The Anthropological Mason

First NY Masonic Lodge outside of Manhattan informally started by an Irish Military Lodge

2012-01-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

On the revolutionary battleground extending between the waters of Lake Champlain and the Hudson River and up to Fort Edward, traitors, double agents, royalists, loyalists, patriots and American Indians were gathering intelligence, trading in goods and being made Masons. The French forces (who would later march unsuccessfully against Fort Edward, only to be met with canon balls ushered in by the colonial forces) were in Montreal and later the Dutch gathered in Albany. The British formed an alliance with the Iroquis while the Algonquian tribes cooperated with the Dutch. The British regiments were attached to lodges which would meet in the off hours of war. Military lodges were a common theme amongst the Colonies, and the Colonial forces congregated in a lodge at Fort William Henry on Lake George. In the winter of 1758, the 2nd Battalion of Royal Scots, attached to the Military Masonic Lodge No. 74 under the Irish Constitution, quartered at Albany and initiated several residents in the area into Freemasonry. When the regiment pulled out of Albany, they left behind a copy of their lodge's charter and a certificate which read as follows:

We, the Master, Warden and Brethren of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, No. 74, Registry of Ireland, held in the second Battalion Royal, adorned with all the honors, and assembled in due form, Do hereby declare, certify and attest that Whereas, our body is very numerous by the addition of many new members, merchants and inhabitants of the city of Albany, they having earnestly requested and besought us to enable them to hold a Lodge during our absence from them and we knowing them to be men of undoubted reputation and men of skill and ability in Masonry and desirous to promote the welfare of the Craft: We have, therefore by unanimous consent and agreement, given them an exact true copy of our Warrant as above, and have properly installed Mr. Richard Cartright, Mr. Henry Bostwick and Mr. W. Ferguson, as Assistant Master and Wardens of our body, allowing them to set and act during our absence, or until they, by our assistance, can procure a separate WARRANT for themselves from the GRAND LODGE IN IRELAND.

Given under our hands and seal of our Lodge in the City of Albany, the eleventh day of April, in the year of MASONRY, 5759, and in the year of our LORD GOD 1759.

JOHN STEADMAN, Secretary

ANIAS SUTHERLAND, Master

CHARLES CALDER, Senior Warden

THOMAS PARKER, Junior Warden

The group of Masons left behind in Albany continued to function and flourish as a lodge, and they came under the Grand Lodge of New York in 1807. On May 12th, 1768, the cornerstone was laid for the first lodge building to be built and owned by Masons for Masonic purposes in North America.

Anthropological investigation and analysis of the nuances of subcultures such as Freemasonry

2011-07-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

The power of language to shape or constitute bodily experience, necessitates the anthropological investigation and analysis of the nuances of subcultures such as Freemasonry and especially where it is practiced within the confines of ethnically insulated communities, thus differentiating itself via subtle nuances of ethnographic and cultural influences upon its practices. Still, no matter how many interviews are held, conversations transcribed and rituals read or even more especially experienced within the context of the fully entrenched researcher, it still becomes impossible to betray the actual secrets of such entities. These hybrid traditions and initiatory lodges, convey a gnosis to their recipients, which language, no matter how eloquent, fails to convey.

Linking organizational learning to cognitive processes.

2011-07-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

This is referred to as the “cognitive perspective" according to Cook and Yanow. One major hurdle in this analysis is the impossibility of actually seeing cognition take place, but this has actually been encroached upon by modern day neuroscience, which has reported on observed patterns in the brain that correspond to the cognitive act.

Christopher McIntosh and the Orden des Gold-und Rosenkreutz, Asiatic Brethren and more...

2010-12-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, February 26th, 2011 at 2PM, the Rose Circle Research Foundation will host a book signing and symposium at 71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan, featuring the author, lecturer, professor Christopher McIntosh of Exeter University. The occasion is motivated by the Rose Circle's ideal of bringing unpublished information, both academic and artifactual, within the reach of the interested researcher, what ever their affiliation might be.

Dr. Christopher McIntosh is re-releasing his classic work via the SUNY Books Western Esoteric Traditions series for an affordable $80 dollar price, in sharp contrast with the $1,500.00 to $5,000.00 dollars it has been going for on the internet for the past ten years.

This classic work is titled as "The Rose Cross and the Age of Reason: Eighteenth-Century Rosicrucianism in Central Europe and Its Relationship to the Enlightenment", and this new edition is being released due to the ever growing demand for the more intricate details and archives of the more obscure Rosicrucian Masonic currents in Europe. It attracts both sociologist and historian, practitioner and political analyst alike, as this work stands as an objective, detail oriented presentation of information, much of it not readily available in the public sphere. The author brings to light the nuances of the political context and the intrigue of influences, and much of this information contrasts sharply with the popular high level summaries of the influence, activities and scope of such groups as the Germanic Gold und Rosenkreuz and the many streams that radiated from these lodges. From the covering of the German Masonic power of the Three Globes, to the supposed offspring of the Nascent Dawn to the definite break off of the Asiatic Brethren and Fratres Lucis, the high-degree Masons, aristocrats, intelligence agents and various conflicting agendas, make for a fascinating read and a take on the reality of history that has been for the most part either suppressed or simply under-reported due to turmoil on the continent and the elusive caches of archives that result.

