Undoubtedly our Masonic ritual is designed to create a sacred space. Not a particular location, and not a continuing sacredness. Rather a space made sacred by the men gathered together in unity, with a very definite opening and closing.
Here in Washington, this is made clear by our Closing Charge that begins with the words:
“We are now about to quit this sacred retreat…”
Almost every single Lodge in this Jurisdiction (I’ve actually only seen one Lodge that didn’t do this, and that Lodge is now defunct) ends its meetings by clapping after the Master rapps his gavel for the final time. That is, in my view, a very definite ending to the meeting or “sacred retreat.”
I have never however sat in a Lodge in this Jurisdiction that has a very obvious beginning. Have never experienced a razor sharp edge between that which is profane and that which will soon be made sacred.
That’s a shame, because our ritual calls for that exact thing.
It is all of our faults, collectively, that we ignore this part of our ritual. Alas, ignoring it harms no one but ourselves, but recently I’ve been wondering why we permit it. Why do we dilute our ritual by completely ignoring its very first line?
The very first line and command in Washington’s Standard Work is:
“The Brethren Will Be Clothed.”
To my mind, the meaning is clear. The Worshipful Master is to assume the East, gain order with a quick rapp of his gavel, and then direct the Brothers assembled to clothe themselves as Masons. At which point of course, the Brethren would do so.
This would create a very clear distinction between profane space, and sacred space. A very thin line separating the two. Much like the clapping following a meeting clearly signals its end.
But we don’t do it. At least not in this Jurisdiction.
We put on our aprons, maybe in the dining room, perhaps in the Tyler’s room, sometimes even in the Lodge room. Half an hour before the meeting begins, or while the Officers are opening the meeting. It’s never done together, and never done when the Worshipful Master calls for it to be done.
As a result, none of the Brothers are in the same condition at the same time, and there is no clear line between the sacred and the profane. There is not a crisp opening, similar to our crisp closing.
I imagine that by collectively ignoring our ritual, and skipping this step, we are missing out on something important. We are giving away our opportunity to have a clear delineation of sacred space.
I think we should stop doing that. I think we (myself included) should start following this line of ritual as our forefathers intended. I think we might be surprised by the result if we all do it in unison.
I also wonder how many other little parts of our ritual we gloss over and ignore. That question is worthy of our serious consideration I believe.
From what I recollect, this is what the Prince Hall Lodges do here in Washington State. They purge first, then they "clothe" themselves, as per the ritual. And indeed that would make sense, so you don't have some Cowan showing up before the meeting dressed up and possibly fooling the true members into thinking he's legitimate until the actual purge kicks him out.
This is an observation which I've never heard or seen before. I agree with the idea, but feel that in today's age the ritual, its interpretation and directions to newer members is convoluted. "Brothers will be clothed" is, or was, in my view a simple statement to remind the brothers to be clothed. I never thought nor was I ever taught to treat this as an aspect of everyone donning their aprons upon the WM command. So much of our ritual is taken at face value and it's mysteries, I think, are further veiled through education failing to teach critical thinking, analysis, and symbolism. I've been a Mason for 12 years and it is only through this forum that I am learning what parts of the ritual and floor work I was taught incorrectly. I think this is a great leadership opportunity for GL, to critically look at our ritual and create a program to help us do the ritual right. We brothers who don't know better need and want to be taught the correct way.