Masonic Traveler

Masonic Temple at night

2011-03-04T09:19:00.001-08:00

Masonic Temple 02 a photo by JaegerHund3 on Flickr.

Beautiful image of the George Washington memorial at night.

Masonic Temple Alexandria VA

2011-03-04T09:11:00.001-08:00

Masonic Temple Alexandria VA a photo by fredneck2010 on Flickr.

Beautiful shot of the building.

Masonic aprons

2011-03-04T09:10:00.001-08:00

Masonic aprons a photo by Golden Striker on Flickr.

Old Masonic Sign

2011-03-04T09:05:00.001-08:00

Old Masonic Sign a photo by M.V. Jantzen on Flickr.

I love old photography, and I love old signs. Found this one on a walk through Flickr.

Solve et Coagula

2010-11-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

Was I wrong?

Its been a while since I darkened the door here. I had moved to another place and was applying myself to the Great Work in the thought that it was a right and proper direction, and I think for a time it was, but somethings changed.

I know somethings changed because I can taste it, I can feel it, I can smell it. What has me most askance is that its not the external that has changed but the internal, its something inside of me that's changed. So often I confuse the operation of personal transformation as a process of an external one, an alchemy of sorts.

Masonry is rife with alchemical double meanings that suggest, to me, that one is like the other that its almost impossible to separate the two at times. the first degree becomes the second, and then the third, and so on.

So, the only way I can describe the change I'm sensing is to use alchemical terminology in saying "solve et coagula" which is from the latin and translates into "separate and join together" or "dissolve and coagulate", which has been a very troubling feeling.

So, I ask myself "what has been dissolving, and what's been coagulating?" And "why is this process happening in the first place?"

In many ways, my own expectation of things has not been met, that rather than the system meeting the needs of its participants, its been the supports and external components that have instead taught me the most. Maybe that's the way its supposed to be.

The reality is probably somewhere in the middle, that the lodge has been the catalyst for so much of the external components that without it its doubtful that I would have experienced or even been aware of the other influences. Its those influences that I find myself most drawn to these days, the coagulation of ideas from the distillation of the original source.

But like the burning material in the alchemists crucible, heated to the point that its original matter is only molecules away from becoming a new substance, I see the ash of the phoenix just before it rises from below the fire. This needs an expression, the idea needs to be released from its former state into something new. And I'm thinking that's where things are going.

My thoughts: Masonry is a finite expression of something much more vast, something of greater breath, that is only toyed with at its most superficial expression. It is like the medium for paint, something to thicken and extend the original pigment and suitable for use in all colors but at the same time not a substitute for it.

So the plan is to return to the travels and see were this thing takes me.

Solve et coagula!

What is Freemasonry?

2009-09-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

What is Freemasonry

Masonic News

2009-06-03T09:49:00.001-07:00

An update of Masonry in the news

Chain restaurant eyes site on Masonic Drive
Alexandria Town Talk - Alexandria,LA,USA
By RT Morgan • rtmorgan@thetowntalk.com • June 3, 2009 Buffalo Wild Wings is eyeing the former location of the Cavalier Motel on Masonic Drive in Alexandria ...
See all stories on this topic

Lewisville Masons present award to longtime mayor
Star Community Newspapers - Plano,TX,USA
BY DAN EAKIN, Staff Writer The Lewisville Masonic Lodge honored longtime Lewisville Mayor Gene Carey with the Community Builder Award in a ceremony Saturday ...
See all stories on this topic

Tremont Grand restroom is judged to be among 10 best in US
Baltimore Sun - United States
It had once been the exclusive domain of gentleman when the building was home to the Maryland Masonic Temple. Callers can tend to their usual ablutions in ...
See all stories on this topic

Bartlesville Area Amateur Baseball 14-U League Reports
Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise - Bartlesville,OK,USA
Meanwhile on the other field, Mobile Magic (Dewey) wrapped up 14-8 triumph, although the Masonic Lodge Warriors kept clawing back. ...
See all stories on this topic

Area Happenings
ENC Today - Jacksonville,NC,USA
SEMPER FIDELIS MASONIC Lodge No. 680, AF& AM will hold an Emergent Communication at 7:30 pm June 3 for work and instruction in the 1st Degree. ...
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Gordon W. Bunn
Mirror - Royal Oak,MI,USA
He was still an active member of the Masonic Lodge #319 of South Lyon, where he was a member for over 60 years and Secretary for 25. ...
See all stories on this topic

