"The first topic of the day was a panel discussion about Lodge security, but it was quite wide ranging, with ideas discussed about how we can combat some of the extreme narratives about our Craft that are floating around out there, and ways we can make common cause with similar organizations. Good actionable stuff that we can bring back to our own Lodges."
I'd love to hear more on this. Also, I'd love to hear your thoughts on BOTA, the Golden Dawn, and OTO.
It sounds like you had a most excellent time despite QR code menus. Hopefully I can make it out there for one of these some time in the near future. I'd love to visit Seattle again.
Thank you for this feedback. I'll take a little time to digest what was suggested about Lodge security, specifically around changing the narrative and building common cause, and try to condense it into a post at some point.
That is different from the physical security ideas that I've already received from an expert in the field and posted about here:
I am not a member of the BOTA, Golden Dawn, or OTO. But have read about them extensively, and have talked with Brothers who are members of all of them. For what they are worth, my thoughts, based on no experience whatsoever, and in a nutshell are:
BOTA is largely a correspondence course that teaches most of the arts generally considered under the umbrella of the Western Esoteric Tradition. It teaches these arts primarily through the medium of Tarot. There are some local groups, including at least one here in Washington I believe, if one wants to go beyond correspondence. The courses are not expensive, and seem well regarded, as does the founder. I've not heard negative things said about the BOTA, only positive. One can quickly and easily sign up online.
I'm aware that there are lots of Golden Dawn groups out there, including many that claim to somehow have 'the legitimate line of succession.' Frankly, I doubt all such claims. I don't imagine that there is one group more legitimate than another, assuming that all the teachings are equal. I think that a lot of the groups want to be like Freemasonry where one Master has created another Master, in a legitimate line, all the way back to the founding, but I don't think that can be proven by any Golden Dawn group. So that has led to plenty of fighting and splits over the course of history.
That said, I think it undeniable that the Golden Dawn teachings are superb, and there are good groups out there. One of the most well known is led by a fairly prominent Freemason. The Golden Dawn materials have been published and are widely available, I've read, and utilized them in my own Masonic practice. I believe that Golden Dawn groups large and small meet in a very wide variety of places, so shouldn't be hard to find wherever one is.
In my mind, OTO is a fascinating organization, with great lessons, despite the obvious shortcomings of the man who popularized it. It too, like the Golden Dawn has been wracked with infighting and claims of legitimacy through the years. Locally for me, it now seems well organized and reasonably well run. There are I believe successful groups in Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland. I think that I would be interested in petitioning myself, but, alas, Freemasonry keeps me plenty busy without adding another organization.
Please note though that I believe that at least one Grand Lodge has determined membership in the OTO to be in conflict with Masonic membership, and that therefore in its Jurisdiction one can not be a member of both. That isn't the case in Washington, but one would want to take a look at ones Grand Lodge code prior to seeking OTO membership.
That's I guess a quick overview of my opinion on the three groups mentioned, but again, this is based on zero involvement (other than reading and using Golden Dawn materials) and a complete lack of first hand experience.
Perhaps a Brother here on Emeth who is a member of one or more of these groups can weigh in here. I do know that each of these groups have members who are also readers of Emeth.
The whole QR code craze in restaurants was born out of covid. Fears (unfounded) that covid would be spread from physical menus prompted this move. Just as stupid as the clean/used pen buckets.
The thing is, even with the most basic up to date smart phone you can use the QR codes. You don't need to download an app, just open up your camera and point it at the QR code. It should read it automatically and pop up a link to the menu.
Now you know that I love you Brother, but this whole effort to confuse me with facts just seems mean! If you make the QR codes easy, how am I going to rail against the big city? ;-)
For me, it’s not necessarily the QR Codes – I think they’re pretty cool, and I even put a couple of them on the front door of our Lodge Building, linked to our Website and Facebook page. I don’t know how much of a difference it has made in our inquiries, but it certainly didn’t hurt.
My main beef is more general, in that the phone screen is so small (it has to be; it’s a phone, after all!) that it wasn’t really intended to be used like a Kindle or even a tablet. But the younger generations are used to scrolling to obtain even basic information, while the old codgers want all the information in front of them so they can peruse it. I like to debate this with my next door neighbor who’s 9 years younger than me and does 99% of his online tasks on his phone, while I’m the other direction.
For restaurants, if I know I’m going to eat someplace, I might ‘cheat’ and look up their menu online while I’m on the laptop, so I can get a better view of the items. Even then, there’s some scrolling, but not as much as on the phone. And I can make the print bigger on the laptop as well, while if I tried that with the phone, it’d be almost impossible to follow along with the menu!
