>man's earliest instruction was by symbols.


Personally I agree with this but it has some interesting implications.

It suggests the presence of an instructor(s) who devised and/or promulgated symbols to earliest humans.

And indeed it is commonplace that native traditions tell us of hero-gods who taught humans agriculture, science, justice etc.

If we take these traditions literally, then what parallels can we make to Masonry which also descends to us as a tradition?

Did Masonry have founders who understood more than humans?

Was one of these The Widow of whom we claim to be sons (bloodline descendents)?

Are we then sons and daughters of the gods?

If so, how is it that the daughters of the gods are denied admission by the sons of the gods?

Cheers

Russell

I think what is truly unique about the Masonic system of morality is that it is incorporates tolerance of different faiths. It is a system of morality upon which men of different faiths can agree upon and pratise without detriment to their own convictions. This is the antithesis of the kind of intolerance which is exhibited by religious extremists who claim that true morality can is only taught by their particular sect. As we know, there is all too much of this king of thinking and it had been around for a long time.

Martin McGregor

Brethren,

Your messages are quite inspiring sometimes. However, what is the hidden question we ask while answering?


Cantemir Mambet

The one thing I try to do each and every day is to live to the "Masonic" way of life. It sounds great on paper, but I can tell you that it is somewhat difficult. Until my accident and subsequent surgery that has left me disabled, I worked in a variety of business settings in the midwest of the United States. When I became a Mason in 2004 it allowed me to name the way of life that I was striving for. Before that I was actually living the Masonic picture and it cost me a very high paying job with one of the largest financial institutions in the world. Because of my strong sense of morality I almost lost my home. People ask me if I regret what I did, or in this case refused to do, and I always answer that, at the end of the day, I have to look myself in the mirror. Also, one day when I stand if front of the G.A.O.T.U. I will not have the sin of costing many people their livlihood. However, I feel that many Masons perhaps may not take their obligations that seriously. Perhaps a better word for it would be that a lot of Masons believe that there is a grey area. Living and conducting myself this way also causes issues because people know that I will not play games. The effect this has is that sometimes I am the blunt of people playing games to try and further their careers. It is tough. Has anyone else had these sort of issues?


_________________
Thank You,

Darrell Hook
Secretary
Utica Lodge #337 F & AM
Watson, Indiana
32° Scottish Rite Valley of Louisville, KY
New Albany Chapter #17 Royal Arch Masons
Indiana Council #1 Cryptic Masons
Knight Templar New Albany Commandery #5

I am only an EA and this is only my second post on this forum but, I would like to discuss the three knocks the officers give and the knocking of the shoulder.

I have heared a few explanations on these two topics. As Grand Lodge sets certain boundaries for interpretation there is not much room for a difference of opinion. When reading things I am more likly to notice the scientific element about it I won't use the word factual because all scientific methods have a philisophical and or spiritual side effect or meaning. In all things science is harmonic many things can be derived from it and so all meanings in my opinion are factual, as long as they can be argued with a certain confidence against any who would oppose it. keeping this in mind I would like to read your comments on the following topics.

My first interpretation of the three knocks of the officers is that if you had a bucket of morter you would nock it a couple of times to release the air, the air is something that would affect the strength or could be concidered as distraction in ones mind perhaps. Perhaps the three nocks are to draw every ones attention or to effect a focus of some sort within the lodge.
The knocking in effect increases the streanght of the morter that will be laid down during lodge. I also think this has an effect in other ways as all viration has an effect in some way on energy/focuss. If something is left to sit it will become inert and form an equilibriam with itself take for example the mortor if left its air bubles will rise so far and then stop. To effect change for the better there needs to be a disturbance of some sort to cause everything to be placed in the right state, so there for I put to you that the officers are forcing out our air bubbles and focussing and strengthening our minds for buisness to be conducted.

My first interpretation of the knocking of the shoulder, is that you are a person entering the work place of trades men you know nothing about what they are doing and you are escorted around to visit with the officers (the managers if you will) because you don't know were to go so as not to interrupt any one elses work, but you do need to interupt the work of the officers so as to introduce youself and declare that you want a job and to be trained as an Apprentice ( its sort of like a job interview), and the H... W... would represent the lack of knoledge you had of what was happening around you, you knew so little you might as well be b.... f..... or perhaps you are forbiden until you pass the interview and become an EA but not necisarily because of the identities of the members present as I have read in some writings.

Fraternal regards
Bro Sean M


_________________
Never be scared to be different.

Sean

Pretty good attempt for an apprentice on 2 counts. First that you even considered the knocks as mysterious and secondly that you labeled the question Elements.

The knocks seem to be to:

- Awaken the sleeping brethren by noise
- To call to order the elementals in the lodge, particularly the elementals of earth in the first degree

The rhythm of the knocks is important and if done properly you may get a slight sense of the floor of the temple bulging up a little in the center in the 1st degree

Dealing with the elementals is made explicit in the Co-Masonry initiation - Adyar ritual

In other degrees the knocks and rhythms are different

In some ritual work use of incorrect knocks may result in the improper attention from non-physical beings. Crowley may have laid some traps for the unwary in this regard

CHeers

Russell

I've done a bit of searching on some Hindu stuff and I'v come up with some interesting stuff I never heard of befor but I'm gonna look into it.
Cheers
Sean M


_________________
Never be scared to be different.

G'Day Brethren,

I think that one searching to refine their understanding of 'Masonic Philosophy' should direct their attention to The Charges.

The "A peculiar system of morality......" quote has a point but if an average non-mason asked about the philosophy of Freemasonry or 'what is Freemasonry' and you gave the quote verbatim it would almost be like dodging the question.

In my highly limited experience I can see the Masonic Ethos/Philosophy reflected in The Charges.

Freemasonry means many things to many people, but if delving into Lodge Ritual for answers or inspiration on this subject I would dissect the Charges.

Perhaps a 'Mission Statement' type of Philosophical Outlining could be gleaned from there.
Just and idea.....

Br Anton
Fellowcraft

Brother Anton

The charges are indeed important but there too there is veiling.

For example the charge my lodge uses on the EA tracing board explains that one of the reasons my lodge in Australia is on holy ground is because Abraham was prepared to kill and barbecue his son on the say so of a god that he had never met before but introduced itself as the god of Abraham's fathers.

In Australia you would get locked up with the criminally insane if you tried that.

Cheers

Russell

i think that we have to relate Symbols and allegories used to the age of the scrypts and lectures.
a that time the ideas that this lectures in some cases a real freeideas were not tollerate by some powerful guys and in some cases missunderstoud by them, as a new indipendece influence dangerous to there power.
after all some life style now accepted in acient century were considered erethics or not appropiated.