New DNA test may improve cancer screening
Minnesota Public Radio - Saint Paul,MN,USA
Dr. Selwyn Vickers, Associate Director of the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, says these findings are hopeful for pancreatic cancer, ...
See all stories on this topic

Tech Terror Trial Underway
News/Talk 750 WSB - Atlanta,USA
Ahmed and another Tech student videotaped the US Capitol, the World Bank building in Washington, a Masonic temple and a fuel depot. In court on Monday, ...
See all stories on this topic

CCHS to honor sculptor Meyer
Boonville Daily News - MO, USA
There will be a demonstration by sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer on Sunday, June 21 at 2 pm at the Masonic Hall in Boonville. Meyer has done numerous sculptures ...
See all stories on this topic

Google Blogs Alert for: "masonic"

Freemasonry: Reality, Myth, and Legend: Part 4: The Masonic Notion ...
By Mark Koltko-Rivera
Topics primarily of interest to Freemasons: Implications and meditations concerning events and trends in the Masonic world. Masonic education, ethics, and philosophy. Freemasonry in the media and popular entertainment. ...
Freemasonry: Reality, Myth, and Legend - http://themasonicblog.blogspot.com/

Corsicana Daily Sun, Corsicana, Texas - Local Beat
118, Order of Eastern Star, will hold its 99th installation of officers at 2 p.m. at the Corsicana Masonic Lodge, 201 N. 15th St. Joyce Hagens is worthy matron-elect and Joe White is worthy patron-elect. The ceremony will be open to the ...
Corsicana Daily Sun, Corsicana,... - http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/

Irving Masonic Lodge #1218: Take Time to Read program in the news
By Irving Lodge No. 1218 AF & AM
Out of that group, the school staff selected one student to receive a bicycle provided by the Irving Masonic Lodge #1218. The winner for the 2008-'09 school year was Jorge Cacique pictured above with his bicycle and Carl Jones the ...
Irving Masonic Lodge #1218 - http://www.irving1218.org/

loz and dinny: Every coat has a silver lining
By Loz and Dinny
10-3pm. Pilgrim Hall, Paterson Street (Across from Myer Carpark) Launceston TAS the market - Hobart Sun 2 Aug. 10- 3pm. Masonic Temple 3 Sandy Bay Rd, Hobart the market - Hobart Sun 4 October Masonic Temple 3 Sandy Bay Rd, Hobart ...
loz and dinny - http://lozanddinny.blogspot.com/

Green Travel Made Simple For Any Trip | Mount Nebo Masonic Lodge
By Alloy
Green travel sounds like a very complicated way to do a vacation but the truth is it is not. Green travel does not mean going to the extreme and covering every.
Mount Nebo Masonic Lodge - http://mountnebo229.org/

Missed an episode of Masonic Central? Catch up on our new site and listen to past program!

They can’t join…if we don’t ask!!!

2009-05-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

I just ran across the title of this piece on a prominent website promoting the fraternity of Freemasonry.

I suppose its true, men can't join the fraternity, unless we ask...

But, since when do we ask people to join?

Oh, wait, Craft Lodge Freemasonry doesn't ask, but the Shrine....

...they ask people to join.

Read this Official Message all the way to the bottom, but if you don't have the time to read all the way down, what it says is:

The growth in Europe and beyond is so very positive for the fraternity… and our new golf event is so good, not only for promoting the fraternity, but allowing a window… for the world to look in and see our hospitals. I wish I could share with you the number of people who came up to Patricia and I, and all of the shriners who were volunteering and telling all of us… “Thank You for all you do”. Then they would proceed to tell personal stories of friends or family members who we have helped.

This is what we do…this is who we are, and the world is seeing it, too.

This has been an exciting and wonderful fall for our fraternity and the hospitals. I look forward with excitement and anticipation to the future for both the fraternity and the hospitals. It is a great time to be in the shrine or to have a friend join. Our future looks bright on so many fronts. I invite you, to invite others to be a part of this adventure, we are indeed having fun with a noble purpose, so let’s be sure and spread the word.