The focus of this book is mainly the Golden and Rosy Cross, operating in German-speaking lands, the initiation and patronage of the Prussian King, Frederick William II, the fascinating content of the rites and the contributors to the same, with all of their interpersonal conflict and fraternity alike. Mainstream academics have, when approaching the subject at all, presented the Golden and Rosy Cross as a conservative, anti-Enlightenment movement of irrational hermits, clinging to the lowly folk traditions of the middle ages. McIntosh presents, with the help of exceptionally rare German texts extracted from various archives, a re-evaluation that unquestionably shows us that things were in all reality, much more complex than that. The intricacies of the counter-intelligence operations of the secular humanist agenda plotted and carried out by the Bavarian Illuminati against Christian esoteric Orders, is a complicated tale of inter-related families, names, double agents, schisms and the agendas of Jacobite politics, Protestant reformation, Jesuit intervention and political treason. As the publisher's website describes, "Dr. McIntosh argues rather that it was part of a "third force", which allied itself sometimes with the Enlightenment, sometimes with the Counter-Enlightenment." The Order's (and subsequent break off groups) focus upon physical alchemy as an intense lab study to accompany a magical masonic degree system are detailed in McIntosh's factually lucid, yet fluidic style of writing.

In this new context, Hermetic Neoplatonism, Kabbalistic (both Jewish Rabbinic and Christian Hermetic sources) physical alchemical operations, blended with Orthodox Christian dogma, Neoplatonic intellectual concepts and rigid scientific methodology to produce a vast array of what outsiders might dismissively classify as conflicting dogma. Papal powers published lists of banned books by authors who were involved in occult Masonic circles of Rosy Cross lodges, while simultaneously we find Franciscan and Jesuit hands involved in the chartering of high degree systems of Masonry and Rosicruciana. Admittedly, relations between Christian clergy and the Rosicrucian lodges were at times tense, but this is in the context of Roman Catholic, Protestant and certainly Orthodox priests being at times involved in the stream of Orders related to the Gold und Rosencreutzers. Depending on the agenda at the moment, moves might be made to counter the Counter-Enlightment clergy's rulings and writing, and at other times they would be supported both openly and in sub-rosa gatherings.

Make sure to keep the date open, as this rare opportunity to meet with and listen to Dr. McIntosh is not to be missed.

Be Purified

2010-08-02T18:35:00.000-07:00

Grand Orient d'Haiti

Saint Johns Day Festival 2010 in Jacmel, Haiti
Haitian Masonic Kohanim
Purification before Theurgical Invocation

Sir Knight Chic Cicero, Grand Commander Knights Templar in Florida

2010-04-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

{Pictured above are Right Eminent Past Department Commander, Knight Commander of the Temple David Hargett of North Carolina with Soror Tabitha Cicero, Social Order of the Beauceant next to her husband Right Eminent Grand Commander S.K. Charles "Chic" Cicero, & Right Excellent Piers Vaughan, who flew down from New Jersey in his capacity as Grand Principal Sojourner for the Grand Chapter of New York Royal Arch Masons}

At the 116th Installation of Officers of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Florida, held yesterday on Saturday, April 17th, 2010, Sir Knight Charles “Chic” Cicero was installed as the Right Eminent Grand Commander. Chic Cicero is a World famous lecturer and author, known primarily for his work and his leadership in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Chic is also an active Magister Templi in the Societias Rosicruciana and is a member of the Red Cross of Constantine where he actively lends his services as a lecturer and teacher in the realm of early Christian Mysteries.

The Knights Templar Grand Commandery of which he is now Grand Commander of in Florida, is a subordinate Grand Commandery of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar USA. It is a Masonic Order for Christian Masons. Cicero's background in teaching the spiritual and mystical aspects of Christianity is a welcome influence and addition to the Masonic Knights Templar, who are idealized as Soldiers of Christ in much of their own literature. The Sir Knights in Florida are no doubt gushing with excitement over the prospect of being lead by their new Grand Commander who is both and international leader and a demonstrated adept. It should be interesting to watch the work of the Grand Commandery of Florida. It is certain to be a productive and positive year.

The Rubbish Pile: Masonic Lodges in Haiti Attempt to Rebuild Amidst Despair

2010-02-26T07:02:00.000-08:00

Anthropologists have long since documented the global discrimination towards Haiti that has consciously contributed to its inability to prepare for a natural crisis such as a hurricane. The question being asked by many is "why is Haiti so poor?" Whether one goes back the the slave revolts or Papa Doc or anti-Aristide coups, Haiti has endured great hardships, rebelled against the establishment that oppresses it and fought to overcome the economic bullying by corporate interests from North America, France and elsewhere. It has been deforested in the process, but there are untold amounts of precious fossil fuels beneath the surface of Haiti. These things bring in parties who do not have Haiti's best interest at heart. The Haitian people turn to their spiritual practices to cope with disaster, and this strengthens them. However, so many of their cathedrals, temples and lodges are now in ruins as a result of the recent quake. Here are some photos of the devastation that has hit the Masonic community in Haiti. The original Grand Orient d'Haiti building has been completely devastated along with the nearby Cathedral, the home of the Bishop, the foreign embassies and other government buildings on Rue de Magasin.

Haiti's speculative Masons are having to focus their efforts on physical, operative work to rebuild as seen in the photos taken at various Masonic temples on February 8th, 2010.

Be sure to donate now yourself or through your Masonic Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery, Consistory or Priory by writing a check out to the MSA.

Keep a candle lit with your prayers for our brethren in Haiti...

