A Past Master's Thoughts

Yesterday was a crazy day to say the least. It started with a brief conversation with a Brother over messenger. He mentioned the idea of “Taking politics out of Freemasonry but putting more Freemasonry into politics.” We sent a couple of thoughts back and forth and ended on the idea of finding “Middle Ground”. Not so much for me and this Brother. I am sure there are things we agree and disagree on. But he has always been willing to sit and listen to my ideas, and I his. Funny how that works. I do not know if he knew about yesterday’s happening that would make National News. I know I didn’t when I read his thoughts. I sure know he knew about events that have happened in recent past. His words, like most things he says, gave me something to chew on a bit. There is a reason we have and should continue to purge the topic of politics from our lodge. Is that saying the Masons are not politically minded? Oh, for the love of all that is Holy, they are. But there is a time and place, the Te...

So, the other day I went and visited a Lodge. Had a wonderful time and got more signatures on my “Traveling Bible”. While I was there a Brother who is a member of a Masonic riding group was promoting that group hard. Now I want it made clear that I am not writing this to disrespect that Brother at all. I believe him to be a good Brother and solid Mason. He asked me a number of questions and listened intently as I answered. I was a member of his riding group at one time, and he told me he was sorry I had a bad experience. Also helped me carry my things to my car. I look forward in getting to know him better in the future and having him visit my Lodge for meetings and study clubs. During our discussion we discussed why I would not join his group. One I was a member at one time and walked away, for reasons. But the other and maybe the most important was they do not follow MC (Motorcycle Club..Community…Culture) protocol. I was tole they are an RA (Riding Association) and protocol does...

  Today’s thought may be a little long. I have a bit of education as well as general thoughts on my mind. So, kick back and here we go. Today is the Autumn Equinox. One of the two days on the calendar where Light and Dark are in perfect balance. This happens on the Equinoxes. During the time of the Solstices Light or dark it at its height. Depending on which one you are approaching. For those interested in this kind of thing the Equinoxes and Solstices are always 0 degrees whatever zodiac sign they are in. 0 degrees because they are the beginning of a season. Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. The Fall Equinox is the first day of fall and falls at 0 degrees Libra, when the Sun enters that zodiac sign. It is worth noting the dichotomy of the placement of the sun during these events is always 180 degrees. As they are marked as the Sun travels the elliptic and through the signs of the Zodiac. The Solstices and Equinoxes are 180 degrees opposed to each other. If you want to know...

  It is a very safe bet to say I love the Tarot. Not as a tool for divination or to see the future. I question the possibility of that anyway. For the main reason that the future is always in flux and once you gain some information, you have changed it. No, I like the Tarot as a tool of meditation. To look at the symbols and the cards’ meaning and see how it may or may not apply to your life or situation. I have to say that my favorite card in the deck is The Hermit.   There is a ton of symbolism in the card, and I will touch on a small bit of it. Well, before I get to the meat and potatoes of today’s thought. The card depicts a old man standing on a mountain holding a lantern with a 6-pointed star and a staff.   The card has a number of meanings from an esoteric standpoint. Everything from soul-searching, spiritual enlightenment, self-reflection, even anti-social tendencies as you need to be alone to ponder. The staff a tool of air and knowledge. The height of the ...

Today, while outside, I was looking at some Facebook Reels. I saw one that really spoke to me in the light of the times, which should speak to us all. The man speaking is a Hindi Guru and a spiritual teacher. Now, some of what he said may set some folks off a bit. But if we really listen to what he was saying, it shouldn’t. He started off with “I love Jesus, I love Jesus, it's everywhere.” We see it on the billboards, T-shirts, etc.  He said it is very easy to love someone you have never met. “  He said that Jesus was alive 2000 years ago, and none of us have met him. BTW, that is where it may set some off, but wait a minute. We have met the teachings and the ideas. This Guru goes on to say that while it is easy to love someone we have not met, and not seen their frailties. It is VERY hard sometimes to love the person sitting right next to us, when we can. Where we can see a person's personal struggles, be it a Lodge Brother or a person on the street. Looking at that per...

