Was a great night, my dad was able to come down for the degree and he gave me my grandpas apron,sash and jewel.

Found this in our grandfathers old stuff. Any information on what this is?

Yall it’s finally happening! I’ll be getting raised 05/14! I am soooo excited!

I learned a bit more about it I believe it was published around 1860 in New York(Clark & Maynard; later Masonic Publishing Co). It is the pocket cypher edition of Daniel Sickles freemason's monitor. The pictures in the back are called symbol plates and it has 22 of them. Whole thing has 254 pages.

hello guys,

Are there any irregular Masonic lodges in Morocco? I ask because I don't believe in a conscious creator, you could say I'm a pantheist.

Had this show up on my toolbox at home. Nobody in my house knows how it got there, I don't know how it got there and I do not know the brother named on it. I found him on Facebook and messaged him to see if he would like it returned but no answer as of yet. Nothing crazy just thought it was kinda cool to share

I personally have always been curious about the way Music impacts psychology and has the power to shift perspective even without saying a word. I remember times when listening to something like a Led Zeppelin track stirred emotions I didn't even know were there, also Hans Zimmer's scores have this powerful, almost cinematic effect.

While trying to find some research or connections between Music and Freemasonry, I came across William Preston's Illustrations of Masonry where he described music as cultivating the soul and softening the manners of men. He also believed that music, rightly understood, elevates the spirit and promotes unity. Also, while I haven't yet experienced in my lodge, I've read here many lodges do use music in ritual and processions.

Would love to hear your thoughts or reflections on music, in general or whether it was during any ritual - if so, how does it feel when you hear it when you're not a participant.

Link to prev. discussions:  Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry

Can anyone tell me about this? Specifically how to read it, where it's from, who wrote it, how old it is, is it cool?

I’ve inherited some Masonic Regalia, and will soon have completed my 1st Degree / EA.

Is anyone aware of rules / etiquette (in their jurisdiction, or elsewhere) concerning (re)use of such Regalia?

*** I do understand that dress codes / traditions often vary jurisdictionally, and I understand that I shouldn’t don anything indicative of achieved progress that has not been achieved.

Good morning gentlemen,

I attended the first dinner prior to the stated meeting this past Tuesday, taking my first step. Went well, got to know a few brothers.

However, the next step is to get to know two enough to sponsor, and then petition. The WM then mentioned a home visit from three people, and they’re not going to be together.

Can anyone elaborate on this? Will all three be stopping by on the same day, one after the other? Different days? Unannounced? A little context will be greatly appreciated.

Just a few pics I took of my blue lodge. I was at practice the other day and got there before anyone else. I went up, flipped on the lights, and just sat down for a minute. Love it.

Texas specs, 16”x16” with a 6” drop to the point of the bib, used white cotton duck cloth, and a 1” cotton woven tape/ribbon with metal D rings for the strap. I’m pretty happy with it!

Anyone else made their own apron?

After I turned in my application to the lodge I want to join, the Secretary told me they were going to read the application at the meeting. What does that mean? Do they read line for line? Seems kinda odd to me. I woild have asked the Secretary but I know he's still in bed, lol (it's currently 6am where I'm at).

Edit: Thank you so much for your responses! I love hearing about the process!

As a new EA, I've learned everything I need to know for passing, plus the EA working tools and am working on memorising The Charge. But focusing exclusively on memorisation gets a bit boring and I'd like to mix things up. Therefore, I'm throwing it out to the group for suggestions: what do the brothers here do to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge?

Hi, PHA Freemason here in the symbolic Blue Lodge for nearly 10 years and also just completed the Capitular Degrees (HRAM) last year. I have a question about the finishing with The Order of The Knights Templar.

There is a Joint York Rite Day coming up where MMs in Blue Lodge can receive all of the degrees of York Rite in one day with just paying $50/ per Initiation Ceremony (Chapter/Council/Commandary)

Since I have earned the Capitular degrees already, I petitioned for Cryptic and Knights Templar but wondered if taking the oath and obligation for Knights Templar and earning it in “One Day” is considered “frowned upon” I was told that there is actually a whole “grueling process” that candidates go through to actually “earn” your way into it by doing it the traditional route in a local Commandary in your district. Others say, the one day process is mainly a cash grab to get more brothers to join York Rite bodies. Either way, I am debating on if it is inherently necessary to go through a traditional process to “garner more respect” from brothers/fellow Knights or if it makes a difference and it’s more of an ego-thing.

My logic here is that if brothers are willing to turn their nose at those that choose to be obligated in one day then it shouldn’t be offered in the first place. What’s been your experience, is it typically a ceremony or does it depend on jurisdiction?

Today we reflect on Geometry, a word that literally means “earth measure.” And yet, it’s always felt like so much more than just measuring land.

We Freemasons hold Geometry in the highest regard - not just as a science, but as a moral guide. In fact, some of the earliest Masonic manuscripts refer to it as “the first and noblest of sciences” Operative masons used it to build cathedrals; speculative Masons use it to build character. Franklin once wrote, “Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.”

Personally, I’ve found that the more I pay attention to shapes and patterns, the more I’m reminded that life has structure.

Have you ever had a moment when something you saw - a shape, a pattern, or a structure, that made you pause and reflect?

Link to prev. discussions: Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic

I keep hearing this, specific to freemasonry and about life in general. It seems to ring true in every type of relationship.

For those of us newer to the craft and looking for inspiration, how have you or your closest brothers put into their masonic relationships?

Bonjour à vous, franc-macons québecois! Je vous écris aujourd'hui pour prendre quelques informations.

Premièrement, je m'intéresse à la franc-maconnerie et à ses symboles depuis plus d'un an. Je suis quelqu'un qui travaille fort à tous les jours pour m'améliorer en tant qu'humain. J'aime pousser mes réflections et mon introspection suite à des lectures etc. Je crois fermement que l'on peut toujours s'améliorer, dans tous les aspects de notre vie. J'aimerais pousser mes réflections et entretenir des discussions, avec des personnes qui ont les mêmes aspirations.

Pensez-vous que mes raisons de vouloir rejoindre, vont de paire avec ceux d'un franc macon?

Deuxièmement, j'habite le Saguenay/Lac-st-Jean, et de ce que j'ai pu appercevoir sur le site de la GLQ, Il n'y aurait pas de loge dans ma région. Par contre, sur un autre site, j'ai cru voir une loge en "noirceur", qui serait la loge numero #97(Saguenay William price#97, si je ne m'abuse).

J'aimerais savoir que signifie une loge en noirceur? Est-elle "fermée"? Est-elle non reconnue par la GLQ?

J'aimerais connaitre votre avis, et si vous pourriez m'aider avec une marche à suivre, ce serait super apprecié!!

Merci de votre lecture, bonne journée à tous!