They can’t join…if we don’t ask!!!

The Emperor's New Clothes

2009-05-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

by Hans Christian Anderson

This parable came to mind after reading the recent story on the Royal Order of Jesters.

The comparison is between the actions of these brothers and their affiliation with the Shrine. how long can we go on saying how wonderful the Emperor's new cloths really are when in reality they do not exist?

Once upon a time there lived a vain Emperor whose only worry in life was to dress in elegant clothes. He changed clothes almost every hour and loved to show them off to his people.

Word of the Emperor's refined habits spread over his kingdom and beyond. Two scoundrels who had heard of the Emperor's vanity decided to take advantage of it. They introduced themselves at the gates of the palace with a scheme in mind.

"We are two very good tailors and after many years of research we have invented an extraordinary method to weave a cloth so light and fine that it looks invisible. As a matter of fact it is invisible to anyone who is too stupid and incompetent to appreciate its quality."

The chief of the guards heard the scoundrel's strange story and sent for the court chamberlain. The chamberlain notified the prime minister, who ran to the Emperor and disclosed the incredible news. The Emperor's curiosity got the better of him and he decided to see the two scoundrels.

"Besides being invisible, your Highness, this cloth will be woven in colors and patterns created especially for you." The emperor gave the two men a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promise to begin working on the fabric immediately.

"Just tell us what you need to get started and we'll give it to you." The two scoundrels asked for a loom, silk, gold thread and then pretended to begin working. The Emperor thought he had spent his money quite well: in addition to getting a new extraordinary suit, he would discover which of his subjects were ignorant and incompetent. A few days later, he called the old and wise prime minister, who was considered by everyone as a man with common sense.

"Go and see how the work is proceeding," the Emperor told him, "and come back to let me know."

The prime minister was welcomed by the two scoundrels.

"We're almost finished, but we need a lot more gold thread. Here, Excellency! Admire the colors, feel the softness!" The old man bent over the loom and tried to see the fabric that was not there. He felt cold sweat on his forehead.

"I can't see anything," he thought. "If I see nothing, that means I'm stupid! Or, worse, incompetent!" If the prime minister admitted that he didn't see anything, he would be discharged from his office.

"What a marvelous fabric, he said then. "I'll certainly tell the Emperor." The two scoundrels rubbed their hands gleefully. They had almost made it. More thread was requested to finish the work.

Finally, the Emperor received the announcement that the two tailors had come to take all the measurements needed to sew his new suit.

"Come in," the Emperor ordered. Even as they bowed, the two scoundrels pretended to be holding large roll of fabric.

"Here it is your Highness, the result of our labour," the scoundrels said. "We have worked night and day but, at last, the most beautiful fabric in the world is ready for you. Look at the colors and feel how fine it is." Of course the Emperor did not see any colors and could not feel any cloth between his fingers. He panicked and felt like fainting. But luckily the throne was right behind him and he sat down. But when he realized that no one could know that he did not see the fabric, he felt better. Nobody could find out he was stupid and incompetent. And the Emperor didn't know that everybody else around him thought and did the very same thing.

The farce continued as the two scoundrels had foreseen it. Once they had taken the measurements, the two began cutting the air with scissors while sewing with their needles an invisible cloth.

"Your Highness, you'll have to take off your clothes to try on your new ones." The two scoundrels draped the new clothes on him and then held up a mirror. The Emperor was embarrassed but since none of his bystanders were, he felt relieved.

"Yes, this is a beautiful suit and it looks very good on me," the Emperor said trying to look comfortable. "You've done a fine job."

"Your Majesty," the prime minister said, "we have a request for you. The people have found out about this extraordinary fabric and they are anxious to see you in your new suit." The Emperor was doubtful showing himself naked to the people, but then he abandoned his fears. After all, no one would know about it except the ignorant and the incompetent.

"All right," he said. "I will grant the people this privilege." He summoned his carriage and the ceremonial parade was formed. A group of dignitaries walked at the very front of the procession and anxiously scrutinized the faces of the people in the street. All the people had gathered in the main square, pushing and shoving to get a better look. An applause welcomed the regal procession. Everyone wanted to know how stupid or incompetent his or her neighbor was but, as the Emperor passed, a strange murmur rose from the crowd.

