Give me the secrets of a Master Mason!

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“Give me the secrets of a Master Mason!”

A case for Sacred Geometry and the evolution of the Soul

Many  in the fraternity have heard the almost universal complaint that, “there must be something more” to masonry than the repetition of the Blue Lodge ritual degree work and the reading of the minutes at a stated meeting. Some of us have even had the feeling that the “Work” is being parroted and performed in almost drone-like fashion. Rather than a criticism of the sincere efforts made by brethren to instill and to inculcate the spirit of masonry and its revered degrees to new men, it is more of an observation that I have made on many occasions.

The speed with which we move a candidate, and or, a new brother through to the next step is often done at a dizzying pace. It confuses and frustrates the men whom we are attempting to educate. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that we are often missing the mark when we move candidates and brothers along so quickly.

Inevitably the questions come from new brothers and initiates.

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What Size is Your Compass and is your Square Keeping Up

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What Size is Your Compass and is your Square Keeping Up?
Short Talk July 8, 2017
Novus Veteris Lodge, UD

Today we will briefly examine two components of the Greater Lights, the Square and the Compass and how these can play an important part of our lives as Masons from a different perspective. We will also review the next sign of the Zodiac, Leo and how this formation relates to the symbolism of the Lodge and our life’s struggle with balance.

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Short Talk – 17 June

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Short Talk – June 17, 2017
Novus Veteris Lodge U.˙. D.˙.
Alan Gatlin, Orator

Today’s short talk will cover the two sources of energy that commonly affect the Earth. Asking the question of whether these “events” also affect individuals and groups of people. We also will address how these energies relate to our Masonic symbology and the process of becoming better men and Masons. Lastly, we will also briefly review the new month sign of Cancer and its association with the Moon. Let us then begin the exploration

Our ancient brethren were aware of many astrological and physical “truths” that are now only coming to light again in our modern age. One of these areas relates to the place and effects of our world at large and the universe we inhabit! The prime example of this comes from the effect and impact from the two “types” of energy we experience on a daily basis; electromagnetic and gravitational. It has only been in the last few years that gravitational waves have been confirmed though theorized within the realm of quantum physics. We are only now beginning to understand how these “wave/particles” have their impact. We see the effects of these gradational events with the movement of the tides, creation of solar flares and sun spots with more being discovered.

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Approaches to Knowledge and the Question of Truth

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Approaches to Knowledge and the Question of Truth
Short Talk
Novus Veteris Lodge – May 13 , 2017
Alan Gatlin, Orator

We have today reached the point world-wide where man seems to know everything and understand nothing! – Stephen Arryo

Stephen Arryo is a psychotherapist in Orange County who has written several books discussing the nature of symbols and their relationship to how people and societies behave. While not reported to be a Mason, the ideal’s he purports are consistent with many of the issues and questions we face as a Masonic body in today’s world. The short talk today will briefly discuss the issues raised by the words “truth & knowledge” and how we can move beyond the narrow perspective that permeates many in their world view. We will also briefly cover the symbolism related to the astral formation of Gemini and how that relates to the Lodge and its officers.

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“Feasts and Solstices and the “Lodge of the Holy Saints John at Jerusalem”

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“Feasts and Solstices and the “Lodge of the Holy Saints John at Jerusalem”

Mark Doubleday
Historian
Novus Veteris Lodge
5/13/2017

(Slide/Ancient Jerusalem)

Whence Came You?

In masonry we have two of Christendom’s most revered and venerated saints as our patrons. They are, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, and in almost every lodge in our jurisdiction of California you will see a representation of these most Holy Saints depicted standing side by side of the “Circle and the Point” with Parallel Vertical Lines placed on either side of this device, surmounted by the Holy Bible, an enigmatic and powerful symbol, upon which one may reflect for many hours, days and years.

The layers of symbolism embedded in this emblem are representative of the many layers of subtlety and wisdom that our fraternal forefathers crafted into our degrees. Fore, it is only through degrees that we begin to pull back the veils of ignorance and through diligence and perseverance the scales of darkness are lifted from our eyes as we build our own temples by practicing masonic principals and virtues in all our affairs.

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Readings on the Masonic Altar

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Readings on the Masonic Altar
Joel Baker
13-May-2017

As Master Masons, all of us have taken obligations in a tiled lodge at an altar. The three great and three lesser lights were present at the altar as our brothers listened in silence to our obligation. We repeated what the Master told us to repeat. We adjusted our arms, hands, knees, and legs according to the commands of the Sr. Warden. The Sr. Warden and Deacons attended to us, impressing the penalty physically as we repeated vocally what we heard. We were blinded during the obligation with our other senses heightened. Personally I remember the cold metal and smell of an old book (VSL) in front of me. We concentrated on the words and phrases from the WM as best we could, enunciating them and finding value in them at times. We tried (and failed) to grasp everything we were saying while we were saying it, remembering less after the event that same night. After each of us had finished our obligation, a request for illumination is met with an allegorical lesson binding us to our brothers, symbolism of the setting of the square and compass for that specific degree, and a mode of recognition of the degree.

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The Recurring Cycles of Life

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The Recurring Cycles of Life & Brief Overview of Symbolic Taurus
Short Talk 15 April 2017
Novus Veteris Lodge U.˙. D.˙.

The concept of life being a series of cycles is something that appears throughout nature. A question that is often raised is does what we see around us in nature, also apply in our personal and corporate lives? This short talk will review some of these questions and interesting correlations for the individual Mason to consider. Add to this will be a brief overview of the symbolic nature represented by the celestial formation known as Taurus As always these are points of consideration and discussion for each Mason to assist in improving themselves and evaluating the future.

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Back to Our Basic Symbols

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BACK TO OUR BASIC SYMBOLS
THE SYMBOLISM OF OUR LODGE OFFICERS REGALIA
By: J. Alan Gatlin
Delivered: 3/27/2017 – 381 & Novus Veteris Joint Education Night

It has been said in some Masonic circles that symbolism can be carried too far and can be divisive among the Brethren. This may be a valid point when taken outside of historic contexts and the universe around us. We are fortunate in Freemasonry as we possess a body of ritualistic work which defines many of our symbols in at least one way. This allows us to look at our symbols in two distinct perspectives, the first being in the way our teachings say and secondly using the historic perspective of past societies and ancient groups who used the same symbol in a more universal context, universal symbolism. The similarity between these perspectives is often very close but the range of meanings in the outside world is frequently much broader and can add to the depth of our Masonic experience.

When a new Mason asks the question about our symbols, “what is that?” or “what does that mean?” how can we answer clearly? Are these ‘old’ symbols that really have no meaning in our modern world? If this is the case, then I believe we are in very serious trouble within our Lodges. A review of the Charge in our installations very clearly states that “…it inculcates principles of the purest morality, though veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.” We are also told in the same Charge that to penetrate through the veil of the allegories and symbols is to understand the mysteries. While there is a far deeper meaning in the overall pattern of the Craft, it is of great value to find deeper meanings of the individual symbols and to attempt to recall that understanding on each occasion that we see them. This reinforces the ‘repetition’ form of learning that begins to modify our life experience to become that “better man” we all strive for.

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