Is Freemasonry Just Re-Born Paganism and Anti-Christian?
Kerry A. Shirts, 32°
Eagle Rock Lodge #19
Idaho Falls, Idaho
May 31, 2010
Continue reading "Is Freemasonry Just Re-Born Paganism and Hence Anti-Christian?" »
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Is Freemasonry Just Re-Born Paganism and Anti-Christian?
Kerry A. Shirts, 32°
Eagle Rock Lodge #19
Idaho Falls, Idaho
May 31, 2010
Continue reading "Is Freemasonry Just Re-Born Paganism and Hence Anti-Christian?" »
Posted at 08:15 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
I was given a book as a gift and welcome into the Scottish Rite this last week (Thursday), 2 days ago by Brother Alexander. It is written by Jim Tresner, Vested in Glory, The Aprons, Cordons, Collars, Caps, and Jewels of the Degrees of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, one of the most sumptuous and gorgeous books I have ever seen. I finished reading it today, and it is a wonderful resource! I really, REALLY liked what Brother Tresner said about symbolism in general. Symbolism is one of my favorite subjects (perhaps because I am an artist in wood working, and really love shapes).
One reason why it is a good thing to like symbols is because it "expands the brain." (p. 10 - all quotes on this page)
I like that immensely! They teach us how to think anew, as well as creatively. "When we let a symbol play on our minds, we often find ourselves surprised by a new idea or association. Symbols do a good job of stimulating our creativity." I can absolutely, without question, second that comment.
"Fuzzy logic and fuzzy thinking have become positive terms in recent years rather than negative descriptions. The best I can pin down the meaning is this: fuzzy logic or thinking is thinking which 'has enough give' in it that the starting point doesn't completely determine the outcome. Pure or hard logic is inflexible. Fuzzy logic allows for unexpected and, therefore, creative outcomes."
One of the most important points Brother Tresner gives is that "Symbols can elevate the spirit, lead us to the contemplation of eternal verities, put us in resonance with our higher selves."
And finally, "symbols are fun!" I had to laugh when I read that. I cannot possibly disagree with that in any manner. They are also practical as Brother Tresner noted Einstein, Kekule, Bell, and other inventors, scientists, etc., used symbols that literally transformed our lives, from long chain polymers, to telephones, to relativity.
This book is beautifully illustrated with Paintings by Robert White (whom I mistakenly called "Brother Woods" in my videos - oops! It is well written, very informative, profoundly insightful, and just a terrific read. It is 223 pages, has some powerfully referenced appendices, and is a seriously handy and valuable addition to my growing Masonic library. Thank you for such a gift Brother Alexander. It is one I will read again and again and again, and reference to many a times in my writings and videos.
Posted at 11:08 PM in Books | Permalink | Comments (0)
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See here for the 5 part series on the seriously interesting actual practical aspects of symbolism and sacred geometry for our use in our lives, not simply as spiritual philosophy or theosophy, but actual application for bettering our lives.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebackyardfreemason
Posted at 09:08 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
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http://www.youtube.com/user/Thebackyardfreemason
Here is my introduction to the videos on Freemasonry I will produce over the next several years. I hope they are beneficial, enjoyable, funny, and informative.
Posted at 11:15 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
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With its various symbols, rituals, swords, clothing, prayers, etc.,
is Freemasonry just simply magic or sorcery? This is a question arising from time to time, along with the accusation of Freemasonry being
Satanism in disguise. Are the oral
teachings, memorization, etc., used for casting spells? Sorcery is forbidden in
the Bible, one of the sacred books which Christian and Mormon Masons may use as
the sacred book in the lodge, exactly as a Muslim may use the Koran, and an
Indian use the Bhagavad Gita or Upanishads for their sacred book.
What one needs to understand from the Bible is the meaning
and use of sorcery if one is to see it in use within Freemasonry. A cursory
examination of the main places sorcery is mentioned in the Bible is
instructive.
Here are some ideas I found in my various lexicons and dictionaries. The sorcerer in Revelation is the masculine noun φάρμακος (pharmakos), he/she is one who practices black magical arts (Rev
Continue reading "Is Masonic Prayer and Ritual Sorcery & Magic?" »
Posted at 07:05 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Posted at 04:32 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
Freemasonry has been criticized in the past for an almost obsessive use of the term "light." Some have claimed that this "light" we proclaim is a reference to salvation instead of to knowledge or truth. "Many anti-Masons believe that the term 'light' refers to an alleged salvation available through Freemasonry. As any dictionary indicates, there are many definitions of light. The term does not always refer to Jesus Christ or Salvation. The definition is determined by the person using the term, not by the interpreter. The motto of the Baltimore Sun is 'Light for All.' Would anyone argue that the Baltimore Sun is teaching salvation in its pages? No. It uses light in the sense of knowledge or information, just as do Masons. The motto of Yale University is 'LUX' a Latin word for 'light.' The list could go on."