Everyone said, loud enough for the others to hear: "Look at the Emperor's new clothes. They're beautiful!"

"What a marvellous train!"

"And the colors! The colors of that beautiful fabric! I have never seen anything like it in my life!" They all tried to conceal their disappointment at not being able to see the clothes, and since nobody was willing to admit his own stupidity and incompetence, they all behaved as the two scoundrels had predicted.

A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the carriage.

"The Emperor is naked," he said.

"Fool!" his father reprimanded, running after him. "Don't talk nonsense!" He grabbed his child and took him away. But the boy's remark, which had been heard by the bystanders, was repeated over and over again until everyone cried:

"The boy is right! The Emperor is naked! It's true!"

The Emperor realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He though it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see his clothes was either stupid or incompetent. And he stood stiffly on his carriage, while behind him a page held his imaginary mantle.

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What if...

2009-05-01T23:40:00.000-07:00

What if...

What if this blog came back to life?

What if, it looked into more than Freemasonry?

What if, from the order out of chaos, chaos really didn't go anywhere.

I think I may start posting here again...

Watch this space.

Freemasonry | Freemason | Masonic

Ordo ab Chao – The end of the beginning

2009-02-28T02:14:00.000-08:00

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:3-4

This is the last post on this blog.

It’s not because of any problems, or edicts dictating its existence, nothing so nefarious.

Simply, it is the formation of order out of chaos.

When I started this blog nearly 5 years ago I began it as an adjunct of another site that I started at about the same time, FreemasonInformation.com. Like an appendant body, this blog served as my personal voice in a sea of anti-Masonic websites. Sure the Grand lodges had sites, and there were several excellent sites up including Paul Bessel’s, Gary L. Dryfoo’s, and Ed Kings’s MasonicInfo.com, as well as others. In fact, MasonicInfo.com was one of my early inspirations to create FreemasonInformation.com in the first place, where MI was a clearing house of all things Masonic, I envisioned a site to reach the general public, a digital “first step” in a Masonic Exploration.

So, the two sites existed side by side, FmI and Masonic Traveler. Then, late last year in 2008, with a new friend and brother Dean Kennedy, we launched Masonic Central, and it became another vehicle to explore and share Masonry with others both Mason and non. It was a monumental undertaking with a lot of time, energy, and effort, but all for the purpose of broadening the reach of Masonry.

Since the launch of MasonicCentral.com, I’ve had a chance to interact and explore what Masonry means to me and to a wide range of people, from Masons of many years, new Masons, Prince hall Masons, Co-Masons, and Feminine Masons, and other groups at the edges of the Masonic continuum. It has been a fantastic experience of growth, new knowledge, and of being a Mason. But, like all good things, it has come time to bring order from chaos and refocus the lens by which all of this light is filtered. Its time to bring them all home.

That journey home means it has come time to end this chapter and this blog. But as the aphorism goes, the journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step, this is the second step in that trip. With the closure of this chapter, we open a new one and from the chaos reemerge as a part of a new whole. The window that closes here is instead becoming a door of opportunity on FreemaonInformation.com.

Starting in the month of March, 2009, Masonic Traveler will become one of several contributors to the NEW FreemasonInformation.com website.

Joining me in this journey is my good friend and brother Dean and Masonic Central, my other very close friend Br. Fred Milliken of the Bee Hive. Also joining us are Br. Stephen Dafoe of Masonic Magazine, Br. Michael Halleran of Aude Vide Tace, as well as new comer Terence Satchell, in his column “The Banks of the Euphrates”. Additionally there will be regular guest contributors and authors to bring you a steady supply of Masonic thought, wisdom, opinion, and flavor. Our goal is to bring more light to you, your lodge, and your Masonic experience.

It’s a tall order but one that will without a doubt be a fun and exciting adventure.

If you’ve bookmarked this site, or subscribed to its feed in the past, I encourage you to move over to FmI, to the new order from the chaos. I know you will be glad you did.

See you on the other side.

Image: M.C. Escher - Order and Chaos, Lithograph, 1950

Freemason Information

Change

2009-02-25T13:28:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, it’s necessary for a change.

You paint the walls, get new carpet, or even buy a new car all because you just need to see or do something differently. At its worst it means a divorce or separation because things are not working out.

