Bro/Frater Dossett spoke about the “blind” in Genesis’ first chapter at our Valley’s Feast of Tishri. He’s very esoterically minded and is not just a gift to Mississippi, but Freemasonry at large.
We are slowly getting men back into the fraternity that actually care about such things, but it is certainly a battle.
I share your view dear WB. Some says that the secrets are based on personal experience and while that is true, there other secrets that are still holding to the oral tradition, only passed down from mouth to ear.
Unfortunately most have stop seeking forgetting completely the most important tool they were given.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
I enjoy that the "password" for each Degree is collected as we open each Lodge meeting. Yes, each of these are shown in online texts, and especially one for the Fellowcraft in the Bible.
I like the phrase “Freemasonry is not a secret society but a society with secrets”. We certainly have secrets, both esoteric and ritualistic, and I hope we always will.
I think this brings up a possible distinction between "secret" and "mystery." I don't know that Masonry holds many secrets but it is incumbent upon us all to seek her mysteries and those can't be communicated in the traditional sense.
Well, you could say those men claiming there were no secrets were right. After all, for decades nothing esoteric was ever discussed in lodge. They were simply setting the bar of expectations as low as possible.
At the risk sounding stupid, I ask why we venerate three wise men; King Solomon, King Hiram of Tyre and Hiram Abiff, two of which are Phonician, yet relying on the Hebrew old testament for our ritual. Are we missing something here?
The whole concept of Masonry is mutual TRUST and RESPECT. That's what ties us into a brotherhood.
We pledge to keep "secrets" because it demonstrates "trust". We meet with our Brothers to demonstrate "respect". TRUST and RESPECT are the keys to Masonic success.
There are many valuable esoteric secrets in Masonry. Even some Brother Masons don't bother to research, read, or grow in this knowledge. There's a reason we are advised to keep such knowledge and secrets from the profane (the unknowing masses). This is for the good of humanity. We have seen through history the results of mass hysteria even directed against our Fraternity. Perhaps we should find that sweet spot between being more transparent like the GLE creating a Netflix show sharing more about Lodge functions and decorum and holding and studying more in Lodge about the depths and secrets of our gentle craft. Masonry is so much more profound than the structure of our ritual. For example, studying circumambulation and the esoteric and historical reasons and secrets can provide significance to why we do what we do. There are many more examples in our gentle craft just below the surface.
To Learn, To subdue my passions, and improve my self in masonry. I, for one, am perplexed at how many don't read or study the tomes of literature written over the last 400 years on the craft, its origins, and personal philosophy. Even noticing the outright hostility towards esoterism of some of the craft when discussing it. Although, that appears to be waning in a lot of lodges as younger men join our ranks. I always tell people, its more than fundraising for the community and dinners. the rabbit hole is deep Alice, all you have to do is look.
It is no wonder people declare that there are no secrets, for they have not looked hard enough.
The real secret is what you discovered about yourself, the intangible that can't be communicated.
Interesting.
Bro/Frater Dossett spoke about the “blind” in Genesis’ first chapter at our Valley’s Feast of Tishri. He’s very esoterically minded and is not just a gift to Mississippi, but Freemasonry at large.
We are slowly getting men back into the fraternity that actually care about such things, but it is certainly a battle.
You’re too kind RW!
I really enjoyed your paper.
I share your view dear WB. Some says that the secrets are based on personal experience and while that is true, there other secrets that are still holding to the oral tradition, only passed down from mouth to ear.
Unfortunately most have stop seeking forgetting completely the most important tool they were given.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
I enjoy that the "password" for each Degree is collected as we open each Lodge meeting. Yes, each of these are shown in online texts, and especially one for the Fellowcraft in the Bible.
I have long held that the only remaining secret in freemasonry is how to become one.
I like the phrase “Freemasonry is not a secret society but a society with secrets”. We certainly have secrets, both esoteric and ritualistic, and I hope we always will.
Thank you for the cite and such a well written article! I enjoy your work and certainly share the sentiment.
I think this brings up a possible distinction between "secret" and "mystery." I don't know that Masonry holds many secrets but it is incumbent upon us all to seek her mysteries and those can't be communicated in the traditional sense.
Well, you could say those men claiming there were no secrets were right. After all, for decades nothing esoteric was ever discussed in lodge. They were simply setting the bar of expectations as low as possible.
At the risk sounding stupid, I ask why we venerate three wise men; King Solomon, King Hiram of Tyre and Hiram Abiff, two of which are Phonician, yet relying on the Hebrew old testament for our ritual. Are we missing something here?
The whole concept of Masonry is mutual TRUST and RESPECT. That's what ties us into a brotherhood.
We pledge to keep "secrets" because it demonstrates "trust". We meet with our Brothers to demonstrate "respect". TRUST and RESPECT are the keys to Masonic success.
There are many valuable esoteric secrets in Masonry. Even some Brother Masons don't bother to research, read, or grow in this knowledge. There's a reason we are advised to keep such knowledge and secrets from the profane (the unknowing masses). This is for the good of humanity. We have seen through history the results of mass hysteria even directed against our Fraternity. Perhaps we should find that sweet spot between being more transparent like the GLE creating a Netflix show sharing more about Lodge functions and decorum and holding and studying more in Lodge about the depths and secrets of our gentle craft. Masonry is so much more profound than the structure of our ritual. For example, studying circumambulation and the esoteric and historical reasons and secrets can provide significance to why we do what we do. There are many more examples in our gentle craft just below the surface.
To Learn, To subdue my passions, and improve my self in masonry. I, for one, am perplexed at how many don't read or study the tomes of literature written over the last 400 years on the craft, its origins, and personal philosophy. Even noticing the outright hostility towards esoterism of some of the craft when discussing it. Although, that appears to be waning in a lot of lodges as younger men join our ranks. I always tell people, its more than fundraising for the community and dinners. the rabbit hole is deep Alice, all you have to do is look.
It is no wonder people declare that there are no secrets, for they have not looked hard enough.