I find this little interesting insight in The Idaho Freemason, (Januuary, 2008): 3, 10. It is taken from the EMESSAY NOTES, Dec. 2007, original source is Dr. Gary Leazer's book Fundamentalism and Freemasonry.
Posted at 06:31 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Worshipful Grand Orator, Lon Woodbury proclaimed something I believe very much worth repeating. In his wonderful article "Three Steps to Clarity," in The Idaho Freemason, (April, 2007): 6, he noted that "the highest meaning of the term Master Mason is finding spiritual light." He used an interesting little ditty from the 1960's (for those of us who can remember those times!), "If it feels good do it!" Now what are we as Masons supposed to find in parallel with that comment? Isn't that just permission for a free for all? No. He explains it within Masonic terms that I found powerful. "This mantra from the 1960's is suggesting we should satisfy and feed our emotional desires, rather than discipline and control them. As became evident to the survivors of the 1960's, it is impossible to achieve a good life or do anything significant if we spend our energy feeding our desires and following our emotions wherever they may take us." And with all the
Posted at 05:52 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The Throne of Glory at the Creation
By Kerry A. Shirts, 32
Eagle Rock Lodge #19
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Rashi, (R Schlomoh ben Yizchak - b1040 C. E.) the medieval Jewish commentator and scholar, commented on the creation account in Genesis that what was hovering (merachephet) over the waters during the initial stages of creation was not the Spirit of God, but rather the throne of God.(1) He said Kiseh’ hakavod ‘omed ba’avir umerachef al peni hamayim beruach piv shel haqadosh baruch hu’ - “The Throne of Glory was standing in the air and hovering over the surface of the water by the breath of the mouth of the Holy One, Blessed be He.“2) This is quite a remarkable insight which I believe is elaborated on in the Zohar in interesting ways. This is one of those esoteric interpretations which is not in the scripture, but is assumed knowledge of those who are, so to speak, “in the know.” One of those underlying fun little ditties which is generally not known, yet is believed by the mystical Jews. How it changes or helps our understanding of creation is very interesting to note.
I find it interesting that he lived before the great flowering of the Zohar, yet understood this idea of the Throne of God, even from before the
beginning of the Creation. The Zohar also has much about the Throne of Glory, or Throne of God, and in fact, portrays it as the Tree of Life. In the Kabbalah, this tree has three columns (some commentators say they are the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and it is this tree which helps unite the male and female into eternal union, such as Adam and Eve were before the Fall. The interesting
Posted at 08:34 PM in Religion | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted at 05:34 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The Freemason All Seeing Eye & The Egyptian Eye of Horus: Seeing the Light
Kerry A. Shirts, 32°
Eagle Rock Lodge #19
Idaho Falls, Idaho
May 16, 2010
Continue reading "The All-Seeing Eye of Freemasonry & Egyptian Horus Eye: Seeing the Light" »
Posted at 11:38 AM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Come on in and enjoy the incredible amounts of information and brotherhood and friendship here!
http://www.freemasonry-siouxland.org/htdocs/yabbfiles/Attachments/MRN_Handout.pdf
Posted at 08:16 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Compass in Freemasonry & Philosophy
By Kerry A. Shirts MM
Eagle Rock Lodge # 19
Idaho Falls, Idaho
May 10, 2010
In the “Transactions” of the Idaho Lodge of Research No. 1965, Vol. 28/2 (Oct. 2006), an article “Compass – Set at 60 Degree Angle” by Jack L. Abrams, PM, (as originally found in the 2006 Trestle Board of Ionic Composite Lodge No. 520, in Fraternal Review of the Southern California Lodge of Research) appeared on pp. 11-12, discussing the compass and its 60 degree angle. Why is it set at 60 degrees?
Continue reading "The Compass: Freemasonry Symbolism, Mysticism & Monad" »
Posted at 09:53 PM in Freemasonry | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Brother G. W. Speth in the very first edition ever published of the "Ars Quatuor Coronatorum" (Vol. 1,1886) gave a lecture entitled "Scottish Freemasonry Before the Era of Grand Lodges," wherein he enumerated some interesting ideas about the actual meaning of the word "Freemason," and its use in history. Other brothers at the lodge were intrigued, interested, and even disagreed in some respects. Since this time, I am more than sure this has been discussed again and again, but from a strictly historical interest, some of his ideas deserve to be read. All the ideas I take from page 140.