Claude Levi-Strauss, the Father of Modern Anthropology, has passed on today

2009-11-03T09:44:00.000-08:00

The latest flood of news and emails in from France, have alerted me to the fact that Claude Levi-Strauss, the acclaimed father of modern anthropology, has died at age 100. Of Jewish extract, born on Nov. 28, 1908, in Brussels, Belgium, Levi-Strauss was the son of French speaking parents. He brought attention to the commonalities existing between tribal and industrial societies while reshaping the entire field of anthropology. While documenting and mapping out the concept of structuralism with patterns of behavior and thought forms, Levi-Strauss started the intellectual trend of examining the underlying cause and archetype that lay behind every human and group action within the context of a system.

Over six decades, Levi-Strauss authored literary and anthropological classics while working closely with the staff at the Academie Francaise. Levi-Strauss was acknowledged by academia with numerous honorary doctorates from universities including Harvard, Yale and Oxford, as well as universities in Sweden, Mexico and Canada. He was much quoted by Masonic academics and historians, attempting frame Masonic ritual in a societal and cultural context of relevance, in a struggle to understand the phenomena of Western initiatory societies.

Masonic dialogue in Murray Hill, Manhattan, NYC

2009-10-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

Consecration of the Sacred Space

2009-09-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

As the Senior Deacon in a craft lodge in the State of New Jersey, moves about the floor, his movement is mirrored by the Junior Deacon. This is strikingly similar to the Deacon & Sub Deacon's work in the Tridentine Mass of the Roman Catholic Church. I thought about the movements and proving (with the use of the password) and purging. It is much like a clearing or banishing in the consecrating of a sacred space. The Holy Bible on the altar of the Masonic Lodge, speaks clearly of the rite of lighting a lamp. The Senior Deacon in the Masonic Lodge lights the the lights.

In the Eastern church tradition of the Orthodox Christians, the bishop and the architect mark the outline of the future building. The bishop (having himself been initiated via apostolic ordination and consecration) places the cornerstone and lights an oil lamp. St. Symeon, archbishop of Thessalonica (of the 1400's AD) described how "The bishop takes stones with his hands, descends to the foundation and places them in the form of a cross, blessing them as a symbol of placing an unshakable stone - Christ - in the foundation of the church. Then he takes an oil lamp, fills it with oil, lights it and places with blessing in the space between the stones, which means heavenly enlightenment from the true Light and the sole true light - the one of Christ" (St. Symeon of Thessalonica, A conversation on the sacred rites and church sacraments, ch.69). The Grand Master, in some respects a Primate or Patriarch of the craft, consecrates the cornerstone being laid for the foundation, with corn, wine and oil. In Christian forms of Masonry, such as the Scottish Rectified Rite in Switzerland, the Great Prior is blatantly titled as the Most Reverend, unapologetically placing an episcopal importance upon his chair.

The bishop responsible for the ritual consecrating of the new church, approaches the altar table with a special blend of incense. A chorus is sung: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." The Entered Apprentice Freemason will no doubt observe, that this very same chorus was delivered during his circumambulation and birth into the lodge, where he was given a new name, just as the Baptizand was given a new name.

The Codex Sinaiticus Project

2009-08-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

The Codex Sinaiticus Project is an academic collaboration of institutions, orders, societies and private persons who hold interest in the preservation and insight offered by a 1600 year old translation of the Christian Holy Bible in Greek. This is an exercise in both Project Management and Anthropology, which is of no small interest to the many circles of better informed Freemasons. This is no small undertaking, and all digital anthropologists should take note of the milestones involved in bringing together the fragments from around the world.

Rest In Peace, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima

2009-05-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

A favorite Professor of mine at Rutgers University was Van Sertima. He passed on peacefully in his home in Highland Park, New Jersey on Memorial Day. We have lost one of the greatest minds, I have ever had the pleasure of interacting with. Thankfully, he left his mark behind in the form of countless lecture tapes, books and scholarly articles. He was an outstanding anthropologist, and a brilliant lecturer. His funeral is tomorrow morning at Riverside Church in Manhattan.

The Enigma of Rosslyn Chapel

2009-03-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday at Alpha Lodge No. 116, Dr. Tim Wallace-Murphy presented to a captivated & arrested audience...a look into the Masonic, Templar and Esoteric connections to this mysterious chapel in Scotland. The Magpie Masonic Reporter was on hand, and has delivered a full recap. Tim Wallace-Murphy is a Freemason and international best selling author known throughout the world for his deep knowledge of Rosslyn, the Knights Templar, Sacred Geometry and Rex Deus & sacred continuation of esoteric and gnostic knowledge. His best selling books include The Mark of the Beast, Rosslyn: Guardians of the Secret of the Holy Grail, Rex Deus: The True Mystery of Rennes-Le-Chateau, Cracking the Symbol Code and many more. He is a doctor of medicine and psychology and has spent decades researching the ancient traces of the wisdom tradition around the World. He flew across from Nice, France to deliver his findings and important insight on the Rosslyn Chapel as well as various motifs, symbols and connections that exist in architecture, culture, society and are preserved by various Orders, many of them Masonic.

The program itself has been opened to the public in effort to extend Alpha Lodge as a harbor of learning and a lighthouse in the community of Essex County, New Jersey. Alpha is a lodge founded by academics, linguists, educators, juris-doctors, artisans and men who devoted themselves to a lifetime of learning. At Alpha Lodge there is evident, an encouragement of the development of character and the shaping individual members into better contributors to the World at large. Lectures, art shows, conferences, symposiums and even events aimed to entertain and foster learning in our children are commonplace at the historic Alpha Lodge No. 116 in New Jersey.

Masonic Week 2009

2009-02-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

The Mark Center Hilton in Alexandria, VA was full of Masonic historians, educators, leaders and ritualists conferring with one another until the late hours on research, restoration, preservation and initiation. Here, a member of the Grand Lodge of Spain confers with Ill. Art de Hoyos, Grand Archivist of the Universe.

Masonic Scholar pays visit to his lodge

2009-02-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

Dr. Trevor Stewart, a retired professor from England and Scotland, is known around the world for his ground breaking research on the earliest forms and activities of lodges of Masons. He is a Past Prestonian Lecturer for the UGLE (2004), and Past Master of several lodges including the Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 & Sir Robert Moray Lodge under the GLoS. Here he is pictured this past December 10th, 2008 at the historic Alpha Lodge No. 116 in East Orange, NJ where he is an honorary member. Trevor made the trip across the pond in order to see David Lindez installed as Worshipful Master of Alpha Lodge that night.

A look into NJ & PA taverns in Colonial times

2009-01-15T13:22:00.000-08:00

New Jersey's state seal was designed by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere a Swiss born Artist. This is the same artist who originally drafted the United States Great Seal along with other designs signifying America’s new independence. The New Jersey Seal was presented in May, 1777, to the Legislature, which was then meeting in the Indian King Tavern in Haddonfield. This Tavern reportedly served as a Masonic lodge at times.

Throughout 1777, the Indian King Tavern, with its huge second-floor meeting hall, served as a major political and administrative center for the Continental war effort. The Council and General Assembly of New Jersey -- the state's main government body -- was forced to evacuate its offices in the battle-ravaged Trenton and temporarily relocate to the Indian King. It was here that the Declaration of Independence was formally read into the minutes of the New Jersey Assembly. And it was here -- with Hugh Creighton and staff serving up great tankards of ale for toasting afterward -- that the Assembly enacted the law that officially changed New Jersey from a colony into a state and adopted that State's Great Seal.”
The three plows in the shield honor the state's agricultural tradition. The helmet above the shield faces forward, an attitude denoting sovereignty and thus particularly fitting for one of the first governments created under the notion that the state itself is the sovereign. The crest above the helmet is a horse's head. (Levins)

The supporting female figures are Liberty and Ceres, the Roman goddess of grain, symbolizing abundance. Liberty, on the viewer's left, carries the liberty cap on her staff. Ceres holds a cornucopia filled with harvested produce. Although the Seal's major elements have kept their relative positions for more than 200 years, there have been a number of lesser changes. The staff that Liberty now holds with her right hand she once held in the crook of her left arm. While the female figures now face straight ahead, they at one time looked away from the shield. The cornucopia that Ceres now holds upright was once inverted, its open end upon the ground. The Seal was redesigned in accordance with Joint Resolution 8 of the Laws of 1928. It was then that the year of statehood, 1776, first appeared in Arabic figures.

The bronze medallion of Pennsylvania’s R.W. Grand Master Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., commemorates the 200th anniversary of the time in 1802 when the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, the oldest Masonic jurisdiction in North America, first owned its own building. From its earliest days as a Provincial Grand Lodge in 1731 until it acquired its own building, meetings were held in various places, first in taverns and inns, then in meeting houses. The 2002 commemorative piece reflects Pennsylvania's Masonic history, showing all the places where Grand Lodge has held its meetings. The 12 meeting places preceding the present Masonic Temple are depicted on the reverse of the four-inch diameter medallion like the numbers on a clock dial, starting with the oldest, Tun Tavern at the bottom and progressing clockwise. Today's Masonic Temple is in the center. Shown in very detailed bronze relief, they are:

1773-1748: Indian King Tavern and 1749-1754: Royal Standard Tavern -- Both taverns were located on High St. (now Market St.) below Third, at the corner of Biddle's Alley. The Indian King Tavern was at Market and Bank Streets, to the right of the First Presbyterian Church, and the Royal Standard, at Market near Second St. was to the left

1786- On December 18th, in White Hall Tavern in the City of New Brunswick, New Jersey Hon. David Brearley, Chief Justice of the State of New Jersey, was elected Grand Master unanimously and placed in charge of the mysteries of the craft (Shaw, Everts & Peck)

1800-1802: The State House (Independence Hall) -- The lodge room was on the second floor of The State House on the south side of Chestnut St., between Fifth and Sixth Streets.

1. Levins, H.

2. Shaw, W.; Everts & Peck (1884) History of Essex and Hudson Counties, New Jersey

Latest book by Brother Alain Bernheim, CBCS

2009-01-14T13:20:00.000-08:00

Here is the English version (the book is in French) of Ill. Br. Art de Hoyos' endorsement of Brother Alain's lates work:

FOREWORD

Arturo de Hoyos, 33º
Grand Archivist and Grand Historian
Supreme Council, 33º, Southern Jurisdiction, USA

The job of an historian is to tell the truth as clearly and unambiguously as possible. For non-historians this may sound like a simple act, but for those of us who have written much history, we have learned that to do this is anything but simple. A good historian is a detective who may spend days, weeks, months or even years, trying to trace down a “simple” fact which amounts to a sentence or two, but without which one’s work would be incomplete. Or, there may a temptation to omit facts which run contrary to the interests or traditions of his associates, friends, or even the organization for which he works. He may be forced to admit that he was wrong about previously held notions or ideas upon which other historians have subsequently relied. He may have to relinquish his claim to being the foremost expert on a subject when another rises whose work shines a greater light upon otherwise obscure and troublesome issues of the past. But if he is true to himself none of this will matter to him, because all interests are worthy sacrifices upon the altar of truth.

