A Past Master's Thoughts

I can see the lights in the distance trembling in the dark cloak of night. Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing a waltz on all souls night. And for those that celebrate today has several names. Halloween, Hallows, All Souls Night, All Hallows Eve, Samhain, The Celtic New Year. With in the Astrological Calendar, it marks another click of the “Wheel of the Year”. Now while we celebrate this Holiday on a fixed point for ease It is really 15 Degree Scorpio which falls sometime in early November. Looking at a friend’s Facebook page who happens to track and post. This will occur on November 6. What does this Holiday have to do with Masonry? Well, it is not directly celebrated as a Masonic Holiday. If fact Masonry only has two holidays that hold special meaning. The Fests of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Both celebrated at or around the Solstices. Holding place for the light and dark. I find this very interesting, as All Souls Night or as I refer to it Hallow...

Tomorrow is Hallows. Our days are continuing to get shorter and nights longer. But there is still light. Within darkness, we see shadows. Shadows of ourselves and the world around us. But have faith, it takes that divine spark to create that shadow. So, you are not alone. This is a time of testing. For there is nothing in the dark that is not there in the light. We just have to face it and use what we have learned I love you, and may we govern ourselves accordingly  

  So last night on the way home from Saint Louis I had a really good conversation. We talked about divisions and how small the world really is. The Earth is at its circumference is about 24,901 miles. Yet with modern technology those miles are reduced to seconds of time. How you can travel the world in a day from one point to another. But send a message in a matter of seconds. In fact, I can have a conversation with someone on the other side of the Glode in real time. How the Universe or our view of Deity is one great “all that is” broken down to different aspects and views depending on culture and points of view. How that is the most blessed and beneficial understanding of who we are. We spend so much time trying to divide ourselves. Based on race, religion, politics, and any other thing we can use. Why? Power and control is the only thing I can come up with. But, this is a very dangerous thing. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. How does this apply to Masonry? The answer...

Yesterday I wrote about a page where I saw some very questionable content. Well, in my opinion. It was asking about allowing membership in our Fraternity based on a medical condition. Masonry has a lot of beautiful things attributed to it. Our Landmarks, Rituals, Lessons, etc. But one of the things I find the most beautiful is our diversity. Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight. Let me say before I continue, and I have said it before. I do not believe in “White”. Caucasian, yes. White, No.  I used to work as an orderly at a medical facility. I have seen “white people” they were on a gurney covered with a cloth.  We are all different shades of brown. I believe in the Grand Artificer, the true Master Craftsman that with time, love, and patience put all of this together.  Are we perfect? Oh, far from it. He made us of different races, political ideals, even spiritualities.  I wonder why he did that? Maybe, we could have the opportunity t...

The month of October is close to halfway through. Hallows is rapidly approaching and I have a lot on my mind. I know that’s nothing new. But hopefully I will not write a novel. Oh, Hallows that final harvest festival of the year. The Celtic Festival of the Dead, Samhain. Which translates in to “Summers End.” The time to butcher that fatted livestock and make sure you are fully prepared for the long cold winter. Memento mori, for remember you too shall die. None of us can escape that fate. In the story of the Decent of the Goddess there is a conversation where Death is asked “ Why do you cause all things that I love and take delight in, to fade and die?” and his reply “My Lady,” replied Death, “it is age and fate, against which you speak. I am helpless, for age causes all things to wither; but when men die at the end of time, I give them rest and peace, and strength.” While we are celebrating the end of our physical labors there is still internal work to be done. The days are shorter (u...

Today I went to a 3rd degree practice. We will be raising a Brother to a Master Mason on the 18th. Once a year, we hold this event in a mausoleum. This space was designed to be a Lodge room and is honestly incredibly special considering the work being done. While I was there, I really thought about the gravity of the work. Also, the work of the Chaplain. The 3rd degree is very spiritual in nature. Which really got me thinking. While Masonry is not a religious entity, it is spiritual. If Masonry is about bringing Light into a darkened world, and I believe it is. Has your Chaplain reached out to or looked at your local Inter Faith Council? Not to put one faith over another, but to understand any that may cross your path. How can we as Masons hope to share a Light to the world...with the "Brotherhood of Man, Under the Fatherhood of God" without knowing how our community may relate to that Divine Spirit in Unity? Let me say quickly that listening to someone else's vie...

Today, in a group I’m a member of involving Hermetics, they shared something written by Gerald Gardner. It was the “Law of the Wica.” While for the most part, I agree with this ideology. I’d like to expound on point number 2. Mostly known as the law of Karma. He said what you send out returns to you times three. First off, Karma is really the law of cause and effect. If you do A, then expect B. It just is what it is, and there is no getting around it. But we are all made up of three aspects. Body, mind, and spirit. So, if this is true. What you do..no..what you think. Because everything is a thought from. Touches you RIGHT NOW. Every thought or idea leads to a physical action. Thus, creating your reality. Guarding the West Gate is not just for your temple and Lodge. It’s for you, too. To keep clean and pure your personal “Holy of holies” I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly.  

Last night I visited Temple Builders Lodge here in Kansas. In my area, it is the second Traditional Observance Lodge in my Jurisdiction. It was good to sit down and share with those Brothers as well.  I thank them for their hospitality. I had a thought all typed up and ready to go yesterday. Politics, being a very hot-button issue as of late, had a very political slant. Also, given the nature of my thoughts, I was about ready to send it to the Brother I had been discussing “middle ground” with, as I also told him I did not ever want to place a blemish on our Craft. I wanted to make sure my thought would not do that. But at the meeting last night, a man I greatly admire and respect gave Masonic Education. He talked about how we should be well, read Brothers, and discuss different Masonic topics. How we should read different pieces of Masonic literature to get a better understanding of our Craft. Then he pulled out a book and said it was really the only one we really needed. ...