As you visit Lodges in other States, Provinces, and foreign jurisdictions, the Masonry you encounter can seem comfortably familiar yet strikingly different at the same time. Bro. Chikofsky will walk us through memorable examples of ritual, Lodge practices, and differences with other jurisdictions from his own experience and as a collector and researcher of Blue Lodge rituals and ciphers.
This talk explores symbols used on Masonic aprons and how the symbols chosen and the aprons have evolved over time. What symbols are now most commonly seen on our aprons and what do they mean? What rules prevail about the appearance and standardization of aprons?
In every regular Lodge is found parallel lines and a point within a circle. The instruction about them given an Entered Apprentice is merely the starting point for a journey of geometric, moral, and Masonic exploration. How did the point within a circle relate to the Tabernacle, forerunner of the Temple? How were parallel lines morally significant? Why were the geometry of the circle and parallels a Master's secret of Operative Masons building cathedrals? What can their geometry teach 21st-century Freemasons about how we 'best can work' together and 'best agree'?
How often does the number 3 occur in Blue Lodge ritual and practice? Why do so many features of our Lodge and the Lodge Room come in threes? Where did all these threes come from and what do they symbolize? Keys to our understanding are in the nature of words, Hebrew and Greek letters, geometric study, and modern science and computing. Join us as we explore the many varied uses, allusions, meanings, and origins of the number 3 in Masonic symbolism and lore.
Why does our Chaplain recite the 133rd Psalm in the EA degree? What is all that about dwelling together, a mountain, ointment, dewfall, and someone's beard? And what does all that have to do with becoming a Mason? We will discover how the 133rd Psalm is a treasure map, with pointers to references throughout our Degrees, and with an important Masonic message hidden in plain sight. Note that the talk is written for Master Masons but can be modified for EA or FC with advance notice.
A description and discussion of the Esoteric relationships of Kabbalah, Tree of Life, Masonic lodge room and symbolism, and the Psalms of Ascent.
The use of the Chamber of Reflection has been an integral component in esoteric initiations dating back to well before the 17th century. Though its use has started to become a popular tradition, its impact and presence in Freemasonry is not always understood. This lecture will explore the obscure origins of the Chamber of Reflection as well as its primary uses in and out of the fraternity. We will also take an interactive journey through the specific items that comprise a Chamber of Reflection, the variations that may exist, and the rich symbolic meaning behind each item.
This presentation covers some of the more prominent symbols of Royal Arch Masonry and their deeper meanings. York Rite Q&A as well.
How the use of the point within the circle was used to Try (True) the square of Operative Masons, is symbolic of the relationship between the Master and the Craft.