Let's Discuss Darkness

It's not always a bad thing

Over this past weekend I was sitting in a Lodge room, and couldn’t help but notice the hole high on the wall where the woodstove pipe used to exit. Because of course, that Lodge room was built, as such, long before we had things like forced air heating.

Ultimately, our Gentle Craft was formed and perfected long before electric lighting existed.

And of course today we have forced air heat, sometimes air conditioning, bright electric lights, and even strange little Masonic Light Bulbs with glowing square and compass filaments.

Undoubtedly that is a good thing. It keeps us comfortable, warm, and safe. Progress is good.

Photo by MohammadO Shokoofe on Unsplash

But, is progress always good?

I might suggest that when engaged in the art of seduction we all understand that we have a much better chance at success with the lights turned off, a fire in the hearth, and candlelight illuminating bodies.

I think this is true:

“I have noticed that when all the lights are on, people tend to talk about what they are doing – their outer lives. Sitting round in candlelight or firelight, people start to talk about how they are feeling – their inner lives. They speak subjectively, they argue less, there are longer pauses.” -Jeanette Winterson, Why I Adore The Night

In the past here on Emeth, we have discussed conferring Degrees by torchlight or candlelight. And I know that at least some Lodges are doing just that.

But what about Masonic discussions in Lodge?

We hear, over and over again how so many Lodge meetings are nothing whatsoever except one dull piece of management business or another, one after the other.

But is not the environment we create encouraging just that?

A big room, fluorescent lights on high, what would it be but a business meeting?

Why not turn off the lights?

Take a match and light the three lesser lights at the altar. Put three more in the South, five in the West, and seven in the East.

Then have a discussion. About something interesting to all. About the symbolism and philosophy of our Ancient Craft.

See what happens.

See how the mood changes.

Give it a try, I think your Lodge might like it. If it does, you’ll be a hero for suggesting it, if it doesn’t crank the lights back up next month.

What do you think?

Let’s chat about it…

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I have been told, in more than one Lodge, that they can’t use candles because some members are worried about fire danger. Nonsense. Irrational safetyism is just that, irrational, and properly ignored. Spend $60.00 on a really good fire extinguisher, put it in the East, and light the lesser lights!

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If you are looking for some more reading today, here are all my writings from last week, and some of the best of Substack:

Sunday Digest No. 3