I am privileged and proud to know one historian who embodies these virtues, a man whose writings have inspired me in my own Masonic researches, and whose outright honesty continues to thrill me at the same time it offends others. I am, of course, referring to my dear very friend and Illustrious Brother, Alain Bernheim, 33º, the author of this book. Alain’s Masonic writings can be neatly summed up in just two words: authoritative and encyclopedic. His unmatched knowledge of obscure sources, his blatant honesty, wit, and occasionally sarcasm (all of which I admire) have not come without price. They have made him unpopular among certain Masonic “academics.” Some of the “leading lights” of Masonic research don’t know how to deal with Alain. Like the gods of Olympus, he is both feared and reverenced (the German word Ehrfurcht comes to mind). And Ehrfurcht is indeed owed to Alain. If your research is good, he will praise you. If, however, you are sloppy, fail to use primary sources, or “borrow” the thoughts or research of another author, you will soon have cause to regret the wit and occasional sting of Alain’s profound intellect. But his honesty is neither malice nor a one-way street. One of the first things I learned about Alain is that he does not desire criticism about his own research; rather, he demands it. It was his almost fanatical devotion to the truth, and the truth alone, which soon formed a bond between us, and is the basis of a friendship which I hold near my heart.

Alain’s contributions are too numerous to count. His analysis of the Scottish Rite’s so-called Constitutions of the 1786 was a brilliant piece of detective work which led to its discovery as a forgery. His masterful article on the dating of Masonic documents is the clearest exposition available. His articles in such publications as Ars Quatuor Coronotorum, Renaissance Traditionelle, and more recently, in Heredom: The Transaction of the Scottish Rite Research Society, are unmatched and (in my opinion) unassailable. Alain’s palette does not only contain more colors than any other Masonic scholar, but he also paints with a greater finesse, a finer detail, and also a wider scenery. He brings light, further light, and greater light on every topic he touches. One need only study his masterful Les Débuts de la Franc-Maçonnerie à Genève et en Suisse (Genève: Editions Slatkine, 1994), to see that a new standard had been raised.

The book you hold in your hands is a magnificent anthology which should be translated into as many languages as possible. I am thrilled that this collection now appears in print, and believe that it will lay a foundation important to a greater understanding of Freemasonry. Although I read French, German and Spanish, I hope to see this book translated into my native English, as I believe it will firmly set Alain’s rightful place in the English pantheon, which includes the “dean of Masonic history,” Robert F. Gould; the “Holy Trinity” of Knoop, Jones and Hamer; the amazing Harry Carr. I am privileged to commend this book, Une “Certaine Idée de la Franc-Maçonnerie to the Masonic world, and promise that the reader will be amply rewarded.

Brother Buzz Aldrin of Montclair, New Jersey

2008-11-21T22:27:00.000-08:00

Illustrious Brother Buzz Aldrin of NASA fame, was initiated in Montclair, New Jersey's Masonic Lodge on South Fullerton Avenue and grew up in Montclair at 25 Princeton Place.

Alpha Schedule

2008-11-09T21:06:00.000-08:00

This Wed is an EA degree at Alpha Lodge where 3 Men will be born into the light as Masons. December 10th is the installation of officers.

Prestonian Lecturer John Wade Quatuor Coronati Lodge, 2076

2008-11-09T15:40:00.000-08:00

John Stephen Wade (seen in the photo to the far right with red Scottish Regalia and a Provincial Chain Collar) was born in Edinburgh in 1947, but moved to Leeds when his father was appointed lecturer at the university there. He was educated at High Storrs Grammar School Sheffield and the University of Durham where he read Classics. Following a 20 year career as a Classics teacher in Sheffield, during which time he wrote a thesis on Philip of Macedon for his MA dissertation, he transferred his Classics teaching to Further Education and then on to Higher Education at the University of Sheffield, where he finished his full-time career as Teaching Fellow in Latin and Greek. Having taken an early retirement in 2005, Bro. Wade continues to teach Latin to postgraduate students at the University, act as consultant to the British Academy John Foxe Project, and assist in the Centre for Research into Freemasonry in the Humanities Research Institute, where he is now based, as well as completing his doctoral thesis on the Latin writings of the Tudor martyrologist, John Foxe.
He was initiated into Fellowship Lodge No. 4069 in 1981 and exalted into Fellowship Royal Arch Chapter No. 4069 in 1985. He was installed as WM of Fellowship Lodge in 1991 and was the founding Master of Amadeus Lodge No. 9359 in 1994. Bro. Wade is a Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in both Yorkshire West Riding and Derbyshire. He is a Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in the Royal Arch, a Past Sovereign in the Rose Croix and is the Immediate Past Master of his Mark Lodge. Currently he is the Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Hope of Kurrachee No. 337 (Scottish Constitution). From 2003 – 2005 he was President of the Sheffield Masonic Study Circle. Having been elected a full member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge in 2005, he also manages to find time to be a member of Lodges in Ireland, Italy and the USA as well as being the Musical Director of the Sheffield and District Masonic Choir which he founded in 1991.

JOHN MALCOLM DUNCALF

2008-11-08T13:05:00.001-08:00

JOHN MALCOLM DUNCALF, a Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden of the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding, United Grand Lodge of England.

Initiated into the Lodge of Thanksgiving, No. 6212 in 1972 and subsequently Installed into the Chair of King Solomon in 1984. Joined Leeds & District Lodge of Installed Masters, No. 7918 in 1993 becoming its Master in 2004. Also a Founder Member of the Rugby Football Lodge, No. 9811 in 2005 and a member of the Correspondence Circle of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076.

