about Freemasonry and in the end those efforts are not the core of Masonic work.

I granted you get out of Masonry what you give to it. It is that way with anything in life.

So in my not so humble opinion what is Masonry, to me.

To me Masonry is a very selfish thing. Don’t get we wrong we work with our Brothers to assist them on their quest for light and knowledge. But we cannot do that if we ourselves are not enlightened.  This is a Magickal Order, pure and simple.  On one of my thoughts a while back someone made a comment that “There is no place for Magic in Masonry”. My Brother, you are fully missing the point.

In a book by Aleister Crowley titled “Magick in Theory and Practice” he defines Magick as “The Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will.”

Now we know that Masonry is a progressive science. Taking you from one state of consciousness to another. This is done by our lessons and degree work. If you apply them and really look at them, they will change you. I have seen it over and over again. But, it taked effort and work. Nothing comes easy, nor is it just given. This is why we are asked countless times if it of our “Own free will and accord. There is that pesky word again, WILL.

We say we want to take “Good men and make them better”. That can only be done if the Friend, and later Brother applies and dedicates themselves to the ideas that are shared. Look them over and use them. I mean they had a goal in mind when they asked to join this Magickal Order. They were (or should have been) looking for a change. Now it is up to us to assist in applying the science to make that change happen. In other words, Magick. I had one Past Grand Master tell me it was by the process of Alchamey or transformation that this was done.  I have to fully agree.

As we were talking about the Magickal aspects of Masonry I talked about how the Temple was erected. Yes it is a symbolic Temple, representing King Solomons. But, if everything is a “Thought Form” is it really symbolic? I don’t think so. When the opening ritual is preformed and everything is set you ARE sitting in King Solomons Temple. Which held the Sanctum Sanctorum or the “Holy of Holies” which was the dwelling place of God. If you know it or not and maybe some don’t. When you are in a tyled Lodge meeting you ARE in the dwelling place and presence of God. Now how you view and the name you use is yours alone. But you are very much sharing space with the Master Craftsman.

When the Master is present this is always change. There is always Magick.

I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly