A Couple Of Changes

Good stuff, I hope

I think most everyone here knows that in addition to writing about Freemasonry here on Emeth, I also write about Tarot over at The Keystone. I’ve been writing on Emeth for about five years now, and The Keystone for about four years.

But for most of that time, Emeth has been a much more consistent scope of work. I’ve always striven to write here on Emeth more days than not, while for most of The Keystone’s existence it was really hit and miss with posts far and few between.

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

But, everything changed over at The Keystone a few months ago. I encountered a lady who would find a poem she enjoyed, and would then pull a Tarot card(s) to symbolize that poem.

The whole idea fascinated me.

But, I am far from a lover of poetry.

As what she was doing continued to rattle around in my head, the idea of finding a quote, a quote of interest to me as a man and as a Mason and symbolizing that quote with the Tarot came to me.

So, I did it a few times. And I enjoyed the heck out of it. Because it got me thinking about things that I might not think about otherwise, and it forced me to look at things from differing perspectives.

A few months ago, I’m not sure when, and I’m too lazy to go back and read all of my archives, I started doing it on the regular. I started posting these quotes and Tarot pulls to symbolize them on more days than not. Keeping a schedule there much like the schedule I keep here.

I find value in doing it. And, based on feedback I’ve received, I think that other people find a good deal of value in it as well.

Beyond that, I find that it is work that I’m rather proud of. Because ultimately it is work that shares the same intent as my Masonic work. The quotes I select for it are words of great wisdom from people of the past and today. Words and thoughts that I think can be valuable to those who read them. Words that make me think, and that I imagine make my readers think as well.

If you would like to read some of those posts, they can all be found by hitting the button below:

I do find myself a bit perplexed though.

That perplexity relates to purpose, and the fulfilment of purpose.

The last three discussions here on Emeth (including the most recent Rummer & Grapes) have all been a bit more sensitive than usual. They have all related in some way to Freemasonry’s purpose, and if we are fulfilling that purpose within our Lodges, for our Initiates.

I’ve no doubt that often we do. I know that I’m a better man because of my involvement with Freemasonry, so that proves to me that Freemasonry works. That it fulfils our Masonic purpose.

But, I also know that for many men it doesn’t work. The purpose isn’t fulfilled. We can know that by simply looking at the number of men who disappear shortly after receiving their Degrees.

That certainly saddens me. But, I also know that Freemasonry will not speak to the soul of every man. Indeed nothing possibly could, for we are all very unique individuals.

We must do the very best we can to ensure that a man will be a good fit for Masonry and our Lodge before we elect to give him the Degrees. And, once we make that decision we must do the very best we can to ensure that he receives a superb Degree experience. But, even then, sometimes a man will come to us who just isn’t suited to Freemasonry. And, that’s OK. As long as we do the best for him that we possibly can.

I wonder though, my perplexity, is if I can make, am making, a more positive impact with my current work over at The Keystone than I make here on Emeth.

I’m not implying, with that wondering, that I have any plans to lesson my Masonic work, or my Masonic writing. I most certainly do not.

But I do wonder which writing is making the greater positive impact, and of course, which writing can over time make the greater positive impact.

I’ve been pondering that for some days now, but alas, ultimately it in an unanswerable question.

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The other change I’d just like to mention is a change in posts here on Emeth.

These past five years, I’ve operated Emeth on what I like to think of as the ‘Free Love Hippy’ plan.

If you would like to learn about this ‘Free Love Hippy’ method that I subject you to here on Emeth, you can do so by clicking the button below:

Under that plan, very very few posts have ever been paywalled. I prefer to keep everything open and available for everyone. It’s the entire ethos of ‘Free Love Hippy!’

But, the last three posts have been restricted to those holding a paid subscription to Emeth only.

Why?

Because they have been on more sensitive topics than usual.

I think that if we truly hope to grow and improve as men and Masons we have to engage with each other about lots of topics. Including topics that might be hard or embarrassing to discuss.

And I think that is is probably much easier to do that if whatever comments one makes aren’t out on the open web, for all and sundry to read. I think it safe to assume that anyone who pays for an Emeth subscription takes Freemasonry seriously, and that Masons are more likely to open up knowing that a post is restricted in that way.

I don’t know how often I’ll be posting about these more sensitive Masonic topics in the future, but when I do, I will continue to put them behind a paywall, so that when I invite discussion everyone can know that they are in a fairly closed and controlled online space.

If you would like to upgrade your subscription, you can do so by hitting the button below:

There you go, a couple of changes here in Cameron’s Substackistan!

If you do check out my newer work over at The Keystone, I hope that you’ll let me know how you like it!