At an informal Masonic meeting this morning, I listened as a Brother made a fascinating comment about the mythology of Freemasonry. It made me think, and I feel that it might be an important topic for us to discuss.
Does the mythology of Freemasonry (by which I think he meant the widely held beliefs about Freemasonry, not our own central myth or drama) match what the Craft is today?
If it doesn’t match, does that hamper Freemasonry’s ability to thrive?
If that is the case, how can we bring the reality of Masonry closer to the mythology of Masonry?
IMHO, the central mythos as acted out by the dramas of the rituals and the archetypes embodied therein, is the more important things to focus on, understand deeply, internalise and work toward perfecting.
There was good reason that carved above the grotto of the Oracle at Delphi was the admonishment: Know Thyself.
If Masonry generally and every Mason specifically doesn't fully understand and internalise the mythology and the Archetypes, then there's no way they as Masons and the Craft as whole can project that outward accurately into the world to be observed by others.
So the widely held beliefs about Freemasonry are moot. They never did match accurately what Freemasonry was and is about because it's a closed system. There was of course a public persona of the Craft that might have been better curated in some places than others.
>>>There was of course a public persona of the Craft that might have been better curated in >>>some places than others.
Agreed.
I fear that historically, we may have had the very worst possible ideas about cultivating the public image of Craft Freemasonry.
HIstorically, Grand Lodges by and large didn't respond to outside criticism of Freemasonry, nor provide information about Freemasonry outside of the Craft itself. Despite being in the very best position to do so.
But, individual Freemasons have responded to outside criticism, and widely dispensed personal visions of the Craft to the wider world. Sometimes without having the skills or knowledge needed to adequately answer critics and sometimes presenting personal interpretations of the Craft in inartful ways or with intemperate language.
Lacking any sort of 'Official' position, those who are curious are left only with 'Individual' positions, and have no inside knowledge that would allow them to separate the wheat from the chaff, the correct from the incorrect.
"HIstorically, Grand Lodges by and large didn't respond to outside criticism of Freemasonry, nor provide information about Freemasonry outside of the Craft itself. Despite being in the very best position to do so."
I've noticed this as well and have often wondered why. I have a friend who is a Naval Academy graduate who was a Public Affairs Officer for her career before she retired. The Navy always has a coordinated means of conveying information to the public. Grand Lodges could certainly use one too. Some kind of a rapid response press team.
I think that perhaps it was felt that the quiet acts of charity and kindness performed by Freemasons would suffice to protect the reputation of the Craft.
The value of allegory and parable is the lessons and insights imparted on the minds of the listener and the teller. Whether or not the allegory is historically accurate does not determine its value.
In my experience, feeble efforts to prove myths as fact tend to undermine the value. Some of our fellow Freemasons efforts to portray myth as fact have given our detractors ammunition in their efforts to discredit our fraternity.
>>>feeble efforts to prove myths as fact tend to undermine the value. Some of our fellow >>>Freemasons efforts to portray myth as fact have given our detractors ammunition in their >>>efforts to discredit our fraternity.
Undoubtedly this is true. Claims that Adam was a Freemason, or that Freemasonry as we know and understand it today was created during construction of the first Temple at Jerusalem, &c are clearly nuts. And when promoted, make us all look nuts.
Thankfully, we seem to have largely moved beyond that as more focus has been placed on researching our authentic history.
But, I think it can go the other way as well. We do run the risk of becoming so focused on authentic history that we forget the power of myth, not outside of our Craft, but internal to it.
I'm reminded of the Forget Me Not.
I have no idea if the widely known story of the Forget Me Not pin is factual, or if it is myth. No one alive today can know.
I do know that it would be a very valuable thing, a strong testament to the strength of Freemasonry if it is factually true. But I also know that it was spread by a German Freemason who by nature of his nationality would have had a vested interest in people believing it to be true at the time he was telling it.
Factual or not? Who knows. Nobody. And if anyone claims they do know, for certain, then we can know that they are misguided at best.
But, true or not, it is a really important story for our Craft. It teaches a vital Masonic lesson. It is wonderful. As truth it is wonderful, as a myth it is wonderful.
We can't lose, in my view, the power of myth within Freemasonry. But, as you rightly point out, trying to prove obvious myths as true, makes us look nuts.
Allegory is the expression of truths or generalizations about human existence by means of symbolic fictional figures and their actions. It encompasses such forms as fable and parable.
Does anyone really think that the parables of Jesus were based on true events? They were fictionalized stories to make a point.
But I think MW Cameron isn't discussing those internal myths, but rather the public's perception of what we are compared to who we think we are. I'd also throw in the perceptions we have of ourselves versus the reality.
Are we really an organization that takes good men and strives to make them better? In a large number of lodges, I don't see it. Just what are they doing to make men better? The business meetings are boring, officers reading from the standard work to open and close, lackluster meals, zero masonic education and no fellowship outside of lodge. Just what part, then, is the man becoming a better person? By the learning of patience while sitting through the meetings?
>>>But I think MW Cameron isn't discussing those internal myths, but rather the public's >>>perception of what we are compared to who we think we are. I'd also throw in the perceptions >>>we have of ourselves versus the reality.
For what it is worth, it is my opinion, based only on my own experience, that Freemasonry can help a good man become a better man in a few different ways. Specifically:
-Through the conferring of the Degrees. My Degrees, were for me, profound experiences. Really profound. Reflecting back now, I can see that I changed parts of my life because of the Degrees. But, I received exceptionally performed Degrees. In order for our Degrees to have this kind of impact, they must be done exceptionally well. And of course, the Candidate has to be in an emotional and mental state where he can receive them.
-Through mentorship and interaction with men who have more and different life experiences. Simply put, good young guys can learn a lot from good old guys. Maybe we can learn some profound wisdom about life on one occasion and maybe we can learn how to maintain the roof on our house on another occasion. Whatever it is, it is good. But we can only do this if our Lodges provide fellowship occasions where this can happen.
-Through ritual memorization. I didn't figure this out for a really long time. But, looking back on it, I can see that by memorizing the ritual, we are in effect taking its lessons into ourselves. We are internalizing those lessons. But, this requires us to do work.
-Through Masonic education. We can learn, if the materials provided hold our interest and we see value in them. But we can't learn if our Lodge doesn't provide this opportunity.
Yes, of course, these external mythologies hurt us. It is my observation that there are two broad ways; first the negative mythologies that make us the global bogey men, and second the ones that give us powers and influences we don’t have. In the case of the first it creates enemies we have to guard against, or attracts men who want tp be the bogey man and these myths probably prevent some good men from expressing an interest in our fraternity. In the second case, the mythology makes promises we can’t keep.
What can we do? Not much sadly. We should continue to get our messages out. We should continue to highlight our charitable works. But in the world of social media, conspiracy theories, and the use of hate and fear as political and economic engines, our bad press will always find believers, and human beings have a tendency to share negative gossip much faster than positive.
In the end we must be true to our oaths, pursue the Light, not just for ourselves but for all humankind, and trust in the Grand Architect that truth will win.
My wife and I often laugh when we see someone on Social Media claiming that the Freemasons are so organized that we somehow control the world. When in reality, most Masonic groups are so disorganized we can barely keep many of our buildings from falling down around us!
Ultimately, I think that Freemasonry offers a man a pathway towards Mastery of the Self. Perhaps we can somehow hold that truth up against those claiming that we hold a Mastery of the World.
Self-mastery is also at the root of the martial arts - all of them. There is no way to emerge victorious over any opponent unless you master yourself because the opponent IS you, exteriorised. This is lesson of Miyamoto Musashi's life. (I game with a bunch of Marines at Quantico, and I learned this from one of them. It's really stuck with me. )
By extension, from the self to the world, there is no way you will ever master the world *unless* you master yourself. And this requires a capacity for delayed gratification, which as MIke Priddy points out, there isn't much room for in the modern digital space.
The Craft is applied to the civic world for the purposes of Brotherhood rather than war could be thought of as a civic cognate to the martial one.
>>>The Craft is applied to the civic world for the purposes of Brotherhood rather than >>>war could be thought of as a civic cognate to the martial one.
Interesting! I've never considered that, but will have to ponder it today. Thanks!
The functions of mythology, if they are successful, includes a sense of everything - yourself, your society, the universe, and the mystery beyond—as one great unit.
So, I guess the answer would depend on how a lodge is in line with this principle. It being a "secret society" alludes to the fact that these things are veiled in allegory and symbolism. In all respect, I would say only a handful will understand this, regardless of rank or years involved. To some it's just a charitable organization or social club, and I dont think there's anything wrong with that, but it stops short of mythology.
>>>In all respect, I would say only a handful will understand this, regardless of rank or years >>>involved. To some it's just a charitable organization or social club, and I dont think there's >>>anything wrong with that, but it stops short of mythology.
In my experience you are undoubtedly correct.
There are loads and loads of Masons who have never made any kind of splash in their Lodge or Freemasonry in general who truly understand our Gentle Craft.
I know one Mason who was an absolute disaster in the East and who caused countless problems in multiple Lodges because of his complete lack of administrative skill and care. But sometimes, more often than not, he came up with the most profound interpretations of the deeper lessons of Freemasonry, and was able to explain those interpretations in a way that people could understand.
I know Masons, not many, but a couple, who have risen to the absolute pinnacle of Freemasonry, without understanding the first thing about Freemasonry.
Authority in the Craft doesn't translate to understanding of the Craft. Administrative skill likewise doesn't translate to understanding. But, some basic level of administrative skill is needed if one hopes to successfully lead a Lodge or other Masonic organization.
I'm given to understand that long ago, those Masons who sought knowledge about the Craft, who worked to perfect their understanding of it, were frequently called 'Bright Masons.' That's an appellation that I think we would do well to bring back.
The mythology of Freemasonry is very rich and goes far back as time can tell. Can it be proved historically? No. Because the historical part, although important, is not relevant to the teachings of improving as human beings.
There is an Oral Tradition that still keep this knowledge and still transmit it from mouth to ear.
But beyond that, the myths and stories of Freemasonry are to make men better. And when it says "men" it does not mean only males, it encompasses all of humanity. Because if we can't use what we learned to make a better society then there is no reason for Freemasonry. The Craft is not just a men's club.
>>>But beyond that, the myths and stories of Freemasonry are to make men better. And when it >>>says "men" it does not mean only males, it encompasses all of humanity. Because if we can't >>>use what we learned to make a better society then there is no reason for Freemasonry. The >>>Craft is not just a men's club.
I think that long ago, our Craft here in the United States made an error.
Regular Freemasonry is a fraternal organization for men. And that's a good thing. Men need male spaces. I don't personally believe that mixed gender Freemasonry could offer what single gender Freemasonry offers, and I think that the difference is a vital one.
But, there has always apparently been a drive, by huge numbers of Masons in the US, to include women somehow.
That resulted in our creation of organizations like the Order of Eastern Star, Amaranth, and the rest. But these aren't Freemasonry, at best they are shadows of it.
We would have been better off, in my view, if instead of creating these side Orders, we would have simply encouraged efforts to establish female Freemasonry, and mixed Freemasonry. Not to make them a part of Male Craft Freemasonry as we know it, but to encourage them to thrive alongside of us.
We are certainly moving towards that now. UGLE is working with female Freemasons in England, the most recent Conference of Grand Masters of North America had a presentation about female Freemasonry. At least one large Grand Lodge has opened communication with female Freemasons in its Jurisdiction. And female Freemasons have spoken at Masonic conferences organized by Regular Freemasons.
To be clear, I am in no way advocating that Regular Freemasonry, as a male only institution change. But, I am saying that it is, in my view, more than a little nuts to work to deny the glories of Freemasonry to half the population of the world. I see no reason why female Freemasonry can't thrive, separate and distinct, right alongside male Freemasonry.
I know that this may be a controversial response. I pose it in the interest of having a full and open discussion, as I believe MWB Bailey intends. I don't mean to offend anyone, and I will not be offended by any response it may draw.
That is a tough question. The answer depends on how we define a "man". Our rituals do not explicitly say "male". So who/what is a man, in society as a whole and in Masonry specifically?
Is a man only someone who was born (XY) male? Or, is there something more to it? I think most of us would agree that men and women are or can be different in any number of ways beyond their 23rd chromosomes. Not to mention how complicated sets of 23rd chromosomes and their associated genes can actually be (though rare, there are more than 2 possibilities). Men and women may express their emotions differently, they may have different instincts, and most importantly may they see themselves differently.
So let me pose the opposite question. If a Mason chooses to transition to being a woman. Can she still be a mason afterward? I posit that if she is no longer eligible to be a Mason by virtue of her transition, then likewise a woman who chooses to transition to being a man must by the same reasoning be eligible to be a Mason.
We as Masons accept into our fraternity practitioners of any number of faiths and/or belief systems. We meet them on the level. So I ask you if a person truly believes themself to be a man, and lives and acts as such, wouldn't we be hypocritical to deny their belief and refuse to accept them into our ranks, if they are otherwise W&WC, based solely on their genes?
Full disclosure: I have friends, one of whom I have known for more than 50 years, who have made such a transition. Knowing them both before and after I am convinced of their sincerity and see them finally content to live openly as the person they always knew they were.
Thanks for your comment and for being open and honest. This is a very controversial topic indeed.
In terms of membership to the Order, Freemasonry is universal, anybody can be a Freemason. If the Lodge voted and approved that person, it mostly welcome.
Now, as an occultist and practitioner there are matters of the spirit that each individual has to work on itself before dealing with the kind of energy that Freemasonry has, same with other Initiatic Schools.
"As above, so below", has many diferent ways to be interprered, but all are related. As in heaven, so in Earth,
As in spirit, so in matter,
As in mind, so in body.
In order to advanced spiritually, mind and body has to be of the same nature, is a personal battle that has to be resolve before coming to a Lodge.
And that is why the motto: "Making good men, better".
Because we are bringing in a person that has resolve all his/her issues (personal, familiar and with society).
I might add that my friend wanted to petition DeMolay (and then maybe Freemansory), but their staunchly Catholic family would not allow it. Had they joined DeMolay and went on to become a Mason, this would not be a hypothetical question. I am sure that this issue has already confronted by more than one Lodge and Grand Lodge.
To my mind, this is a fairly straightforward question, with a fairly straightforward answer.
We should simply trust what the petitioner or Mason tells us.
If a man seeks to petition our Lodge, and he calls himself a man, and he presents as a man, and he lives as a man... well, then I think it perfectly appropriate for us to believe him to be a man.