None of those are the case here. No, this is a different kind of change. I don’t want to give anything away just yet as the chrysalis is just starting to open and I’d hate to telescope anything early, but I wanted to let everyone who reads this space that there is a dramatic change on the horizon which will significantly alter the manner in which this blog operates.

In fact, it’s a huge change.

So, watch this space and check back in a few days for the big announcement. And, if your real crafty, you may stumble onto whats going on...

But I think you’ll like what’s going to happen.

I am Lucifer...

2009-02-23T10:53:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to know what the sinister Satan sounds like? Apparently, he put out an album with Pentecostal preacher A.A. Allen.

Of the Album:
"An actual recording of a demon spirit that possesses a woman and speaks from within her, using her voice declaring 'I Am Lucifer.'" According to the original liner notes, this is a recording of a possessed woman who was brought to the A.A. Allen Ministries. The demon speaking through her declared himself to be Lucifer and revealed the devil's plans to destroy God's people. Regardless of whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this recording will scare the bejesus out of you.

But, if your not interested in the recording, you can see the album cover in the flesh in a new art show coming to the Los Angeles area that will exhibit religious album covers from the 50's, 60's, and 70's.

The full story (and album cover) comes from today's L.A. Times, which takes the reader on an interesting trip down memory lane through the wild range of short run record albums that sprang into existence in the era of American Post cold war conservatism.

Give the article a read, its an interesting one and I'll pay a visit to the art show, "Within Heaven's Earshot", when it opens March 13th at the Synchronicity Space gallery in Los Angeles to report back on what other vinyl sleeve oddities have been saved from the past.

Freemason Information | Masonic MySpace

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Lucifer | album | Los Angeles

Congratulations to brother Fred Milliken

2009-02-21T20:55:00.000-08:00

A warm and fraternal congratulations to our brother, and my friend, Fred Milliken on his acceptance of the position of Executive Director with Phoenix Masonry.

My public reply to brother Fred:

I wish you much luck, and my warmest congratulations. This resource has been an inspiration to me for many years and a fantastic resource to the craft.

Further, if the need should arise, I offer may hand in assistance in this endeavor in any way they may ask.

Onward and upward.

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What is the perception and what is the reality?

2009-02-21T07:58:00.001-08:00

This is an article I stumbled onto this morning that comes out of Florida. Its a short piece, but an interesting one as it is about the past reality and present perception of the modern nature of Freemasonry.

Essentially, is Freemasonry a racist institution. Those on the inside, in most place, can readily and easily say no its not, but from the outside can they quite make the same connections?

Give the article a read and you be the judge, is it a biased piece, or a an innocent observation?

Despite segregation, lodges linked race.

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Brick Testament

2009-02-11T00:21:00.000-08:00

Its been a while, so lets catch up with the Brick Testament.

What makes this trip interesting is that now, we can follow along the story of Solomon and the construction of the temple.

Two Prostitutes, One Baby

The Wisdom of Solomon

The Temple of Yahweh

Ark Brought Into Temple

Check out the work on the interior of the temple...

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Philosophy in Suburbia.

2009-02-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles has a rich history. Sure its not quite the metropolis of New York, London, or any of the other juggernauts of urban development, and is the result of decades of suburban sprawl that has created a landscape of single family homes from Santa Barbara to San Diego, but it still has the drive to become a nexus of new ideas and promise that big cities often promise.

Its from that slowly waking giant that Manly P. Hall saw promise in and established the Philosophical Research Center in 1934. The center was the culmination of his life's work to that point in the exploration of the metaphysical/esoteric/occult philosophy that had to that point little codification into one mystery tradition of philosophy. But Hall didn't roll it into another tradition, instead he went the other way, he wrapped it all into his own philosophical research and made it available to the world through PRS.

Hall's most notable body of work is his book The Secret Teachings of All Ages which is his Magnum Opus of compiling all of the mystery traditions into one body of work. Originally written in 1928, it has since been published and republished for later generations and is one of the best books I can point to as a primer for the traditions of Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and the host of mystery schools that populate the landscape today. The work is not without its questionable chapters, but it gives as broad an overview as possible to as many traditions as possible.

But at the core of the secret teachings was Hall's research. Besides his own travels around the world to explore the topics, he also collected a massive assortment of wisdom books on all topics from the then opening eastern traditions to the physiological explorations of the time. And, to this day, it has in its collection over 30,000 books. Though hall had little formal education, his analysis and contribution to the field is astounding, and within just a few steps into the library it is easy to sense his energy that still resonates in its walls.

Hall's library, and the Society he founded, are still in existence today. As Los Angeles has grown, so too has the Society and it continues to serve and teach those who find their way to its doors. Within certain circles, the library is well known, but to the broader Masonic community, few know of the oasis of knowledge that continues here in the Los Angeles suburbs.

Tonight on Masonic Central, we have the opportunity to talk to the caretaker of the library today, and provide a glimpse of its content and plan for the future to continue the vision of Hall and of the Society. I'm excited about it and am looking forward to the chance to spend some time talking about the collection, Hall's legacy, and the future for PRS. You can listen live by logging in to our talkshoe host at 6pm PST / 9pm EST or from the Masonic Central website. Or, if you can't make the live show, be sure to pull it as a download and catch up on what this important Society is up to.

I know it will be a great program.

Do you hear the whispering behind your back?

2009-02-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of Anti-Masonic sites out there. Some brothers have even coined the phrase Masonicphobes, but I don't think that quite encapsulates the the idea of groups openly against the fraternity and more specifically like to point it out as being heretical to their way of thinking.

Its not a new trend, given our national past with the Anti-Masonic Party, whose rhetoric was based on hysteria started at the disappearance of William Morgan. But it went beyond Morgan, and the ideas of Anti-Masonry seeped into the evangelizing tent revivals, where it still exists today.

The long and the short of it is that these "Anti-Masons" say some pretty nasty stuff, and have compared the lodge to the demon "Legion"

I'm OK with it, I've come to my own terms as a Mason to embrace other faiths and to believe more in the ecumenical spirit that Masonry teaches and be open about my ideas that faith is faith no matter how you write it up in a volume of sacred law.

God is God, and each of us have our path to HIS door.

But, for those who follow a particular faith path some have found it necessary to delineate quite vocally why the fraternity is a bad thing. And, from the few searches through Google you can easily see what I mean. But today I stumbled upon one such site that took it one step further and made a grid to do the dog and pony comparison, and from the looks of it, they went into some detail.

A Comparison Chart -- Freemasonry and Christianity

I won't go into the usual refuting rant that I often do - been there done that. But it does strike me to say that being a Freemason does necessitate a degree of openness contrary to the ideas of the proselytizing churches that abound. That's not to say that one does not hold onto their own faith as a Freemason, but that we do find value in the faith of others. Does that diminish the fraternity in the eyes of some? I can only conclude that it would, which is a shame.

Isn't that a bit like the pot calling the kettle black?

What would make a perfect Masonic website?

2009-02-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

With nearly 500 posts to this blog, its without a doubt that the question above is one that I think about often. With the dearth of social networks, personal weblogs, lodge sites, and Grand lodge sites (not to mention the body of related sites) there is a great potential to communicate the meaning of Freemasonry.

But is that the point of what a website should do?

What then should a Masonic website do? Obviously, the easy answers are that they communicate a time and place of a meeting or function both on a local level and at a state level, and that they should have a degree of education made available for those who want to seek more light on line.

This topic was something that came up recently by one of the newer posters on the blogosphere, the Palmetto Bug, who made a very good point about the separation between web interaction to personal interaction. Is there a way to overcome this wall of personal/impersonal relationships?

Should all of this be a consideration to a Masonic website, or is it still regulated to an informational hub on what goes on at a local level? Is there a happy medium?

With the above in mind I ask you, the readers of this blog, what should a Masonic site look like? If this were a perfect world and you could construct a site, what would you want to see in it?

Let me know in the comment section below. I really want to know and would appreciate your input.

Bits and pieces of Freemasonry in the news today

2009-02-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

It would seem quite a buzz in Jakarta about the Fraternity today.