The first time the word was used was in 1636.
Continue reading "The Meaning of the Word "Freemason": An Historic Note of Interest" »
Posted at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Heh... upon becoming a Mason for the first time, I must confess, when I learned the lodges have the patron saints "The Holy Saints John," meaning John the Baptist, and St. John the Evangelist, I was intrigued. My mind raced trying to figure out what the point of these two were. I rather liked the theme, but what was the thematic, philosophical background to acquiring these two specific saints as the Patrons of Freemasonry? And now I have run into a nifty little piece which gives me much food for thought, and a willingness to now delve into it much stronger than I have been.
Ed Halpaus says that the Saints John are introduced immediately upon acquiring the first degree of Masonry, which is true enough. I shall quote the good brother as he says it so much better than I.
"In the lecture the new Mason is told about the point within a circle, the two perpendicular parallel lines and the book of Holy Scriptures. At the time a man is made an Entered Apprentice Freemason, there are two living lines of Brethren at the altar which are representative of the two Saints John; the line on the South represents St. John the Baptist, and the one on the North represents St. John the Evangelist.
St. John the Baptist represents a new beginning just as the initiation into Freemasonry does, so it could be said that St. John the Baptist is symbolic of initiation."[1] Later in his article, he noted that "In addition to symbolizing initiation St. John the Baptist also symbolizes the awakening of our Moral Nature." (p. 52)
With St. John the Evangelist, "His constant admonition in the Epistles, to the cultivation of Brotherly Love and the mystical nature of his Apocalyptic vision, have been, perhaps, the principle reason for the veneration paid to him by the Craft."[2] "He supports the lesson that righteousness will eventually prevail over evil, and that love with triumph over hatred. Through his devotion he shows the way to persoal victory over evil, and he is rightly regarded by Masons as one of Freemasonry's Patron Saints.... St. John the Baptist represents that type of moral purity we should all strive to attain, and St. John the Evangelist represents the brotherly love and affection we should all entertain toward each other. TOgether they symbolize the belief and faith that is necessary in every Mason."[3]
A nifty symbolism that makes all kinds of sense to me. I suspect this is the nutshell of some very interesting themes I will write up on eventually as I learn more.
Endnotes
1. Ed Halpaus, "The Holy Saints John," in "Philalethes: The Journal of Masonic Research & Letters," (April 2006): 52.
2. "Ibid.," p. 53.
3. "Ibid.," p. 53.
Posted at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Just reading in the AQC again. This time in Vol. 84 (1971): 327, where they are asked what does the ceiling of your lodge consist of? The answer is a starry covered canopy of multi-hues just as the heavens are so. And how do we arrive at it? The answer is by the assistance of a ladder, Jacob's ladder specifically. THe ladder was quite similar in function to the pillars of Solomon's Temple in that it reached to the high heavens yet was grounded here o earth. Our highway to the sky so to speak. Interesting, when asked how many rungs it has, they noted it has "Many staves or rounds which point out as many moral virtues, but three principle ones, FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY."
So, as I have time, I shall research Jacob's Ladder and ascension themes. The subject is utterly immense. Far larger than any one I have yet discussed.
Posted at 03:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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בעז & יכין Jachin & Boaz: Solomon’s Pillars and Freemasonic Symbolism
By Kerry A. Shirts MM
Eagle Rock Lodge 19
Idaho Falls, Idaho
May 1, 2010
No feature of Solomon’s Temple has had more commentary than the two pillars flanking the front entrance of Solomon’s Temple. But what do they mean? I won’t discuss all facets of them in this paper, but will work with the historical and etymological meanings of the names, and some other features in the discussions of the scholarship on the Ancient Near Eastern temples. And in the legends of our Craft, I will touch on a few items of interest to Masons concerning the pillars, the symbolisms as I understand them within Masonry. As always, the interpretations, research, meanings, and understandings I present here, are strictly my own, not to be construed as “the” meaning for the pillars in Masonry. Freemasonry has no dogma, nor any book which all Masons must conform to in order to understand “correct doctrine.”[1]
Continue reading "בעז & יכין Jachin & Boaz: Solomon’s Pillars and Freemasonic Symbolism" »
Posted at 09:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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