I guess what I'm saying is, when I petitioned for the Degrees of Freemasonry, no one went all Crocodile Dundee on me, seeking to confirm my manhood by stroking my nuts!
If, on the other hand, a Mason begins calling herself a woman, presents herself as a woman, and lives as a woman... well, then I think it is just as appropriate for us to believe her to be a woman. And no longer meeting the qualifications to be a member of a male only Lodge or Grand Lodge.
It all comes down to, in my mind, believing what our petitioner or Mason tells us. No fondling of testicles necessary.
That said, some Regular Grand Lodges take a much different view from my own. UGLE and Texas perhaps each holding one extreme of the continuum.
They have the option to join OWF or HFAF. They continue to be considered Masons by UGLE. "The United Grand Lodge of England adopted its transgender Policy on 17th July 2018 – closely followed by both the Order of Women Freemasons and Freemasonry for Women (FFW, previously known as the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons or HFAF)."
Women's Freemasonry runs parallel with men's in England and many other countries. I concur with you - women's Freemasonry ought to have been established long ago. Thanks to the efforts of Past Grand Master Christine Chapman of HFAF - The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, in England, America Lodge 57 was established in 2019 in Washington, D.C.
There are two orders of Women Freemasons in England: HFAF and OWF
1. OWF - was established first in 1908, and are the largest, oldest and frankly, monetarily wealthier. It was constituted as the Grand Lodge of the Honourable Order of Ancient Masonry in 1908 and adopted the title 'The Order of Women Freemasons' in 1958. They originally were a mixed Lodge of men and women until the early 1920s when they restricted admission to women only, and by 1935 it was an exclusively female organisation
2. HFAF - The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons hived off in 1913 and are small but mighty and punch *well* above their weight. It was due to the efforts of Past Grand Master Christine Chapman, working with OWF and UGLE, that UGLE now recognises both orders are Regular.
We can only combat those untrue, pervasive myths about our craft by coming out of the closet! Don't keep it a secret that you are an active Mason. Wear that badge proudly! Show by example how you live your life and that being a Mason is a significant part of why you do. That it complements the rest of your belief system.
How much better off would the whole of humanity be if more of us met on the level, acted by the plumb and parted on the square with everyone with whom we interact?
I never leave the house without something Masonic. Usually a shirt, rings, sometimes with a jacket and hat. No matter where I go, there is no question but that I'm a Mason.
But, it works the other way too.
My truck has Masonic License Plates. My SUV does not. Because I drive my truck in a manner that is polite to other drivers. My wife drives our little SUV quite a bit differently. The last thing we need are cars speeding around, their drivers suffering from road rage, all while festooned with Masonic emblems. Unfortunately, I've seen just that happen.
So yes, I agree, we need to let the world know that we are Masons. But, when doing so, we must also be on our best behavior!
From my early lessons in computers the one thing that has stuck with me is K.I.S.S., (keep, it, simple, stupid). The use of allegory and parable may work for some but they aren't simple concepts and in todays world if you aren't hit over the head several times the message doesn't get through.
As for making another person better, that is improbable (wives have been trying forever). The induvial has to really want to make whatever adjustment to make the outcome he/she wants. None of us are perfect in everyway but we try and are our own self critics. I can't speak for Masonry, but for me the "Golden Rule" is the best we can hope to impart onto another.
Why aren't allegories and parables as effective as they once were? What has happened to change peoples ability to understand messages/concepts presented thusly? At the time Masonry began most people were much less educated. But information was also much less readily available to them. They learned by listening to a real person speaking to them. They learned "mouth to ear" even things that were not secrets.
In my opinion, it is the decline in the depth and breadth of education. I did my "schooling" more than six decades ago. And yes I really did walk to school in the snow in UT. ;-) I also studied more subjects; my parents did their level best to make me do my homework; I would not have dared skip school; I had my first job while I was still in grade school. ALL This informs us that our society, and it's expectations, have changed, and not for the better.
This makes "knowledge" and our responsibilities to "our fellow creatures" all that more important. I'm currently coaching an EA. We spend as much time talking about what something means or is meant to mean, why are these particular word important and why must we learn them, than on the memorization itself some days. It's not always an easy sell - it requires some real soul searching and self examination to be able to answer those questions. This instruction is one of the places where we as masons can really do the work of the craft and teach our youngest brothers that we are so much more that a social club. In hopes that one day they will be able to do the same for another novitiate.
You make a really important point, and one we do well to remember if our Brothers disappoint us. We can only change, only improve ourselves, if we hold the desire to do so.
No outside force can ever change us, only we can bring forth change within ourselves.
Fascinating topic Cameron, I look forward to reading the comments and responses.
Thank you! Gettin' kind of deep here today!
IMHO, the central mythos as acted out by the dramas of the rituals and the archetypes embodied therein, is the more important things to focus on, understand deeply, internalise and work toward perfecting.
There was good reason that carved above the grotto of the Oracle at Delphi was the admonishment: Know Thyself.