As a requirement of being Installed into the Chair of Leeds & District Lodge of Installed Masters, researched and presented a paper entitled “Freemasons of American Revolution” which has subsequently been published in both the Transactions of the Georgia Lodge of Research and the American Lodge of Research. A significant amount of the necessary research was undertaken with the generous assistance of a number of Brethren associated with various Lodges of Research in the USA and in particular Dick Sager, Georgia; Donald Miller, Maryland; Ronald Goldwyn and Harvey Eysman both of The American Lodge of Research. Additional opportunities also resulted from a number of business trips particularly to Washington DC, San Antonio, Texas, New York and especially Philadelphia where Glenys Waldman, the Librarian of The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania provided access to many of the publications housed there.

This original project has subsequently generated so much additional material a much more detailed piece of work is currently in hand and this visit will undoubtedly provide additional stimulation to bring it to a conclusion.

Married with one daughter, I have spent over 40 years in the insurance and risk management business as a Chartered Insurance Practitioner and Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute. In addition to Freemasonry other interests include rugby football, cricket, travel and reading historical novels.

A Freeman of the City of London (1984) and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers (1986).

Peter Hamilton Currie

2008-11-07T15:35:00.000-08:00

Bro Currie is the current editor of Ars Quatuor Coronatorum a post he has held for nine years and will be relinquishing after the publication of AQC 120, in favour of Bro John Wade. He has been the Indexer since 1993 a post he still holds. His published works on Craft Freemasonry include:

Papers: ‘The Growth and Development of Masonic Ritual’; ‘The H Sn, Whence did it take its Rise?’; ‘Two Masonic Arks’ (Norman B. Spencer Prize 1998, AQC 112); ‘Metropolitan Working’; ‘The Holy Royal Arch, an Historical Perspective’; Books: The History of the Royal Naval & Military Chapter No. 2404 (for its Centenary Meeting 27 January 1995); Stability Ritual (1992, Ed.).

In conjunction with Bro David Peabody, a Past Master of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, he has rendered every volume of AQC, from Volume 1 (1886) to the present date, onto CD ROM, in searchable PDF format. He has written indexes for Marking Well (the commemorative volume celebrating the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons); the Book of Constitutions (2003, UGLE); Vols 2, 3 & 4 of the Canonbury Papers and From Across the Water (Collected American writings from AQC).

In the field of book production Bro Currie has edited, typeset and designed: Tracing Boards: their Development and their Designers, Haunch, T.O. (QCCC Ltd., 2004); Royal Arch Masons & Knights Templar at Redruth, Cornwall, 1791-1828, Mandleberg & Davies (QCCC Ltd, 2005); A History of Mount Moriah Chapter No. 143, formerly No. 9, Mandleberg, C.J. (Hamilton House, 2006) and The History of The Royal Alpha Lodge No. 16 (Hamilton House, 2006).

Bro Currie is the current webmaster of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge website: www.quatuorcoronati.com and is presently engaged in updating and reproducing Knoop Jones & Hamer’s three seminal works on Freemasonry – Early Masonic Catechisms; Early Masonic Pamphlets and The Genesis of Freemasonry. He is also, at the behest of the Grand Secretary of the UGLE, steadily updating and compiling The Masonic Yearbook Historical Supplement which records the details of all Grand Officers from 1717 to the present time. This will also eventually appear as a searchable PDF file.

Sons of Liberty Lodge No. 301 in West New York, NJ

2008-11-06T12:11:00.000-08:00

I was there when Sons of Liberty received their charter from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. They were a red lodge of spanish speaking members, many of whom still walked to lodge. It is in the urban enclave of West New York near Bergenline which connects Guttenberg, Union City and flows into Jersey City. Their history is quite interesting, and they are flourishing in Hudson County, NJ. Their lodge is upstairs from a Spanish Restaurant. So, the agape is a given. There is a great energy at this lodge. Make it your business to visit them. Check out their new website: http://www.sol301.com/

E John T Acaster

2008-11-06T09:52:00.001-08:00

John, a retired banker and school inspector, was initiated in London in 1970. He spent six years there discovering Craft, Royal Arch, and Mark masonry before moving to Manchester, where he has since settled. He has been a founder of two Craft Lodges and a Royal Arch Chapter. Among the seven Lodges to which he belongs is the Manchester Lodge for Masonic Research No 5502, and he has recently become a member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No 2076. He has also passed through the chairs of the A&AR and Secret Monitor.

John wrote many published articles on banking history before studying Freemasonry. The annual Transactions of the Manchester Association for Masonic Research from 1998 onwards contain several of his papers. Another may be found in the Transactions of the Lodge of Research, Leicester. Others are accessible at www.cornerstonesociety.com

The Rose Circle's Latest Conference

2008-10-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the crowd that day...

Rosicrucianism and Masonry was the essentially the topic of the day. It was a balanced blend of both historical fact and practical application. It was both objective, and as R.A. Gilbert pointed out, subjective in content. A recap can be found at the Rose Circle website.

DVD's will be made available shortly on the website, but here is a short teaser below...