Again, I’m not against technology, but it has to make things Easier, not more Difficult. Isn’t that the point of Technology?
I agree. If a restaurant uses QR codes, they need to format the data to fit on a smart phones screen, not just point to their reproduced dine in menus.
"For me, it’s not necessarily the QR Codes – I think they’re pretty cool, and I even put a couple of them on the front door of our Lodge Building, linked to our Website and Facebook page."
For the security thing we start with the "locked doors" part, not that it protects the parking lot.
As far as QR Code.......not for me and I will never own a cell phone anyway but I do have 10 computers at home but they are busy.......just seeing that QR code on my tv screen is goofy enough.........menu on paper with the prices and a booth or I would rather just eat at home (doors locked here too)
Be nice, and leave my little QR codes alone! I made a couple for Tenino Lodge, and I think another Lodge in our area as well.
The only caveat I have is to make sure if a Lodge makes and shows a QR code, that the internet site it links to is UP TO DATE. No point in using modern technology to send people to outdated information.
MW Brother, you are the best "salesman" for selling me on the NEED and DESIRE to attend the next conference. Every topic you reported on are of a particular interest to me. I am so sorry I missed this event. On the flip side of the record though, our lodge here in Poulsbo, Warren G. Harding Lodge No. 260, had its corner stone ceremony with the Grand Team in attendance. Me, being the Tyler, was important that I attend. But, back to the topic. Your brief descriptions of the content of the presentations has spurred me to do my own research on those interesting aspects of the Craft. Thank you for the report.
Thank you Brother! I had hoped that these reports would be of interest to folks, and I'm glad to know that you found some value in them.
I look forward to seeing you next year! But yes, this year was a scheduling nightmare. Your cornerstone was a really important event, as was the Grand Master's charitable dinner. We also had a huge Tarot convention going on in Portland, and I think that one of our Appendant organizations had a major event as well. Alas, it's impossible to be in two places at one time.
I am interested in attending the The Esoterica In Freemasonry Conference in 2024. I have been visiting Esoterika Lodge in Ballard and would like to be added to a contact list so I don't miss next years event.
"The first topic of the day was a panel discussion about Lodge security, but it was quite wide ranging, with ideas discussed about how we can combat some of the extreme narratives about our Craft that are floating around out there, and ways we can make common cause with similar organizations. Good actionable stuff that we can bring back to our own Lodges."
I'd love to hear more on this. Also, I'd love to hear your thoughts on BOTA, the Golden Dawn, and OTO.
It sounds like you had a most excellent time despite QR code menus. Hopefully I can make it out there for one of these some time in the near future. I'd love to visit Seattle again.
Thank you for this feedback. I'll take a little time to digest what was suggested about Lodge security, specifically around changing the narrative and building common cause, and try to condense it into a post at some point.
That is different from the physical security ideas that I've already received from an expert in the field and posted about here:
https://emeth.substack.com/p/masonic-lodge-security
I am not a member of the BOTA, Golden Dawn, or OTO. But have read about them extensively, and have talked with Brothers who are members of all of them. For what they are worth, my thoughts, based on no experience whatsoever, and in a nutshell are:
BOTA is largely a correspondence course that teaches most of the arts generally considered under the umbrella of the Western Esoteric Tradition. It teaches these arts primarily through the medium of Tarot. There are some local groups, including at least one here in Washington I believe, if one wants to go beyond correspondence. The courses are not expensive, and seem well regarded, as does the founder. I've not heard negative things said about the BOTA, only positive. One can quickly and easily sign up online.
I'm aware that there are lots of Golden Dawn groups out there, including many that claim to somehow have 'the legitimate line of succession.' Frankly, I doubt all such claims. I don't imagine that there is one group more legitimate than another, assuming that all the teachings are equal. I think that a lot of the groups want to be like Freemasonry where one Master has created another Master, in a legitimate line, all the way back to the founding, but I don't think that can be proven by any Golden Dawn group. So that has led to plenty of fighting and splits over the course of history.
That said, I think it undeniable that the Golden Dawn teachings are superb, and there are good groups out there. One of the most well known is led by a fairly prominent Freemason. The Golden Dawn materials have been published and are widely available, I've read, and utilized them in my own Masonic practice. I believe that Golden Dawn groups large and small meet in a very wide variety of places, so shouldn't be hard to find wherever one is.
In my mind, OTO is a fascinating organization, with great lessons, despite the obvious shortcomings of the man who popularized it. It too, like the Golden Dawn has been wracked with infighting and claims of legitimacy through the years. Locally for me, it now seems well organized and reasonably well run. There are I believe successful groups in Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland. I think that I would be interested in petitioning myself, but, alas, Freemasonry keeps me plenty busy without adding another organization.