If Masonry generally and every Mason specifically doesn't fully understand and internalise the mythology and the Archetypes, then there's no way they as Masons and the Craft as whole can project that outward accurately into the world to be observed by others.
So the widely held beliefs about Freemasonry are moot. They never did match accurately what Freemasonry was and is about because it's a closed system. There was of course a public persona of the Craft that might have been better curated in some places than others.
>>>There was of course a public persona of the Craft that might have been better curated in >>>some places than others.
Agreed.
I fear that historically, we may have had the very worst possible ideas about cultivating the public image of Craft Freemasonry.
HIstorically, Grand Lodges by and large didn't respond to outside criticism of Freemasonry, nor provide information about Freemasonry outside of the Craft itself. Despite being in the very best position to do so.
But, individual Freemasons have responded to outside criticism, and widely dispensed personal visions of the Craft to the wider world. Sometimes without having the skills or knowledge needed to adequately answer critics and sometimes presenting personal interpretations of the Craft in inartful ways or with intemperate language.
Lacking any sort of 'Official' position, those who are curious are left only with 'Individual' positions, and have no inside knowledge that would allow them to separate the wheat from the chaff, the correct from the incorrect.
"HIstorically, Grand Lodges by and large didn't respond to outside criticism of Freemasonry, nor provide information about Freemasonry outside of the Craft itself. Despite being in the very best position to do so."
I've noticed this as well and have often wondered why. I have a friend who is a Naval Academy graduate who was a Public Affairs Officer for her career before she retired. The Navy always has a coordinated means of conveying information to the public. Grand Lodges could certainly use one too. Some kind of a rapid response press team.
I think that perhaps it was felt that the quiet acts of charity and kindness performed by Freemasons would suffice to protect the reputation of the Craft.
The value of allegory and parable is the lessons and insights imparted on the minds of the listener and the teller. Whether or not the allegory is historically accurate does not determine its value.
In my experience, feeble efforts to prove myths as fact tend to undermine the value. Some of our fellow Freemasons efforts to portray myth as fact have given our detractors ammunition in their efforts to discredit our fraternity.
>>>feeble efforts to prove myths as fact tend to undermine the value. Some of our fellow >>>Freemasons efforts to portray myth as fact have given our detractors ammunition in their >>>efforts to discredit our fraternity.
Undoubtedly this is true. Claims that Adam was a Freemason, or that Freemasonry as we know and understand it today was created during construction of the first Temple at Jerusalem, &c are clearly nuts. And when promoted, make us all look nuts.
Thankfully, we seem to have largely moved beyond that as more focus has been placed on researching our authentic history.
But, I think it can go the other way as well. We do run the risk of becoming so focused on authentic history that we forget the power of myth, not outside of our Craft, but internal to it.
I'm reminded of the Forget Me Not.
I have no idea if the widely known story of the Forget Me Not pin is factual, or if it is myth. No one alive today can know.
I do know that it would be a very valuable thing, a strong testament to the strength of Freemasonry if it is factually true. But I also know that it was spread by a German Freemason who by nature of his nationality would have had a vested interest in people believing it to be true at the time he was telling it.
Factual or not? Who knows. Nobody. And if anyone claims they do know, for certain, then we can know that they are misguided at best.
But, true or not, it is a really important story for our Craft. It teaches a vital Masonic lesson. It is wonderful. As truth it is wonderful, as a myth it is wonderful.
We can't lose, in my view, the power of myth within Freemasonry. But, as you rightly point out, trying to prove obvious myths as true, makes us look nuts.
Allegory is the expression of truths or generalizations about human existence by means of symbolic fictional figures and their actions. It encompasses such forms as fable and parable.
Does anyone really think that the parables of Jesus were based on true events? They were fictionalized stories to make a point.
But I think MW Cameron isn't discussing those internal myths, but rather the public's perception of what we are compared to who we think we are. I'd also throw in the perceptions we have of ourselves versus the reality.
Are we really an organization that takes good men and strives to make them better? In a large number of lodges, I don't see it. Just what are they doing to make men better? The business meetings are boring, officers reading from the standard work to open and close, lackluster meals, zero masonic education and no fellowship outside of lodge. Just what part, then, is the man becoming a better person? By the learning of patience while sitting through the meetings?
>>>But I think MW Cameron isn't discussing those internal myths, but rather the public's >>>perception of what we are compared to who we think we are. I'd also throw in the perceptions >>>we have of ourselves versus the reality.
Yes, this is what I was attempting to get at.
For what it is worth, it is my opinion, based only on my own experience, that Freemasonry can help a good man become a better man in a few different ways. Specifically:
-Through the conferring of the Degrees. My Degrees, were for me, profound experiences. Really profound. Reflecting back now, I can see that I changed parts of my life because of the Degrees. But, I received exceptionally performed Degrees. In order for our Degrees to have this kind of impact, they must be done exceptionally well. And of course, the Candidate has to be in an emotional and mental state where he can receive them.