Looking For Mr. Gilbert

2008-10-07T10:04:00.000-07:00

Just before delivering a talk on a small, handwritten occult manuscript of William Blake's amidst an excellent dinner of Indian cuisine in the company of distinguished Freemasons from around the globe, Oxford Doctoral candidate, R.A. Gilbert got lost amidst the multiple floors of used and rare books in Montclair Books. While stumbling across literary classics, a colleague of mine from Portugal found a book by Art de Hoyas in stock as I engaged the clerk to pull up all of the books by R.A. Gilbert that were in stock in hopes of purchasing one and having it autographed by the Author who was at this point exploring the sub-cellar full of rare old dusty books. But, it was upstairs on the upper floor that Bob found the book he had been looking for. Just recently, a fellow educator had made him aware of the existence of another person in the world referring to himself as 'R. A. Gilbert'. It turns out he is an African-American photographer in Maine, USA. His book was found on the shelves and purchased by the other 'R.A. Gilbert', and the title could not be more fitting.

The Honorable Dr. Donald B. Street visits Knight Masons Council No. 10 in New Jersey

2008-10-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

Most Excellent Donald Street is the Great Chief of Knight Masons in the United States, and he currently serves as Mayor of Nashville, North Carolina. Dr. Street addressed the gathering of the Invitational body of Knight Masons recently in New Jersey where he spoke on the academic exercise of Freemasonry. He found it particularly encouraging to learn of the papers that are regularly presented at meetings of Knight Masons in Northern New Jersey.

Up until 1950, the USA was divided into Southern and Northern provincial jurisdictions similar to the way in which the Scottish Rite is currently operated. After the terms of Frederic F. Bahnson, J. Edward Allen and J. Raymond Shute, Harold Van Buren Voorhis united the two jurisdictions. The Grand Master is now known as the Most Excellent Great Chief owing to the fact that the Knight Masons Grand Council of the USA is a sovereign grand body as of 1967. At this time the separation from the Grand Council in Ireland was supported by the same, and Harold Voorhis’ title changed from Right Excellent Grand Superintendent to Most Excellent Great Chief. From Harold Elliott to Dr. William Peacher, Henry Emmerson, Marvin Fowler, Eddie Stiles and Thurman C. Pace Jr. to many more recent Most Excellent Great Chiefs, the most esteemed leaders of American Freemasonry have lead this Grand Council of Knight Masons in the United States of America, and one cannot help but fault them in having grafted it to be the great honor that it is to be invited into Knight Masons in the United States today.

Last Night...

2008-09-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

The entire culture & state of North American Freemasonry could have been restored last night had everyone been rounded up and brought into the lodge room with the door slamming swiftly behind them. Catch Br. Jay's blog on the matter...as W. Br. Trevor Stewart was up late last night, leading us in with technical, archeological, academic detail only to turn around and illuminate us with insight

Trevor Stewart

2008-09-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Author, Speaker & Past Prestonian Lecturer Trevor Stewart of Scotland will be speaking at lodge tonight. The topic is "Those Pillars Again". Trevor Stewart is the Depute Master of Lodge Sir Robert Moray (Edinburgh, Scotland), PZ for Thornhill Chapter Holy Royal Arch Masons in England (as well as the Abbey Chapter in Scotland) and a founding Rev. Knight of the English speaking Prefecture and Loge St Georges, Num 5 under the Directoire Ecossais de Belgique for the Scottish Rectified Rite and Past Dir. General of Studies for the SRIA as well as an Honorary Magus 9th grade in the SRICF. The photo here is of MW & Most Rev. +Herbert Fisher (Past Grand Prior and Chancellor of CBCS, USA) & Rev. Kt. Trevor Stewart in Alexandria Virginia at Masonic Week 2008.

Rashied Sharrieff-Al-Bey to Speak in the historic Morristown Temple

2008-09-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

Right Worshipful Brother Rashied of Cornerstone Lodge No. 37 under the MWPHGL of NY will be a guest speaker in New Jersey at Cincinnati Lodge np. 3. The brother can keep me and anyone else up till 4:30 AM in a cafe in Little Italy talking on virtually any subject. He is a very polished individual, and he has a warm glowing aura. He is a travelled, worldly sort of fellow, and it comes across the moment you speak to him. I wholly recommend this occasion to any learned, regular Masons. His topic will be "Religious Icons in Masonic Symbolism."

"My topic will look at some of our symbols and their origin in early Christian iconography, with some insight into how those symbols developed as bookmarks on Christian history and why they apply to Freemasonry today," Bro. Rashied said.

Monday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.
39 Maple Ave. in Morristown (just off the Green)

Hiram's Tomb

2008-08-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

This is in Lebanon where Scottish Rite Masons gather from around the world to confer the 22nd degree.

The Scottish Rite abroad

2008-06-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

Devoid of nationalism, tricky trays, four chaplains or high school plays, my dear friend's involvement in the Scottish Rite in Europe has culminated in his being promoted to the 32nd degree! He excitedly shared his new regalia with me via email...

sign of a high grade Mason

2008-06-02T10:06:00.000-07:00

In speaking on the 22 Divine Names, Robert Ambelain attributes the 7 Sephira to each of the 7 Liberal Arts and the symbolic ladder of the Knights of Kadosh as stressed by the Masons of Metz in their letters to Willermoz. This ladder in turn is shown to be formed by two pillars and seven rings. "The two names of Yehovah and Adonai express Mercy and Power respectively. They form the combination Yahadonai (Aleph-Heh-Daleth-Vav-Nun-Yod). This is the name of seven letters. This Name of Power
expressed the desire of Pious Man to be in union with God, and at the same time with Divine Unity. It is the affirmation of faith (Amon or Omon). In all circumstances of Life, the mystic pronounces this collection of letters, so operating the liaison of the two Sacred Names. (Practical Kabbalah, 1999 PV translation)

Allied Lodge 1170

2008-06-01T19:49:00.001-07:00

Daughter Lodge of the Historical Alpha Lodge in East Orange, NJ...Allied Lodge meets on the 10th Floor in the Colonial Temple at 71 W. 23rd St where the officers will be installed as the Grand Lodge of New York ushers in a new Masonic Year in alliance with and observation of St John the Baptist Day this Summer Solstice. Allied's installation of officers is open to the public. It will start at 7:30 PM on Monday, June 16th.