News Alert on Freemasonry

Masons help out needy foster family
Upper Yarra Mail - Pakenham,Victoria,Australia
By Kath Gannaway YARRA Glen CFA volunteers and a Yarra Ranges foster family have found a friend in common in the Yarra Glen Freemasons lodge. ...
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Hard-line clerics demand ban on Rotary, Lions clubs
Jakarta Post - Jakarta,Indonesia
"The Rotary and Lions clubs are not social organizations but are part of the Freemasonry and Zionist movements, which could endanger us," he said to Antara. ...
See all stories on this topic

A Tour through Cairo Museum....w/ Ashra Kwesi
AllHipHop - USA
H. Rap I was watchig Ashra Kwesi a couple years ago on the origins of freemasonry. ANd I only found Part 2. Do you konw where I could find part 1 and if ...
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Radical Group: Lions, Rotarians Are 'Infidels'
Jakarta Globe - Jakarta,Indonesia
Freemasonry was introduced in Indonesia during the Dutch colonial period, but was banned by founding President Sukarno for its ties with the Dutch and ...
See all stories on this topic

Blogs today on Freemasonry

Indonesian Islamic group calls Lions and Rotary Clubs infidels ...
An ultra-conservative Islamic group called on Indonesian Muslims Sunday to quit two US-founded international business and social clubs, claiming they were linked to the Zionist and the Freemasonry movements and secretly supported Israel ...
Aftermath News - http://aftermathnews.wordpress.com/

QSRX: Installation and 130th Anniversary meeting
Manly P. Hall: The Lost Keys of Freemasonry (Also Includes: Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians / Masonic Orders of Fraternity) · Christopher Knight: Solomon's Power Brokers: The Secrets of Freemasonry, the Church, and the Illuminati ...
QSRX - http://cop.typepad.com/qsrx/

Virtual Lodge: A visitors tour of the Masonic Temple
By Andy Latham
But in truth the origins of Freemasonry are quite clouded in the vaults of history. In the past stone masons guilds were formed so that only the most skilled workers could work on a construction project. Illiteracy was common and ...
Virtual Lodge - http://virtuallodge.blogspot.com/

J. W. Stansell and FreeMasonry internet radio show 2/1/2009 | Last ...
Listen to livinginthelastdayss February 1 internet radio show about JW Stansell and FreeMasonry Dr. JW Stansell speaks on FreeMasonryWitchcraft Connection. BlogTalkRadio is the leading social radio network with thousands of shows from ...
James & Marty Banfield | BlogTalkRadi... - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lastdays

My stamps and covers: Freemasonry cover
By Thomas
Freemasonry cover. Geplaatst door Thomas op 20:41. Labels: Austria. 0 reacties:. Een reactie plaatsen · Ouder bericht Startpagina. Abonneren op: Reacties plaatsen (Atom). About me. Thomas: Hello everybody! ...
My stamps and covers - http://veedeesstamps.blogspot.com/

Have you ever wanted to ask Moses a question?

2009-02-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

I picked this this up from a short article in the Los Angeles Times today.

In this day and age, it may not be an easy feat to ask a Rabbi a question on topics of Judaica. But this very interesting resource is a great tool to opening the lines of communication and understanding of the tradition and how it interacts with questions from an often secular non Judaic society.

The site is simply askmoses.com

What the site offers to the visitor is the chance to ask a question directly to a Rabbi on line, in real time, and essentially engage in a communication with them on the topic of your question. I had a brief but very interesting conversation on the Kabbalah and he pointed me to a fantastic site to read up on it from a non-Jewish perspective.

If you follow the link, let me know what your experience was like.

Dan Brown and Solomon's Key spolier

2009-01-30T11:00:00.000-08:00

Every Mason alive and yet to be born, knows that the next book by Dan Brown (the author of the blockbuster best seller of The Da Vinci Code) is coming to bookstores soon. Some of the ground swell seems to be suggesting its coming this summer...

Well, don't ask me how, but I stumbled on to a sneak preview of the upcoming book. Give it a minute to load.

>>spoiler alert<<

I give you, Solomon's Key.

I apologize in advance.

Two publications Every Mason should pick up!

2009-01-30T03:09:00.000-08:00

Two new publications that I happened upon today (one that landed in my mailbox and the other that landed in my cart).

The first happens to be a Masonic publication from The Masonic Society, aptly called The Journal of the Masonic Society, issue No. 2. You may recognize the cover, I know its familiar to me. This second issue is late in coming for the Autumn edition, but worth the wait. It contains some very key contributions from across North America on topics including membership, esoterica, and a lil something in there from me. Its not often that an artist gets to write his own introduction to his work. This publication is living up to its early press and delivering a quality piece of work with a wide array of content and insight. And the artwork and layout is just stunning.