-Through mentorship and interaction with men who have more and different life experiences. Simply put, good young guys can learn a lot from good old guys. Maybe we can learn some profound wisdom about life on one occasion and maybe we can learn how to maintain the roof on our house on another occasion. Whatever it is, it is good. But we can only do this if our Lodges provide fellowship occasions where this can happen.
-Through ritual memorization. I didn't figure this out for a really long time. But, looking back on it, I can see that by memorizing the ritual, we are in effect taking its lessons into ourselves. We are internalizing those lessons. But, this requires us to do work.
-Through Masonic education. We can learn, if the materials provided hold our interest and we see value in them. But we can't learn if our Lodge doesn't provide this opportunity.
Yes, of course, these external mythologies hurt us. It is my observation that there are two broad ways; first the negative mythologies that make us the global bogey men, and second the ones that give us powers and influences we don’t have. In the case of the first it creates enemies we have to guard against, or attracts men who want tp be the bogey man and these myths probably prevent some good men from expressing an interest in our fraternity. In the second case, the mythology makes promises we can’t keep.
What can we do? Not much sadly. We should continue to get our messages out. We should continue to highlight our charitable works. But in the world of social media, conspiracy theories, and the use of hate and fear as political and economic engines, our bad press will always find believers, and human beings have a tendency to share negative gossip much faster than positive.
In the end we must be true to our oaths, pursue the Light, not just for ourselves but for all humankind, and trust in the Grand Architect that truth will win.
You summed it up nicely. Motion is life...keep moving towards the Light.
My wife and I often laugh when we see someone on Social Media claiming that the Freemasons are so organized that we somehow control the world. When in reality, most Masonic groups are so disorganized we can barely keep many of our buildings from falling down around us!
Ultimately, I think that Freemasonry offers a man a pathway towards Mastery of the Self. Perhaps we can somehow hold that truth up against those claiming that we hold a Mastery of the World.
This is a real gem.
Self-mastery is also at the root of the martial arts - all of them. There is no way to emerge victorious over any opponent unless you master yourself because the opponent IS you, exteriorised. This is lesson of Miyamoto Musashi's life. (I game with a bunch of Marines at Quantico, and I learned this from one of them. It's really stuck with me. )
By extension, from the self to the world, there is no way you will ever master the world *unless* you master yourself. And this requires a capacity for delayed gratification, which as MIke Priddy points out, there isn't much room for in the modern digital space.
The Craft is applied to the civic world for the purposes of Brotherhood rather than war could be thought of as a civic cognate to the martial one.
Twins sons of different mothers ?
>>>The Craft is applied to the civic world for the purposes of Brotherhood rather than >>>war could be thought of as a civic cognate to the martial one.
Interesting! I've never considered that, but will have to ponder it today. Thanks!
The functions of mythology, if they are successful, includes a sense of everything - yourself, your society, the universe, and the mystery beyond—as one great unit.
So, I guess the answer would depend on how a lodge is in line with this principle. It being a "secret society" alludes to the fact that these things are veiled in allegory and symbolism. In all respect, I would say only a handful will understand this, regardless of rank or years involved. To some it's just a charitable organization or social club, and I dont think there's anything wrong with that, but it stops short of mythology.
>>>In all respect, I would say only a handful will understand this, regardless of rank or years >>>involved. To some it's just a charitable organization or social club, and I dont think there's >>>anything wrong with that, but it stops short of mythology.
In my experience you are undoubtedly correct.
There are loads and loads of Masons who have never made any kind of splash in their Lodge or Freemasonry in general who truly understand our Gentle Craft.
I know one Mason who was an absolute disaster in the East and who caused countless problems in multiple Lodges because of his complete lack of administrative skill and care. But sometimes, more often than not, he came up with the most profound interpretations of the deeper lessons of Freemasonry, and was able to explain those interpretations in a way that people could understand.
I know Masons, not many, but a couple, who have risen to the absolute pinnacle of Freemasonry, without understanding the first thing about Freemasonry.
Authority in the Craft doesn't translate to understanding of the Craft. Administrative skill likewise doesn't translate to understanding. But, some basic level of administrative skill is needed if one hopes to successfully lead a Lodge or other Masonic organization.
I'm given to understand that long ago, those Masons who sought knowledge about the Craft, who worked to perfect their understanding of it, were frequently called 'Bright Masons.' That's an appellation that I think we would do well to bring back.
Well you my brother are a shining example of Masonry.This forum you have created does good, like iron sharpening iron. I enjoy reading
Thank you Brother! I truly appreciate your kind words, and your support!
The mythology of Freemasonry is very rich and goes far back as time can tell. Can it be proved historically? No. Because the historical part, although important, is not relevant to the teachings of improving as human beings.
There is an Oral Tradition that still keep this knowledge and still transmit it from mouth to ear.
