Thanks Brother, I appreciate this feedback. Tarot books are wonderful, but by their very nature, limited. I think we could go much, much deeper with discussion.
While I appreciate Masonic discussion, I see no reason to restrict yourself to one subject. It’s your place, decorate it how you like. People can always choose to not read it.
Thank you W Glenn. I value your feedback. I just don't know enough about how this stuff works to figure it out. The common advice is to niche down, as tightly as possible, in order to be found. But that does seem mighty limiting at times.
I would like to see tarot classes. It seems we are in for a ride in 2024 but we must continue to share the knowledge we have in order to join forces for humanity.
I agree that we are taking a turn toward Romanticism. I also think it could be a good thing for the Fraternity, and the world. There are down sides I believe we should be aware of, as these periods can and have gone off the rails and become dangerous periods. It's my opinion that if we are to benefit from romantic turn we need a program of discernment so that we build on a solid foundation. Myths have truths but may not be factually true and thats OK. Washington probably never chopped down a cherry tree as a boy, but the myth has real value. I think we need as a culture to learn to live comfortingly with mythological truth that are not historical facts, and not insist that our myths ARE historical truths. We also have to learn that mythology is crucial to our spiritual well being and not reject them for not being factual and we need to learn to talk about these different domains in ways that make differences clear.
I think that your point is very well taken. There is great value in factual history. And there is great value in myth. But, we need to figure out a way to not confuse the two.
I know that in previous Romantic periods, loads of Freemasons believed that our Order was founded by Adam, or Noah, or at the building of King Solomon's Temple. All clearly myths, valuable myths, but lots of Masons believed them to be historical fact.
Actually, not long ago I listened as a Freemason gave a talk about Masonry to a group of the general public, non-Masons. He asserted to them that Freemasonry was founded when Solomon's Temple was under construction. I corrected him after the fact, but it really did surprise me that some folks still believe that particular myth to be historical fact.
I've always found it surprising when I see things that remind me that we have some Masons who don't understand the first thing about Freemasonry.
I read once that long ago, during one of the heydays of Masonry when Masonic publishing was in full swing, it was popular to refer to Masons in two different ways. The Mason who didn't take the time to learn about Masonry was referred to as a Mason. The one who did learn was called a Bright Mason.
I've sometimes thought that would be a handy custom to still have today.
But typing this reminds me that one of the coolest things about all our discussions in this online space is the fact that we are all learning from each other, we are all becoming ever Brighter Masons together.
I would be interested in the tarot class. One of my goals for 2024 is to get in tune with I-Ching, so Tarot could make a good concomitant.
Thanks Brother, I appreciate this feedback. Tarot books are wonderful, but by their very nature, limited. I think we could go much, much deeper with discussion.
While I appreciate Masonic discussion, I see no reason to restrict yourself to one subject. It’s your place, decorate it how you like. People can always choose to not read it.
Thank you W Glenn. I value your feedback. I just don't know enough about how this stuff works to figure it out. The common advice is to niche down, as tightly as possible, in order to be found. But that does seem mighty limiting at times.
I would like to see tarot classes. It seems we are in for a ride in 2024 but we must continue to share the knowledge we have in order to join forces for humanity.
Thank you! I'm glad to know that you would like having them. I think that they would be a lot of fun! Stay tuned.
I agree with you and I am glad to have this place to be reminded of principles of love and tolerance and not personality and politics
Thank you very much! I'm pleased that you find such value in this space!
I agree that we are taking a turn toward Romanticism. I also think it could be a good thing for the Fraternity, and the world. There are down sides I believe we should be aware of, as these periods can and have gone off the rails and become dangerous periods. It's my opinion that if we are to benefit from romantic turn we need a program of discernment so that we build on a solid foundation. Myths have truths but may not be factually true and thats OK. Washington probably never chopped down a cherry tree as a boy, but the myth has real value. I think we need as a culture to learn to live comfortingly with mythological truth that are not historical facts, and not insist that our myths ARE historical truths. We also have to learn that mythology is crucial to our spiritual well being and not reject them for not being factual and we need to learn to talk about these different domains in ways that make differences clear.
I think that your point is very well taken. There is great value in factual history. And there is great value in myth. But, we need to figure out a way to not confuse the two.
I know that in previous Romantic periods, loads of Freemasons believed that our Order was founded by Adam, or Noah, or at the building of King Solomon's Temple. All clearly myths, valuable myths, but lots of Masons believed them to be historical fact.
Actually, not long ago I listened as a Freemason gave a talk about Masonry to a group of the general public, non-Masons. He asserted to them that Freemasonry was founded when Solomon's Temple was under construction. I corrected him after the fact, but it really did surprise me that some folks still believe that particular myth to be historical fact.
Yeah, I have run into that one myself and like you was shocked.
I've always found it surprising when I see things that remind me that we have some Masons who don't understand the first thing about Freemasonry.
I read once that long ago, during one of the heydays of Masonry when Masonic publishing was in full swing, it was popular to refer to Masons in two different ways. The Mason who didn't take the time to learn about Masonry was referred to as a Mason. The one who did learn was called a Bright Mason.
I've sometimes thought that would be a handy custom to still have today.
But typing this reminds me that one of the coolest things about all our discussions in this online space is the fact that we are all learning from each other, we are all becoming ever Brighter Masons together.