The other publication has been out for a while, but after seeing a copy in a lodge brothers hand, I knew I had to pick myself up a copy. This one comes from the US News and World Report and is a compendium of their series on Secret Societies aptly called Mysteries of History - Secret Societies. Its a pretty dense issue pushing almost 90 pages and no ads. I found my copy on the newsstand, but it was the last copy on the shelf. It goes into some detail (from the cover) on the Masons, Religious Cults, Scientology, Opus Dei, the Mafia, Skull and Bones, and more! Not exactly the cast of characters that Freemasonry likes to be associated with, but certainly a conspiracy theorists dream journal.

I'm looking forward to the chance to dig into them, but have to admit I've read through the Journal most of the way through today. Both will be good reads for anyone looking for a news or book lite experience. And, they look pretty spiffy too.

You can get The Journal of the Masonic Society Here
and You can pick up the Mysteries of History - Secret Societies Here.

Esoteric iPhone

2009-01-29T08:50:00.000-08:00

If your one of the 4 million people who have an iPhone and have an interest in the occult or the mystical, I have the app for you.

Its not bells and whistles, or sleek sexy images of model girls and hot sports cars (what good esotericist would be interested in that anyway?). What I have found is a cool tool to help learn and memorize the multitude of signs and symbols of the zodiac, alchemy, the kabbalah, and their myriad associations. Its a bit reminiscent to flash cards, so why not in your iPhone? I give you, the iNitiatorLite.

From the site it says of its product:

iNitiatorLite is dedicated to the student of esoteric and mystical topics. iNitiatorLite is intended to be a training instrument which supports the student in memorizing symbols, attributions, representations, qualities and so forth, whilst accelerating the progress of his studies. iNitiator Lite attempts to structure the complexity of esoteric and mystical base knowledge. iNitiatorLites main feature is the possibility to browse specific categories, learning further details of the items of a category. You can prove your knowledge of a certain subject in a multiple choice Quiz, which is available for each category. Of course there is a scoring list which reflects the learning progress.

The site for the application says that is is not an encyclopedia, but rather a learning tool of the esoteric.

It looks pretty cool, and just another reason why I'd love to have an iPhone...

Have you seen the zippo lighter app?

Help for the Widow's Son and everyone

2009-01-28T20:33:00.000-08:00

As community goes, nothing is as important as reaching out to those you love.

Since the reporting of the tragic murder suicide in Wilmington and the questions of there being some masonic connection, one aspect that seems to continiously rise to the top is the need to communicate and reach out to those you find fidelity with.

Be it a church group, a neighbor, a co-worker, or a lodge, community is what binds us all together.

None of us can get through this on our own, and if in a position of despiration, reach out tell someone.

The Lupio family tragedy that happened here in Los Angeles is a glaring reminder of what could happen when even the best of us lose touch with what grounds us and we lose hope.

From a masonic perspective, Hope may be all that we have left, and when we disconnect and lose touch with our networks of Hope, our connection with reality can become eclipsed take any of us down a dark path.

But for Mason and non, there is Hope for the widow's son. There are networks out there that can council, console, even help problem solve. Its just a matter of reaching out to them.

If you find yourself in just such a place, one resource is the National Suicide Hot line. Call them, talk to someone. there are answers out there.

If you are finding yourself in a financial breakdown, there is help for that too. Reach out and contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Even if you just need to vent, go to Help.com and just let your frustration out into the universe.

Even if you have a simple need that seems like a mountain at the present, ask Modest Needs.

My brother at the Widow's Son blog took it one step further and created a job e-mail group to help those in need find work.

But more specifically, If you need help, or are at wit's end, reach out and let someone know. Tell your family, tell your church, tell your friends that you are in pain and need help. Those who you trust and love care, and we want to do what we can, but we can't help if you don't tell us.

And on the other side of this, if you are a part of your community reach out to your members, to your fellow congregants, to your brothers and sisters.

If we work together, we can do our best to make sure this tragedy doesn't happen again.

NOTE>> If you have a support or help group that you think belongs in the list above, please post it below in the comment