But beyond that, the myths and stories of Freemasonry are to make men better. And when it says "men" it does not mean only males, it encompasses all of humanity. Because if we can't use what we learned to make a better society then there is no reason for Freemasonry. The Craft is not just a men's club.
>>>But beyond that, the myths and stories of Freemasonry are to make men better. And when it >>>says "men" it does not mean only males, it encompasses all of humanity. Because if we can't >>>use what we learned to make a better society then there is no reason for Freemasonry. The >>>Craft is not just a men's club.
I think that long ago, our Craft here in the United States made an error.
Regular Freemasonry is a fraternal organization for men. And that's a good thing. Men need male spaces. I don't personally believe that mixed gender Freemasonry could offer what single gender Freemasonry offers, and I think that the difference is a vital one.
But, there has always apparently been a drive, by huge numbers of Masons in the US, to include women somehow.
That resulted in our creation of organizations like the Order of Eastern Star, Amaranth, and the rest. But these aren't Freemasonry, at best they are shadows of it.
We would have been better off, in my view, if instead of creating these side Orders, we would have simply encouraged efforts to establish female Freemasonry, and mixed Freemasonry. Not to make them a part of Male Craft Freemasonry as we know it, but to encourage them to thrive alongside of us.
We are certainly moving towards that now. UGLE is working with female Freemasons in England, the most recent Conference of Grand Masters of North America had a presentation about female Freemasonry. At least one large Grand Lodge has opened communication with female Freemasons in its Jurisdiction. And female Freemasons have spoken at Masonic conferences organized by Regular Freemasons.
To be clear, I am in no way advocating that Regular Freemasonry, as a male only institution change. But, I am saying that it is, in my view, more than a little nuts to work to deny the glories of Freemasonry to half the population of the world. I see no reason why female Freemasonry can't thrive, separate and distinct, right alongside male Freemasonry.
That is right not everybody is ready or mature enough to be in a mixed Lodge. I understand.
Things are even more complicated, UGLE is accepting women that transition to be men, be treated as a man.
Isn't that be accepting a woman into the Craft?
I know that this may be a controversial response. I pose it in the interest of having a full and open discussion, as I believe MWB Bailey intends. I don't mean to offend anyone, and I will not be offended by any response it may draw.
That is a tough question. The answer depends on how we define a "man". Our rituals do not explicitly say "male". So who/what is a man, in society as a whole and in Masonry specifically?
Is a man only someone who was born (XY) male? Or, is there something more to it? I think most of us would agree that men and women are or can be different in any number of ways beyond their 23rd chromosomes. Not to mention how complicated sets of 23rd chromosomes and their associated genes can actually be (though rare, there are more than 2 possibilities). Men and women may express their emotions differently, they may have different instincts, and most importantly may they see themselves differently.
So let me pose the opposite question. If a Mason chooses to transition to being a woman. Can she still be a mason afterward? I posit that if she is no longer eligible to be a Mason by virtue of her transition, then likewise a woman who chooses to transition to being a man must by the same reasoning be eligible to be a Mason.
We as Masons accept into our fraternity practitioners of any number of faiths and/or belief systems. We meet them on the level. So I ask you if a person truly believes themself to be a man, and lives and acts as such, wouldn't we be hypocritical to deny their belief and refuse to accept them into our ranks, if they are otherwise W&WC, based solely on their genes?
Full disclosure: I have friends, one of whom I have known for more than 50 years, who have made such a transition. Knowing them both before and after I am convinced of their sincerity and see them finally content to live openly as the person they always knew they were.
Thanks for your comment and for being open and honest. This is a very controversial topic indeed.
In terms of membership to the Order, Freemasonry is universal, anybody can be a Freemason. If the Lodge voted and approved that person, it mostly welcome.
Now, as an occultist and practitioner there are matters of the spirit that each individual has to work on itself before dealing with the kind of energy that Freemasonry has, same with other Initiatic Schools.
"As above, so below", has many diferent ways to be interprered, but all are related. As in heaven, so in Earth,
As in spirit, so in matter,
As in mind, so in body.
In order to advanced spiritually, mind and body has to be of the same nature, is a personal battle that has to be resolve before coming to a Lodge.
And that is why the motto: "Making good men, better".
Because we are bringing in a person that has resolve all his/her issues (personal, familiar and with society).
I might add that my friend wanted to petition DeMolay (and then maybe Freemansory), but their staunchly Catholic family would not allow it. Had they joined DeMolay and went on to become a Mason, this would not be a hypothetical question. I am sure that this issue has already confronted by more than one Lodge and Grand Lodge.
To my mind, this is a fairly straightforward question, with a fairly straightforward answer.
We should simply trust what the petitioner or Mason tells us.
If a man seeks to petition our Lodge, and he calls himself a man, and he presents as a man, and he lives as a man... well, then I think it perfectly appropriate for us to believe him to be a man.
I guess what I'm saying is, when I petitioned for the Degrees of Freemasonry, no one went all Crocodile Dundee on me, seeking to confirm my manhood by stroking my nuts!