The temple made of wood and stone may crumble and decay, But there's a viewless fabric which shall never fade away Age after age the Masons strive to consummate the plan, But still the work's unfinished which those ancient Three began None but immortal eyes may view, complete in all its parts The Temple formed of LIVING STONES, the structure made of hearts This is the first part of a poem called The Temple written by Lawrence Greenleaf. There is much more to this poem then these few words here. But when I read them the spoke volumes to me. These last few years I have shared my thoughts and feelings regarding my views of Masonry. They may not be yours, and that’s ok. Not everyone practices our Gentle Craft the same. Be it from a jurisdiction or personal point of view. Masonry is a living thing. When I say my closing prayer at the end of meetings I ask the GAOTU to allow us to see ways to shine the light of Masonry into a darkened world. For it is the one true thing that wi...

This morning after taking care of a few things I started scanning social media. Today’s thought comes from my Grand Masters page. He will from time to time post interesting memes and thoughts. Today was no different. It really has me thinking a bit. He posted a meme of a guy holding a sign that read “Find something worth dying for….and live for it.” My first thought was “No, doubt if it is worth dying for, it’s worth living for.” I read that earlier this morning and honestly, I have been mulling it over ever since. Sure, we all have said “I’d die for that.” Normally we are talking about a physical death, and we would be willing to lay our lives down for something, or someone. Sometimes it is such an easy thing to say that it will roll off our tongue without even thinking about it. That’s the issue we don’t think about it. Every time you lay down at night for rest it is a symbolic death. When you wake in the morning a symbolic resurrection, or rebirth. What are we doing with the t...

Today is another twofer. I guess this is what happens when I take  a day off work sipping more coffee than anyone really needs.  If there even is such a thing. Lets discuss power. But, not just any power, lets discuss power with intention. If we look at the Hermetic Law that the Universe is mind and everything is a thought form. It would be safe to say that power begins in the mind. I will agree that this is true. When does that thought become real? Yes, I would also agree with the moment it “pops” in your head. But let’s go a bit further. You have a thought. It pops in there. Takes up residency for a bit. The more it lives there it expands and builds on. It takes another wing of your mind called the emotions. You get a feeling about this thing. Until in time, you give birth to it through words. Now these words impact you. I mean after all they are your thoughts, feelings, and intentions. Which BTW for those that did not know. From a Magickal standpoint this is basic spe...

You are not just a drop in the ocean, you are the mighty ocean in a single drop – Rumi You are a big deal. I know some days it may not feel like it. But trust me, you are not just a big deal, you are HUGE. Full of all the potential and opportunities ever thought. I read a quote this morning (wish I could remember who said it) that said “God only made two things, The Universe and man, Man (humanity) is the universe in miniature. I think we sometimes forget that I know I do. I sometimes get caught up in “day to day struggles” that I tend to forget that I am a finite being placed in an infinite creation. But, wait a minute. Are we really finite? Are we really limited to a fixed place. Do we really have set limitations?  Only what you place on yourself. Sometimes it is hard to look past “earthly boundaries” and what our eyes can see. We miss the potential and the possibilities of what we are capable of. Sure, we may need guidance. Yes, we may need “Good and timely counsel”....

  Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart." – Marcus Aurelius   Wow, Thanks Marcus. I really needed that one today. Accept the things to which fate binds us.   So, you mean I don’t get to lay on the floor and throw a temper tantrum? Well fine, thanks a lot.   I mean you could but man you’d look kind of silly. So, as I read and re-read this thought a few times this morning. Honestly, I have seen it multiple times in my life. But, as I stopped to really think about it. Why do we think fate is always bad? Are we so geared up for the negative that we miss the beauty that comes out if the process? Fate is not always bad. Sometimes the process is a bit unpleasant. Sometimes and let's be honest the journey just sucks. But in the end it is making a different you that before. I wrote once about teacups in Japan that were cracked and broken. An artist would take them and fill the c...