Esoterica In Freemasonry Day 3
See you next year!
The Esoterica In Freemasonry Conference wrapped up at about 5:30 this afternoon. I had to sneak out a few minutes early, because I figured I was pushing my luck leaving my car in the hotel parking garage that long, having checked out first thing in the morning.
Good news was, when I got to the car, it was without a boot!
The day started really early for me, because, you know, yep, a Sunday Morning Street Market, right outside the door of my hotel room!
But it was OK, I managed to stumble out of bed and up to the Lodge for a doughnut and coffee.
Then our day began, and it was a great day!
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.
We then heard a superb presentation by Scott Kenney about Beauty within Freemasonry. It’s place in our rituals, and how we can contemplate and learn from the Masonic concept of Beauty.
Ah yes, then lunch of course.
Now this was interesting. We headed off to a burger joint down the street, and low and behold, apparently the only darn restaurant in all of Seattle that still has these things called a menu! It was great. You can just read what you want and tell the fellow. No need to download an app or any other hell dreamed up by the techno lunatics! I was actually able to order lunch for myself without using a phone! Heck of a deal.
Anywhoo, I had lunch with Bros. Priddy, Flood, and Dewald. We had a very enjoyable discussion about the BOTA, the Golden Dawn, and the OTO. Because it’s not like Freemasonry doesn’t keep us busy enough!
After Lunch Dorje Kirsten spoke about Astrology, Astronomy, and their connection to Blue Lodge Masonry. A great discussion.
After that, PD Newman spoke of Theurgy. All I can say is that I learned a lot from his presentation. Probably more than I’ve learned from any other presentation. A wonderful topic, superbly presented.
Then I had to roll, lest the hotel tow my car or something.
Once again, Brothers Troy, Ken, Brett, and all the rest put on an amazing weekend for us all. Along with a lot of assistance from the women in their lives. Thank you all!
The speakers, from close to home and far abroad were uniformly superb, as always.
I’ve done a fair bit of whining about the Ballard Inn the last couple of days, but, honestly, I’d stay there again. It was perfectly suitable for this event and super convenient. But, only if I was alone. If Melinda was with me we’d need to be over at the Hotel Ballard. And of course the Steak House. Darn, I already need another one of those fine steaks!
The only other thing I should mention is that I had to cross three busy streets every time I walked between my hotel and the Masonic Temple. Amazing to me how drivers in Seattle just stop for people who are in crosswalks! I didn’t have a single near death experience. Things are a lot different down here in good ol’ Lewis County where most seem to look at pedestrians as target practice.
Of course, us Lewis County folks don’t really believe in the whole walking thing, so that might have something to do with it.
That’s it for Esotericism in Freemasonry Conference 2023.
We’ll be back to our regular posts after this, and I look forward to seeing you at the 2024 Conference next year!
"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.
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.