If, on the other hand, a Mason begins calling herself a woman, presents herself as a woman, and lives as a woman... well, then I think it is just as appropriate for us to believe her to be a woman. And no longer meeting the qualifications to be a member of a male only Lodge or Grand Lodge.
It all comes down to, in my mind, believing what our petitioner or Mason tells us. No fondling of testicles necessary.
That said, some Regular Grand Lodges take a much different view from my own. UGLE and Texas perhaps each holding one extreme of the continuum.
This seems like sound reasoning.
Thank You. And thanks to you for the very interesting information of Women and Freemasonry!
Would you have any contact information for Ohio. I have a friend there who may be interested.
They have the option to join OWF or HFAF. They continue to be considered Masons by UGLE. "The United Grand Lodge of England adopted its transgender Policy on 17th July 2018 – closely followed by both the Order of Women Freemasons and Freemasonry for Women (FFW, previously known as the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons or HFAF)."
Here's UGLE's gender reassignment policy https://www.ugle.org.uk/gender-reassignment-policy
Here's a story on two Mason who transitioned https://www.londonmasons.org.uk/news/726/welcome-and-acceptance-meet-two-trans-brethren
Yes they do. Thanks for commenting Sister.
Women's Freemasonry runs parallel with men's in England and many other countries. I concur with you - women's Freemasonry ought to have been established long ago. Thanks to the efforts of Past Grand Master Christine Chapman of HFAF - The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, in England, America Lodge 57 was established in 2019 in Washington, D.C.
There are two orders of Women Freemasons in England: HFAF and OWF
1. OWF - was established first in 1908, and are the largest, oldest and frankly, monetarily wealthier. It was constituted as the Grand Lodge of the Honourable Order of Ancient Masonry in 1908 and adopted the title 'The Order of Women Freemasons' in 1958. They originally were a mixed Lodge of men and women until the early 1920s when they restricted admission to women only, and by 1935 it was an exclusively female organisation
2. HFAF - The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons hived off in 1913 and are small but mighty and punch *well* above their weight. It was due to the efforts of Past Grand Master Christine Chapman, working with OWF and UGLE, that UGLE now recognises both orders are Regular.
We can only combat those untrue, pervasive myths about our craft by coming out of the closet! Don't keep it a secret that you are an active Mason. Wear that badge proudly! Show by example how you live your life and that being a Mason is a significant part of why you do. That it complements the rest of your belief system.
How much better off would the whole of humanity be if more of us met on the level, acted by the plumb and parted on the square with everyone with whom we interact?
I agree with this 100%.
I never leave the house without something Masonic. Usually a shirt, rings, sometimes with a jacket and hat. No matter where I go, there is no question but that I'm a Mason.
But, it works the other way too.
My truck has Masonic License Plates. My SUV does not. Because I drive my truck in a manner that is polite to other drivers. My wife drives our little SUV quite a bit differently. The last thing we need are cars speeding around, their drivers suffering from road rage, all while festooned with Masonic emblems. Unfortunately, I've seen just that happen.
So yes, I agree, we need to let the world know that we are Masons. But, when doing so, we must also be on our best behavior!
From my early lessons in computers the one thing that has stuck with me is K.I.S.S., (keep, it, simple, stupid). The use of allegory and parable may work for some but they aren't simple concepts and in todays world if you aren't hit over the head several times the message doesn't get through.
As for making another person better, that is improbable (wives have been trying forever). The induvial has to really want to make whatever adjustment to make the outcome he/she wants. None of us are perfect in everyway but we try and are our own self critics. I can't speak for Masonry, but for me the "Golden Rule" is the best we can hope to impart onto another.
Why aren't allegories and parables as effective as they once were? What has happened to change peoples ability to understand messages/concepts presented thusly? At the time Masonry began most people were much less educated. But information was also much less readily available to them. They learned by listening to a real person speaking to them. They learned "mouth to ear" even things that were not secrets.
In my opinion, it is the decline in the depth and breadth of education. I did my "schooling" more than six decades ago. And yes I really did walk to school in the snow in UT. ;-) I also studied more subjects; my parents did their level best to make me do my homework; I would not have dared skip school; I had my first job while I was still in grade school. ALL This informs us that our society, and it's expectations, have changed, and not for the better.
This makes "knowledge" and our responsibilities to "our fellow creatures" all that more important. I'm currently coaching an EA. We spend as much time talking about what something means or is meant to mean, why are these particular word important and why must we learn them, than on the memorization itself some days. It's not always an easy sell - it requires some real soul searching and self examination to be able to answer those questions. This instruction is one of the places where we as masons can really do the work of the craft and teach our youngest brothers that we are so much more that a social club. In hopes that one day they will be able to do the same for another novitiate.
You make a really important point, and one we do well to remember if our Brothers disappoint us. We can only change, only improve ourselves, if we hold the desire to do so.
No outside force can ever change us, only we can bring forth change within ourselves.