The Rose Circle

2008-06-01T19:23:00.000-07:00

Dr. Christopher McIntosh & R.A. Gilbert have both been elected to Fellowship in the Rose Circle.

Brother Masons Aaron Shoemaker, Ron Blaisdell, Chic Cicero, Bob Davis and David Lindez are seen here
chumming it up at the 2006 Rose Circle Research Foundation's conference on Western Mystery Traditions in Freemasonry. The Rose Circle is a non-profit society devoted to the academic pursuit of esoterica and initiatory Orders.

non-mainstream masonic orgs in the Northern NJ area

2008-05-31T23:29:00.000-07:00

Here we find Menelek no. 1 which was the first John G. Jones lodge. He founded that lodge in Montclair, NJ and it was this lodge that formed the MW Oriental Grand Lodge in the city of Newark. Their building towers over the Newark FOP Lodge No. 12 & Science High off of Route 21, the MW Garden State Grand Lodge on Sanford Ave in Irvington, & then there is the MW King William GL on Springfield Avenue in Newark, NJ in addition to the Internationals (Banks organization out of Detroit) off of Elizabeth and Hawthorne Ave in Newark, as well as a few more irregular bodies or orders not recognized by the establishment mainstream of masonry in the state of NJ.

Splendid Irony

2008-05-31T23:15:00.000-07:00

It is June, so soon the Puerto Rican Day Parade will be upon us in New York City, and with it will come the yearly moment of reconcile and neutral bliss where the District Deputy Grand Masters are helped out of their convertible as the entire Parade comes to a halt on 5th Avenue with Telemundo and Channel 4 Cameras craning in as the Freemason color guard parts the way for the Masonic dignitaries to greet, grip, hug and acknowledge the Roman Catholic Clergy on the red carpet in front of St Patricks on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.

72nd St in Manhattan

2008-05-25T21:48:00.000-07:00

Travelling East along the geometria and supposed ley line of East 72nd Street in Manhattan. I was struck by the appearance of an obvious square on the glass door of a Catholic church, instantly reminding me of the time I was confronted with St Paul’s Gothic looking stained glass eye with emanating rays inside of a triangle form. Now here in just above the square and shield there was also a crown with a slanted cross identical to that used by the Masonic Knights Templar Order. A fellow accompanying me further noted the set of crossed keys and that the name of the church was St. John’s…a well known patron saint of hermetic duality (i.e.-The Baptist and the Evangelist) and then we have this prominent fleur de ley dominating the window etching.

2008-05-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

CHARGE VI
Concerning MASONS Behaviour
1. Behaviour in the Lodge before closing
You must not hold private Commitees, or separate Conversation, or separate Conversation, without Leave from the Master; nor talk of any Thing impertinent, nor interrupt the Master or Warden, or any other Brother speaking to the Chair ; nor act ludicrously while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn; but you are to pay due Reverence to the Master, Wardens, and Fellows, and put them to worship.

I've never understood why some folks wait to talk during the opening and closing when these are two of the most solemn and charged moments of ritual in a masonic meeting.

we've lost so many urban treasures...

2008-04-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

I do not know why this building was lost on E. 34th St, but at least it now houses a respectable grad school library. But then on the other end of 34th St we have yet another tragedy to urban flight...

Red Jackets...

2008-03-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

Prominent Masonic Indigenous Folk...

HGA figurine found in Southeastern PA Rosicrucian Graveyard

2008-03-03T14:45:00.000-08:00

Amidst a sea of old weathered tombstones with crosses, roses and not a few compasses...we find a peculiar figurine statuette of an angel amongst those who worked with the angels in their spiritual ritual workings amidst the eccentric countryside of Southeastern, PA.

Moments of Apathy

2008-01-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

I was told by a very senior US Mason that "European Masons and American Masons are on two different pages. When we try to block them on something and give it to them in black and white, they come back with 14 shades of gray." The block move he was referring to involves the encouragement of the performance of ritual, the preservation of teachings and the adherence to the tradition of a particular rite, as opposed to turning it into an Ivory Tower for the exhausted and the elderly who have joined and worked in everything but this rite...reducing it to a "thank you" reward for their Masonic resume completion.

So for everything that the learned and spiritually inclined Mason is excited and passionate about, there is a grouping of Masonic leaders in the US who hold an absolute disdain for it. They view it as a foreign entity. Perhaps true spirituality and gnosis gets in the way with their shrimp cocktail machismo celebrations of nationalism, but they all rush to get to the top of Orders that they do not understand. They do not take on the spirit of the rites. Instead they drain it and kill it like a Cancer.

Unfortunately, some of our leaders are intimidated by the intellectual prowess and spiritual aptitude of actual Freemasonry, and they seem determined to do their best to keep everything on the base level and lacking in both substance and relevance. So, gear up for the Folgers, powdered creamer, sandboxes & beefsteaks. Long live the worker bees, as it sometimes appears as if they've devoured the queen and taken over the hive.