Please note though that I believe that at least one Grand Lodge has determined membership in the OTO to be in conflict with Masonic membership, and that therefore in its Jurisdiction one can not be a member of both. That isn't the case in Washington, but one would want to take a look at ones Grand Lodge code prior to seeking OTO membership.
That's I guess a quick overview of my opinion on the three groups mentioned, but again, this is based on zero involvement (other than reading and using Golden Dawn materials) and a complete lack of first hand experience.
Perhaps a Brother here on Emeth who is a member of one or more of these groups can weigh in here. I do know that each of these groups have members who are also readers of Emeth.
The whole QR code craze in restaurants was born out of covid. Fears (unfounded) that covid would be spread from physical menus prompted this move. Just as stupid as the clean/used pen buckets.
The thing is, even with the most basic up to date smart phone you can use the QR codes. You don't need to download an app, just open up your camera and point it at the QR code. It should read it automatically and pop up a link to the menu.
Now you know that I love you Brother, but this whole effort to confuse me with facts just seems mean! If you make the QR codes easy, how am I going to rail against the big city? ;-)
For me, it’s not necessarily the QR Codes – I think they’re pretty cool, and I even put a couple of them on the front door of our Lodge Building, linked to our Website and Facebook page. I don’t know how much of a difference it has made in our inquiries, but it certainly didn’t hurt.
My main beef is more general, in that the phone screen is so small (it has to be; it’s a phone, after all!) that it wasn’t really intended to be used like a Kindle or even a tablet. But the younger generations are used to scrolling to obtain even basic information, while the old codgers want all the information in front of them so they can peruse it. I like to debate this with my next door neighbor who’s 9 years younger than me and does 99% of his online tasks on his phone, while I’m the other direction.
For restaurants, if I know I’m going to eat someplace, I might ‘cheat’ and look up their menu online while I’m on the laptop, so I can get a better view of the items. Even then, there’s some scrolling, but not as much as on the phone. And I can make the print bigger on the laptop as well, while if I tried that with the phone, it’d be almost impossible to follow along with the menu!
Again, I’m not against technology, but it has to make things Easier, not more Difficult. Isn’t that the point of Technology?
I agree. If a restaurant uses QR codes, they need to format the data to fit on a smart phones screen, not just point to their reproduced dine in menus.
"For me, it’s not necessarily the QR Codes – I think they’re pretty cool, and I even put a couple of them on the front door of our Lodge Building, linked to our Website and Facebook page."
MW Bailey assumes post of Angry Past Master...
'We didn't to it that way in MY YEAR!'
For the security thing we start with the "locked doors" part, not that it protects the parking lot.
As far as QR Code.......not for me and I will never own a cell phone anyway but I do have 10 computers at home but they are busy.......just seeing that QR code on my tv screen is goofy enough.........menu on paper with the prices and a booth or I would rather just eat at home (doors locked here too)
>;-D
See you in Wenatchee......I hope
Good Man! Now you can join the WHQRCC with me! The We Hate QR Codes Club!
Be nice, and leave my little QR codes alone! I made a couple for Tenino Lodge, and I think another Lodge in our area as well.
The only caveat I have is to make sure if a Lodge makes and shows a QR code, that the internet site it links to is UP TO DATE. No point in using modern technology to send people to outdated information.
MW Brother, you are the best "salesman" for selling me on the NEED and DESIRE to attend the next conference. Every topic you reported on are of a particular interest to me. I am so sorry I missed this event. On the flip side of the record though, our lodge here in Poulsbo, Warren G. Harding Lodge No. 260, had its corner stone ceremony with the Grand Team in attendance. Me, being the Tyler, was important that I attend. But, back to the topic. Your brief descriptions of the content of the presentations has spurred me to do my own research on those interesting aspects of the Craft. Thank you for the report.
Thank you Brother! I had hoped that these reports would be of interest to folks, and I'm glad to know that you found some value in them.
I look forward to seeing you next year! But yes, this year was a scheduling nightmare. Your cornerstone was a really important event, as was the Grand Master's charitable dinner. We also had a huge Tarot convention going on in Portland, and I think that one of our Appendant organizations had a major event as well. Alas, it's impossible to be in two places at one time.
I am interested in attending the The Esoterica In Freemasonry Conference in 2024. I have been visiting Esoterika Lodge in Ballard and would like to be added to a contact list so I don't miss next years event.
I believe that you can sign up for the conference email list here:
https://www.esotericmasonry.com/events-archive
Thank you